…cos you can’t get friendly with a crocodile… *here endeth the hum*
Sorry, bad habit, humming. Sometimes, since having children, I’ve caught myself walking down the ward at work humming ‘Row, row, row your boat’. Not very professional, is it?
Anyway, back to the crocodiles. TheTwistedYarn, the Toddler Twinnage, the Stoic Spouse, and the in-progress Arne and Carlos blanket have been on (a very short) tour. Look! Here we are, pottering through the Oxfordshire countryside in the cool autumn sunshine.
We were on a mission, hitherto promised to the Toddler Twinnage, to go see some crocodiles. So, as yer do, we pottered over to Oxfordshire’s crocodile sanctuary. Hmmm… crocodiles and Oxfordshire…. two rather incongruous concepts, given that our nearest native crocs must be several thousand miles away in more humid climes? Of all the things Oxford/Oxfordshire is famous for, crocodiles ain’t exactly high enough up the list to be vying for the trophy, are they? To be honest, we don’t really do scary beasties at all round here, although I’ll concede that autumn wasp stings can feel awfully sore for a while.
But back to The Crocs Of Ox. We found them! Here’s a ‘snap’:-
We also found a perfectly sensible solution to the problem of mischievous visitors:-
I met a sage old croc called Daisy, and showed her the Arne and Carlos blanket. Actually, I tried to extol to her the benefits of knitting, given her sedentary lifestyle. But Daisy remained impassive, staring at me with mean marble eyes and I suspect fantasising about human-shaped lunch served with a lightly piquant sauce. I don’t think we’ll be seeing her on Ravelry any time soon.
And coming home, I worried about the lack of knitting/crochet angle of the blog post that I was composing in my mind, so I went online and found… the crocodile (crochet) stitch! Look at this beauty! I think even Daisy would be impressed. I found a tutorial here. It’s actually easy to do, and the perfection of the numbers and arrangement behind it are so so satisfying to a logical mind. Here’s a quick swatch that I crocheted. It’s a lot easier than it looks:-
I’m thinking a scarf, no? Or maybe a crazy scaly hat?
Anyway, that’s all for now. TheTwistedYarn has a vile stinking cold, and is retreating to the medicine cabinet. Again.
thecontentedcrafter says
September 29, 2014 at 8:24 pmI’m sorry for your cold – and who knew Crocodiles in Oxfordshire ….. surely there is a song in that! Which reminds me singing anything in a psych ward must be good for the patients…. except maybe rap 🙂 Thanks for the lovely new stitch – isn’t it fun! I signed up to THAT free site – my world grows daily larger and more exciting 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:40 pmGah! You’ve got me trying to make up crocodile songs, now! 🙂
thecontentedcrafter says
September 30, 2014 at 6:51 pmWell that’s good – you must be feeling better 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:53 pm🙂
mountaingmom says
September 29, 2014 at 8:29 pmI love your posts but now I’m humming that dratted song. Love the crocodile stitch. May have to look for that one.
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:40 pmOops. Apologies for the ear-worm. It is quite an irritating song.
Missy's Crafty Mess says
September 29, 2014 at 8:30 pmHope you are feeling better soon. Your blanket looks awesome. That crocodile stitch would make an awesome scarf especially with that color combo.
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:41 pmThank you. And yes, I agree it’d be perfect for a scarf.
sazcreates says
September 29, 2014 at 8:49 pmLOVE that crocodile stitch! Hope you feel better soon *hands over box of tissues and Lemsip* x
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:44 pmThank you. 🙂 *snatches tissues and Lemsip with undignified haste.*
eclectichomelife.blogspot.com says
September 29, 2014 at 8:54 pmI think a hat would be fabulous in this. It looks brilliant. Plus all the sneak peaks of the A & C blanket are wonderful. Happy happy post
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:44 pmThank you. 🙂
mollieandclaire says
September 29, 2014 at 9:00 pmBlanket is gorgeous and that crocodile stitch is fab! It would make a great cushion cover.
Carole says
September 29, 2014 at 9:50 pmLove your crocodile stitch. I used it for a cushion cover and it looks much more complicated than it actually is.
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:46 pmOh! Oh! Have I seen it and been stupid enough to forget? If not, pleeeeease may I see?
Carole says
September 30, 2014 at 8:43 pmIt was a year ago, so you may not have seen it 🙂
It’s here -> http://aslightobsessionwithbooks.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/crocodile-stitch-cushion/
greenelephantcrochetandthings says
September 29, 2014 at 10:22 pmLove the crocodile stitch, a hat would be nice! Hope you feel better soon 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:47 pmA hat would be bonkers. Personally, I see that as a good thing. 🙂 hey, imagine a whole COAT of it?!
greenelephantcrochetandthings says
September 30, 2014 at 7:27 pmA coat would be AMAZING! Might take a while though. I think hats are my go-to thing at the moment, it’s the season! 🙂
nicolaknits says
September 30, 2014 at 12:49 amLovely sample, you are encouraging me to try it.
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:48 pmDo it! Do it! It’s easy and effective.
cricketfox says
September 30, 2014 at 1:17 amI have seen this but not been brave enough to try it. Is it difficult to learn?
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:49 pmNot difficult at all. The video I linked to is excellent. And once you’ve got the logic of it in your head, it’s easy to remember. Whoever designed it was a genius.
cricketfox says
October 1, 2014 at 2:54 amI will check it
thanks
crochetthread says
September 30, 2014 at 5:48 amLuv that. It’ll make a nice scarf, purse, pillow, anything. Feel better soon.
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:50 pmThank you. 🙂
gladeridercrafts says
September 30, 2014 at 6:49 amOh that sign is brilliant! I’ve also seen one in a coffee shop saying that unattended children will be given free espressos and a puppy!
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:50 pmHa ha ha ha ha, now THAT is pure genius. 🙂
littleblackdogsa says
September 30, 2014 at 10:16 amHope you are feeling better soon. 🙂 I am sure crochet will help?
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:51 pmStill at the sniffling self-pitying stage, but I’ll be fine soon, thanks. Am trying some easy therapeutic knitting now the kids are in bed.
littleblackdogsa says
October 1, 2014 at 6:58 amTake care and enjoy the knitting. 🙂 Get well soon.
KerryCan says
September 30, 2014 at 12:26 pmI seem to remember a crocheted hippo–how about a croc? Feel better soon!
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:53 pmNow THAT would be rather wonderful, but beyond my crochet design skills at present. We should lobby heidibearscreative.blogspot.com to design one.
sewchet says
September 30, 2014 at 1:04 pmHa ha! That sign made me laugh out loud! Lovely stitch and just adore the blanket!
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:54 pmThat sign is indeed genius. 🙂
Allison says
September 30, 2014 at 1:54 pmWhat an unexpected road trip! Get well soon 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:54 pmThank you.
rthepotter says
September 30, 2014 at 3:16 pmPersonal view is that crocodile stitch should result in a very pleasing crocodile … 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:56 pmHmmm….. mulls this over….. It would have to be quite a large crocodile, as the stitch is quite large in any yarn…. I wonder…. That would be so cool.
rthepotter says
September 30, 2014 at 7:55 pmTwo-seater ride-on? A thought, anyway.
Woollen Wildnerness says
September 30, 2014 at 4:32 pmNot the first animal I’d think of when thinking of Oxfordshire. Daisy looks pretty unimpressed with your knitting, but I think it looks very pretty!
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 6:59 pmDaisy has no taste in knitting. 😉
slippedstitches says
September 30, 2014 at 5:15 pmI never would have thought crocodile and Oxfordshire at the same time. Looks like they have quite a few. Hope you feel better soon. Love the blanket and the crocodile stitch.
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 7:00 pmThey have loads, weirdly. Where do they FIND them?! Crocodile stitch is indeed rather wonderful.
Ashie says
September 30, 2014 at 5:58 pmI’m sorry to hear about your cold. However, a knitting adventure which involves crocodiles is awesome. I think the Sage croc was impressed with your blanket, personally, and the sign about throwing things is hilarious and a great deterrent. I wonder if they actually tell people who throw things that they have to go get them? I would, if only to see the look on their faces.
I think the crocodile stitch is lovely, I have not used it in a project yet, but I really like it. The yarn you used for your swatch is beautiful! What is it?
The Twisted Yarn says
September 30, 2014 at 7:07 pmDamn, I was hoping nobody would ask (about the yarn). I’m trying to remember, as it was an ancient remnant from the days when I used to visit our LYS, which sadly only seems to sell fibres that are at least 103% acrylic…. I think it might be James C Brett Monsoon.
Crocodile stitch is brilliant – I recommend it. 🙂
narf77 says
September 30, 2014 at 7:29 pmThat Arne and Carlos blanket is completely drool worthy. Gorgeous stripy blendy and most woolly scrumptiousness. We have crocodiles here in Aus. We don’t get them here in Tasmania. They would move slower than snails if they ever made it down this far ;). Sorry you have a cold. Always the way on the cusp of the seasons. It is almost like those little infestations are waiting for our immune systems to have to adapt to new conditions to pounce. Hope you feel better soon. That crocodiley stitch looks complicated and is making my left eye twitch involuntarily which is my measure of whether or not I am ever likely to even check out a link to a stitch or not. Lets just say I am pinning it but no banana (at least for now 😉 )
Nannie4 says
September 30, 2014 at 7:52 pmI think I’d rather have seen my mangy fox to your crocs! 🙂 Love the blanket and the crocodile stitch. Perhaps I’ll donate the ruffle scarves and make some crocodile ones. Maybe I’ll sip some wine and think about it….
jackallcraft says
September 30, 2014 at 10:44 pmI found myself singing ‘Never smile at a crocodile…’ to myself as I hung up a load of washing this afternoon. Thanks so much for that! Much sympathy for the cold, from a fellow sufferer. It’s a lingering one; mine’s been here for over 2 weeks already and I, and my poor littlest snotty Pickle will be glad to see the back of it.
Lisa says
September 30, 2014 at 10:50 pmYour blanket is gorgeous! Love the colors! The baby crocodiles look cute! Too bad they don’t stay small!! I love you crocodile stitch project! Hugz Lisa and Bear
mindfulmagpie says
October 1, 2014 at 10:35 pmLove the crocodile stitch – not the actual crocodiles. The stitch could be used in any number of things. By the way I received my books and showed them off at the knitting group!
kazacrafty says
October 2, 2014 at 4:54 amVery lovely! I’ve seen this stich used with a metallic wool and a fine hook to make rather pretty bracelets, also I was thinking of making some fingerless mittens/ wrist bands that extend to your knuckles, to make it look like some very conservative jackets I have have a cuff and this stich may be perfect 🙂
Serviced Apartments Guy says
October 2, 2014 at 3:32 pmThat sign is just hilarious, although I sincerely hope nobody actually follows it!
Sarah says
October 6, 2014 at 9:37 amI love the look of that crocodile stitch. Thanks for the tutorial link.