Interweave Store | Help / Customer Service

Knitted Star Pattern

Oct 6, 2009 by Jason

These knitted stars appeared in the Fall 2009 issue of Interweave Knits (see Yarn Review, page 20). Each of the five "points" is knitted flat and joined to the last point. They’re fun and quick to make, and easy to adjust in size—try tiny ones for gift tags, or much larger ones for decorations, or sew two together and stuff.

This pattern may be used as a formula for any size star—we found 7-stitch segments to be the smallest practical multiple. The pattern below calls for 21-stitch segments.

To change the size of the star, cast on an odd number of stitches greater than 5. Follow instructions as given, working a double decrease over the 3 center stitches on each right-side row. Subtract 1 from the number of cast-on stitches and divide in half to find the right number of stitches to pick up along the selvedge.

 

Five-Point Star

Materials: Any weight yarn and suitable needles; tapestry needle.

Segment 1:
Use the knitted method to CO 21 sts. Set-up row: (WS) Purl.
Row 1: (RS) Sl 1 with yarn in back (wyb), k8, sssk, knit to end—19 sts rem.
Row 2 and all WS rows: Sl 1 with yarn in front (wyf), purl to end.
Row 3: Sl 1 wyb, k7, sssk, knit to end—17 sts rem.
Row 5: Sl 1 wyb, k6, sssk, knit to end—15 sts rem.
Row 7: Sl 1 wyb, k5, sssk, knit to end—13 sts rem.
Row 9: Sl 1 wyb, k4, sssk, knit to end—11 sts rem.
Row 11: Sl 1 wyb, k3, sssk, knit to end—9 sts rem.
Row 13: Sl 1 wyb, k2, sssk, knit to end—7 sts rem.
Row 15: Sl 1 wyb, k1, sssk, knit to end—5 sts rem.
Row 17: Sl 1 wyb, sssk, k1—3 sts rem.
Row 19: Sssk—1 st rem.
Segment 2:
*With RS facing and 1 st on right needle, pick up and knit 10 more sts down slipped-st selvedge of lefthand side of Segment 1, ending at corner. Turn and use the knitted method to CO 21 sts—32 sts total. Set-up row: (WS) P20, p2tog, turn—1 st dec’d. On WS rows, you will join Segment 2 with the picked-up sts along Segment 1 by working p2tog over last st of Segment 2 and next picked-up st.
Row 1: (RS) Sl 1 wyb, k8, sssk, knit to end—2 sts dec’d.
Row 2 and all WS rows: Sl 1 wyf, purl to 1 st before turning point on previous row (slipped edge st of Segment 2), p2tog (edge st and foll picked-up st), turn.
Row 3: Sl 1 wyb, k7, sssk, knit to end.
Row 5: Sl 1 wyb, k6, sssk, knit to end.
Row 7: Sl 1 wyb, k5, sssk, knit to end.
Row 9: Sl 1 wyb, k4, sssk, knit to end.
Row 11: Sl 1 wyb, k3, sssk, knit to end.
Row 13: Sl 1 wyb, k2, sssk, knit to end.
Row 15: Sl 1 wyb, k1, sssk, knit to end.
Row 17: Sl 1 wyb, sssk, k1.
Row 19: Sssk—2 sts rem: 1 st for Segment 2 and 1 st for Segment 1.
Segments 3, 4, and 5:
Rep from * for Segments 3, 4, and 5—after each segment you will have 1 more final st rem. 5 sts rem when all segments are complete. Break yarn and thread tail through rem 5 sts and cinch to close. Sew seam between Segment 5 and Segment 1. Weave in ends and pin out to block.

 

 

 

 

Filed under: , , , , , , , , , ,
Related Posts
+ Add a comment

Comments

 
rrichter wrote
on Oct 6, 2009 11:45 AM

who has time to do this when so many people need charity knitting of hats, mittens, scarves, and baby items.

Kelleigh wrote
on Oct 6, 2009 2:07 PM

I think that the stars would make a great baby hat with the smaller stars as earflaps.  Maybe even a matching baby blanket and small stars on the mittens so that everything matches.  Could be the perfect charity knitted project for some advanced knitters out there.  Thanks for sharing the pattern!

NinaT wrote
on Oct 6, 2009 6:59 PM

Thanks for sharing these. I'd love to make a few and use up some leftover yarn I have.

JoyJ wrote
on Oct 7, 2009 7:50 AM

nice and short enough to teach another (especially those with short attention spans) a new knitting skill.

thanks!

ElizabethD@3 wrote
on Oct 14, 2009 6:25 AM

In response to the first commenter, it's true that many, many people need our help. And I do that. But I'm going to knit some of these stars, too, just for fun. I'll learn something, and they'll be pretty on my Christmas tree. No guilt!

Lisa@161 wrote
on Oct 30, 2009 7:49 AM

True, people need help.This pattern is going to enable me to knit some lovely little gifts inexpensively for the people who have helped my family through a year of unemployment and health issues. A larger star will be a Christmas hot pad. The smaller, a set of sparkly holiday coasters.Don't be so quick to judge!

LaurieS@22 wrote
on Oct 30, 2009 7:53 AM

Thank you so much for sharing this cute pattern....with recent money troubles, knitting calms me, and little projects like this are perfect for me -- They're like knitting 'snacks"!  

Prezlaura wrote
on Oct 30, 2009 8:41 AM

Thank you so much for providing these free patterns; they will make great "gift tags" for Christams gifts.  Life is all about balance; doing good for other and for self; knitting helps me do both :-)

PMCAMPANA wrote
on Oct 30, 2009 9:29 AM

Hmmm,   couldn't the large one be the TOP of a hat?  Just have to figure out how many stitches to add around the edges to build on to make the "hat" portion...the smaller ones could be additions to decorate, add as felted appliques......  tassles on scarves.........hmmm,   solves both the curiosity of learning and teaching and providing something unique for charity!   Let your mind travel through creativity and turn those daydreams into reality!   Wahoo!

Jill Gochenour wrote
on Oct 30, 2009 10:19 AM

Several years ago my sister (in England) gave me a hot water bottle shaped like a star as a gag gift.  Looking at this, I think I can use the concept to knit it a cover!  Thanks for sharing this cute pattern.

twelvedaysold wrote
on Oct 30, 2009 12:33 PM

Sooo cute!  I'm going to make some for coasters for Christmastime.  And rrichter, what's wrong with doing some stuff for yourself sometimes?  It could also be said you're wasting time by being on the internet when you could be knitting!

verne wrote
on Oct 30, 2009 1:41 PM

Very nice pattern and useful, too!  Everything doesn't have to have an immediate purpose.  

If the only goal is to have enough items to clothe the poor, we could buy them and put them in use more quickly than knitting them!  :)

teewers wrote
on Oct 30, 2009 7:34 PM

I noticed these in the magazine and was disappointed that there was no pattern for them.  Thanks so much for publishing the pattern for us here!  Not sure yet how I'll use them, maybe just for joy -- but I will.

DebraA@3 wrote
on Nov 2, 2009 10:45 AM

I knitted a baby blanket that I planned to give as a gift. It got snagged in 3 places and I put it aside and bought a gift. I can knit some of these stars and cover the snags, and save me the anguish of ripping it all out and starting over!

CelesteG wrote
on Nov 14, 2009 8:18 AM

My church knitting group makes (over 300 this past year) dishrags to give out at the free health fair we host every spring.  I love making different patterns and learning new techniques, even for the lowly dishrags I make.  I'll be making this for many reasons and if it brings a smile to people now or at the health fair, it will be worth the time and $ I spent!

Melinda Childers wrote
on Nov 28, 2009 9:12 AM

I, too, saw these stars in the magazine and lusted for the pattern.  Thank you for sharing!

la jefa wrote
on Dec 9, 2009 12:47 AM

Most of my knitting is for charity & I think these little stars would be lovely knitted and then appliqued (in a "sprinkling" of different colors & sizes?) on a plain sweater, hat, or pair of children's socks.

Advertise | Subscribe | Community Guidelines

Copyright (C) 2010 Interweave Press, LLC
Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms and Privacy Policy, updated March 2007
Interweave network sites:
Artist Daily Fiber Arts Jewelry Show Guide Spin-Off
Bead Fest Interweave Store Knitting Daily Spin-Off Autumn Retreat
Beading Daily Jewelry Artist Quilting Arts