Little Crochet Star Tutorial

Crochet, crochet, little star. This project is as sweet and simple as a nursery rhyme.

It’s something easy and meditative to pick up and put down, or to make while watching holiday movies.

Make a bunch for a garland or for a wreath…

Or make it a group project! How often can you do that with crochet?

There are probably thousands of crochet star patterns out there, but I specifically designed this one to: 1. be easy and 2. be worked tightly so that it creates a defined, dense shape.

I timed myself and it took me about 8 minutes to finish one star from magic ring to shaping and ironing it. Batching it would probably shave off a little more time too. You could make enough stars for this wreath in the time it takes to watch a movie. (I used 17 stars if you’re wondering ;)).

MATERIALS

• Worsted weight yarn*
• 3.50 mm hook**
• Scissors
• Yarn needle***
• Iron and spray bottle of water****

Material Notes

*Each star takes about 2 g or just under 4 yards of yarn.

*I recommend using wool yarn. If you shape the stars with the iron, it allows you to sort of felt the flowers into shape and the wool yarn can withstand heat without melting.

**We are using a hook that is too small for the yarn on purpose to help create a tighter, denser star.

***I recommend using a smaller yarn needle or tapestry needle, because the star itself is only about 1.75 inches wide and tall. Large needles with large eyes will be hard to maneuver through the stitches. The star is worked very tightly, so a tapestry needle with a sharp tip may be even better if you have one.’

****I recommend wetting and ironing the stars to help shape them, because it’s faster and easier.

****If you are using a yarn that cannot tolerate heat or you don’t want to use heat, you can wet block the stars. To wet block them: Fold up a bath towel, wet the stars with water, shape them, then pin them to the towel in the shape you desire with sewing pins. Let them dry.

SKILL LEVEL

Adventurous beginner.

Although this project is small, it is worked in the round and with tight stitches which can cause the yarn to snag. It take some patience and practice for beginners.

If you are brand new to crochet and need help with learning about yarn sizing and how to hold your hook, check out my Crochet Basics Series first. I try to slow things down a little in this tutorial to make it beginner friendly, but it’s not as patiently explained as it is in my Crochet Basics Series.

GAUGE

1 star = about 1.75 inches wide and tall

If your sizing is different than mine, it doesn’t really matter. This is just a guide if you want one. You can customize the stars and make them your own!

ABBREVIATIONS

• ch = chain
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch

VIDEO TUTORIAL

The video should have already popped to the top or side of your screen. It will play after some initial ads. If you “x” out of the video, you need to refresh the page to get it back.

Music is by Pleasant Pictures Music Club.

WRITTEN PATTERN & TUTORIAL

1. Form a magic ring (which is basically a slip knot that is not closed up that you will crochet into).
2. Ch 2 tightly. Hdc into the magic ring 10 times. Sl st to the first hdc (ignore the ch 2).
3. Hdc into the next stitch (no starting chains needed). Dc into the same stitch. Ch 4, tightly. Dc and then hdc into the same stitch. Sl st into the next stitch. This creates one star point.
4. Repeat step 3 four more times to create a total of 5 star points.
5. Cut a 3 inch tail and tie off the end.
6. You will end up with what looks like a flower. Don’t worry! We will shape the points as we go.

7. Weave in the tails. Pull on the starting tail to tighten up the magic ring or center of the star. Then weave that tail into around the center to ensure it doesn’t open back up. When weaving in the ending tail, start by guiding the needle down and toward the center of the star to help pull the ending knot into the stitches to disguise it. Weave in a couple of inches and then cut off the excess.

8. Shape with water and an iron. Spray both sides with water. Press the front (nicer) side for only a few seconds. We don’t want to felt away the stitch definition on that side. Then turn it over and press the back side more aggressively. We DO want this side to felt a little. Pinch the star points into shape and press again until it looks how you want.

That’s it!

Repeat as many times as you want.

I made 17 stars to fill my wreath.

I added little green ornament hooks (Walmart) to the backs of mine, making sure the hooks didn’t show on the front. Then I sort of pressed/clipped them in place to the branches. (I also used the hooks to hold up my floppy bow.)

Note: Although wool can stand up to some moisture, I would recommend these stars for indoor decorations only.

All done!

Usually I make a fresh wreath every year (I have a tutorial for how to make one HERE), but the evergreen branches have started irritating some family members’ allergies, so fake it is!