Basic Stars

Click on picture to see larger view for better details.  (Yes, I know there is cat hair in the larger star...LOL.  Such is the life with cats).

I've not added a new pattern here for a while....and even though it's because I've been busy (holiday crafting,  household stuff, business stuff, etc)  I kinda felt guilty for not at least adding *something* for y'all to make use of for the holidays!

So,  I thought I might give you all a very simple pattern.  One that you can put to good use this month,  that you can easily make DOZENS of quickly - but it will also serve you well all year long in so many other ways.  So,  I'm giving you my basic 'star' pattern.

It's very easy and fast.  Anyone can make them quickly and even beginners will have excellent results!  These may appear plain and dull at first,  but consider all the many options you have with them (the actual instructions for making the stars are a bit more down the page in bold)

• You can make many,  sew two of them together (back to back)  and add a nice hanger for tree decorations.  (see embellishment ideas further down for sprucing them up)
• You can use them as a gift decoration next to the bow.
• You can use them as applique's on t-shirts, blue jeans (my favorite) jackets, hats, purses,  anything you can imagine.
• Sew two together  (but leave a small opening just before closing up)  stuff it with a little fiberfill, and your favorite potpourri or herb like rose petals or lavender to make little pomander or sachets for closets and drawers.
• Make a pair of the smaller stars with cotton thread and steel hooks.  Sew on tiny beads or pearls and add earring hooks for a nice pair of earrings.   If you make earrings,  starch will help to stiffen them to hold their shape,  but remember they'll probably soften up if you wear them outdoors on a rainy day or if the humidity is just really high.

The possibilities are truly only limited by your imagination.

Allow me to give a few suggestions:

1.  If you're making tree or gift decorations:  Add glitter.  The best way to do this (so that your glitter won't be flaking off everywhere making a mess) is to get some clear-drying craft glue like Elmer's,  put a small amount on a plastic plate or something smooth.   Add a drop or two of water to thin out the glue just a little,  then add your glitter to the glue/water mixture and stir up well.   Using a small paint brush *very lightly* brush around your star with the glitter-glue mix to add a tiny bit of sparkle.

2.  If using it as an applique, starch and press out your star before you begin (if you used cotton or cotton blend).  Allow the starch to completely dry before you add the applique to your material.  If you're going to add seed beads or pearls to it,  do that before you sew the star onto your fabric.  Use a well matched sewing thread to apply the star,  and add a few stitches to secure the 'middle' of the star as well as the edges.     The starch will help to keep the star in shape while you sew around the edges but will wash out completely the first time you launder it so it will become as soft as the material around it.

3.  Also, if you choose to make an applique,  I HIGHLY recommend size 10 mercerized crochet cotton thread and a #7 steel hook  (or size 20 thread with a #10 or #12 steel hook)

4.  You can add a 'hint' of color or shine by using a single strand of sewing/embroidery thread  alongside your yarn.   This can result in some one of a kind, uniquely 'unplanned' color combinations and are especially good for those you're making for appliques.

Don't be afraid to try new ideas!  Use any yarn or thread you like,  any size hook (it works best if your hook/yarn combination result in an even, slightly firm but not overly tight stitch)  Make them in every color of the rainbow.  

They're so simple and fast to make,  even the novice crocheter can easily make a dozen or more of these while watching a single movie on tv  :D

The few I've shown here are just a beginning.  The smaller 5point star is made from a cotton blend of 'baby' yarn,  using a C aluminum hook.   The larger  one is made of just plain old acrylic yarn with a G hook.   The 4point star is also of the cotton blend baby yarn and G hook.

*** 5 POINT STAR ***

To begin your star,  make a magic ring,  chain 3 and then make 14 DC in the ring.   Tighten up that ring and join the last DC to the 3rd chain of your initial chain 3.  That gives you a total of 15 stitches in the magic ring.

*Chain 5.  Tug up on your last 'chain' to make it kinda tight  (this is going to be the sharp 'point' )  in the very next chain,  slip stitch,  then in the next chain,  make a SC,  then in the last chain, make a DC.   Skip 2 DCs of round 1,  and slip stitch into the third DC.  *

Now.. repeat from *  through * four more times for a total of 5 points.  On the last point,  make your final slip stitch into the very bottom of the first stitch of the first point.

Secure your yarn well, and weave loose ends into the 'back side' of your star.

DONE!   Now all you need to do is embellish it and make more!   

*** 4 POINT STAR ***

This is kind of like the 'classic' Christmas star.

To begin your star,  make a magic ring,  chain 3 and then make 11 DC in the ring.   Tighten up that ring and join the last DC to the 3rd chain of your initial chain 3.  That gives you a total of 12 stitches in the magic ring.

*Chain 5.  Tug up on your last 'chain' to make it kinda tight  (this is going to be the sharp 'point' ).  Slip stitch in the very next chain,  then in the next chain,  make a SC,  then in the last chain, make a DC.   Skip 2 DCs of round 1,  and slip stitch into the third DC.  *

Now.. repeat from *  through * two more times for a total of 3 points.  

For the final (longest) point:  Chain 8.   Tug up on the last 'chain' to make it tight (again,  this is the sharp point)  in the very next chain make a slip stitch.  SC in the next 2  chains,  HDC in the next 2 chains,  DC in the last two chains.  Skip the remaining DCs of the round and slip stitch into the base of the first point of the star (same as with the 5point star).

Secure your yarn well, and weave loose ends into the 'back side' of your star.

DONE!   Now all you need to do is embellish it and make more!   

This is a basic stars pattern,  I can't claim to have invented the star shape,  or the idea of crocheting them.   If you wish to use this exact pattern/explanation on your site,  either alone or as part of a larger pattern (say as the decoration on a purse, etc),  please at least include a link back to here.  Linda Potts (© 2011)