Star Stitch tutorial

The Star Stitch is, together with the Catherine Wheel, one of the complicated stitches in this blanket. But it’s oh-so-pretty if done right!

Stitch repeat in blanket: Multiples of 2 + 2 stitches in the original stitch, we use a multiple of 2+1 stitch.

A full Star Stitch is made in two rows. In the first row, you’ll create the bottom ‘spokes’ by crocheting stitches together. On the second row, you’ll create the top ‘spokes’ of the star. In terms of techniques, it resembles the Catherine Wheel!

Join your colour with a ss in the first stitch. Crochet four ch, counting as dc and one ch (photo 1). Insert your hook in the second ch from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (photo 2). This might be a bit fiddly but rest assured, it’s only for the first stitch. Insert your hook in the next ch, yarn over and pull up a loop (photo 3). Insert your hook in the first stitch where you’ve also made the ss, yarn over and pull up a loop (photo 4). Do the same for the next two stitches (photo 5). You now have six loops on your hook. Yarn over once more and pull through all loops on hook (photo 6). Work a ch to create the ‘eye’ of the star (photo 7). This is your first Star Stitch!

In this blanket, we’ll work chains between the Star Stitches, to make it slightly more supple. So crochet one chain (photo 8). You’ll now start your second Star Stitch.

Insert your hook in the eye of the previous star, yarn over and pull up a loop (photo 9). Insert your hook IN the spoke of the previous star, yarn over and pull up a loop (photo 10). Insert your hook in the stitch where the last spoke of the previous star is located, yarn over and pull up a loop (photo 11). Do the same for the next two stitches. You now have six loops on your hook. Yarn over, and pull through all loops on hook, and work a ch to create the eye. That’s your second Star Stitch done! Finally, work one more ch (photo 12).

Follow the instructions for the second Star stitch to the end of the row, with chains in between. Once you’ve finished your final Star Stitch, crochet one hdc in the same stitch (photo 13). We need this stitch for a better edge later on. You won’t notice this in your blanket. Turn your blanket. Your backside will look like photo 14.

Now you’ll be crocheting the top spokes of each star. They’re relatively easy: Crochet two chains. Skip the first hdc, and crochet two hdc in the eye of each star across. Once you reach the beginning, work one hdc in the final stitch (which is the third ch of your begin-chains) (photo 15). The full Star Stitch looks like photo 16.

There’s this nifty thing about Star Stitches: you know you’re working them correctly if they line out precisely on top of each other. If they aren’t, you have missed a stitch somewhere.