Every once in a while, we’ll stop and look at our saved favorite patterns and realize we’re being drawn to the same designs. This week, we’re diving into one of our current favorite motifs – the Star Quilt.

Quilts have a long history- all the way back to ancient Egypt. The technique is defined as any kind of stitched layers of fabric from the straightforward running stitch to much more ornate patterns. We are probably most familiar with quilts more as the patchwork pieced designs than we are the layering, but quilting has a long history in the United States. The patchwork covers we see- the interlocking rings, log cabins, or stars – come from a desire to use up scraps of fabric in a beautiful way. Quilting bees were a community event, bringing together (mostly) women to stitch quilts. A chance for people to work together and make light work of a chore, talking and sharing while creating something useful and beautiful.

The Star Quilt motif is a lovely eight-pointed geometric star.  There are many variations, but the most popular is associated with the Lakota tribe. Invoking the morning star, and developed from traditional buffalo robe patterns, Lakota women have elevated their star quilts to an incredible art form. Quilts are made and gifted in the community, a necessary symbol for a newly married couple to start their lives together. They are also draped on the casket at a funeral, honoring individuals throughout their lives.

In the last few years, we’ve noticed many designers honoring the star quilt motif in its many variations—including some of this year’s featured Rhinebeck sweaters. A great opportunity to play with color and design, we’ve collected some of our favorite patterns here.

Heirloom Cardigan

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

The pattern will guide you through selecting which size will work for your preferred level of ease and perfect fit.

The finished garment circumferences are a 50” (70”) and 78 3/4” bust

YARN

DK weight- we recommend pairing

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• US 7 – 4.5 mm
• US 6 – 4.0 mm
• US 4 – 3.5 mm

Sawtooth Quilt Socks

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Unisex sizing for Child through Adult

YARN

Fingering Weight- 265-425 yds

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• US 2
• US 1

Under the Quilt Socks

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

1 (2, 3)

To fit (foot circumference):  8 (9 ½, 10 ¾) inches.
Finished circumference:  7 (8 ½, 9 ¾) inches.

YARN

Fingering weight sock yarn- 372 – 394 yards

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• US 1
• US 1.5

Sawtooth

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

YARN

Fingering weight:

• Main color: 180 (210) yards
• Contrast color: 55 (65) yards

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• US 2 16″ circular
• US 2 preferred needles for small circumference knitting

Quilt Cowl

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

7” wide and 53” around

YARN

Fingering Weight- we recommend Miss Babs Yummy 2-ply kits

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• US 2 16″ circular needle

Clint

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Approx 190 cm / 75” along the top edge of the shawl and 60 cm / 23.5” deep

YARN

Sport weight

• C1 approx 655 yards.
• C2 approx 340 yards.
• C3 approx 230 yards.
• C4 approx 125 yards.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• Needle A (for the garter stitch sections of the shawl) One 80 cm / 40” circular needle, in size needed to obtain gauge listed.
  Suggested needle size: US #4.
• Needle B (for attached I-cord) Two short double pointed needles.
  Suggested needle size: US #5.
• Needle C (for the scalloped edge) Short straight or circular needle(s).
  Suggested needle size: US #3.

Starry Night

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Finished Bust: 35.25, 40, 43.5, 47.75, 51.75, 56, 60.25, 64.25

YARN

Sport weight: MC: 675, 775, 850, 950, 1050, 1150, 1275, 1425 yards

CC: 400, 450, 500, 550, 625, 675, 750, 850 yards

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• US 5
• US 4

Yokelore Sweater

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Size A – Chest circumference: 34 inches
Size B – Chest circumference: 38 inches
Size C – Chest circumference: 42 inches
Size D – Chest circumference: 46 inches
Size E – Chest circumference: 50 inches
Size F – Chest circumference: 54 inches
Size G – Chest circumference: 58 inches
Size H – Chest circumference: 62 inches
Size I – Chest circumference: 66 inches

YARN

DK weight

Size A – MC (825 yds), CC1 (110 yds), CC2 (45 yds), CC3 (60 yds ), CC4 (80 yds )
Size B – MC (900 yds), CC1 (110 yds), CC2 (45 yds), CC3 (60 yds), CC4 (80 yds)
Size C – MC (970 yds), CC1 (110 yds), CC2 (45 yds), CC3 (60 yds), CC4 (80 yds)
Size D – MC (1060 yds), CC1 (110 yds), CC2 (45 yds), CC3 (60 yds), CC4 (80 yds)
Size E – MC (1150 yds), CC1 (110 yds), CC2 (45 yds), CC3 (60 yds), CC4 (80 yds)
Size F – MC (1245 yds), CC1 (110 yds), CC2 (45 yds), CC3 (60 yds), CC4 (80 yds)
Size G – MC (1335 yds), CC1 (110 yds), CC2 (45 yds), CC3 (60 yds), CC4 (80 yds)
Size H – MC (1430 yds), CC1 (110 yds), CC2 (45 yds), CC3 (60 yds), CC4 (80 yds)
Size I – MC (1520 yds, CC1 (110 yds), CC2 (45 yds), CC3 (60 yds), CC4 (80 yds)

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• US 4
• US 5
• US 6

Quiet Sky

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

55” x 55”

YARN

DK weight- 4265 – 5031 yards

HOOKS & NOTIONS

• G
• E

Indira

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Approximately 14” wide x 14”  high (not including handles)

YARN

Worsted weight

HOOKS & NOTIONS

• G
• Bag Handles

Hesper Cardigan

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

The finished garment circumference fits (36, 41, 45, 49 ½) (54 ½, 58, 62 ½, 67)” bust

YARN

Sport weight yarn, approximately (1000, 1100, 1200, 1350) (1500, 1650, 1800, 2000) yards Main Color (MC)
and
(20, 20, 25, 25) (30, 30, 30, 30) yards each of CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4, CC5, and CC6 OR (120, 120, 150, 150) (180, 180, 180, 180) yards Contrast Color (CC)

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• US 5 32″  Circular
• US 3 32″ Circular

Paulie Cardigan

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

(1, 2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7, 8)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
(38, 41, 46, 49) (54, 57, 62, 65)” Body around hip/bust (not including the Button band)

YARN

Worsted Weight yarn: MC (800, 900, 1000, 1100) (1200, 1300, 1400, 1500) yards

CC: (450, 500, 600, 660) ( 720, 780, 840, 900, 960) yards

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• US 7
• US 4