Crochet Star Stitch Pattern

Instructions

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1. 1Stitch multiple and foundationStar stitch starts on a multiple of 2 ch + 5: the first star uses 5 chains, every following star uses 2 new chains, and the last chain gets an hdc for the edge. For a 10-star swatch, ch 25 (2 x 10 + 5).
2. 2Row 1 (star row)Pull up a loop in each of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th ch from hook (6 loops on hook), yo and draw through all 6, ch 1 (eye). *Pull up a loop in the eye, in the side strand behind the last loop of the star, in the same ch as the last loop and in each of the next 2 ch (6 loops), yo and draw through all, ch 1; rep from * 9 times, hdc in last ch. (10 stars)
3. 3Row 2 (hdc row)Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn, 2 hdc in the eye of each star, hdc in the ch where the first star began. (22 sts) The eye is easy to find: it's the little hole at the top of each star.
4. 4Row 3 (star row)Ch 3, turn. Pull up a loop in the 2nd and 3rd ch from hook, then in the first hdc at the base of the chain and in each of the next 2 hdc (6 loops on hook); yo and draw through all, ch 1. *Pull up a loop in the eye, in the side strand behind the last loop, in the same hdc as the last loop and in each of the next 2 hdc, yo and draw through all 6, ch 1; rep from * 9 times, hdc in top of the turning chain. (10 stars)
5. 5Pattern repeatRow 4: work as Row 2, placing the last hdc in the top of the ch-3 at the start of the previous row. (22 sts) Rows 3 and 4 form the repeat. Pulling up loops of equal length is very important: keep them all about the height of an hdc, or the stars will look lopsided.
6. 6Crochet the swatchAfter rows 1 and 2, repeat rows 3-4 seven times, for 16 rows and 8 star rows in total. The piece will measure about 13 cm. Count 22 sts on every hdc row and count the stars on every star row.
7. 7What to make with itStar stitch makes a dense, warm fabric that suits hats, scarves, cowls and baby blankets. For a scarf, ch 35 (a multiple of 2 + 5; 15 stars, about 21 cm) and work to 150 cm; you'll need about 350 g. Changing colour on every star row gives a vivid striped look.
8. 8FinishingAfter the last hdc row, cut and pull the yarn through. Weave in the ends through the hdc. Dampen the swatch, lay it flat, line up the edges and let it dry; star stitch looks neater with a very gentle stretch.