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Increasing and decreasing · Easy

Points and star points

A point in crochet is made in one of two ways. In rows, the piece narrows by a stitch at each end until one stitch is left, or grows from one stitch by an increase in every row. On a round, each point is built outward from the edge: a short chain, with stitches of rising height worked back along it. Five of those, spaced evenly, make a star.

How to work it

  1. A point in rows: start at the wide end

    Chain the width of the base and work a row of single crochet (UK double crochet) with an odd number of stitches. This is the widest row.

  2. Decrease at both ends

    On the next row, work the first two stitches together and the last two stitches together. The row is two stitches narrower, and it sits in the middle of the row below.

  3. Alternate plain rows and decrease rows

    A point worked in rows of single crochet, with both of its sides in view. The first row has five stitches. The next row, marked, has three, standing in the middle of the five; the row after it has three again; and the last row, marked, is a single stitch at the tip.

    Work one row with no decrease, then another row with a decrease at each end, and go on in that way. When three stitches are left, work all three together into one. That last stitch is the tip.

  4. A point on a round: chain out from the edge

    For a star, begin with a small flat round. At the place where a point is to stand, chain 5.

  5. Work back along the chain

    Work back toward the round with stitches that grow taller as they go: a single crochet in the second chain from the hook, a half double crochet (UK half treble) in the next chain, then taller stitches in the two chains that are left, a double crochet (UK treble) or taller. The short stitch is the tip and the tall ones are the base of the point.

  6. Fasten the point down and space the next

    A star seen from far off: a small round in the middle, drawn faded, with five points standing round it, equally spaced. Each point is drawn as its two sides, which meet at the tip. One point is marked.

    Slip stitch into the round a stitch or two farther on, so that the foot of the point lies along the edge. Start the next point from there. Work the same number of stitches of the round under every point, so that the points come out evenly spaced.

At a glance

Used for
triangles for bunting, or to join into a blanket; the points of a star; a diamond: a triangle that grows and then narrows again
In rows, narrowing
2 stitches fewer on every second row, one at each end, down to 1
In rows, growing
Start with 2 stitches in one chain, and work 2 stitches into one stitch at the same end of every row: 1 stitch more in each row
A star point
A chain out from the round, then stitches of rising height back along it, and a slip stitch into the round
Spacing a star
The stitches of the round are shared equally among the points: 15 stitches for 5 points that take 3 stitches each; 10 or 12 for 5 or 6 points that take 2 each
Sharper points
Block the piece, with a pin at the tip of each point.

The two ways of working in rows give the same triangle. Narrowing needs the width of the base settled before you begin, because the starting chain fixes it. Growing from the point does not: you stop when the triangle is as big as you want. Because the work is turned, the single increase of each row falls on the two sides by turns.

How fast the rows change sets the angle of the point. One stitch in each row, or two in every second row, gives the even triangle described here. More changes to a row widen the piece faster and give a broader, blunter point; fewer give a narrower one. Taller stitches make taller rows, so the same count gives a different angle with them.

Star points are worked in more than one way. The one in the steps makes each point of a chain and the stitches worked back along it. Another makes a point of one tall stitch, a few chains at its top and two short stitches worked round its post. A third works a group of tall stitches, a few chains and a second group of tall stitches into one corner space, so that the chains make the tip.

Whichever is used, the count comes first. Decide how many points the star has and how many stitches of the round each one stands on, and multiply: that is the number of stitches the round needs.

When it goes wrong

My star's points are not evenly spaced.
The round does not have the right number of stitches, or a stitch was skipped that should not have been. Count the round: it needs the number of points times the stitches each point takes.
The sides of my triangle are uneven.
Decreases and increases leave a slightly stepped edge. A round of single crochet worked all the way round the triangle evens it out, and so does joining it to another piece.
The points curl or look blunt.
Pin each point out to its shape and block the piece.

Variations

  • A triangle that grows from its point. Chain 2 and work 2 single crochet into the second chain from the hook. Turn. In every row after that, work 2 single crochet into one stitch at the same end of the row and 1 into every other stitch. Each row is one stitch wider than the last. Stop when the triangle is the size you want.
  • A diamond. Grow a triangle from its point, then narrow it again to a point with decreases.

Questions

How do I crochet a point?
In rows, decrease one stitch at each end of every second row until one stitch is left. On a round, chain out from the edge and work back along the chain with stitches that get taller, then slip stitch into the round.
How many stitches does a star need in its first round?
The number of points times the number of stitches each point takes up. Fifteen for five points that each take three; ten for five points that each take two.
How do I make the points of a star sharper?
Block the star, with a pin in the tip of each point.

Where to go next

Stitches