🌻 Introduction
Ready to crochet a piece that captures the light? The Eight-Point Starburst Mat is a beautiful, radiating design perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any table. It features a solid, tight central disc for structure, encircled by intricate lacework that defines eight sharp points. This mat makes a fantastic doily, placemat, or even a base for a centerpiece.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Finished Size (approximate): 13 inches (33 cm) from point to point.
🧵 Materials & Gauge
✨ Materials Needed
- Yarn: Approximately 180-220 yards of DK Weight (Light Worsted/8-ply) cotton or cotton blend yarn. Cotton provides excellent stitch definition and structure for mats. (The sample image uses a bright, cheerful yellow.)
- Hook: Size G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Notions: Stitch marker, yarn needle for weaving in ends, and scissors.
📏 Gauge (Check Your Tension!)
- Rounds 1-4 should measure approximately 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter.
- Ensure your work lies perfectly flat. If it cups, increase your hook size; if it ruffles, reduce your hook size.
💡 Special Stitches & Abbreviations
📝 Pattern Abbreviations (US Terms)
| Abbreviation | Meaning | | Abbreviation | Meaning | | :—: | :— | :—: | :— | | ch | chain | | st(s) | stitch(es) | | sl st | slip stitch | | rep | repeat | | sc | single crochet | | inc | increase (work 2 sts into 1 st) | | dc | double crochet | | sk | skip | | tr | treble crochet | | ch-sp | chain space | | MR | Magic Ring | | Beg-Shell | Beginning Shell |
⭐ Special Stitches (Written Instructions)
- Shell: Work (5 dc) all into the indicated stitch or space.
- Picot: Ch 3, sl st back into the first ch.
⭐ The Pattern: Eight-Point Starburst Mat
Note: The pattern is worked in joined rounds. The ch-3 at the beginning of DC rounds counts as the first dc.
Part 1: The Solid Center Disc
The final stitch count in the dense disc must be a multiple of 8 to set up the eight points.
Foundation: Start with a Magic Ring (MR).
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 15 dc into MR. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (16 dc)
Round 2: Ch 3, dc in the same st (inc made). 2 dc in each st around. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (32 dc)
Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in the next st (inc). Dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st. Rep from * 14 more times. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (48 dc)
Round 4: Ch 3, dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st. Dc in the next 2 sts, 2 dc in the next st. Rep from * 14 more times. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (64 dc)
Round 5: Ch 3, dc in the next 2 sts, 2 dc in the next st. Dc in the next 3 sts, 2 dc in the next st. Rep from * 14 more times. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (80 dc)
Round 6 (No Increase): Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (80 dc)
Part 2: Transition to Lace and Point Foundation
This round establishes the 8 points and the lacy holes between them.
Round 7: Ch 1, sc in the same st. Sc in the next 9 sts. [Point 1] Ch 3, sk 2 sts. Sc in the next 8 sts. [Point Corner] Ch 3, sk 2 sts. Rep from * 7 more times. Sc in the last 7 sts. Sl st to the first sc to join. (64 sc, 8 ch-3 sps)
Round 8: Sl st into the next 4 sc to center in the side. Ch 3, 2 dc in the same st (this is your first Shell). [Hole] Ch 4, sk the ch-3 sp and sk the next 3 sc. Shell in the next sc (which should be the center of the next side). Ch 4, sk the ch-3 sp and sk the next 3 sc. Rep from * 7 more times. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (8 Shells, 8 ch-4 sps)
Part 3: Defining the Eight Points
The points are created by working shells and trebles, always increasing the chain count between the shells.
Round 9: Sl st to the center dc of the first Shell. Ch 3, 2 dc in the same st (Shell in a Shell). [Arc] Ch 5, sk the ch-4 sp. Shell in the center dc of the next Shell. Ch 5, sk the ch-4 sp. Rep from * 7 more times. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (8 Shells, 8 ch-5 sps)
Round 10: Sl st to the center dc of the first Shell. Ch 3, 2 dc in the same st (Shell in a Shell). [Larger Arc] Ch 6, sk the ch-5 sp. Shell in the center dc of the next Shell. Ch 6, sk the ch-5 sp. Rep from * 7 more times. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (8 Shells, 8 ch-6 sps)
Round 11: Sl st to the center dc of the first Shell. Ch 5 (counts as 1 tr, ch 1). Tr in the same st (V-Stitch made). [Point Build] Ch 7, sk the ch-6 sp. Work a (tr, ch 1, tr) V-Stitch in the center dc of the next Shell. Ch 7, sk the ch-6 sp. Rep from * 7 more times. Sl st to the 4th ch of the starting ch-5 to join. (8 tr V-Sts, 8 ch-7 sps)
Round 12 (Final Point Definition): Sl st into the ch-1 sp of the V-Stitch. Ch 1, sc in the same ch-1 sp. [Final Scallop] Ch 3. Work 6 tr into the ch-7 sp. Ch 3, sc in the ch-1 sp of the V-Stitch. Ch 3. Work 6 tr into the next ch-7 sp. Ch 3, sc in the ch-1 sp of the V-Stitch. Rep from * 7 more times. Sl st to the first sc to join. (8 scallops of 6 tr, 8 sc, 16 ch-3 sps)
Part 4: Finishing Edge
This final round tightens the points and adds a picot edging.
Round 13 (Picot Edge): Ch 1, sc in the same sc. Ch 3, sc in the next tr, Picot in the next tr. Sc in the next tr, Picot in the next tr. Sc in the next tr, Picot in the next tr. Sc in the last tr of the scallop. Ch 3, sc in the next sc. Rep from * 7 more times, omitting the last sc on the final rep. Sl st to the first sc to join.
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Video Tutorial:
✂️ Finishing & Blocking
🧺 Blocking is Non-Negotiable!
- Wet Blocking: Due to the complex lace and the desire for sharp points, wet blocking is essential.
- Soak the mat thoroughly in cold water with a mild detergent.
- Gently squeeze out excess water.
- Pin the mat out firmly onto a blocking board or towel, ensuring the eight points are pulled taut and even. Pin the scalloped edges to open up the lace and define the final shape.
- Allow the mat to dry completely before unpinning.
✨ Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully crocheted the exquisite Eight-Point Starburst Mat. This piece is a beautiful example of how simple stitches can create complex, stunning results. What color will you make your next one?
