Star Stitch Cowl | Free Crochet Pattern

This star stitch cowl is such a quick and easy project just because of one factor – the use of size 5 yarn! Those chunky strands come together so quickly and help put this pattern on the lightning list!

What is the Star Stitch?

The unique design of the star stitch is like little twinkles of yarn all over your project! It looks like it’s super complicated, but thankfully it is not! Once you see it done, you’ll be zipping through rows in no time!

The construction is similar to a bean or puff stitch; it is a series of yarn over and pull through repetitions, with a final pull through all the loops on your hook. The thing that makes it different from a puff or bean stitch is that the placement of your hook is not in the same stitch, but rather in a series of loops from the previous stitch and the stitches from the previous row.

Matching Beanie Pattern

The Pattern

If you would like to purchase an inexpensive, ad-free printable pdf version of this star stitch cowl pattern you can find it here at my Etsy shop.

Add this star stitch cowl pattern to your Ravelry favorites HERE.

Materials:

• 241 Yards Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek Chunky weight 5 bulky yarn (100% low pill acrylic, 5oz/142g, 211yds/193m) color: french lilac
• US K/ 6.5 mm Crochet Hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• Yarn Needle
• Scissors

Gauge:

After row 14 of band, work is approximately 2 3/4” wide x 4” tall

Finished Size:

10” tall by 13” wide (when laid flat)

Abbreviation Key:

(ch) chain
(sl st) slip stitch
(sk) skip
(sc) single crochet
(st) stitch
(sc blo) single crochet back loop only
Special Stitch: (star st) Star Stitch (instructions within pattern)

Pattern Notes:

I tend to crochet tightly. If you feel you are crocheting more loosely you can move to a smaller hook (or larger if you crochet even more tightly). Some people find they even need to go down two hook sizes to meet my gauge.

Chain at start of each round does not count as a stitch in the band. In the star stitch rounds, the chain is incorporated into the first star stitch.

You will want to be intentional to keep your star stitches loose, especially if you are a tight crocheter. Otherwise, the star stitch rows will tend to pull in. If you struggle to keep your stitches loose on these rows, you can always switch to a bigger hook for the star stitches.

Photos of the star stitch steps are from another pattern, so the previous rows in the photos may not match, but the instructions are still the same (it’s just a matter of preceding rows being half double crochet vs. single crochet).

You can resize this cowl by adding or removing rows from the band. Just be sure you end with an even number of rows.

Pattern:

Band:

Ch 9.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. <8>

Rows 2 – 88: Ch 1. Turn. Sc in same st. Sc blo in each st to last st. Sc in last st. <8>

Note: Band should be about 26 inches long. If you would like to resize, you can add or remove rows, just be sure your final number of rows is an even number.

Line up the short ends of the band and sc them together. If you have never crocheted a band together, and aren’t sure how to do it, here is a Youtube tutorial to help you out.

Body:

Round 1: Ch 1. Place 1 sc in end of each row of band. Join with sl st to first sc. <88>

Round 2: Ch 3. Complete 44 star st. See photos below for completing the first stitch and following:

First star stitch of Round 2:

Second star stitch of round 2 (and following):

Note: The last insert of the last star stitch in the round will need to be in the join stitch from the previous round.

To join the end of the round, before completing the eye of the last star, insert hook into the ch 3 space at the beginning of the round. Yo and pull through both loops on the hook. This will complete the eye and the join at the same time. <44 star st>

If you find yourself struggling to complete the star stitch with written instructions only, you may find this video tutorial for the star stitch bottle holder helpful. It is not the same pattern, but the star stitches are completed in the same way.

Round 3: Ch 3. Complete 44 star st, but this time follow directions below for placement of hook inserts. Join at the end of the round with the same method as round 2. <44 star st>

First star stitch of round 3:

Second star stitch (and following) of round 3:

Rounds 4 – 13: Repeat Round 3.

Note: Cowl should be approximately 10” tall at this point. You can resize to your preference by adding or removing rounds.

Round 14: Ch 1. Place 2 sc in each star st around (one in the top loops of star st and one in the eye of star st). Join with sl st to first sc of round. <88 sc>

Finish off and weave in ends.

More Star Stitch Projects:

If you enjoyed this star stitch pattern, here are a few more patterns you might like to try.

The first pattern I ever created using the star stitch was the Star Stitch Bottle Holder. It’s a quick and easy pattern and has been one of my most popular for a while.

The Star Stitch Wash Cloth adds a twist by crocheting star stitches in a square shape. It creates a beautiful, feminine wash cloth. It makes a beautiful gift!