Starry, Starry Night

I am making this one now for a friend (almost finished, but the pic is of a finished blanket)

Starry, Starry Night

I designed this beautiful and unusual afghan while I was waiting for the birth of my second child. It was very pleasing to work on as the due date drew nearer and nearer - then passed! I began to worry that he wasn’t coming until his blanket was ready, but he proved he was just taking his own sweet time by waiting an entire week after I’d finished it to grace us with his presence. Years later it is still cherished by my dear little boy, and I hope you’ll love it, too.

IMPORTANT: To complete this design, you will need to reference the pattern for Beth’s Little Star Afghan (which is not my pattern) and the Gapless Star Applique (which is mine, but has been posted on another page).

Difficulty: Advanced Intermediate for shaping and assembly

Materials
*Red Heart Soft Baby - (575 yd/525 m per 7 oz/198 g skein) 1 skein White, 1 skein Sky Blue, 1/2 skein Powder Yellow
*F/5 (3.75 mm) hook
*Yarn Needle

Finished Size: From tip of one point to the dent directly opposite, this afghan measures approximately 34″ across.

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
dec = decrease
rnd(s) = round(s)
sk = skip
sl st = slip st
st(s) = stitch(es)
US pattern conventions used.

Directions:

Note - The pattern for Beth’s Little Star directs you to chain 3 stitches after joining each round. I recommend chaining 2 to avoid an obvious extra gap.

Rnds 1-10: With yellow, begin by following pattern for Beth’s Little star and work as directed.
Rnd 11: Make the sl st with the yellow, but switch to blue for the ch-2 (or ch-3, if you are working the pattern as written). Finish off yellow, continue rnd in blue as directed.
Rnds 12-23: Work as directed.
Cloud Border
Edit: Because several people have asked this question, I will answer it here: you are supposed to use both versions of the cloud border, they are intended to go on different sections of the star.
Do not finish off blue: blue will remain unworked until after border is completed. There are two separate designs for the cloudy border, one is worked from the center of the star outwards to the tip, and the other is worked from the tip towards the center dent.

Center to Tip:
Row 1: With white, join in first dc after center (the bottom of the “V” formed by the points of the star). Working in the front loop only, dc across until 4 dc remain on that leg of the star. [Dc dec] twice, ch 2 and turn.
Row 2: (Now working through both loops,) sk the first st, dc dec, dc in next st, dc dec. Dc across until 4 dc remain, [dc dec] twice. Do not ch, turn.
Rows 3-4: Sk first 2 sts, make 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st. Ch 2, dc dec across next 2 sts. Dc across to last 4 sts, [dc dec] twice. Do not ch, turn.
Row 5: [Sk 2 sts, make 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st] twice, ch 2. Dc dec across next 2 sts, dc across until 4 sts remain. [Dc dec] twice, do not ch, turn.
Row 6: [Sk 2 sts, make 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st] twice, finish off.

Tip to Center:
Row 1: With white, join in first dc after ch-2 at the tip of a point. Ch 2, and working through front loops only, dc across until 4 dc remain in leg. [Dc dec] twice, do not ch, turn.
Row 2: (Now working through both loops,) sk 2 sts, make 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st.Ch 2, dc across until 4 sts remain. [Dc dc] twice, ch 3, turn.
Row 3: Sk 3 sts, sl st in next st. Ch 2, dc dec across next 2 sts. Dc across until 4 sts remain, [dc dec] twice. Do not ch, turn.
Row 4: [Sk 2 sts, make 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st] twice, ch 2, dc dec across next 2 sts. Dc across to within 4 sts of end, [dc dec] twice. Ch 2, turn.
Row 5: Dc dec, sl st in next st. [Sk 2 sts, make 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st] twice, finish off.

Repeat cloud motifs around until each leg of the star has a cloudy border. Fold clouds forward (onto the right side of the afghan) and sew down flat. Weave in ends. Now, go back to working around!

Rnd 24: Make sl st with blue, and switch to white for the ch-2. Finish off blue. Continue rnd as directed, being sure to work through both loops of rnd 23 (Yes, that does mean the loops you already used to attach the clouds).
Rnds 25 - 31: Work as directed.
Finish off, weave in ends. To complete afghan, make some star appliques and distribute as desired. (Example shown used 5 small stars, 5 medium stars, and 2 large stars.)