Stitch Combination Tutorial: Star Stitch

Being legally blind, I like texture. I think that’s one reason why I’m drawn to crochet so much more than knitting, because of the texture. Sometimes, though, I want something more than the standard stitches. Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing at all wrong with them. But I like texture that is interesting, too.
To that end, over the last couple of years, I have started looking for different stitch combinations that add an extra dimension. For me, they have to feel nice, but for others, they have to look nice too. Thankfully, that’s not that tall of an order.

I feel like this star stitch fits those requirements quite well. It’s also known as the Margeurite stitch, daisy stitch, and spiked cluster. Even though there are several steps, it’s easier than it looks, so don’t be intimidated. Below, I’ve provided written directions and photo illustrations to help you create this stitch yourself.

Instructions:

Note: HDC = Half-double crochet. Yarn over, insert your hook in the next stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop. You have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all loops on your hook.
1. Chain a multiple of 6 + 1. For the photos here, I chained 25.

2. Insert your hook in the 2nd chain, pull up a loop and hold it on your hook.

Repeat in the next chain until you have 6 loops on your hook.

3. Yarn over and pull through all loops on your hook.

4. Chain 1. You have completed your first star and also created the “eye” of the star.

5. Insert your hook in the eye of the star and pull up a loop.

6. Insert your hook in between the last two spokes of the star and pull up a loop.
7. Insert your hook in the chain at the base of the star and pull up a loop.
8. Insert your hook in the next chain and pull up a loop. Repeat in the next chain. You have 6 loops on your hook.

9. Yarn over and pull through all loops.
10. Chain 1 to complete the star.
11. Repeat steps 5-10 until the end of the row.
12. HDC in the last chain.

13. Chain 2 and turn your work. Place 2 HDC in each eye across and in the final stitch.
14. Chain 3 and turn your work.
15. Insert your hook in the 2nd chain and pull up a loop.
16. Insert your hook in the next chain and pull up a loop.
17. Insert your hook in the first stitch of the row and pull up a loop. Repeat with the next 2 stitches until you have 6 loops on your hook.
18. Chain 1 to complete the star.
19. Repeat 5-11 to finish the row.
20. Chain 2 and turn your work. Place 2 HDC in each eye across and in the last stitch.

Repeat star stitch and HDC rows to the desired length of your project. Be sure you end with and HDC row. Fasten off and weave in the ends.

If you try this stitch, tag me @jen.nipps on Instagram so I can see what you’ve done.