Expert: Ed Matos - 12/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: I just learned the star stitch and wanted to use it in a vest.  However, i keep losing stitches at the beginning of the star stitch row.  I seem to be able to keep the end of the row even.  I start each row with a chain 3 as the first dc and begin the first star in the next stitch, but there is a loss of stitches at this end of the row resulting in an edge that has a creeping reduction.  Any thoughts as to what the problem is or how to correct it?

ANSWER: Tanya:

How many stitches per row are you loosing? can you reply and give me the instructions? That way I can duplicate the stitch like you are doing and provided some solution.

Thanks

Happy hooking

Ed

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: quick response--thank you.

in the swatch i was working on, i began with about 20 stitches. it gave me 8 stars with a dc at the beginning and end of the row. the row is followed by a row of hdc done with a beg hdc and 2 hdc in the top loop of each star;  a hdc at the end of the row.

so the pattern consists of 2 rows.  after 3 star pattern rows, i wind up with 16 stitches and only 7 stars and an extra hdc. with the next star pattern row i wind up with only 4 loops on the last star and by the 5th pattern row, i am down to 6 stars per row.

the loss of stitches seems to show on the beginning of the star rows giving an edge that forms a slant as in a traditional vest.  i hope this is clear, but let me know if it is not.  below is how i did the star stitch itself.

tanya

the stars consisted of drawing up 5 loops from 5 previous chains onto the hook and drawing through the 6 loops on the hook, then chaining the top of the star.  the next star began with a loop in the top of the star, a loop drawn from the last stitch of the star, a third loop drawn from the bottom of the last stitch of the star and then a loop drawn from the next 2 chains, giving, again, 6 loops on the hook, yo on the hook and again draw through the 6 loops.

Answer
Tanya:

Looking at the pattern, that would be correct. If you have 8 stars, and one DC at each end, and on the next row you have 2 hdc n each star and one hdc at each end = 18, so yes you are slowly loosing two stitches per row, creating the un-desirable shape.

so at end of row two you should have - 1 hdc, and 8 - 2hdc, and 1 hdc = 18 stitches. Look closely to make sure that each top of the star has a 2hdc, I have a feeling you are missing one star, and that is where the loss of the 2hdc is happening.

Give that a try and see if that works. I tried it myself, and I can see how easy is to miss a star top. Just keep counting at end of each row to make sure you have what you need when you finish it.

Hope this helps you out.

Happy Hooking

Ed