Starpath: Star Stitch How-To

This scarf celebrates a 19^th century star stitch with modern sporty color contrasts and fringe-as-you-go edges. It’s designed to offer maximum color fun with zero ends to weave in and no switching between attached colors.

I so love the starry texture of this stitch that I’ve amplified it two ways: by using a contrasting color for each row, and by using two strands of a shimmery yarn held together throughout.

A convenient benefit of this pattern is that you can easily substitute one strand of thicker yarn for the two strands of the thinner DesigningVashti.com Lotus yarn shown here. This project is also a great way to combine yarn scraps leftover from other projects. Scroll down for a few of the color planning and yarn estimating tips from the pattern.

I discovered a surprising range of star stitch variations while preparing to teach a class on them. My goal is to design with them in ways that take advantage of the unique charms of each star type.

Skill Level

Easy Intermediate. I’ve kept pattern abbreviations to a minimum and include International English equivalents for American terms.

Feeling adventurous? You might prefer to substitute the long foundation chain for this scarf with my new star stitch foundation!

?After using this pattern, you will know (if you didn’t already):

• How to crochet a historic star stitch pattern and understand its texture.
• How to heighten the best qualities of this star stitch.
• How to create crocheted fringe scarf ends.
• How to plan striped color combinations and estimate amounts needed of each color.

Finished Dimensions

6″ {15.24 cm} wide and 63″ {160 cm} long, not including fringe. Blocked fringe measures approx. 6″ {15.24 cm} at each scarf end.

Materials

• Crochet Hook: Sizes US I/9 {5.5 mm} and US G/6 {4 mm} or sizes required for gauge, if using two strands of sport weight yarn held together. If using one strand of worsted weight yarn instead, only the larger crochet hook size is needed.
• Stitch markers: one or two may be helpful at first.
• Yarn: DesigningVashti.com Lotus Original ball size (52% Cotton, 48% Rayon; 256 yds {235 m} per 3.5 oz {100 g} skein) and mini-ball Snack size: see Color Planning below.

To substitute a different yarn of the same thickness: Choose a #2 Fine Weight yarn with a recommended crochet hook size range of US E/4 {3.5 mm} to US G/6 {4.0 mm}. These yarns may also be called Sport or Heavy Sock {Light DK, 5-Ply}.

To substitute a thicker yarn to crochet scarf with one strand throughout (see scarf photo of green wools): Choose a smooth #4 Medium Weight yarn that lists a crochet hook size range from US H/8 {5 mm} to US J/10 {6 mm} on its label. These yarns may also be called Worsted, Aran, Afghan, and occasionally “Light Chunky” Weight.

Color Planning & Yarn Estimating Tips:

For the double-strand scarf, each inner stripe requires between 25–30 g of a sport weight yarn. Each outer stripe used 10–12 g more for the foundation chain and the final slip stitch edge. To estimate amounts needed for worsted weight yarns, or for a longer or shorter scarf, weigh the scarf in grams (a finer measurement than ounces) after fastening off at the end of each row.

Scarf shown has 6 colors in 11 stripes:

1. For three of the six colors I needed a total of 50–60 g (approx. 150 yds) each: Teal Glimmer (“Color B”); Bamboo Green (“Color C”); Rose Red (“Color D”).
2. Sapphire (“Color A”) and Grenadine (“Color E”) were used for both an outer stripe and an inner stripe, so I needed up to 72 g of each.
3. Purple Glow (“Color F”) was used only once as an inner stripe, so I only needed 25–30 g of it.

To choose these six colors and to plan the order of the stripes, I used my Color Chips set, a crocheted color planning kit. You might like to browse a new collection of photo albums, one per Lotus color!