Blackwork star in a hexagon hand embroidery pattern

Easy · 1 color · 3 kinds of stitch

Blackwork star in a hexagon: preview of the stitched design

A six-point blackwork star sits in a six-sided frame, all in one navy thread. The six diamonds of the star are filled with a close net of back stitch. Between the points of the star lie six more diamonds, one at each corner of the frame, each parted in four by back stitch lines with a French knot in every part. A row of back stitch points runs round the border between the inner frame and the outer frame. The star, the lines between its diamonds and both frames are stem stitch.

Size and details

Easy. Simple stitches in one color.

1 color of floss and 3 kinds of stitch, all of them line stitches and knots:

The stitched size, by hoop
Hoop	Inches	Centimeters
3 in (8 cm)	1.9 × 1.7 in	4.8 × 4.3 cm
4 in (10 cm)	2.9 × 2.5 in	7.4 × 6.4 cm
5 in (13 cm)	3.8 × 3.3 in	9.7 × 8.4 cm
6 in (15 cm)	4.8 × 4.2 in	12.2 × 10.7 cm
8 in (20 cm)	6.7 × 5.8 in	17 × 14.7 cm

In a 3 inch hoop the French knots are drawn smaller than about 2 mm (a little over 1/16 in). Use one strand of floss for them there, or choose a larger hoop.

The pattern is drawn inside a circle about half an inch (1.3 cm) smaller all around than the hoop.

What you need

DMC 336 Navy BlueClose net of the star, lines that part the diamonds between the points, points in the border, knots in the diamonds between the points, lines between the diamonds of the star, star, inner frame and outer frame

The floss is six-strand cotton; the stitch guide says how many strands to use. You also need a hoop, an embroidery needle (a size 7 to 9 suits two or three strands) and plain cotton or linen fabric. To frame the piece in its hoop, cut a square 3 inches (8 cm) wider than the hoop: a 9 inch (23 cm) square for a 6 inch hoop.

Stitch guide

Back stitch 2 strandsClose net of the star, lines that part the diamonds between the points, points in the border
French knot 2 strands, two wrapsKnots in the diamonds between the points
Stem stitch 2 or 3 strandsLines between the diamonds of the star, star, inner frame, outer frame

Getting it onto your fabric

The PDF holds the pattern twice at actual size: once as drawn, and once mirrored for an iron-on transfer pen. Print it at 100% with scaling off and check the one-inch square (25.4 mm) with a ruler before you trace. How to transfer a pattern explains tracing, carbon paper and the other ways. The files are under Downloads.