Follow the same construction in each round. Join the listed color in the second dc before a chosen point’s tip, counting that side from the valley toward the tip. Leave its first dc unworked.
Ch 3 to count as the first worked dc. Dc in the remaining stitches on that side, work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the tip space, and dc down the other side until only its last dc remains. Skip that last dc and the first dc of the next point. Repeat around all eight points, join to the top of the beginning ch 3, and fasten off.
Use the table below to check how many existing stitches you work on each side. These numbers exclude the four new dc made in the tip space. On the first point, the beginning ch 3 is already included in the side count.
| Round | Yarn | Existing dc worked per side | Finished dc per point | Total dc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Green | 3 | 10 | 80 |
| 5 | Green | 4 | 12 | 96 |
| 6 | Red | 5 | 14 | 112 |
| 7 | Cream | 6 | 16 | 128 |
| 8 | Green | 7 | 18 | 144 |
After the final point of each round, skip its last dc and the already unworked first dc of the starting point, then join. Do not crochet into those valley stitches or create an extra dc at the join. Move your eight markers into the new tip spaces after checking the count.
Round 9 — red single crochet edging
Round 8 has nine dc on each side of every tip. Join red in the second dc on the side leading toward a tip. Ch 1 and sc in that same stitch; sc in each of the next seven dc. Work 3 sc in the ch-2 tip space, then sc in the next eight dc. Skip the last dc of that point and the first dc of the next point.
For each of the remaining seven points, sc in the next eight dc, 3 sc in the tip space, sc in the next eight dc, then skip the two valley stitches. After the final valley, join to the first sc and fasten off.
Count: 152 sc: 19 per point, made from eight sc on each side plus three at the tip. No chain spaces remain in this edging.
Finishing and checking the shape
Weave in the ends securely on the back, taking care around the color joins. Lay the mat on a flat surface and check that there are eight evenly spaced tips. The diagrams at the end show the color sequence and one point’s construction.
If your yarn allows wet blocking, dampen the piece, gently arrange the points and let it dry flat. Avoid stretching the center or pulling one tip farther than the others. Blocking can refine the shape; it cannot fix a missing repeat or an extra stitch.
Why does my star ripple or curl?
First compare each round with the count tables. An extra stitch in every valley quickly adds width; a missed tip increase can pull the fabric inward. Check that each valley skips exactly two dc and each tip receives four dc with ch 2 between them in Rounds 3–8.
If the counts are correct but the fabric remains heavily distorted, pause before adding more rounds. Yarn thickness and tension may affect this untested interpretation. Try the first three rounds with your chosen yarn and hook as a small sample; if it will not lie reasonably flat after gentle blocking, the construction needs adjustment before you continue.
Keeping the red edging even
Single crochet can tighten the outline if you pull the loops smaller than in the body. Keep the edging relaxed and check it after each point. There should be three sc in every tip space and no extra chain across a valley.
Color and display ideas
For the palette in the reference, choose a muted green, warm cream and a clear Christmas red. Burgundy, oatmeal and olive offer a softer variation. Use the same yarn type and weight for every band so the color changes do not also change the thickness of the fabric.
Place a small decorative bowl over the center while leaving the tips visible. For another motif in the same colors, the Christmas tree granny square adds a tree shape to your holiday projects.
If you prefer a circular center with individual points worked afterward, see the Christmas star table mat with separate points. Its construction differs from the continuous ripple rounds used here.
Questions before you start
Is this the exact granny stitch star in the photo?
No. The reference inspires the colors and eight-point outline. This written version uses individual double crochet stitches, tip increases and skipped valleys; it will have a different texture from the clustered photo motif.
How do I count the points?
Place one marker in each ch-2 tip from Round 2 onward. You should always have eight marked tips. Count one point from the first worked dc after a valley to the last worked dc before the next valley.
Can I use thinner yarn?
Yes, but it changes the dimensions and drape. Match the hook to the yarn and check the first three rounds before continuing. The stitch counts stay the same when following this version.
Can I make the star larger?
Additional ripple rounds would continue the same arithmetic, adding one existing dc worked on each side and 16 dc overall per round. That extension has not been tested. For a first attempt, follow the nine-round version and assess the shape before planning a larger mat.
Styling images and construction diagrams
The four vertical Pins below use distinct layouts with AI-generated inspiration based on the reference. The two diagrams correspond to the written round counts: a color map and a schematic of one point. They are construction aids, not a complete independently tested symbol chart.
