Crochet Star Stitch: 2019 Stash Busting CAL Block #13

Block #13 of the 2019 Stash Busting Sampler Afghan Crochet Along features the Star Stitch. This unique crochet stitch with a starburst design is also known as the Marguerite stitch. It looks intimidating but once you get going and understand the stitch placement it will fly off your hook. 

If you want more info about this crochet along: LOOK HERE.

I love seeing all your creative blocks in the crochet group on Facebook. Seriously the colors and modifications you all are making to suit your individual crochet styles are so awesome. If you aren’t a part of the club, you should join us, show off your squares and ask your questions, either I or one of the other talented crocheters in there are ready and willing to help.

If Instagram is more your style, don’t forget to tag me (@theunraveledmitten) in your pics and use #2019StashBustingCAL.

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Tips for Crocheting the Star Stitch

The star stitch is a 5 loop variation of the Marguerite stitch. Five loops, what do you mean by that? You’ll pull up loops going down the side of the previous start and in the next 2 stitches you’ll pull up 5 loops in total, which leaves you with 6 loops on your hook. After you pull through all 6 loops and ch 1 you’ll have a pretty little stitch resembling a flower or star. 

Sound tricky? Once you know where to put your hook to pull up your loops it’s pretty easy. I have a photo tutorial below. 

This stitch would be great for almost any project. Blankets, scarves, dishcloths, pillows and more. You could use it for the entire project or as an accent to add a little somethin’-somethin’ to an otherwise plain stitch. 

Loose is the name of the game on this stitch. When you pull up your 5 loops be sure to work them a little loose. You’ll have to experiment a little bit to get the right tension with your yarn. I usually don’t like to count turning chains as stitches and modify patterns so I don’t have to, but this one we will be counting our turning chains. 

In a pattern, you might see this stitch abbreviated M5c. That means Marguerite cluster with 5 loops. 

Crochet Star Stitch Photo Tutorial

Row 1

Step 1: Chain any even number (I chained 10 here). Insert hook into 2nd ch from hook and pull up a loop. Insert hook and pull up a loop in the next 4 chs. Be sure to make these a little loose. 

Step 2: Yarnover and pull through all 6 loops. 

Step 3: Chain one to close. Yay! You just made your first star stitch (M5c). The ch 1 makes an “eye” you will use in the next steps and the next row. 

Now let’s make another one.

Step 4: Insert hook into the eye of previous star stitch and pull up loop.

Step 5: This is the tricky part, insert hook into last loops star you just made and pull up a loop.

Step 6: Insert hook into same st as last loop of previous star and pull up loop.

Step 7: Insert hook into next 2 chs and pull up loop. (6 loops on hook)

Step 8: Yarnover and pull through all 6 loops and ch 1. 

Repeat steps 4-8 till the end of the row. Hdc in same st as last loop of previous star. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 2, place 2 hdc in each ch 1 “eye” across. Hdc in top of ch 2. Turn

Working the star stitch in later rows follows the same steps except you’ll be working into half double crochets instead of chains. Lets go over how to start a star stitch row after row 1. 

Row 3: Ch 2, insert hook into front loop of 2nd ch from hook and pull up loop. Insert hook into back loop of 2nd ch from hook and pull up loop. Draw up loop in first 3 hdc stitches. (6 loops on hook). Then finish in the same way, yarnover and pull through all 6 loops and then ch 1. Now you’ll continue your row as we did in row 1 starting at step 4. 

Repeat rows 2 and 3 for pattern. 

Well, what did you think? It’s kind of fun right! 

Materials and Pattern Notes for Star Stitch Crochet Square

#4/worsted weight yarn (Bernat Super Value used in Sample)

5.5mm crochet hook

Needle to weave in ends

Scissors

Gauge and Sizing

Gauge: 7 stars by 9 rows = 4 in OR 3.5 stars x 4.5 rows = 2 in

Finished: 12 x 12

Abbreviations

I use US Terminology

Ch(s): chain(s)

M5cl: Marguerite Cluster 5 loops (Star Stitch)

Hdc: Half Double Crochet

St(s): stitch(es)

Sc: Single Crochet

Sl st: slip stitch

Notes

Ch 2 counts as a stitch

Make sure to keep your star stitch loops loose

To make this bigger or smaller chain any even number keeping in mind the last 4 chains will be turning chains.

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Special Stitch: Star Stitch (marguerite) m5cl: Insert hook and pull up loop in eye of previous m5cl, last loop of previous m5cl, same st last loop of previous m5cl and in next 2 sts. YO and pull through all 6 loops on hook. Ch 1 to close. 

Crochet Star Stitch Square Pattern

Ch 44 to start.

Row 1: Insert hook into 2nd ch from hook and pull up loop. Pull up loop in next 4 chs. YO and pull through all 6 loops on hook. Ch 1. (1st m5cl made). Insert hook and pull up loop in eye of previous m5cl, last loop of previous m5cl, same st of last loop of previous m5cl and in next 2 sts. YO and pull through all 6 loops on hook. Ch 1 to close. (next m5cl made). M5cl across. Hdc in same ch as last loop of last m5c. Turn. (20 stars)

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc), 2 hdc in each ch 1 eye across, hdc in top of ch 2 from row 1. Turn. (42 hdc)

Row 3: Ch 2. M5cl by inserting pulling up loop in front loop and back loop of 2nd ch from hook, same st as ch 2 and in next 2 chs. Ch 1 to close. M5cl across. Hdc in same st as last loop of last m5c. Turn. 

Row 4- 23: Repeat rows 2 and 3 until block is square, ending on a row 3. Do not turn, continue to border. 

Border

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around placing 3 sc in each corner st. Join to top of 1st sc with sl st. Finish off and weave in ends. You may add more rounds as necessary.

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