Free Pattern: Chain of Stars

  I love to crochet, but the task of weaving in ends can be daunting, to say the least. One of the things I concentrate the most on when designing a pattern is making the least amount of tails, when possible. And so, the unbroken chain of stars was created. The only reason you may have ends to weave in is if you decide to change colors, or you run out of yarn.
  This is another one of those patterns that give you versatility... Make in whatever color you wish, use for many things. Decorate the house for a special occasion, use for a mobile for baby, or even use for garland around a Christmas tree.

   A chain of 11 stars make up the example for the main pattern, but you simply need to add or subtract the amount of repeats for a chain of stars in whatever length you require. An example of a chain of  10 mini stars is given for the less advanced crocheter. 
  The 11 star chain (blue) measures about 80" (203 cm) in length.

  The chain of mini stars (yellow) measures 60" (152 cm) long.

Skill Level:

Easy

Materials:

Crochet hook size G/6 (4.25mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Worsted weight cotton or acrylic yarn (or plarn cut to size), any color

Tapestry needle or smaller hook to weave in ends

Gauge:

Chain of 20 = 4 1/2" (11 1/2 cm)

1 dc st = 1/2" (about 1.75 cm) tall

Finished measurements are given before pattern of each star

Stitches:
Chain (ch)
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Single Crochet (sc)
Double Crochet (dc)

Double Crochet two together (dc2tog) - As for dc, (1.) yarn over, insert hook into specified stitch (st), pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). (2.) Yarn over, insert hook into next st specified, pull up a loop. Pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook). (3.) Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.

Double Crochet three together (dc3tog) - Same as step 1 and 2 above (3 loops on hook). (3.) Yarn over, insert hook into next st specified, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops ( 4 loops on hook). (4.) Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops.  

Pattern:

To begin, chain 20.

Star 1

Finished measurement: 3 1/2" (9 cm) across

"Round" 1:

Chain 5. Sl st in 5th chain from hook. Sl st into loop created. *Ch 4, sl st into loop.* Repeat from * to * 4 more times. Place last sl st next to beginning sl st, past main ch.

"Round" 2:

*Sl st into next available ch-4 sp. (Ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1, sl st) in same ch-4 sp.* Repeat from * to * 4 more times. 

"Round" 3:
Ch 1. *Skip sl st, 2 sc in next available ch-sp. Skip sc, 1 sc in next ch-sp. Ch 2, 1 dc in dc. Ch 2, 1 sc in ch-sp. Skip sc, 2 sc in ch-sp.* Repeat from * to * 4 more times. Join with a sl st to beg ch-1.

Ch  20 to continue to next motif. 

Star 2
Finished measurement: 2" (about 5 cm) across

"Round" 1:

Ch 3. Sl st into 3rd ch from hook to form a loop. *Ch 3, sl st into loop.* Repeat from * to * 4 more times.

"Round" 2:
*Ch 1. (1 sc, ch 1, dc2tog, ch 1, 1 sc) in next ch-3 sp.* Repeat from * to * 4 more times. Join with a sl st to beg ch-1.

Ch 20 to continue to next motif.

Star 3
Finished measurement: 4" (about 10.25 cm) across

"Round" 1:
Ch 6. Sl st into 6th ch from hook to form a loop. *Ch 3, sl st into loop.* Repeat from * to * 4 more times.

"Round" 2:
*Ch 1. (1 sc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 1, 1 sc)  in next ch-3 sp.* Repeat from * to * 4 more times. Join with a sl st to beg ch-1.

"Round" 3:
*Ch 4.  Dc3tog, placing first st before dc, next st between 2 dc, and last st after dc. Ch 4, sl st into ch-1 sp between next 2 sc.* Repeat from * to * 4 more times. Sl st for last repeat to beg sl st.

"Round" 4:
*Sl st into next ch-4 sp, ch 1, sl st into same sp, ch 1. 1 sc in same sp, ch 1. Dc2tog as follows: Place first st in same sp, place 2nd st in dc sp. Ch 2, sl st into next ch-4 sp, (ch 1, sl st in sp again) twice.* Repeat from * to * 4 more times. Join with a sl st to beg sl st. 

Mini Star
Finished measurement: 1 1/2" (about 3.75 cm) across

"Round" 1:
Ch 1. Ch 3. (Sl st in the back loop of beg ch-1, ch 3) twice. (Sl st into the front loop of same st, ch 3) twice. 

"Round" 2:
*Sl st into next available ch-3 sp. Ch 2, sl st into same sp.* Repeat from * to * 4 more times. Join with a sl st to beg sl st.

  Continue repeating pattern from starting ch until you have the desired number of stars. You may create the stars of your chain in whichever order you like. If you would like to copy the example pattern, the order is:
Stars 1, 2, 3, 1, mini, 2, mini, 1, 3, 2, 1.

Chain of Mini Stars:
  So, you haven't learned double crochet yet, or don't have time to work the more intricate patterns? Follow pattern directions, substituting all mini stars. The mini is a simple pattern using only slip stitches and chains. Have plenty of time or are you an advanced crocheter? Make multiple chains of each design.

  The combination is yours to chose. For a longer chain to wrap a Christmas tree or hang around a room, etc, try the pattern Star 1, mini, 2, mini, 3, mini, and so on. The pattern will finish much quicker by using the simple mini as a filler. For Americans, try red, white and blue for the Fourth of July.