Crocheted star pattern and tutorial...

I thought I would do a quick tutorial for those that are interested in whipping up a few of these stars in the lead-up to Christmas.

They are really simple and I have included step-by-step pictures to help if you are beginner at crochet.

Just a few things to start:  I am going to use UK crochet terminology, a 2.5ml crochet hook and baby cotton.  You can experiment with the yarn and hook size to get the look you're after.  My instructions are illustrated in the picture(s) above them.  The pattern is written below in full, without pictures, for those that like to work like that.

I give full acknowledgement of the base pattern to a rather ancient, out-of-print book given to me by my Grandmother many years ago, "Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlecraft".    If you ever see this book for sale in a second hand store, grab it.  It's my needlecraft Bible.

Step one:

Chain 2

Step two:

5 dc in 2nd chain from hook

Step three:

3 dc in each dc (you will now have 15 "chains" around the circle).

Step four:
Now begin to form the 5 points of the star.

1 dc in next stitch

ch6

sl st in 2nd chain from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 1 htr in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, 1 dbl tr in next ch, 1 dbl tr in base of starting dc

sk 2

dc

Repeat step four a further 4 times to create five points

Step five:

Sl st in first dc to join, fasten off, leaving a 20cm tail if you wish to create a loop for hanging.  Weave in ends on the reverse.

Step six:

Blocking:
These stars benefit from a little blocking and starching to remain flat, as they are prone to curling up at the points.

Lay out the stars on a surface like your ironing board covered in some paper towel or an old tea towel.

Pin the corners with the pins on an angle pointing in towards the centre of the stars.

Give a blast of spray starch and leave to dry overnight.  If you are in a real rush you can spray the stars with starch and then iron them.  They will go flat, but won't necessarily have the best shape that they might have with blocking.

Use as desired.  Eight of these packaged in a nice cellophane bag makes a lovely gift.  You can embellish them with sequins, beads or buttons, or applique one to a winter hat, scarf or mittens.

If you don't know how to crochet, it is relatively easy to teach yourself using tutorials on youtube.

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Crocheted Star Pattern (UK terminology)

Ch 2
Round 1:  5 dc in 2nd ch from hook
Round 2:  3 dc in each dc
Round 3:  (1 dc in next st, ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 1 htr in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, 1 dbl tr in next ch, 1 dbl tr in base of starting dc, sk 2, dc) Repeat 4 more times
sl st in first dc to join, fasten off.