This crochet star blanket is a free, original pattern worked in rounds from a magic ring, with six points that ripple out from the centre like a starburst. It uses just one main stitch, the treble crochet (tr; US double crochet, dc), so once the first few rounds of your crochet star blanket are done it becomes a calm, repetitive make you can pick up any evening.
At a glance: Yarn and hook: DK yarn and a 4.5mm or 5mm hook (US 7 or H-8). Time: a few weeks of evening crochet. Terms: UK, with US conversions.
We give the pattern in UK and US terms, with stitch counts for every early round, a clear repeat for the rest, and size guidance for a baby, lap or throw blanket. You will also find colour ideas, help with ruffling and cupping, blocking tips and a simple border.
What is a crochet star blanket?
A crochet star blanket is a round ripple blanket. Instead of working back and forth in rows, you start in the middle and work outwards in joined rounds. Increases at each point push the fabric outwards into a peak, and decreases between the points pull it in to form a valley. The result is a big star with crisp points and zigzag stripes.
Our crochet star blanket has six points. Six is a friendly number for crochet because the maths divides neatly, the shape stays close to a circle, and the blanket lies flat without fuss. Five, seven or eight points are possible too, but they need different counts, so we keep to six here.
Why this star blanket crochet pattern is good for confident beginners
- Only one main stitch: treble crochet (tr; US double crochet, dc).
- Every round follows the same simple rule once you reach round 3.
- Stripes hide small changes in tension, and you can stop at any round.
- No sewing up: the whole blanket is one piece.
If you have made a granny square or a simple crochet blanket before, you have all the skills you need for a crochet star blanket. If you are brand new, practise the treble crochet stitch on a small swatch first.
UK and US terms for this crochet star blanket
We write in UK terms. The names of some stitches differ in the US, so check the table below before you start. Our full guide to UK vs US crochet terms explains the differences in more detail.
| UK term | US term | What it means here |
|---|---|---|
| ch (chain) | ch (chain) | Chain stitch |
| ss (slip stitch) | sl st (slip stitch) | Used to join rounds and move into place |
| dc (double crochet) | sc (single crochet) | Used in the border only |
| tr (treble crochet) | dc (double crochet) | The main stitch of the blanket |
| tr2tog | dc2tog | Optional closed valley |
| dc2tog | sc2tog | Border valleys |
| sp / st(s) | sp / st(s) | Space / stitch(es) |
What you need
- Yarn: DK (double knitting; US light worsted) in two or more colours. See the size section for rough amounts. Our guide to crochet yarn helps you choose fibres.
- Hook: 4.5mm (US 7) or 5mm (US H-8). Our crochet hooks guide covers sizes and grips.
- Extras: stitch markers, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors and a tape measure.
The Craft Yarn Council’s yarn weight system is handy if you want to compare DK with other weights or swap to a yarn from another country.
Tension: it is not critical, but as a guide we aim for about 16 tr (US dc) and 8 rounds to 10cm in DK. That gives a soft fabric with good drape. Every round adds roughly 1.25cm to the radius, which is how we worked out the sizes below.
How the crochet star blanket maths works
Understanding the maths makes the crochet star blanket easy to remember, even without the written pattern beside you. Each round has six points and six valleys.
- At each point you work (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) into the ch-2 space. That adds 4 treble crochet (US double crochet) stitches.
- At each valley you skip 2 stitches. That removes 2 stitches.
- So every section between two points grows by 4 minus 2 = 2 stitches per round.
- With six sections, the whole round grows by 12 stitches.
Twelve extra trebles per round is the same increase you would use for a flat circle or hexagon in treble crochet. That is why this crochet star blanket stays flat. In round n there are 2n stitches between each pair of points and 12n stitches in total (not counting the ch-2 spaces).
Crochet star blanket pattern: the first rounds
All stitches below are UK terms: tr = treble crochet (US double crochet, dc), ss = slip stitch (US sl st), ch = chain. The beginning ch 5 counts as 1 tr plus a ch-2 space throughout.
Round 1
Make a magic ring. Ch 5 (counts as 1 tr and ch 2), [2 tr into the ring, ch 2] 5 times, 1 tr into the ring. Join with a ss into the 3rd ch of the beginning ch 5. Pull the ring tight. (12 tr, 6 ch-2 sps; 2 tr between each pair of spaces.)
Round 2
Ss into the first ch-2 sp. Ch 5 (counts as 1 tr and ch 2), 2 tr into the same sp. *Skip the next 2 tr, (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) into the next ch-2 sp*; repeat from * to * 4 more times. Skip the last 2 sts, 1 tr into the first ch-2 sp (the one you started in). Join with a ss into the 3rd ch of the beginning ch 5. (24 tr, 6 ch-2 sps; 4 tr between points.)
In this round the valleys are simply the 2 skipped stitches, so there are no plain trebles between the point groups yet.
Round 3
Ss into the first ch-2 sp. Ch 5, 2 tr into the same sp. *1 tr into the next st, skip 2 sts, 1 tr into the next st, (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) into the next ch-2 sp*; repeat from * to * 4 more times. 1 tr into the next st, skip 2 sts, 1 tr into the next st (this is the 3rd ch of the previous round’s beginning ch 5), 1 tr into the first ch-2 sp. Join with a ss into the 3rd ch of the beginning ch 5. (36 tr; 6 tr between points.)
Round 4
Ss into the first ch-2 sp. Ch 5, 2 tr into the same sp. *1 tr into each of the next 2 sts, skip 2 sts, 1 tr into each of the next 2 sts, (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) into the next ch-2 sp*; repeat from * to * 4 more times. 1 tr into each of the next 2 sts, skip 2 sts, 1 tr into each of the next 2 sts, 1 tr into the first ch-2 sp. Join with a ss into the 3rd ch of the beginning ch 5. (48 tr; 8 tr between points.)
The repeat for every round after round 3
From round 3 onwards, every round follows one rule. Call the round number n, and let k = n minus 2.
Ss into the first ch-2 sp. Ch 5, 2 tr into the same sp. *1 tr into each of the next k sts, skip 2 sts, 1 tr into each of the next k sts, (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) into the next ch-2 sp*; repeat from * to * 4 more times. 1 tr into each of the next k sts, skip 2 sts, 1 tr into each of the next k sts, 1 tr into the first ch-2 sp, ss into the 3rd ch of the beginning ch 5.
In other words: work treble crochet (US double crochet) along each side, skip the 2 stitches that sit in the middle of each valley, and work a point group into every ch-2 space. The last stitch of each round always goes into the beginning chain of the round before.
Stitch counts for the crochet star blanket
| Round | k (tr each side of valley) | tr between points | Total tr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | 2 | 12 |
| 2 | 0 | 4 | 24 |
| 3 | 1 | 6 | 36 |
| 4 | 2 | 8 | 48 |
| 5 | 3 | 10 | 60 |
| 6 | 4 | 12 | 72 |
| 8 | 6 | 16 | 96 |
| 10 | 8 | 20 | 120 |
| 20 | 18 | 40 | 240 |
| 30 | 28 | 60 | 360 |
Every section always holds an even number of stitches, so the valley sits exactly in the middle. If you count an odd number between two points, something has gone wrong in that section.
Optional closed valley
The skipped stitches leave a small eyelet at each valley, which looks neat and lacy. If you prefer a solid valley, from round 3 onwards work over the 4 stitches at the valley (the last st before the skipped pair, the 2 skipped sts and the first st after them) like this: tr2tog (US dc2tog) over the first 2 of those sts, then tr2tog over the next 2. You use the same 4 stitches and still make 2, so the counts in the table do not change.
Sizes for your star blanket crochet pattern
Measure across the blanket from one point to the opposite point. These crochet star blanket sizes are approximate and assume our guide tension in DK; your blanket may come out a little bigger or smaller, so measure as you go.
| Size | Approx. diameter | Rounds | Rough yarn amount (DK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 75 to 85cm | 30 to 34 | About 1,000 to 1,400m (around 4 to 6 x 100g balls) |
| Lap | 100 to 110cm | 40 to 44 | About 1,800 to 2,400m (around 7 to 9 x 100g balls) |
| Throw | 130 to 140cm | 52 to 56 | About 2,800 to 3,600m (around 11 to 14 x 100g balls) |
Yarn amounts are rough ranges, not exact figures. Meterage per ball varies a lot between brands, and a looser tension uses more yarn. Buy an extra ball of your main colour, or note the dye lot so you can match it later.
A baby-sized crochet star blanket
A small crochet star blanket makes a lovely pram or play mat blanket. Use a soft, washable yarn and weave every end in securely. For very young babies, follow the safe sleep guidance from the NHS: place baby feet to foot, keep any blanket tucked no higher than the shoulders, and avoid loose bedding. Our crochet newborn blanket post has more baby-safe tips.
Colour and stripe ideas
Stripes are where a crochet star blanket really shines, because every colour change draws a new zigzag star. Change colour at the end of a round by working the final ss with the new colour, or fasten off and join the new colour with a ss in the first ch-2 sp.
- Rainbow: six to eight colours in order, two rounds each, repeated.
- Neutral calm: cream, oatmeal and grey in random-width bands.
- Bold centre: a bright first 5 rounds, then a single main colour with a thin contrast stripe every 6 rounds.
- Ombre: four shades of one colour, light in the centre and dark at the edge.
- Scrap star: use up leftover DK, with one round of a joining colour between scraps to pull it together.
Two-round stripes are a good default. One-round stripes look striking but mean many more ends to weave in. Weave ends in along the same colour as you go so they do not show through.
How to keep your crochet star blanket flat
Round blankets can misbehave if your tension drifts, and a crochet star blanket is no exception. Lay the blanket on a table every few rounds and check it. Small waves usually relax with blocking, but bigger problems are easier to fix early.
If it ruffles (wavy edges)
Ruffling means there are too many stitches for the size of the circle. Check these in order:
- Count the stitches in each section. Each one should have exactly 2n treble crochet (US double crochet) stitches in round n.
- Make sure you are skipping 2 stitches in every valley, not 1.
- Check you are not adding an extra tr when you work into the beginning ch 5.
- If the counts are right, your stitches may be too tall. Try a hook half a size smaller.
If it cups (bowl shape)
Cupping means there are too few stitches. Check that every point has the full (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) group and that you have not missed the last tr into the first ch-2 sp. If your counts are correct, your tension may be tight, so try a hook half a size larger or relax your grip.
If the points look blunt
Keep the ch 2 at each point loose, and work the point groups firmly into the space rather than into the chain itself. Blocking also sharpens points nicely.
Blocking your crochet star blanket
Blocking evens out stitches and makes the points of a crochet star blanket crisp. Always follow the care advice on your yarn band.
- Wet blocking (wool and many blends): soak in cool water, squeeze gently without wringing, roll in a towel, then lay flat on foam mats.
- Steam blocking (wool and some blends): pin out dry, then hold a steam iron just above the fabric without touching it.
- Acrylic: a gentle wash and dry flat often works well. Use steam only with great care, as too much heat can flatten acrylic permanently.
Pin each of the six points first, measuring from the centre so they are evenly spaced, then pin the valleys. Leave it to dry fully before unpinning.
A simple border for the crochet star blanket
A border tidies the edge of a crochet star blanket and gives a finished look. This one follows the star shape so the points stay sharp. It uses double crochet (dc; US single crochet, sc) and dc2tog (US sc2tog).
- Optional colour band: work 1 or 2 more pattern rounds in your border colour, exactly as the repeat above.
- Edging round: join the border colour in any ch-2 sp. Ch 1 (does not count as a st), (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into the same sp. *1 dc into each st along the side until 1 st remains before the valley gap, dc2tog over that st and the first st after the gap, 1 dc into each st to the next ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into the ch-2 sp*; repeat around, ending with the last side. Join with a ss into the first dc.
- Finish: fasten off and weave in the end. For a firmer edge, work a second round of dc in the same way.
For more options, from picots to shells, see our crochet blanket border guide.
Tips for a neat finish
- Place a marker in each ch-2 point space of your crochet star blanket for the first few rounds. It makes counting much quicker.
- Count every round until round 8 or so. After that, a quick check of one or two sections is usually enough.
- Join neatly: always join into the 3rd ch of the beginning ch 5, so the seam line stays straight.
- Store the work flat or loosely folded, so the centre does not stretch.
- Try the granny look: if you enjoy this, our granny stripe blanket is another relaxing striped make.
Frequently asked questions about crochet star blanket
Is a crochet star blanket hard to make?
Not really. A crochet star blanket is a good next step after simple rows. If you can work treble crochet (US double crochet) and count to keep track of stitches, you can make it. The first four rounds need the most attention; after that the repeat is very relaxing.
Why does my crochet star blanket ruffle?
Usually there are extra stitches, often from skipping only 1 stitch in a valley or adding an extra treble at the join. Check each section has 2n trebles in round n. If the counts are right, try a smaller hook.
How many rounds do I need for a baby blanket?
At our guide tension in DK, about 30 to 34 rounds gives a baby blanket of roughly 75 to 85cm from point to point. Measure as you go, because tension varies from person to person.
Can I use chunky yarn instead of DK?
Yes. A chunky crochet star blanket works up faster. The stitch counts stay the same, but each round will be taller, so you need fewer rounds for the same size. Use a hook that suits the yarn band and check the blanket lies flat after the first 8 to 10 rounds.
Can I make more or fewer than six points?
You can, but you would need to change round 1 and the counts. This free star blanket crochet pattern is written and checked for six points, which gives the flattest result with the simplest maths.
Featured image: star-shaped crochet afghan made by Mary Elizabeth Payne Perdue, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
