David's Eight Pointed Star

Shared with Arachne members by David Collyer

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Dear Friends,
I have just finished a lovely design which came as a result of inspiration
from Norma Benporath's book and thought that some of you might like to make
it too. It can't really be a snowflake as it has 8 points, so let's call it
David's Eight Pointed Star. Norma's original little motif has been enlarged
upon and rearranged. Being an Aussie like me I know she would only be too
pleased to share it with you.
SR = split ring
R = ring
5 = number of double stitches
- = picot
s- = picot small enough to barely squeeze the finest crochet hook through
+ = join
CH = chain
RW = reverse work
CLR = close ring

Using 2 shuttles:
SR: 3 s- 3 s- 3 s- 3 s- 3: other half of SR: s- 3 s- 3 s- 3 CLR, small Mock
Picot (i.e. 8 picots in all)
SR: 3 s- 3 - 3: other half of SR: 3 s- 3 - 3 CLR RW
*CH: 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 (grade these 5 picots so that the middle 1 is
biggest) RW
R: 3 - 3 + (to last s- on previous R) 3 + (to next s- on first R) 3 s- 3 - 3
CLR RW
CH: 7 do NOT RW
R: 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 s- 3 CLR
R: 3 + (to last s-) 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 s- 3 CLR (grade picots again)
R: 3 + (to last s-) 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 CLR do NOT RW
CH: 7 RW*
R: 3 - 3 + (to last s- on previous R - not the one on the clover leaf) 3 +
(to next s- on first central R) 3 s- 3 - 3 CLR RW
Repeat from * to * 3 more times around central ring. Then add final R thus:
R: 3 - 3 + (to last s- on previous R - not the one on the clover leaf) 3 +
to final s- on central R) 3 + (to first s- on first R of this round - be
careful not to twist picot) 3 - 3 CLR. Fasten off.

Now you need to make three more of these medallions and here's how you join
them. It's a little trickier than usual. You MUST use 2 shuttles.

On the final round join the middle picot of the centre R of the clover leaf;
then when you are making the next CH with the 5 picots on it, do it thus:
CH: 3 - 3 - 3
pick up other shuttle and make a R: 3 - 3 - 3 + (to central picot on
opposite CH with 5 picots) 3 - 3 - 3 CLR. Now using first shuttle complete
the CH thus:
CH: 3 - 3 - 3.
Then join the middle picot on the centre ring of next clover leaf.
Of course on the fourth motif you will need to join 2 sides.

OK. So now you have 4 little sqare motifs joined into a larger square. Now
to convert it to an 8 pointed star.

You'll be using shuttle and ball but it's a bit tricky to tell you in words
where to join them in. If you look at your square you should see 2 clover
leaves joined half way along a side. Look at the left hand clover leaf of
these 2 and join thread to free picot on first leaf closest to large central
leaf. Got it? Let me know if you are confused and I'll try it another way ;)
CH: 5 RW
R: 3 - 3 - 3 + (to next p which will be on large central leaf of clover) 3
s- 3 - 3 CLR RW
CH: 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 (graduated picots) RW
R: 3 - 3 + (to last s-) 3 + (to next free p on large centre leaf) 3 s- 3 - 3
CLR RW
CH: 7 do NOT RW
R: Clover leaf as before exactly (3 rings) do NOT RW
CH: 7 RW
R: 3 - 3 + (to last s- on 2nd R) 3 + (to first free p on large central leaf
of next clover) 3 s- 3 - 3 CLR RW
CH: 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 (graduated picots) RW
R: 3 - 3 + (to last s- on 3rd R) 3 + (to last free picot on same large
central leaf) 3 - 3 - 3 CLR RW
CH: 5 + to 1st free p on small R of clover (I'm sure you'll see which one is
required.
Repeat these points 3 more times. It's fiddly so you'll probably only want
to make one!!
Enjoy
Love
David Downunder


Repeat from * to * 3 more times