How to Crochet Stars and Crochet the Star Stitch!

When it comes to stars, the crochet world knows of two: A start shaped appliqué or pattern and the star stitch.

Crocheted stars are a great addition to many items in the house. Most commonly used on items around the 4^th-of-July and Christmas, they can still hold their appeal throughout the year. They are a great addition to afghans and home décor and are commonly used in projects for little girls. But, whatever the project you are bound to find interest in adding a star.

Basic Star appliqué pattern:

Note: Pattern is worked in the round

Ch 3

Rnd 1: 9 hdc in 3^rd ch from hook (skipped ch 2 counts as a hdc making total 10 hdc), sl st in ch 2 joining to create a circle. Do not turn.

Rnd 2: (Ch 6, sl st in 3^rd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, skip next hdc on round 1, sl st in next hdc) 4 times. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

The star stitch, often considered an intermediate to advance stitch, is a more delicate looking stitch, and often used to make a project look more feminine.

How to make the star stitch:

Make a foundation ch in multiples of 2 + 6.

Row 1: Step 1 - Pull up loop in second st from hook, keeping the loops of an even size, pull up loop in next 3 sts (This means that there should be 5 loops on your hook). Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook, ch 1 (this will create the eye of the star).

Step 2 - Keeping loops even pull up a loop in the following places: The eye, in the back loop of last loop pulled up on the previous star and in the next two sts. Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on hook, ch 1 (for star eye).

Repeat step 2 across, dc in same st as the last loop, ch1, turn.

Row 2: 2 sc in each eye of star across (do not crochet in dc and top part (first loop) of stars). Ch 2, turn.

Repeat pattern till desired length.

Well that is the basics of the 2 uses of the star in crocheting. For more great free patterns check out:

Crochet Pattern Central at http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/stars.php. This great site is filled with links to dozens of great patterns for everything imaginable.

Diamond Square pattern using the star stitch -http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa121298.htm.

Happy Crocheting!

Abriviations Guide:

Ch - Chain

Dc - Double Crochet

Hdc - Half Double Crochet

Sc - Single Crochet

Sl St - Slip Stitch

St - Stitch