Share Your Star and be part of the BBC Radio Lincolnshire Knitivity.Knit us a star and let us know who you want to dedicate it to this Christmas.

Send your star to:Share Your Star

BBC Radio Lincolnshire,Newport,Lincoln,

Lincolnshire,LN1 3XY

 Your star will be part of our Knitivity display at Boston Stump for this year’s

BBC Radio Lincolnshire Carol Service on December 13th. 

We need to have your star before December 4th.

Knitting abbreviations:

beg: beginningcm: centimetresdec: decrease(ing)inc: increase(ing)k: knitk2tog: knit two sts togetherk3tog: knit three sts togetherkfb: knit into the front and back of the stkfbf: knit into the front, back and front of the stp: purlrep: repeatrem: remainingssk: slip two sts knit wise from the left to right needle, put the left needle back through and knit them togetherst(s): stitch(es)ws: wrong side

Materials:Knitted stars: small amounts of DK yarn (all of the stars could be made using a 25g ball) in the main colour, plus small amounts of contrasting colour for decoration if desired.One pair of 3.25mm (UK 10) knitting needles.Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and decorating.Crochet star: small amount of DK yarn (less than 25g) in main colour, plus small amount of contrast colour for edging.One 3.25mm crochet hook.Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Tension:Achieving a particular tension is not important as the stars do not have to be an exact size.

Decoration:The photograph shows examples of how the stars can be decorated using contrasting yarns and some simple stitches. However, the stars can be decorated in any number of ways. Using sequins, buttons, beads or fabric may be a nice touch. Personalise your stars however you like!

Crochet abbreviations:

beg: beginningch: chaindc: double crochethdc: half double crochetrep: repeatsc: single crochetsl st: slip stitchst: stitchyo: yarn over hook

Simple Star: Worked in garter st (knit every row) throughout:Larger triangle:Using 3.25mm needles and thumb method, cast on 1 st in main colour.1st Row) Knit.2nd Row) kfbf. (3 sts.)Rows 3 - 7) Knit.8th Row) kfb, k to last st, kfb.Rows 9 - 13) Knit.Rep rows 8 - 13 four more times. (13.sts.)Decrease section:1st Row) ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.Rows 2 - 4) Knit.Rep rows 1 - 4 four more times. (3 sts.)21st Row) k3tog. (1 st.)22nd Row) Knit.Rep 22nd Row 30 more times to create a hanging loop.Break yarn and fasten off.

Sew the two triangles together to make the star shape as shown in the photograph. Sew the loose end of the hanging loop down at the tip of the top point of the star. If desired, work some simple decorative stitches around the edge of the star using a contrasting yarn, such as the running stitch in the photograph. Lightly press the star to flatten, under a damp cloth, or following yarn manufacturer’s instructions.

For the smaller triangle:Using main colour and thumb method, cast on 1 st.1st Row) Knit.2nd Row) kfbf. (3 sts.)3rd Row) kfb, k to last st, kfb.Rep Row 3 twelve times more. (29 sts.)Cast off knit wise.

Six Point Star:Star is made in six separate garter stitch (knit every row) sections and then sewn together.Make five the same:Using 3.25mm needles and thumb method, cast on 1 st in main colour.1st Row) Knit.2nd Row) kfbf. (3 sts.)Rows 3 - 5) Knit.6th Row) kfb, k to last st, kfb.Rows 7 - 9) Knit.Rep rows 6 - 9 twice more. (9 sts.)Decrease section:1st Row) ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.Rows 2 - 4) Knit.Rep rows 1 - 4 twice more. (3 sts.)13th Row) k3tog. (1 st.)14th Row) Knit.

Break yarn and fasten off.

Make a 6th section the same as the other 5, but do not break yarn at last instruction. Rep the 14th Row thirty more times to make a hanging loop. Break yarn and fasten off.

To make up: the cast on edges form the centre of the star, the last stitch knitted of each piece is the outer point of the star. Sew the pieces together from the cast on edge to the start of the decrease section to form the shape as shown in the photograph. Sew the loose end of the hanging loop down at the tip of the 6th section. If desired, use some contrasting yarn to sew a design onto the front of the star. Weave in all ends. Press lightly under a damp cloth, or following yarn manufacturer’s instructions.

Simple Square Motif:Using 3.25mm needles and main colour, cast on 14 sts using thumb method.Knit 5 rows.6th Row) (WS) k3, p8, k3.7th Row) Knit.Rows 6 and 7 form pattern. Rep Rows 6 - 7 seven more times, or until piece measures 5cm from cast on edge.Knit 4 rows.Cast off knit wise. Break yarn and fasten off, leaving a 10cm tail of yarn to form a hanging loop.

Using a contrasting yarn, sew a simple star design onto the middle of the square. Secure the end of the 10cm tail of yarn at the cast off corner to make a hanging loop as shown in the photograph. If desired, rather than sewing a star design onto the square, a fabric star could be sewn on, or a design made out of buttons… Whatever you would like! Press lightly under a damp cloth or following yarn manufacturer’s instructions.

Crochet Star:

Crochet terms: dc: yo hook, insert hook through st, yo hook, pull loop through st, (3 loops on hook) yo hook, draw yarn through first two loops on hook, yo hook, draw yarn through last two loops on hook.hdc: yo hook, insert hook through st, yo hook, pull loop through st, yo hook, pull through all three loops on hook.sc: insert hook through st, yo hook, pull loop through st, yo hook, pull through loop on hook.Sl st: needle through st, yo hook, pull loop through st and through loop on needle.

Using main colour and 3.25mm hook, Ch5, join to first ch with a slip st to form a ring.1st Round) Working into the ring, ch3, 2dc, ch3, *3dc, ch3. Rep from * three times more. Join to the third ch of the first ch3 with a slip st.2nd Round) Slip st into the next two dc and into the first ch3 space. ch3, 2dc, ch3, 3dc into the first ch3 space. 1hdc in second dc of next group of 3dcs from previous round. *3dc, ch3, 3dc in next ch3 space, 1hdc in second dc of next group of 3dcs from previous round. Rep from * three times more. Join to third ch of beginning ch with a slip st.3rd Round) Slip st into the next two dc and into the next ch3 space. ch3, 3dc, ch4, 4dc in first ch3 space. 1sc into either side of the hdc from previous round.*4dc, ch4, 4dc in next ch3 space, 1sc into either side of next hdc from previous round. Rep from * three times more. Join to third ch of beginning ch3 with a slip st.4th Round) Join in contrast colour and break main colour. With contrast colour, work 1 slip st in each st of the previous round, working into back loops only. When the stitch at the top of each star point is reached, slip st into it as usual, ch1, then continue working 1 slip st into each st. Continue in this manner around entire edge of star. Join to first slip st with a slip st. Break yarn and fasten off.Hanging loop: On wrong side of star, select an ‘arm’ of star to be the top ‘arm/point’. Push hook through two loops of a dc just above the second ch3 space. Pull a loop of yarn through, ch12, slip st into second ch from hook, ch10, slip st into two loops of a dc next to loop starting point, being careful not to twist. Break yarn and fasten off. Weave in ends. Press lightly under a damp cloth or following yarn manufacturer’s instructions.