purlJam

# Nordic Star Bauble
**Difficulty:** Intermediate
**Date:** 24 October 2023

## Description
A classic Christmas bauble featuring a traditional eight-pointed Nordic star motif. This pattern is knitted in the round from the bottom up, creating a dense fabric to ensure the stuffing remains invisible. The geometric shaping creates a spherical canvas for the stranded colourwork.

## Materials
*   **Yarn:** Sport weight (approx. 300m/100g or 12 ply equivalent).
    *   Colour A (Main): Red (approx. 15g)
    *   Colour B (Contrast): White (approx. 10g)
*   **Needles:** Set of 4 or 5 Double Pointed Needles (DPNs), size 2.5mm. (Note: We use a smaller needle than standard for this yarn weight to achieve a tight tension).
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle, polyester toy stuffing (fibre fill), stitch marker.

## Tension (Gauge)
28 stitches and 34 rows = 10cm x 10cm measured over stranded stocking stitch on 2.5mm needles.
*Note: Correct tension is vital for the spherical shape. If your swatch is loose, go down a needle size.*

## Terminology & Abbreviations (UK Terms)
*   **k**: Knit.
*   **kfb**: Knit into front and back of next stitch (1 stitch increased).
*   **k2tog**: Knit 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased).
*   **ssk**: Slip, slip, knit (Slip 2 sts knitwise one at a time, insert left needle into fronts of these 2 sts and knit them together) (1 stitch decreased).
*   **st(s)**: Stitch(es).
*   **rep**: Repeat.
*   **Col A**: Main Colour (Red).
*   **Col B**: Contrast Colour (White).

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## Instructions

### Base (Increases)
Using **Col A** and 2.5mm needles, cast on 8 sts. Distribute over 4 needles (2 sts per needle). Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker to denote start of round.

**Round 1:** Kfb in every st.
`[Math Check: 8 sts + 8 inc = 16 sts]`

**Round 2:** Knit all sts.

**Round 3:** (K1, kfb) rep to end.
`[Math Check: 16 sts + 8 inc = 24 sts]`

**Round 4:** Knit all sts.

**Round 5:** (K2, kfb) rep to end.
`[Math Check: 24 sts + 8 inc = 32 sts]`

**Round 6:** Knit all sts.

**Round 7:** (K3, kfb) rep to end.
`[Math Check: 32 sts + 8 inc = 40 sts]`

**Round 8:** Knit all sts.

**Round 9:** (K4, kfb) rep to end.
`[Math Check: 40 sts + 8 inc = 48 sts]`

**Round 10:** Knit all sts.

**Round 11:** (K5, kfb) rep to end.
`[Math Check: 48 sts + 8 inc = 56 sts]`

**Round 12:** (K13, kfb) rep 4 times.
`[Math Check: 56 sts + 4 inc = 60 sts]`
*Note: We increase only 4 stitches here to reach the target number of 60, which accommodates the 12-stitch pattern repeat.*

### Centre Section (Colourwork)
Join **Col B**. Follow the instructions below, repeating the sequence 5 times per round (60 sts total). Keep floats loose behind the work.

**Round 13:** *K5 Col A, K1 Col B, K5 Col A, K1 Col B* rep to end.
**Round 14:** *K4 Col A, K3 Col B, K4 Col A, K1 Col B* rep to end.
**Round 15:** *K3 Col A, K5 Col B, K3 Col A, K1 Col B* rep to end.
**Round 16:** *K2 Col A, K2 Col B, K1 Col A, K2 Col B, K2 Col A, K3 Col B* rep to end.
**Round 17:** *K1 Col A, K2 Col B, K3 Col A, K2 Col B, K1 Col A, K3 Col B* rep to end.
**Round 18:** *K2 Col B, K2 Col A, K1 Col B, K2 Col A, K2 Col B, K3 Col A* rep to end.
**Round 19 (Centre):** *K1 Col B, K2 Col A, K3 Col B, K2 Col A, K4 Col B* rep to end.
**Round 20:** Same as Round 18.
**Round 21:** Same as Round 17.
**Round 22:** Same as Round 16.
**Round 23:** Same as Round 15.
**Round 24:** Same as Round 14.
**Round 25:** Same as Round 13.

Break **Col B** leaving a 15cm tail to weave in later. Continue in **Col A** only.

### Top (Decreases)
**Round 26:** (K13, k2tog) rep 4 times.
`[Math Check: 60 sts - 4 dec = 56 sts]`

**Round 27:** (K5, k2tog) rep to end.
`[Math Check: 56 sts - 8 dec = 48 sts]`

**Round 28:** Knit all sts.

**Round 29:** (K4, k2tog) rep to end.
`[Math Check: 48 sts - 8 dec = 40 sts]`

**Round 30:** Knit all sts.

**Round 31:** (K3, k2tog) rep to end.
`[Math Check: 40 sts - 8 dec = 32 sts]`

*Start stuffing the bauble firmly now. Ensure it is shaped into a sphere.*

**Round 32:** Knit all sts.

**Round 33:** (K2, k2tog) rep to end.
`[Math Check: 32 sts - 8 dec = 24 sts]`

**Round 34:** Knit all sts.

**Round 35:** (K1, k2tog) rep to end.
`[Math Check: 24 sts - 8 dec = 16 sts]`

**Round 36:** Knit all sts. Add final stuffing.

**Round 37:** K2tog around.
`[Math Check: 16 sts - 8 dec = 8 sts]`

### Finishing
1.  Cut yarn leaving a 20cm tail.
2.  Thread tail onto a tapestry needle and draw through the remaining 8 stitches. Pull tight to close the hole.
3.  **To create a hanging loop:** Do not cut the tail yet. Insert the needle into the centre top, pull it through to the inside and bring it back out 2mm away. Create a loop of the desired length (approx. 6cm). Knot securely at the base of the loop and bury the remaining end inside the bauble.
4.  Weave in the cast-on tail at the bottom.