One Thousand Stars Shawl

The One Thousand stars crochet shawl pattern creates a simple asymmetrical triangle shawl, crocheted using the beautiful star stitch.

Worked with a fingering weight yarn and comparatively large hook, it has amazing drape and creates a pretty, lacy yet warm wrap.

You can purchase an ad-free printable version of this pattern for a small fee from Ravelry, Etsy or Love Crafts.

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Read on for the details and the free pattern.

Skills Used

• Knowledge of basic crochet stitches and terminology
• This is a super simple pattern once you get used to working the star stitch – see special stitches
• Working in rows

Materials

Hook: 6mm crochet hook

Yarn: 4 balls / 200g / 656m of We Crochet, Lindy Chain, 70% linen, 30% pima cotton, 50g ball = 164m/180yds, Shade: Bluebell

Substitution Options: If using a substitute yarn, I suggest choosing something with great stitch definition to make the most of the stitch pattern. I think this pattern could also look great in a graduated or ombre yarn such as a whirl. 

You may find this post useful in choosing a substitute yarn.

Other: Blocking board and pins (blocking recommended), yarn needle & scissors

Measurements & Finished Size

The shawl you see pictured measures approximately 150cm / 60in long (up the rows) and 85 cm / 34in at the widest point when gently blocked. 

The longest diagonal side measures around 175cm / 70in.

To change the size of the shawl, work more or fewer pattern repeats.

Pattern Notes

General Notes

• Please read all the pattern notes before starting your project
• This pattern uses standard US crochet terms (UK equivalents are given in brackets in the abbreviations list)
• The numbers at the end of each row represent the number of stitches in that row and are given as the number of ‘stars’ and the number of stitches
• Turning chains do not count as stitches
• Instructions written between [square brackets] should be repeated the specific number of times stated 

Construction

• The shawl is worked from the tip up to the widest point, in rows
• You can follow the specific row counts given in the pattern or just work the pattern repeat until it reaches your desired size
• You can learn all about crochet shawl construction styles in this article

Stitches & Abbreviations: US terms 

(UK Equivalent in Brackets)

• ch = chain
• hdc = half double crochet (UK half treble crochet)
• RS = right side
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• star st = star stitch – see special stitches
• inc-star st = increase star stitch – see special stitches
• WS = wrong side
• yo = yarn over

Special Stitches – Star Stitch

The body of the shawl is made using star stitch. 

Star Stitch is a 2 row pattern repeat which is harder to explain than it is to actually crochet! Each ‘star’ takes up 2 stitches and is essentially a single crochet 5 together (sc5tog) and a ch1 (which forms the ‘eye’ or centre of the star). The bit that you need to pay attention to is where you insert your hook.

I describe the stitch instructions in detail below, but first I’ll give you an overview of how the stitch pattern ‘works,’ in case you’ve not worked it before.

The first row and odd numbered rows of the pattern are the ‘star rows,’ where you will work the star stitch (sc5tog, ch1) all the way across. 

The second row repeat (and even number rows) is a row of hdc where you work 2hdc in the centre or ‘eye’ (the ch1) of each star and one into the end of the row.

For this pattern, you will work the increases in the shawl at the start of each star row (beginning on Row 3) using an ‘increase star st,’ which is very similar to the normal star stitch, just worked over different stitches.

You can find a full tutorial for the star stitch here (including a picture and video tutorial), or you can work from the written description below. 

Note that the tutorial is focused on working standard straight rows of star stitch and, as such, the rows begin and end in a different way. (using beginning and end star stitch). This pattern uses a different stitch multiple so the beginning star st in the tutorial is replaced with an increase star st (see below) and you will not need to work the end star st. 

Increase star stitch (inc-star st)

You will make your increase at the start of each star stitch row using an inc-star st. It’s worked in a very similar way to the star stitch, just working into the chain 5 at the start of the row;

Ch5, insert hook into second ch from hook, yo, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), [insert hook into next ch, yo, pull up a loop] 3 times, so you have worked into all of the chains and have 5 loops on your hook, insert hook into the first st of the row (the last hdc worked on the previous row), yo, pull up a loop (6 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 6 loops, ch1 to complete the st. This last ch1 creates the ‘eye’.

Inc star st step by step photo tutorial

Below is a photo guide demonstrating the inc star stitch

Ch5 to start the inc-star st;  

Insert hook into second ch from hook, yo, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), [insert hook into next ch, yo, pull up a loop] 3 times, so you have worked into all of the chains and have 5 loops on your hook; 

Insert hook into first st of row (the last hdc worked on the previous row), yo, pull up a loop (6 loops on hook); 

Yo, pull through all 6 loops, ch1 to complete the st. This last ch1 creates the ‘eye’; 

Star Stitch (star st)

Insert hook into the ‘eye’ (ch1) of the previous st, yo, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), insert hook into the ‘leg’ / side of the last loop you pulled up on the previous stitch (this is where the picture tutorial may help you), yo, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), insert hook into the same st as the last part of the previous stitch was made, yo, pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), insert hook into the next unworked st, yo pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), insert hook into next st, yo, pull up a loop (6 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 6 loops and ch1 to complete the st.

After working your inc star st, you will work star st along the row so your star row will look like the image below.

Tips for working the star stitch in this pattern

With this pattern you are working with a larger hook than is typically associated with a fingering weight yarn.

This is intentional so that you create a loose fabric with plenty of drape. It’s important that you keep a relaxed tension when working your stars. 

When pulling up your loops, pull them higher than you would when working a typical crochet stitch. Ideally for this pattern you’d pull them up to around the same height of your half double crochets. If you’ve ever worked a puff stitch, then that is the kind of thing you’re aiming for.

Gauge

Gauge is not essential for this pattern as you can keep crocheting until your shawl reaches the desired size. However, if you want to check you are aligned with the item pictured, you can check your gauge once your shawl has reached about 25cm long.

This should give you enough width to check your stitch gauge and will do as a substitute for a gauge swatch. The gauge my shawl used was as follows:

8 star sts (16 hdc) and 9 rows in 10cm of star stitch pattern using a 6mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

If you want to know more about gauge, you can learn how to make and measure a gauge swatch here

Now it’s time to get stuck into the pattern!

You can purchase a PDF printable version of this pattern for a small fee from Ravelry, Etsy or Love Crafts

The 1000 Stars Crochet Shawl Pattern

Row 1 (RS): Ch6, insert hook into second ch from hook, yo, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), [insert hook into next ch, yo, pull up a loop] 4 times, so you have worked into all of the chains and have 6 loops on your hook, yo, pull through all 6 loops, ch1 (to create the eye), turn. 2 sts / 1 star

Row 2 (WS): Ch1 (does not count as a st throughout), 2hdc into ch1 made at end of previous row (the ‘eye’ of the star), 1hdc in 5th ch of starting ch (second from hook as you worked Row 1), turn. 3 sts / 1 star

Row 3: Inc-star st to begin the row (see special stitches), then make one star st, which will take you to the end of the row. (see special stitches), turn. 4 sts / 2 stars

Row 4: Ch1, 2hdc into the ‘eye’ of each star across, 1hdc in 4th ch of the inc-star st from the beginning of the previous row, turn. 5 sts / 2 stars

It can sometimes be tricky to find the spot to work the last hdc of the row in. The image below shows you where to make it. You’ll get used to it after a few rows.

Finishing the hdc row this way will leave you with a nice scalloped edge.

Row 5 (star row – RS): Inc-star st, star st along the row to end, turn. 6 sts / 3 stars

Row 6 (hdc row – WS): Ch1, 2hdc into the ‘eye’ of each star across, 1hdc in 4th ch of the inc-star st from the beginning of the previous row, turn. 7 sts / 3 stars

Repeat rows 5 and 6 until your shawl reaches its desired size, finishing on an hdc row.

I finished with 115 hdc in the last row / 57 stars (that’s 114 rows in total).

Fasten off

I recommend blocking your shawl to bring out the stitch pattern even more. You can learn about blocking here.

Sew in your ends and wrap yourself in stars!

Sharing your finished makes

I hope you enjoyed this pattern.

I love seeing your finished makes – it gives me all the happy feels! Here’s how you can share them on social media, if that’s your cup of tea!

• On Instagram, you can use the hashtag #TheWiPTiP or #StarStitchShawl or just tag me @doradexplored
• You can share your photos on  my Facebook page
• If you have the bug for creating garments, why not join my dedicated facebook group “My Crochet Wardrobe” and share them there?
• If Pinterest is your happy place, you can add them there too – check out my Pinterest account for lots more crochet inspiration from makers across the web!

Happy Hooking 

Dx

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