Diamond Square Pattern,
With Star Stitch Photo How-to

After deciding that I wanted to create a unique pattern using the star stitch, this is the result. The square you see here evolved from many hours of starting, applying the frog stitch, altering, frogging that, trying again .. well, you get the picture. Finally, it came together. I hope you will enjoy diving in on the pattern and practicing using the star stitch.

I put together a step-by-step photo how-to for crocheting the star stitch here.

copyright 1998 S. Marshall

Photos showing center sections of rows 7, 11, 15, 19 close-up details to help you in crocheting this pattern, at http://crochet.about.com/library/ndiamd.htm

Diamond Square Pattern
An original, designed by Sandi Marshall

Materials For each square: 1 oz. each of two contrasting colors Worsted Weight Yarn Color A = darker color, Color B = lighter color In my example, Color A is burgundy, Color B is cream Size G crochet hook Finished Size: 10 inches square Photo at left shows center detail of square, without the edging.

More of this Feature • Printer-Friendly Page • Star Stitch How-to • Pattern Close-ups     Related Resources • How to Single Crochet • More Crochet How-to's

Abbreviations
att star = attached star
beg star = beginning star
ch = chain
ea = each
sc = single crochet
sp = space

att star directions: insert the hook in the loop which closed the last star done, draw a loop through, draw up a loop through the same sc where last star done finished, draw up a loop in each of the next 3 sc; draw a loop through all 6 loops on hook, work a firm chain to close the star.

beg star directions: draw up a loop in next sc, keeping this loop on the hook, draw up a loop in each of the next 4 sc; draw a loop through all 6 loops on the hook, work a firm chain to close the star.

In this pattern, when it simply states beg star, that means that you will work a beg star over the next 5 single crochet stitches. (Refer to directions in the paragraph above.)

Directions

Please note that at the end of each row, you will chain 1 to turn.

Alternate colors every two rows. Carry unused color (not too tightly) along the side of the square. You will crochet over these strands later.

Starting chain: Chain 32.

Row 1: (with color A) sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across. (31 sc)
Row 2: (color A) sc in ea sc across. (31 sc)
Row 3: (Right Side)(color B) sc in 13 sc, ch 2, (draw up a loop in next sc, keeping this loop on the hook, draw up a loop in each of the next 4 sc; draw a loop through all 6 loops on the hook, work a firm chain to close the star = beg star made), ch 2, sc in 13 sc.
Row 4: (color B) sc in 13 sc, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in closing loop of star, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in 13 sc.
Continue alternating colors every two rows.
Rows 5, 6: sc in ea sc across. (31 sc)
Row 7: sc in 11 sc, ch 2, work a beg star over the next 5 sc, ch 2 (draw up a loop in the same sc as where last star finished, draw up a loop in each of next 4 sc, draw a loop through all 6 loops on hook, make a chain to close the star), ch 2, sc in 11 sc.

This photo shows the star stitches at the center of row 7. Notice how the first loop for the 2nd star is drawn up in the same stitch as where the first star finished.

copyright 1998 S. Marshall

Row 8: sc in 11 sc, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, (sc in closing loop of star, 2 sc in ch-2 sp) twice, sc in 11 sc.
Rows 9, 10: sc in ea sc across. (31 sc)
Row 11: sc in 10 sc, ch 2, work a beg star, ch 2, sc in next sc, ch 2, beg star, ch 2, sc in 10 sc.
Row 12: sc in 10 sc, * 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in closing loop of star *, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in next sc, repeat * to * once, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in 10 sc.
Rows 13, 14: sc in ea sc across. (31 sc)
Row 15: sc in 5 sc, ch 2, beg star, ch 2, att star, ch 2, skip next sc, sc in next sc, ch 2, skip next sc, sc in next sc, ch 2, skip next sc, beg star, ch 2, att star, ch 2, sc in 5 sc.
Row 16: sc in 5 sc, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, (sc in closing loop of star, 2 sc in ch-2 sp) twice, sc in sc, 3 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in sc, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, (sc in closing loop of star, 2 sc in ch-2 sp) twice, sc in 5 sc.
Rows 17, 18: sc in ea sc across. (31 sc)
Row 19: sc in 2 sc, ch 2, beg star, (att star, ch 2) twice, sc in next sc, ch 2, skip 2 sc, sc in next sc, ch 2, beg star, ch 2, (att star, ch 2) twice, sc in last 2 sc.
Row 20: sc in 2 sc, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, (sc in closing loop of star, 2 sc in ch-2 sp) 3 times, (sc in next sc, 2 sc in ch-2 sp) twice, (sc in closing loop of star, 2 sc in ch-2 sp) 3 times, sc in last 2 sc.
Rows 21, 22: sc in ea sc across. (31 sc)
Row 23: Repeat row 15.
Row 24: Repeat row 16.
Rows 25, 26: sc in ea sc across. (31 sc)
Row 27: Repeat row 11.
Row 28: Repeat row 12.
Rows 29, 30: sc in ea sc across. (31 sc)
Row 31:Repeat row 7.
Row 32: Repeat row 8.
Rows 33, 34: sc in ea sc across. (31 sc)
Row 35:Repeat row 3.
Row 36: Repeat row 4.
Rows 37, 38: sc in ea sc across. (31 sc)

Do not end off. ch 1, sc in end of each row down side, crocheting over the strands that are left from carrying yarn along the side. When you have crocheted to the end of this side, ch 1, turn, sc in ea sc across, so that you will have two rows of single crochet on the side of the square. End off.

Attach yarn to the end of the first row on the other side. sc in end of each row down the side, ch 1, turn, work one more sc row down this side. End off. Weave in ends.

If making an afghan with these squares, it would be interesting to alternate the direction of the stripes as you join the squares.

To make this into a hot pad, use cotton worsted weight yarn to make the square. Make a solid color back in a third color of cotton; choose a color that would look great showing through the holes in the center of the pattern. To finish, crochet a round of single crochet, working through both thicknesses of the front and back piece held together, to join the two pieces.

Diamond Square Pattern copyright 1998 by Sandi Marshall, Photography by Sandi Marshall.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Free for your own personal use only.
Do not redistribute this pattern or the pattern photos (with or without charge) in any form.

Myth: Some people mistakenly think that if they don't charge for it and if they credit the designer, it's ok to spread a copyrighted pattern around by photocopy, posting to an Internet Bulletin Board, etc. Fact: Free distribution of reproduced copies of any copyrighted pattern, without the express written consent of the designer, is also a violation of copyright law. Only the designer has the right to decide how his/her patterns are distributed.

How long does copyright last? See US Government Copyright Office web site at http://www.loc.gov/copyright. Under "Publications" heading, click on "Information Circulars": Circular 15 (Renewal of Copyrights), Circular 15a (Duration of Copyrights) and Circular 15t (Extension of Copyright Terms).

Pattern design, pattern instructions and pattern photos copyright 1998 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com. Inc.

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