The Ember & Clove Scented Star: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Aromatic Holiday Decoration

The Ember & Clove Scented Star: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Aromatic Holiday Decoration

This isn't your average star ornament; it's a textured, three-dimensional star with a hidden pocket for a sachet of your favorite holiday spices, creating a beautiful and aromatic decoration. The combination of a crisp popcorn stitch and a soft, single crochet border gives it a modern, tactile appeal that will elevate any tree or garland.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky weight, 80% Acrylic, 20% Wool) in 'Fisherman' (Color A) and 'Butterscotch' (Color B), or similar super bulky yarn. Approximately 20 yards of each color.
• Hook: Size K (6.5 mm) crochet hook
• Gauge: 4 popcorn stitches and 4 rows = 4 inches in popcorn stitch pattern. Gauge is not critical for this project, but consistency will ensure a uniform star.
• Other: Tapestry needle, small sachet or muslin bag, dried orange peel, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise (or your preferred scented filling), scissors.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Notes:

The star is worked in two halves (front and back) that are seamed together, leaving a small opening for the sachet. The popcorn stitch creates the textured points. Each popcorn stitch is made by working 5 double crochets into the same stitch, then dropping the loop from the hook, inserting it into the first double crochet of the group, and pulling the dropped loop through to close the popcorn.

Front Half (Make 1 with Color A)

Round 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Work 11 dc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3. (12 dc)

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Dc in the same st. *Work 2 dc in the next st.* Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3. (24 dc)

Round 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Dc in the same st. *Work a popcorn stitch in the next st. Dc in the next st.* Repeat from * around, ending with a popcorn stitch in the last st. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3. (12 popcorn stitches, 12 dc)

Round 4: Ch 1. Sc in the same st. *Sc in the next st. (this is the top of a popcorn). Sc in the next st.* Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (36 sc)

Round 5: Ch 1. Sc in the same st. *Ch 5, skip 2 sc, sc in the next 3 sc.* Repeat from * around, ending with a ch 5, skip 2 sc, sc in the last 2 sc. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (6 ch-5 loops)

Round 6: Sl st into the first ch-5 loop. Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Work 4 dc into the same loop (this is the start of a popcorn). Drop loop, insert hook into first dc of the group, pull dropped loop through to close popcorn. Ch 2. *Work a popcorn stitch into the next ch-5 loop, ch 2.* Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the first popcorn. (6 popcorn stitches, 6 ch-2 spaces)

Round 7: Ch 1. Sc in the same st. *Sc in the ch-2 space, sc in the top of the next popcorn.* Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (18 sc)

Round 8: Ch 1. Sc in the same st. *Ch 7, skip 2 sc, sc in the next 3 sc.* Repeat from * around, ending with a ch 7, skip 2 sc, sc in the last 2 sc. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (6 ch-7 loops)

Round 9: Sl st into the first ch-7 loop. Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Work 4 dc into the same loop, close popcorn. Ch 3. *Work a popcorn stitch into the next ch-7 loop, ch 3.* Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the first popcorn. (6 popcorn stitches, 6 ch-3 spaces)

Round 10: Ch 1. Sc in the same st. *Sc in the ch-3 space, sc in the top of the next popcorn.* Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (18 sc)

Round 11: Ch 1. Sc in the same st. *Ch 9, skip 2 sc, sc in the next 3 sc.* Repeat from * around, ending with a ch 9, skip 2 sc, sc in the last 2 sc. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (6 ch-9 loops)

Round 12: Sl st into the first ch-9 loop. Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Work 4 dc into the same loop, close popcorn. Ch 4. *Work a popcorn stitch into the next ch-9 loop, ch 4.* Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the first popcorn. (6 popcorn stitches, 6 ch-4 spaces)

Round 13: Ch 1. Sc in the same st. *Sc in the ch-4 space, sc in the top of the next popcorn.* Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (18 sc)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.

Back Half (Make 1 with Color B)

Repeat Rounds 1-13 exactly as for the Front Half.

Assembly

1. Place the two halves together with wrong sides facing each other. The right sides (the textured popcorn sides) should be facing out.
2. Using the long tail from the Front Half and a tapestry needle, whip stitch the two halves together along the outer edge. Work through the back loops only of the single crochet stitches from Round 13 to create a neat seam.
3. Sew about 3/4 of the way around, leaving a 2-inch opening.
4. Insert a small sachet filled with dried orange peel, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise (or your preferred scented filling) into the opening.
5. Continue whip stitching to close the opening. Weave in all ends securely.
6. Hanging Loop: Cut a 10-inch length of Color A yarn. Fold it in half and use a crochet hook to pull the loop through the top point of the star (the center of one of the popcorn points). Pull the ends through the loop and tighten to create a hanging loop. Trim ends.