How To Crochet the Star Stitch: A Tutorial

The star stitch is another gorgeous gathered stitch that looks harder to create than it really is and since you’ve mastered so many stitches you’ll be a quick study with this one. In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll guide you through the process of creating the beautiful star stitch.

Whether you’re a beginner or the most experienced crocheter, the star stitch will be your favorite stitch for pretty projects. So, grab your preferred mm hook and some yarn, and let’s get started!

A multicolored yarn in yellow, blue, pink, purple, and white in a star stitch pattern. — Let’s learn about the beautiful star stitch!

With their dense texture and sturdy stitching, star stitches are great to use for creating blankets, dishcloths, and pot holders. By adding features like the star stitch, you can create extra definition and distinction with a cushy thickness in your crocheted items. If you’d like to try your hand at stitching other decorative gathered stitches, I’ll share some tutorials at the end of this post.

Now, let’s begin our photo tutorial for creating a perfect star stitch, starting with our foundation chain.

How To Make a Cluster Crochet Stitch: Step-By-Step

Materials Needed:

-Crochet hook (Here’s a guide to pick the right size mm crochet hook here)

-Yarn (choose your favorite color and worsted weight cotton yarn based on what you want to create)

-Scissors to snip your yarn when finished

-Darning needle to finish off your ends

Steps:

Step 1: Foundation Chain

The star stitch will work with any length foundation row if the stitches are of an odd number. The number of stitches I used for this sample was 21 stitches. To begin, insert hook into a slip stitch(sl st) to crochet a starting chain. If you need help understanding how to create a foundation chain, start here.

Step 2: Row 1 Star Stitch

You’ll start the star stitches here in row 1. Begin by chaining 3 and working your first stitch into the middle ch, pull up a loop(creating 2 loops on your hook). Next, insert your hook in the bottom chain and pull up a loop, giving you 3 loops on your hook now. Insert your hook into the first stitch of this row (this is last stitch of the previous row), pull up a loop making 4 loops on your hook. Now you’ll place your hook into the second stitch of this row and pull up a loop to give you 5 loops on your hook. Insert your hook into the third stitch of this row and pull up a loop giving you 6 loops on your hook. This is the last loop you’ll pull up now yarn over and pull through all 6 loops on your hook. Chain 1 to close the first star.

Step 3: Row 1 Star Stitches Continued

The first stitch began in the ch3 made at the beginning of the row. All following stars will be made by inserting your hook into several places of the previous star.

Repeat until you have reached the end of your row. My swatch has an even amount of stitches which means that I have one stitch left after finishing the last star stitch. I finish the row as follows:

I would like to show you what it looks like if you finish without doing the ‘hdc2tog’… You will most likely end up with a hole between the last star and your last stitch of the row. That doesn’t look particularly pretty, especially not when you are going to add a border to your work and you work around the last stitch.

When your piece of crochet has an uneven number of stitches, you will finish the last star stitch in the last stitch of the row. In that case, you make one half double crochet (hdc) in that same, last stitch.

Step 4: Finishing Row 2 Cluster Stitches

These are essentially a group of incomplete stitches or double crochet stitches(referred to as dc) unfinished. Repeat this stitch pattern until you have 5 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops and chain 1 to secure your stitch. Continue this pattern until you reach the last chain space and place another cs there.

Step 5: Ending Row 2

To finish the row, place your actual first dc in the last stitch of row 1. This finishes the final stitch in row 2. Chain 1 and turn your work.

Step 6: Row 3

Place a sc in the first chain and a sc in the first chain space, then chain 1. Place one sc in each space between each cluster stitch. Continue until you reach the last chain space at the end of the clusters and place a sc there. Place your next sc in the third chain from the bottom to finish the row and anchor your stitch so you don’t have wobbly stitches. Chain 4 and turn your work.

Step 7: Row 4

Repeat row 2, doing clusters in the chain 1 space. Finish in the same way row 2 finishes.

Step 8: Row 4

Repeat row 3 and finish the same way.

Knowing a variety of crochet stitches, like the cluster stitch, will give you the confidence to attempt more advanced crochet stitches in future projects. Experiment with different techniques, colors, and stitch patterns to create your own unique design pieces.

Note: Keep in mind that while we’ve described the single crochet stitch in US terms, but the equivalent in UK terms is half treble crochet stitch.

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My Favorite Crochet Tools

If you are like me and like to crochet on the go, this tote is a stylish way to keep everything you need at your fingertips!
My MOST FAVORITE tool is these portable scissors that always make it through security and fit perfectly in my hook case.
A️ yarn bowl is a beautiful way to wrangle yarn while crocheting
Keep organized with this crochet hooks kit with a case. This 85-piece kit has over 2,500 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ five-star reviews.
Crochet Stitch Dictionary: 200 Essential Stitches with Step-by-Step Photos is the most handy resource!

Easy Crochet Projects For You:

Tips and Basic Crochet Stitch Tutorials:

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