Star Decoration

I designed these little hanging decorations to add some colourful, homespun Hooky Goodness to my Christmas Tree this season, but there's no reason why they can't be used all year round and in all sorts of ways. I've had suggestions for using them as baby rattles, baby mobiles, as tags on wrapped gifts, or simply just as little decorative gifts to pass on to friends and family.

These are quick and satisfying little things to work up, ideal to use up those little itty bits of stash yarn that you might have lurking somewhere. I personally prefer to use cotton yarn for making decorations (here I've used Rico Creative Cotton), but any yarn would be fine. I also tend to switch down a hook size for making decorations which keeps the stitches quite tight and prevents the polyester stuffing showing through the gaps. So for example where the Rico cotton suggests a 5mm hook size, I switch down to a 4mm hook.

Before we begin, a little summary of the basic stitches. I'm writing using UK crochet terms ::

sl st [slip stitch] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.

dc [double crochet] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US sc stitch)

htr [half treble]:: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all three loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US hdc stitch)

tr [treble] :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops (note :: this is equivalent to the US dc stitch)

First of all you will need to make two flat circles, as described in this tutorial for Bauble Decorations.

Round 5 [the pointy triangle bits] ::

*WORK THROUGH THE BACK LOOP ONLY for this round*

Join in a new colour by tying a knot close to the stitches. Insert your hook into the stitch directly to the left of your knot, and pull a loop through to the front.

Slip Stitch in the next stitch.

Dc in the next stitch (picture above)

You will be working a total of FOUR stitches all out of the next stitch, as follows ::

Htr, Tr (that's two stitches worked)

Now chain 2 (as above)

To make the Pointy Bit :: insert hook into the second chain from hook, going through both loops as pictured above. Now yarn over and make a slip stitch by pulling the yarn through all loops on hook. Please note that this can be quite a tricksy manoeuvre and takes a bit of practice...you will need to hold onto your work very close to the hook and twist the hook down and away from you to ease the yarn through.

Now still in the same stitch as before, work the following ::

Tr, Htr.

In the picture above, you can see that there are 4 stitches in total coming out of that one stitch (htr, tr, tr, htr), with the little picot-point sitting in the middle of the two tr's).

Dc in next stitch.

Work a Sl St into each of the next FOUR stitches (as above).

Dc in the next stitch.

In the next stitch work the following, same as before ::

Htr, Tr, chain 2, insert hook in 2nd chain from hook and sl st, Tr, Htr.

Dc in the next stitch.

Sl St into each of next FOUR stitches. (Second triangle made)

Dc in the next stitch.

In the next stitch work the following, same as before ::

Htr, Tr, chain 2, insert hook in 2nd chain from hook and sl st, Tr, Htr.

Dc in the next stitch.

Sl St into each of next THREE stitches. (Third triangle made)

Dc in the next stitch.

In the next stitch work the following, same as before ::

Htr, Tr, chain 2, insert hook in 2nd chain from hook and sl st, Tr, Htr.

Dc in the next stitch.

Sl St into each of next FOUR stitches. (Fourth triangle made)

Dc in the next stitch.

In the next stitch work the following, same as before ::

Htr, Tr, chain 2, insert hook in 2nd chain from hook and sl st, Tr, Htr.

Dc in the next stitch.

Sl St into each of next FOUR stitches. (Fifth triangle made)

You should now be almost back round to where you started, can you count FOUR remaining stitches (picture above)?? Good...OK, last bit as follows ::

Dc in the next stitch.

In the next stitch work the following, same as before ::

Htr, Tr, chain 2, insert hook in 2nd chain from hook and sl st, Tr, Htr.

Dc in the next stitch.

Sl St in the last stitch. (Sixth triangle made)

Slip Stitch into the first chain and fasten off. Looking good?? Six points? very Star-like and pretty?? Yippee!!

Ok, moving on, Assembly time....make two identical stars and stitch a button onto the centre of each one.

You'll be stitching the two stars together, so hold them with right sides to the outside, and thread a darning needle with a long length of yarn. Start in the space between two triangles and begin over sewing the two stars together, stitching through the inner loops only (picture above)

When you reach the first point of the star you can thread on a small bead or bell.

Continue stitching round, attaching your beads/bells to the points as you go. After the fifth one, pause and put in the stuffing, then continue to sew up the remainder of the star.

Lastly you will need to make and attach a hanging loop.....I'm so sorry I completely forgot to photograph this for you, but it's easy enough.

Crochet a chain of 30, leaving tails at each end which are long enough to sew with. Bring the two ends of the chain together and tie them in a firm knot, then thread both tail ends onto a darning needle and stitch the chain loop securely to the star, as pictured above.

I really hope you'll be inspired to give this a go, they are so much fun to make. You can see and read more about my Decorations in this Ta-dah post.....have fun with it!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

All my tutorials are created for you to use and enjoy for free. However, if you would like to make a donation you can do so using the button below (all donations are gratefully received and will be used to fund future projects).

 

xx Thank you xx

Comments

[Laura Jean]

This is a totally awesome gift idea for Christmas for any one... I cannot wait to get started!

[Denise]

Aggie, when I have made the baubles, I have 10, then 20, then 30 and then 40 stitches on the last round. Each time you do a round you are increasing by 10. When you do the star, you have to follow Lucy's instructions carefully, because there are three slip stitches at one stage instead of four.

[Denise]

I have made two so far and they are just beautiful. Four to go and I'll have made one for each grandchild.

[aggie]

So I'm having a problem. When I complete the round part, I have 44 stitches. But to complete the star according to your pattern, I need to have 54 stitches. So what ends up happenng is two points are too close togehter. am I missing something?

[JODY OLIVER]

7193 DECKSIDE DR

[Juliet]

Awesome, I have made 3 already, in blues and white for our Yule tree! I am working one more.They are so pretty, easy and fast to work! Love your blog! GREAT instruction!

[Sally]

Hi, I'd like to know what size your bells are too please, I can't see any replies. I was struggling to figure out how you got the beads onto the bottom of the bauble decorations and then realised it's because it's a bell at the bottom. I'm seeing 6mm and 8mm on Amazon. Also what size buttons did you find worked best? Thanks, it's going to be a colourful Christmas!

[Betty A. Marinello]

Hi, is there anyway that I could get this pattern from you? I think they would make wonder Christmas gifts. I would most definitely p0ay you in advance if your able to e-mail it to you. I was a stay home mom for our three boys who are all out on their own. I'm truly blessed have a wonderful husband as well. Hope to hear from you and peace. Betty Ann

[Anna]

Hi! I just started a star and am loving it so far. Thanks for sharing your pattern!! One question: I'm having trouble with the picot-point with the star pointy bits in round 5. After I have chained 2, do I yarn over before I insert the hook into the second chain?

Thanks!

[Laurie Martin]

Lucy,

You are so sweet sharing fantastic patterns for us to crochet. Thank you so much. You are a Super Star!!

Laurie

[Mari Paz de Dios]

Hola Lucy:
Me encanta tu blog, lo veo diariamente. He empezado con el ganchillo hace 6 meses y te puedo decir que haces cosas maravillosas. Yo ahora estoy haciendo un cactus de ganchillo.
Te escribo desde Madrid España.
Muchas gracias por compartir ésto con todos.
Un saludo
Mª Paz

[Muriel]

I found your blog via Ravelry so this is why my post is that late corresponding to the edition of your article. Thank you so much for this tutorial! These stars are looking fabulous. Muriel.

[Sarah M-H]

I just made one of these star ornaments using Lion Brand Cotton Ease and it is fantastic! I love that these bright and beautiful babies work for every season. Thanks so much for the detailed instructions. I'm sure I will be checking back often.

[rhiannon]

loving attic 24 keep up the wonderful work lucy. all my ladies now follow your blog too!

[JIJI]

VERY NICE OF YOU TO SHARE
WITH US...THANK YOU

[piouch]

Thank you for this tutorial. Bye.

[Charlotte]

Oh my gosh, such an awesome star (and tutorial)! Going to make one as soon as possible (and probably many more) :D

[Alison]

These are lurvely :) just saw this by chance via Hulu Crafts but will definitely be popping by again.
Thank you for sharing your ideas

[Nina]

Hi, Lucy! Thank you so much for the idea and instruction. I needed something for my kids' preschool for tomorrow. And here I am with your toys. Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

[Katerina]

So gorgeous! So nice and pretty! Really festal! Many many THANKS!!!

[Ngaio]

Awesome !!! I'm on my way to my stash & hooks immediately !

[saskia]

wat super leuk! dank!

[Christina]

Hi Lucy, Thanks for sharing your patterns - these are SO gorgeous! Could I just ask what size bells you used? Were they 6mm?

I've been looking at your blog and discovered your link to Clothkits!!! My 7 month old daughter loves my old clothkit dolls, although they are a bit old, but now I can make her some more! Thank you.

[Linda]

I love the stars! Thanks for a great tutorial!

[Osa da Lúa]

THANK YOUUUU! It's lovely! lovely! lovely! I can't wait to start crocheting lots o' this :-p