purlJam

# 🌈 Rainbow Pride Star Plushie

A soft, squishy chenille star in classic 6-color pride rainbow stripes. Perfect for cuddling, displaying, or gifting. This beginner-friendly pattern uses simple increases worked flat-in-the-round to create a plump 5-pointed star.

**Finished Size:** Approximately 6 inches (15 cm) point-to-point
**Skill Level:** Easy
**Construction:** Two identical panels worked from center out, joined and lightly stuffed

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## Materials

**Yarn:** Worsted weight (#4) chenille / velvet yarn (such as Bernat Velvet, Lion Brand Vel-Luxe, or Hobbii Iris) in 6 colors — approximately 15–20 yards each:
- 🔴 Red
- 🟠 Orange
- 🟡 Yellow
- 🟢 Green
- 🔵 Blue
- 🟣 Purple

**Hook:** US H-8 / 5.0 mm (chenille yarn does best with a slightly larger hook to prevent splitting)

**Notions:**
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing (small amount — this is a flat plush)
- Stitch marker
- Yarn needle with large eye (chenille is thick)
- Scissors

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## Gauge

Approximately 4 sc x 4 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in single crochet.
Exact gauge is not critical; the finished star will simply be larger or smaller. Both panels must match.

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)

- **ch** — chain
- **sc** — single crochet
- **inc** — 2 sc in same stitch (increase)
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **MR** — magic ring
- **[ ]** — total stitch count at end of round
- **( ) x 5** — repeat instructions in parentheses 5 times (once per star point)

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## Pattern Notes

- Work in continuous spirals (do **not** join rounds) unless otherwise stated. Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round, moving it up as you go.
- **Color change:** On the last stitch of each round, draw the new color through the final yarn-over to make a clean transition. Cut the old color leaving a 4" tail.
- Chenille yarn can be hard to see — count carefully and feel for stitches as well as look.
- Make **2 identical panels** (front and back of the star).

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## Star Panel (Make 2)

**Setup:** With **Red**, make a magic ring.

**Rnd 1:** 10 sc in magic ring. Pull ring tight. **[10 sts]**
- *Math check: 10 starting sts = 2 sts per point × 5 points.*

Change to **Orange** in last st of Rnd 2 (see note below).

**Rnd 2 (Orange):** (sc in next st, inc in next st) x 5. **[20 sts]**
- *Math check: each repeat adds 1 st × 5 = +10 sts. 10 + 10 = 20 ✓*

**Rnd 3 (Yellow):** (sc in next 2 sts, inc, sc in next st) x 5. **[30 sts]**
- *Wait — re-check: that’s 4 sts per repeat, only 20 total. Correct version below:*
- **(sc in next st, inc, sc in next st, inc, sc in next st) x 5.** Hmm, also wrong count.
- **Use this:** (sc in next 3 sts, inc) x 5. **[25 sts]** ❌

✅ **Correct Rnd 3 (Yellow):** (inc, sc in next st, inc, sc in next st) x 5. **[30 sts]**
- *Math check: each repeat = 4 sts in (2 inc + 2 sc) → 6 sts out. 6 × 5 = 30 ✓. Rnd 2 had 20 sts; 20 ÷ 5 = 4 sts per section ✓*

**Rnd 4 (Green):** (inc, sc in next 4 sts, inc) x 5. **[40 sts]**
- *Math check: each section had 6 sts; 6 sts in → 8 sts out (2 incs add 2). 8 × 5 = 40 ✓*

**Rnd 5 (Blue):** (inc, sc in next 6 sts, inc) x 5. **[50 sts]**
- *Math check: 8 sts in → 10 sts out per section. 10 × 5 = 50 ✓*

**Rnd 6 (Purple):** (inc, sc in next 8 sts, inc) x 5. **[60 sts]**
- *Math check: 10 sts in → 12 sts out per section. 12 × 5 = 60 ✓*

The star points naturally form at the increase pairs (the inc-inc corners become the tips of the star, while the centers of each section become the inner valleys).

**Finish panel:** Sl st in next st to smooth the edge. Fasten off, leaving a 6" tail on Panel 1 and a **long 30" tail on Panel 2** for sewing.

Weave in all interior color-change tails on the wrong side using your yarn needle.

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## Assembly

1. Place the two panels **wrong sides together**, aligning the 5 points exactly. The "right side" (front of stitches) faces outward on both sides.
2. With Panel 2's long purple tail and yarn needle, **whip stitch** around the outer edge through both layers. Work approximately 1 stitch per sc.
3. **Stuff lightly** when about 3 points are sewn closed. Use small pinches of fiberfill — push stuffing into each point with the back of your hook or a chopstick. The star should be plump but still flat-ish (not a ball).
4. Continue whip stitching closed. Add a final pinch of stuffing before sealing the last inch.
5. Tie off securely, then bury the tail through the inside of the star and trim flush.

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## Finishing

- Gently shape each point by squeezing and rolling between your fingers.
- If chenille fibers shed, give the star a quick lint-roll.
- **Optional:** Add a small chain loop at one point (ch 15, sl st to base) for hanging.

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## Tips for Chenille Yarn Success

- **Don't pull too tight** — chenille can "worm" (twist back on itself) under tension.
- **Hold tails firmly** for the first 2–3 stitches after a color change; chenille is slippery.
- **If you lose a stitch count**, lay the work flat and count the bumps along each round — easier than counting stitch by stitch.
- **Avoid frogging more than once** if possible; chenille can shed when reworked.

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## Size Variations

| Desired Size | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Keychain (3") | Stop after Rnd 4 [40 sts]; use 4 colors only |
| Standard (6") | As written — 6 rounds, all 6 colors |
| Jumbo (9") | Add Rnd 7 in a second red: (inc, sc in next 10 sts, inc) x 5 [70 sts] |

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Enjoy your rainbow star! 🌈⭐ Happy Pride!