Crochet Christmas Star: Easy 5-Point Pattern, Mini Stars for the Tree and a Tree Topper

A crochet Christmas star is the quickest and most versatile decoration of the season. Small, it becomes a mini star to hang on the tree or sew onto gift wrap. Large and stiffened, it works as a tree topper or a shelf ornament. As a five-petal red flower, it recalls the poinsettia we all keep at home in December. In this guide you will find the easy 5-point pattern explained round by round, the tutorial by our makers, how to stiffen a star and which yarns make it sparkle.

A few metres of cotton, a small hook and a lurex thread for the edge are all you need: one star takes twenty minutes, and a free afternoon gives you a handful for the whole tree. For an overview of all the decorations, start with our guide to Christmas crochet decorations. Here we focus on the star.

Crochet Christmas star pattern with 5 points, step by step

This is the simplest crochet star pattern there is: two rounds in total, worked in the round from a magic ring, with the points growing out of five chains. With a no. 5 cotton and a 2.5 mm hook the star measures about 7 cm; with a thicker yarn and a 4 mm hook it reaches 10-11 cm. Abbreviations (US terms): ch = chain, sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, tr = treble crochet, sl st = slip stitch.

For a tiny star (3-4 cm, ideal for gifts and garlands): magic ring with 10 sc, then five points made with *ch 4, 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, 1 hdc, 1 dc, skip 1 stitch, 1 sl st in the next*. Same idea, one round only. If you want to brush up on the stitches first, everything is in our basic crochet stitches course.

Crochet mini stars for the tree: the video tutorial

Would you rather watch the hands at work? The crochet mini stars in the Tessiland tutorial are compact, worked in solid stitches, with a lurex chainette edge that makes them sparkle among the tree lights. The linked yarn is already on the tutorial page: pick the colour, order and follow the video round by round.

Stiff Christmas star: tree topper and free-standing stars

A crochet star is soft by nature. To turn it into a tree topper or a star that stands on a shelf, you need to stiffen it. There are three ways. The first and simplest: work the 5-point pattern with a smaller hook than usual and a compact cotton, so the fabric comes out firm from the start. The second: dip the finished star in PVA glue diluted with a little water (or use spray starch), lay it on baking paper, pin the points into shape and let it dry overnight. The third, for a real topper: cover a star-shaped styrofoam base with single crochet in a lurex yarn, as you would with baubles, and add a small chain loop underneath to slip over the top of the tree.

For large stars, lurex ribbon yarn works beautifully too: it already has body, it shines, and with a 5 mm hook a 15 cm five-point star takes a quarter of an hour. With the same yarn you can finish the mini Christmas trees for gift wrapping and get a matching set.

The crochet poinsettia: the 5 red petals

In Italian, "Christmas star" is also the name of the poinsettia, the plant with the big red petals. It can be crocheted too, and it is easier than it looks: each petal is an elongated leaf worked on a foundation chain. Ch 10; working back: 1 sc in the 2nd ch, 1 hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, 2 dc, 1 hdc, then 3 sc in the last ch to turn the tip, and repeat the same sequence in reverse along the other side of the chain. Close with 1 sl st. Make 5 large petals in red and, if you like, 5 shorter ones (ch 8) in green for the leaves. Sew them in a rosette, overlapping the bases slightly, and finish the centre with three or four yellow beads or a few French knots.

The flower works as a brooch on a coat, as a place card holder on a napkin, or sewn onto a round base for a small wreath. A firm cotton holds the petal shape well; for a velvety look try fine chenille. It is the perfect touch for the Christmas table.

Which yarn to use for crochet Christmas stars

A star that keeps its shape needs a compact, twisted yarn: cotton lisle no. 5 is the classic choice, while no. 12 suits tiny stars and the starch method. The sparkle comes from the shiny and lurex range: lurex chainette for the edge, lurex ribbon for big stars and the topper. For soft, cuddly stars and amigurumi versions, a full-bodied yarn from the top quality acrylic range is enough. Rigid bases are in the styrofoam shapes category. Here are the four materials we use most often:

Amanda cotton lisle no. 5

Twisted, compact cotton: the 5-point star comes out crisp and firm, and one ball makes dozens. €3.50

Discover Amanda →

Grace lurex chainette

The gold or silver thread for the edge, the same used in the Tessiland mini star. One 25 g ball is enough for the whole tree. €2.90

Discover Grace →

KingLux lurex ribbon

Full-bodied and sparkling: for large stars, the topper and stiff stars that stand on their own. €10.90

Discover KingLux →

Styrofoam star 14 cm

The base to cover with single crochet for a tree topper or a free-standing star that is rigid from the start. €1.40

Discover the star →

Where to use the stars: tree, gifts, wreaths and place cards

Once you get the hang of it, crochet Christmas stars end up everywhere. On the tree, hung by the chain loop or a satin ribbon. On gift wrap, sewn on instead of a bow together with the mini trees. On the door wreath, where three or four lurex mini stars become points of light among the leaves. On the table, as place cards with the name embroidered in the centre or tucked into the napkin ring. Threaded one after another on a cord, they make a garland for the mantelpiece. And on the tree they look lovely next to crochet Christmas baubles, which we will cover in a dedicated guide.

Frequently asked questions about crochet Christmas stars

Prefer a ready-made star to mix with the handmade ones? In the catalogue you will find the 3D felt star and the 3D wooden star to assemble. And to complete the tree, all the other ideas are in our guide to Christmas crochet decorations.