While this star shaped afghan sports the usual gaps parallel crochet stitches form, a modified hdc2tog and an adjacent dc stitch fill in the cracks normally made by chains on an increase and skipped stitches on a decrease. The mhdc2tog and adc stitches may seem unconventional at first, but you might find after a few pattern repeats you will no longer need to reference the pattern.
If you are having trouble with the pattern, try the tutorial of the first three rounds.
Materials
Bernat Baby Coordinates Sweet Stripes
5.3oz/150g/404yd 
2 skeins in Splash Stripes
Size F/5 (3.75mm) crochet hook
or size needed to obtain gauge
Blunt end yarn needle
Skill Level 
Gauge
15dc and 8 ½ rows = 4”
Finished Size
33” across from valley to point
21” from center to point
Special Stitches
Adjacent double crochet (adc)- yo, in previous st just made insert hook in bottom left front prong, yo and pl through prong, [yo and pl through 2 loops] twice.
Modified half double crochet two together (mhdc2tog)- yo, insert hook in next st, yo and pl through lp, sk 1 st, insert hook in next st, yo and pl through lp (4 lps on hook), yo and pl through all lps.
To make hole-less starting rounds, use the magic loop technique.
Ch 2
Rnd 1: in second ch from hook *sc, ch 1, rep from *4 times more, join rnd with sl st to sc.
Rnd 2: ch 1, sc in same st, ch 1*sc in ch-1 st, ch 1, sc in sc, ch 1, rep from * 4 times more, end sc in ch-1 st, ch 1, join rnd with a sl st to sc. (10 sc)
Rnd 3: ch 1, *sk ch-1, (2 dc, adc, 2 dc) in next sc, sk ch-1, sl st in next sc, rep from *4 times more, join rnd with a sl st to ch-1.
Rnd 4: [sl st in next dc] 2 times, ch 3, *(3 dc, adc, 3 dc) in adc, dc in next st, mhdc2tog, dc in next st, rep from * 3 times more, end (3 dc, adc, 3 dc) in adc, dc in next st, mhdc2tog, join rnd with a sl st to top of ch-3. (50 sts)
Rnd 5: sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, *(3 dc, adc, 3 dc) in adc, dc in next 3 sts, mhdc2tog, dc in next 3 sts, rep from *3 times more, end (3 dc, adc, 3 dc) in adc, dc in next 3 sts, mhdc2tog, join with a sl st to top of ch-3. (70 sts)
Rnd 6: sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, *(3dc, adc, 3 dc) in adc, dc in next 5 sts, mhdc2tog, dc in next 5 sts, rep from *3 times more, end (3 dc, adc, 3 dc) in adc, dc in next 5 sts, mhdc2tog, join with a sl st to top of ch-3.
Rnd 7: sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in next 6 sts, *(2dc, adc, 2 dc) in adc, dc in next 7 sts, mhdc2tog, dc in next 7 sts, rep from *3 times more, end (2 dc, adc, 2 dc) in adc, dc in next 7 sts, mhdc2tog, join with a sl st to top of ch-3.
Rnd 8: sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in next 7 sts, *(3dc, adc, 3 dc) in adc, dc in next 8 sts, mhdc2tog, dc in next 8 sts, rep from *3 times more, end (3 dc, adc, 3 dc) in adc, dc in next 8 sts, mhdc2tog, join with a sl st to top of ch-3.
Rnd 9: sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in next 9 sts, *(3dc, adc, 3 dc) in adc, dc in next 10 sts, mhdc2tog, dc in next 10 sts, rep from *3 times more, end (3 dc, adc, 3 dc) in adc, dc in next 10 sts, mhdc2tog, join with a sl st to top of ch-3.
Rnd 10: sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in next 11 sts, *(3dc, adc, 3 dc) in adc, dc in next 12 sts, mhdc2tog, dc in next 12 sts, rep from *3 times more, end (3 dc, adc, 3 dc) in adc, dc in next 12 sts, mhdc2tog, join with a sl st to top of ch-3.
Rnd 11: sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in next 13 sts, *(2dc, adc, 2 dc) in adc, dc in next 14 sts, mhdc2tog, dc in next 14 sts, rep from *3 times more, end (2 dc, adc, 2 dc) in adc, dc in next 14 sts, mhdc2tog, join with a sl st to top of ch-3.
Rep rnds 8-11 four times more, ending on row 27, continuing to (3 dc, adc, 3 dc) in every tip for three rows and (2 dc, adc, 2 dc) in the next row, only changing the number of dcs between shells and mhdc2togs.
Border
Special Stitches
These stitches mimic the special stitches used in the body of the blanket, using the same technique and resulting in a slightly shorter stitch.
Adjacent half double crochet (ahdc)- yo, in previous st just made insert hook in bottom left front prong, yo and pl through prong, yo and pl through all lps on hook.
Modified single crochet two together (msc2tog)- insert hook in next st, yo and pl through lp, sk 1 st, insert hook in next st, yo and pl through lp (3 lps on hook), yo and pl through all lps.
Rnd 1: sl st in next dc, ch 2, hdc in next 42 sts, *(3 hdc, ahdc, 3 hdc) in adc, hdc in next 43 sts, msc2tog, dc in next 43 sts, rep from *3 times more, end (3 hdc, adc, 3 hdc) in adc, hdc in next 43 sts, msc2tog, join with a sl st to top of ch-2.
*That’s Cool* a random fact
Stainless steel is not completely rust-proof, but because of a hearty helping of chromium, it oxidizes less than it’s counterpart.
© 2007 Laura Lynn Hanks
This pattern works with other yarns as well. Here are other Chromium Star Blankets I have made:
Made with Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red and White and Caron Simply Soft Brites in Watermelon.
Made with Red Heart Super Saver in Ranch Red, Pumpkin and Dark Orchid.
Do you have a photo of a Chromium Star Blanket you would like to share? Comment below or email me at thekidneybean@gmail.com to include your photo in this post.
Are there corrections to this pattern that aren’t on here? I haven’t figured out how to do it yet, but I love the yarn I have and love the pattern, so want to keep trying.
thanks,
Karen
This pattern has been tested by three people and myself. However, if you do spot a mistake comment or email me at thekidneybean@gmail.com.
How wonderful! I really love the colors that you used in all three blankets. I’ll definitely have to try this out the next baby blanket I make!
I was intimidated at first with the new stitches in this pattern. This is my first attempt at something harder than “beginner”. I love the afghan and have received so many comments on it. Thank you for the pattern!
Am I reading this correctly? Do you really only need two skeins for this, or are my eyes going after a long day at the computer?
Two 5.3 oz skeins. To make the finished size you’ll need about 11 oz of yarn. Round ripples and starghans don’t really take a lot of yarn and they go fast!
Wow..your star blanket is so lovely. Bright and shine like a star
hugs,
thata
I really love this pattern! Has anyone tried to alter it for a poncho?
I finished my first star afghan! You can see it here:
http://amandascrochetconfessional.blogspot.com/2008/02/pictures-as-promised-almost.html
I used WW acrylic (partial skeins I need to get rid of) and a K hook (I stitch REALLY tightly). I was a little worried it would be wavy because of the larger hook, but it wasn’t a problem. It looks a little wavy in the pic, but that’s just the upholstery on the futon.
Thanks for the great pattern. I’ll probably be making several for kids through the year as a way to clear out my stash…
WOWZA!
Laura Lynn, Thanks so much for your recent comments on my brand new blog! Your work is so inspiring to a new crocheter!
I love the pink/red chromium star and the Tricot Machine black and multicolor trivet.
I will definitely be using your tutorials as well…They’re beautifully photographed and clear!
Thanks,
Sara
[...] I manage to finish this project, I plan to make this! February 21st 2008 Posted to Getting Crafty!, Domestic [...]
I love love love this pattern. I have 4 people at work having babies in the next month. Was trying to find a different pattern than the usual and this is beautiful. Will work for both girls and boys!!! Thanks so much!
Hello! I’m surfing in from Craftster, thank you for the wonderful pattern! I did have a question….is it assumed your chaining 1 after every row? For example, row 4 says to:
Rnd 4: [sl st in next dc] 2 times
Is ther a ch1 or ch2 before that? Or am I just continuing on from the last sl st?
Thanks so much! :D
You do not ch-1 unless the pattern states to. For example, after you join round 3 with a sl st, you will then sl st in the next 2 dc and then chain 3. The sl sts are designed to move from the join to your beginning stitch position.
Hope that helps!
I’m trying this pattern, and have discovered I’m horrible at joins. It doesn’t look near as smooth as what I see here, but I still like the design. I think I might try a second one, just for the join practice.
I assumed that with each row after row 11, the dc’s between the shell and mod stitch increases by 2 dc’s….?
Melissa – Yes, that’s correct. Every row will increase by two double crochet stitches between tip and valley except for the decrease rounds with only two dc on each side of the adc tip.
This is sooo lovely! I have a week to make something for a baby shower, and this is sooo tempting! and two skeins makes it a winner, too! *THANK YOU!* for the pattern! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
I love this…..its so pretty. I made this for my daughter and she took it to school and her teachers and the parents was so wowed over it.
Your work is beautiful and thanks so much for the patterns.
thanks again
jae
Wow, thanks for the neat modifications! I like that there are no holes in the surface for tiny toes to catch in :)
Is this available in a knitting pattern?
I love it!! I don’t know how to crochet though.
YES! Thank you for thinking, and improving upon other patterns. I’ve, in the last 2 days, worked on two similar patterns with start of holes looking like a star or a ring – this will be my third star afghan pattern and I’ll start it tomorrow.
Thanks again! I’ve gotten great ideas.
Wonderful afghan! I’ll be using up a lot of my stash on making afghans from this pattern. I just hit one snag: I reached Row 8 and my dcs have been increasing by 2dcs (number of dcs between shells and mhdc2togs) until I got to this point. Row 8 would only increase by one, right? Please help. Thanks again for such a great pattern. I’ll post pictures when and as I finish them.
This is confusing to me.
The abbreviations are nearly impossible to follow and I have absolutely NO idea how I am supposed to start, let alone continue. Is there another set of directions I can get from somewhere else? More understandable, maybe? Like, what’s ‘yo’?
@Devyn Millyard:
‘Yo’ is croshet speak for ‘yarn over’. if this patern is hard to understand, you should probably find a more simple pattern first to familiarize yourself with crochet terms.
@thekidneybean:
I love love love this pattern also. My husband saw a picture of it online and bet me 20 bucks that I couldn’t make it. Let’s just say I’m in row 9 and he has admittd defeat. hehe. My son has already laid claims to it and there are a few pregos who would like one of these. Thatnk you for giving me something to bust my stash with!
Has anyone had any problems with ruffling? If you break the blanket into 10 sections, all 5 sections that go from valley to peak have ruffled. But the peak to valley sections are perfect! I did a gauge swatch and have been over the pattern time and time again, looking for something I did wrong. I have no idea what it could be. I’m using sugar n’ cream but that shouldn’t make a difference.
I’m gonna block it now and see if it helps, but it’ll still ruffle every time it’s washed.
I’d love to make more. Does any one have any ideas what I did wrong or can do differently for the next one?
Thanks!
-Katie
What is a PRONG? is that another term for POST? perhaps?
Other than that I understand the rest of the pattern perfectly =D.
Its a fabulous pattern. And will make a fabulous present for a friend of mine as long as I remember to mail it…lol.
[...] completed my Chromium Star Afghan for a very preggo friend, though it didn’t come out as expected. I don’t have the time, [...]
I just made the Chromium star blanket – I LOVE the pattern and it came out adorable. It came together so quickly (3 days) and the left-handed tutorials were a huge help. Thanks so much for sharing such a great pattern!
Thanks for the pattern! I especially like the technique for eliminating gaps–very clever. My version, made with Yarn Bee Sweet Delight, can be seen here: http://flickr.com/photos/mnmb/2697392860/.
I had a large stash of yarn ends that I wanted to do something with and this was the perfect project. It was a very straightforward design that was a lot of fun to crochet, not to mention that it was small enough to keep me interested in it long enough to finish. I love the end result.
to Katie: I noticed while I was working that the tension I had one direction, valley to peak, was not the same tension that I had going from peak to valley. Usually the straight rows in afghans pose no threat to even tension, but with the unique shape of the star blanket, going up was “looser” than going down. I got a slight ripple in the star’s arms, but given the nature of a scrapghan and all of the different weights of yarns it isn’t noticible.
oh, that’s pretty. I’m going to try this as soon as someone around me gets pregnant.
Okay so I screwed up and I figure I would go right to the source for some help. (LOVE the pattern BTW!)
I misread the pattern and went to 27 stitches in between points instead of going to row 27. In doing so I’ve done (2 dc, adc, 2 dc) for the last 3 rows to be able to keep my color pattern. Do you think I would be okay to continue in the correct way of 3 rows of 3dc, adc, 3dc and 1 row of 2dc, adc, 2dc from here or do I have to frog the bad part and redo that?
Thank you for this easy pattern. It is beautiful and so many people have told me how much they love it. I’ve made about 20 to send to the local N.I.C.U as preemie blankets.
This afghan turns out beautifully! I love the pattern. Once I got it down I didn’t refer back to the pattern until I came to the last row to finish it off. Nice not to be dragging a pattern around. It worked up really fast. Mine came out flat. I don’t know why others’ may have ruffled edges…but just block it.
I sent a pic, hope you post it
Hello, I love the stars. I’m looking for a 5-point start pattern that would resemble the Dallas Cowboy’s star. Any suggestions?
Thanks so much
Your star is beautiful!
I have finished making one: http://wondercrumpet.blogspot.com/2009/02/star-is-born.html
It turned out beautifully, and is the first real crochet project I have ever made… thank you so much for the wonderful pattern and clear instructions!
I love the star but have a question about the border.I Only found one row for it and it said nothing about ending the work off. Just need to know how many rows to make for the border. Thank you very much. I had a 5 pointed pattern once for a star; it was very pointed and the picture shown was red, white, and blue. Yesterday, my 6 yr. old Granddaughter found her daddys’ afghan that I made for him yrs ago, and wanted it. He told her to ask Gradnma to make her one, and I cannot find that pattern. I appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks, Nelda Parker
I have a question about your pattern. I wrote it above, but they didn’t seem to want to e-mail it that way. My question is in regards to you star afghan. I only founbd one row for the border. Is that the last row? I wanted to make one for my 6 yrs. old granddaughter; Had a pattern once, but have lost it. Thanks, Nelda Parker
We’re getting another niece and nephew. I just completed my second one of these. I just loved the pattern so much, I had to make it again instead of a different blanket. I posted a picture of them on my blog and linked to your pattern. Thanks!
Love this pattern! I’m hoping to finish this baby blanket for my newest nephew but I’ve run into the same snag as Carla: “I reached Row 8 and my dcs have been increasing by 2dcs (number of dcs between shells and mhdc2togs) until I got to this point. Row 8 would only increase by one, right? Please help.”
Any advice? What did we do wrong?
Ah-ha! Round 7 = (2dc, adc, 2 dc)… not 3!
Rnd 2: ch 1, sc in same st, ch 1*sc in ch-1 st,
How do you single crochet in the same stitch?
I know I’m new, and i’ve tried even looking at you tube.
Please, and thank you!
The “sc in same st” that she’s refering to is the st from Rnd1 that you should have just sl st’d into, not the ch1 you make off that sl st.
Double posting? Ooops.
@Hil
This took me several attempts and unravelings to finally figure out, and I’ve read through the comments tons of times, so I’m going to try and explain it in my terms what I think it means (having finally moved on and gotten to row 8 in one sitting).
The “sc in same st” that she’s refering to is the st from Rnd1 that you should have just sl st’d into, not the ch1 you make off that sl st.
Also, this gave me TONS of trouble: In Rnd 1 you sc and ch1. The “sc in ch-1 st” in Rnd2 is referring to the ch-1 from Rnd1, not the ch1 you just made. Once you realize this, the “sk ch-1″ steps make a lot more since (she’s refering to the ch-1 in the rnd previous to the one you’re working on).
Another stupid mistake I made was thinking that the adc stitch was two steps (as in two double crochets). If it’s a “2dc, adc, 2dc”, you should end up with 5 stitches to work with for the next round right there, not 6 like I was doing. I just ignored the two sentences in the tutorial after she says “Proceed as if this stitch were a normal double crochet stitch…” and just proceeded like it was a normal dc. I was most likely just not understanding what she meant, just pointing this out in case anyone else is getting weird counts. If I’m still misinterpreting, please let me know!
I was pretty much a Crochet beginner when I decided to tackle this and now I’m feeling a lot more confident. I love this pattern and I can’t wait to see the look on my boss’ face when I present it to her at her baby shower. Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing this pattern! I found this through crochetpatterncentral.com while searching for a baby blanket pattern for my cousin’s soon-to-be son. My cousin is in the Air Force, and once I found this pattern, I knew I had to do a red, white, and blue star play mat for the baby! I started yesterday, and hope to be finished by tomorrow or the day after. Thanks again!
[...] pattern is the Chromium Star Blanket. Which, if you’ll notice, is actually crocheted. Yikes. This is the biggest crochet project [...]
Hi,
I think there is a mistake in the border pattern. Instead of hdc,it says dc.
Correct me if I am wrong.
THis turned out to be a great project for me.Finished it in 2 days flat.Have already been getting nice comments from friends and family.
Thanks
My daughter is doing stars in baby’s room. I wanted to make her something for it to match. This is perfect. I hope I can figure it out.
[...] get it done before she outgrew the pattern. I think it will make a lovely blanket. Pattern from The Kidney Bean. Category: all posts, crochet, stashTags: blanket > brown sheep > chromium star > cotton fleece > [...]
This is the 5th time I’ve tried to start this pattern, and I finally got it! Well, I am at row six at least, I couldn’t figure out how many stitches you wanted us to have on the magic loop so I just did the math backwards, and figured out it is six like the magic loop tutorial explains. I wish that was more clearly stated for those of us that already knew what the magic loop technique was. I probably would have started this blanket successfully the first time a month ago. Round one reads as if you want us to repeat four more times into the chain that you did the first one in, NOT in the next stitches; I had a mass of stitches coming out on that chain stitch, then I’d rip it out, and try again to make it look like the pictures on the tutorial.
So, I think I’m going to make myself a modified cheat sheet PDF from your tutorial, and keep in on my hard drive for the next one I make for myself.
Grrrrr and LOL, thankfully I finally figured this out because I love the way the blanket looks in the pictures. I’ll post some progress pictures after I have a few more rounds done. =D
Your blankets are beautiful! I barely started making one yesterday, before I found your blog. I thought they were harder to make but so far, I am being able to figure out my own pattern just by looking at stars. In my case, I just started with a pentagon granny and took it from there.