)As Carl Sagan famously said, “The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.” And that applies double to the Starstuff Cowl crochet pattern!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.
Because not only does this cowl now exist in the universe, but it’s made of stars! I took the Glittery Crochet Stars pattern that I designed last year, and used it to create this gorgeous one skein cowl. It’s light enough for AC’ed summer rooms, or you can double it and stay extra cozy this winter.
Add more skeins, make it longer, go crazy – the Starstuff Cowl is totally customizable! And it’s join as you go – love it! Because this pattern is made up of motifs, the directions are a little different. I’ve made it as clear as I can with words and graphics.
Starstuff Cowl
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- US – J, 6.00 mm hook (Furls Fiberarts in Purpleheart)
- 270 yds Red Heart Unforgettable (100% Acrylic;
Medium/UK: 10-12 ply; 270 yards/246 m; 3.5 oz/100 g)
Colorway shown: Sunrise (1 ball) - Gauge: Each star motif is approximately 2.5″ wide
- Finished size: Approximately 44″ long, but easily customizable
- Click here for the Starstuff Cowl video tutorial!
Click on the photo to see this yarn on RedHeart.com!
To make this pattern, you’ll be making 60 stars, of 2 rounds each. The first star is made alone, and then each star is joined to the previous star(s) while making the 2nd round. Here are the instructions for the first star:
- Round 1: Starting with a magic circle, ch 2 (does not count as a st) and dc 10 into the ring. Join to 1st dc with a sl st. (10 dc)
- Round 2: *Ch 2, dc in the next st. Ch 3, work 2 sc around the post of the dc st. Sl st in the next st. Repeat from * 4 times, finishing the last repeat with a sl st in the 1st st of the first Round. Break yarn and weave in ends. (I do recommend weaving in ends as you go.)
Now take a look at the following graphic. This is your plan for the rest of the scarf. The stars are numbered in order for the first 6, and you add them in this layout until you get to the last 3 – 58 to 60. Each point of the star will be joined to the the stars around it, except for the points that stick out at the sides.
To start the next star, start as for the first star, then, when you get to the ch 3 that is in bold above, stop at the ch 1, remove your hook, insert your hook into the ch sp of the star point you want to join to, and then put the loop of the second star back on your hook. Finish the ch 3 and the rest of the star as written. See the graphics below.
Work across, from left to right in rows of 3, repeating the joining method seen above whenever you see the points of two pentagons touch, as in the layout above. When you are joining to two stars, insert your hook in the “newest” star. So for Star 5, join to Star 4 for the first circle, Star 2 for the second and third circle.
When you’ve made 19 rows of 3 stars each, it’s time to work the joining row that will turn it into a cowl (unless you want to keep going and make it into a bigger cowl or scarf!). In this row, almost all the points of all the stars will connect to other stars, except for the very first point of Star 58. Look again at the first graphic, and you’ll see colored dots at the bottom of the first row and top of the last row – these are the joins that create the cowl, and they are color coded so you can see how they match up.
Finally, work a sc border all around both edges, and make sure all ends are woven in. Block as needed.
I blocked my Starstuff Cowl by getting it damp and pinning it out flat until it dried. And now It’s all ready for me to wear to the Knit and Crochet Show next week! When I return, I’ll be happy to make a video tutorial, if you feel you need one – let me know in the comments!
Written pattern and graphics copyright Tamara Kelly 2014. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, please visit the About page for details.
Alex says
Love it! Please make a video!!!
Mrs. Tammy Hurst says
hi, I would love to see a video for this, it a beautiful cowl. I have been crocheting off & on for 30 years, but only simple stuff so I still consider my self a beginner. So videos is better for me. Thanks for sharing your patterns with us.
Tamara Kelly says
Will do as soon as I get back from my trip! 🙂
Elayne Mordoff says
Your instructions and diagrams are clear as a bell. Thank you for this. It will make a gorgeous thank you gift!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you so much Elayne!
Francine says
You’ve done it again! Another must make scarf. Simply beautiful!
Nancy says
So each star is made separately, but attached as you go? I so want to make this cowl, but I’m having a hard time understanding it even with your explicit instructions. I will just have to try it. Sometimes when you’re actually doing it and looking at the stitches, it makes more sense.
Tamara Kelly says
Yes! Make the first star all the way to the end, then attach each star as you go. 🙂
Nancy says
Definitely need a video please!!!
Victoria says
I would love to see this in a video tutorial! I’m still new to crochet and would love to attempt this pattern <3
Tamara Kelly says
I plan on making one as soon as I return from my trip! 😀
Nohra Chester says
Would love to make a shrug or evening cover up with this stitch.
Tamara Kelly says
For a wrap you just add more stars til you have the size you want! I might have to design a shrug – love that idea!
Sherry says
Yes!! would love a video on how to make this! Thank you!!
Dot says
Thanks! I really like it.
Peggy says
Love this! A video for joining techniques would be great. Thanks for sharing!
bonnie Carey says
I think I understand. I am anxious to try it. I do not find videos helpful. I work best off the written word and a few pictures.
Eileen says
This is beautiful. I’m going to try to make it as soon as I finish 2 childrens’ sweaters for my nephews. I’m so looking forward to it. Thank you for sharing. I love new things and this is very new. Thanks again.
NekoGecko says
This would look good as a cover-up or skirt, too. Really pretty pattern! 🙂
Rosa Maria says
Lindo!Lindo demais!Sou novata 🙂 Por favor preciso de um video,,obrigada, <3
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you!
michelle says
I’m a little confused about the construction … Am I cutting the yarn and weaving in ends for each star? Or is there a way to make a continuous chain that are joined?
Tamara Kelly says
Sorry for the confusion! This is worked in motifs, so you’ll need to cut the yarn after each star.
Alice says
Just went to buy the supplies today! I couldn’t decide which color way to choose since ALL the Red Heart Unforgettable colors are stunning. But I decided to follow your lead and go with Sunrise. Already 2 stars made (and joined). It’s funny because I’m still working your lace chevron wrap pattern, but this pattern was too tempting not to distract me from it (that is a lovely pattern as well). Oh well…life is just one giant WIP. Thanks for the free pattern, and for all your great tutorials!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you so much Alice! This one was a LOT quicker than the Chevron Lace Wrap. 😀
sare says
hi,dear thank you .
Tamara Kelly says
😀 You’re welcome, and hello!
Karen says
What a cool pattern! I love that it’s a one skein project!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you so much Karen!
wendycats says
It’s not every day that one sees Carl Sagan quoted in a crochet pattern! Thanks for this.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 You are very welcome Wendy!
Danielle Amely says
I love this pattern! However, Im left handed and am having some trouble joining the stars… should I do it right to left instead of left to right? Any help would be appreciated
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you Danielle! Yes, left to right would probably work better for you. 🙂
Cari says
I hope I can make this scarf, its soooo pretty! I love it! thank you for sharing it!
Collie says
Gorgeous stars x if I do pattern in one or two colours could I just sew stars together thanks for lovely pattern
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Collie! Thank you! Since each star is added one at a time, this would work really well for one or more skeins of yarn – it’s a fun stashbuster too!
Jerilyn says
Really pretty cowl!
Please make us a video!
Can this be turned into a scarf instead by using more than 1 skein? Thank you!
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Jerilyn, thank you! There is a video tutorial HERE! 🙂 You can absolutely just keep adding stars to make it longer for a scarf!
Julie says
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful pattern and making it available for downloading and printing. I can’t wait to make some for gifts. Everyone loves receiving hand made, unique gifts like this and your free pattern makes it so easy to come up with something new.
Julie says
I want to add “thank you!” for using a yarn that is easy to find and purchase. So many patterns use yarn that I can’t find and then have to try to figure out how to substitute something else.
Tamara Kelly says
🙂 I’m glad you like it! Thank you Julie!
Joanne says
Thank you for a beautiful pattern. Am anxious to try it! I was wondering if this could be made using hearts. Do you have instructions for heart crochet by any chance? I’d love that too!! Thanks again
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Joanne! Thank you, what a fun idea! I don’t have a heart pattern myself, but there are lots on Ravelry, and I’m sure several would work great!
Jeanne Joseph says
I would love a tutorial. It is always a bit easier to understand.
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Jeanne! The tutorial is linked above in the bullet points and is at https://www.mooglyblog.com/how-to-crochet-starstuff-cowl/
Denise Feliciano says
😍please make a video when u have time about this scarf pattern ty happy Valentine’s day soon
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Denise! The video tutorial is at https://www.mooglyblog.com/how-to-crochet-starstuff-cowl/ 🙂