Star stitch produces one of the most distinctive fabric textures in crochet dense, slightly raised, and with a subtle radiating pattern that reads as intentionally designed rather than incidentally textured. In a wrap silhouette, that texture does the visual heavy lifting so the garment doesn’t need any openwork or color detail to look finished. For a different stitch texture in a similar wrap silhouette, the bella ruffle wrap top covers the same crossover construction in hdc.
Wrap Crochet Top
Deep burgundy or crimson is an ideal colorway for star stitch, the stitch definition shows clearly in a rich, saturated color without needing contrast. Worsted weight in a smooth acrylic or wool blend keeps the texture sharp. The oversized knit-style top is worth bookmarking if you want a V-neck top with a similar solid, structured feel.
Materials & Tools
Before you begin, gather the following supplies:
Yarn: Approximately 500 grams of DK weight cotton yarn (or a cotton blend for a breathable, summer-friendly drape).
Hook: 4 mm (US G/6) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
Notions:
Tapestry needle for sewing seams and weaving in ends.
Scissors.
Measuring tape.
Stitch markers (at least 4).
Crochet Stitch Collection
Sizing & Measurements
This pattern is written using a made-to-measure approach, allowing you to customize it perfectly to your unique body shape.
Back Panel Width: Measure across your back from hip to hip (or where you want the top to sit).
Back Panel Height: Standard sample size is approximately 28 cm before armhole shaping.
Armhole Depth: Standard sample size is 18 to 20 cm.
Straps: Approximately 120 cm each, or your preferred length to wrap comfortably around your waist.
Pro-Tip: Mastering the Star Stitch
The star stitch is a beautiful 2-row repeat that creates a dense, starburst-like texture.
Row 1 (Star Row): Insert hook into the back bump of the 2nd chain from hook, pull up a loop. Repeat in the next 4 chains until you have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops. Chain 1 to close the star (this creates the “eye” of the star). For the next star: Insert hook into the eye of the star just made, pull up a loop. Insert hook into the last loop of the star just made, pull up a loop. Insert hook into the same chain as the last loop of the previous star, pull up a loop. Pull up a loop in each of the next 2 chains (6 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops. Chain 1 to close.
Row 2 (Single Crochet Row): Turn your work. Work 1 single crochet into the first star eye, then work 2 single crochets into each subsequent star eye across the row.
Pattern Instructions
1. Back Panel (Worked Bottom-Up)
Foundation Chain: Chain a multiple of 2 plus 3 until the chain matches your desired back width.
Row 1: Work your first star stitch into the back bumps of the foundation chain. Continue working the star stitch pattern across the row. End the row with 1 half double crochet in the last stitch. Turn.
Row 2: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet into the first star eye, and then work 2 single crochets into each following star eye across the row. Turn.
Row 3 and onwards: Repeat Row 1 (Star Stitch Row) and Row 2 (Single Crochet Row) alternately until your panel measures approximately 28 cm in height from the foundation chain (or your desired length to the underarm).
- Just starting out with crochet? The video tutorial below is a great place to begin, or challenge yourself with the written pattern below!
Armhole Shaping:
Next Row: Slip stitch across the first few stitches (as determined by your measurements to create an underarm inset) to start the row.
Next rows: Continue working the established star stitch pattern, but leave the exact same number of stitches unworked at the end of the row.
Subsequent rows: Repeat these gradual decreases on both sides until your total armhole depth reaches 18 to 20 cm. Fasten off and weave in ends.
2. Front Panels (Worked Top-Down)
Left Front Panel:
Setup: Lay your back panel flat. Use your measuring tape and stitch markers to mark equal shoulder widths on both sides of the top edge of the back panel.
Row 1: Attach your yarn at the outer edge of the left shoulder section.
Next Rows: Work straight down along the armhole edge in the star stitch pattern (repeating the 2-row sequence) until the length matches the back armhole depth (18 to 20 cm).
Neckline Shaping: Begin shaping the wrap front by increasing single crochet stitches at the end of the wrong side rows (the single crochet rows).
Next Rows: Continue increasing gradually on the neckline side until your neckline depth is complete and the panel meets the center-front requirements.
Body: Once shaping is complete, work straight without any more increases until the total front panel length matches the total height of the back panel. Fasten off.
Right Front Panel:
Setup & Row 1: Mirroring the left panel, attach your yarn at the right shoulder section.
Next Rows: Work straight along the armhole edge to match the back armhole depth.
Neckline Shaping: Begin shaping the neckline by placing your single crochet increases at the start of the wrong side (single crochet) rows.
Body: Continue increasing until the neckline depth matches the left side, then work straight until the right front panel length matches the back panel. Fasten off.
3. Sleeves (Make 2)
Foundation Chain: Chain a multiple of 2 plus 3 to reach your desired sleeve width around the forearm/bicep.
Row 1 & 2: Work the star stitch pattern rows to establish the sleeve fabric.
Sleeve Shaping (Increases): Increase by 1 star stitch on each side of the row every few rows. Repeat this until the total sleeve width matches your back armhole circumference.
Sleeve Cap Height: Work straight in the pattern for several rows without increasing to create the sleeve cap height.
Sleeve Cap Shaping (Decreases): Begin decreasing to shape the top cap. Slip stitch at the start of the rows and skip the corresponding number of stitches at the end of the rows. Fasten off once the cap matches the armhole curve.
Technique Explainer: Decreasing Double Crochet (DC2tog)
You will use this technique to taper your wrap straps.
Yarn over, insert hook into the first stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
Yarn over, pull through first 2 loops (2 loops on hook).
Yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook).
Yarn over, pull through first 2 loops (3 loops on hook).
Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops remaining on the hook. You have successfully turned two stitches into one!
Assembly, Edging & Straps
Step 1: Sewing the Body
Lay the front panels over the back panel with the right sides facing together. Using a tapestry needle and a mattress stitch, sew the shoulder seams securely.
Align the center of the sleeve caps with the shoulder seams. Stitch the sleeves into the armholes.
Sew the side seams starting from the bottom edge of the top, moving up through the underarm, and down to the ends of the sleeves.
Crucial Step: Leave a small, unsewn opening (about 2–3 cm) on one of the side seams just above the bottom hem. This will act as an eyelet to thread your wrap strap through!
Step 2: Creating the Tapered Straps
Attach your yarn at the bottom front corner of one of the front panels.
Work rows of double crochet stitches across the bottom edge of the panel to start the strap.
As you work, integrate DC2tog decreases along the neckline edge to gradually taper the strap into a long, clean tie.
Continue working rows of double crochet until the strap reaches approximately 120 cm (or your preferred length to wrap around your waist). Fasten off.
Repeat these steps for the second front panel corner.
Step 3: Finishing Touches
Weave in all remaining loose yarn ends neatly on the wrong side of your garment using your tapestry needle.
Put on your new wrap top, feed one strap through the side seam opening, pull it around, and tie the straps into a gorgeous bow at the front, side, or back!
