Star decrease: many knitters’ favorite technique for a rounded sock or mitten tip
The star decrease makes a round, symmetrical tip on a wool sock or mitten. It consists of decrease rounds and plain rounds in between, with fewer plain rounds after each decrease round.
Alongside wedge decreases, the star decrease is a popular way to shape the toe or tip of a sock or mitten (the part knitted for toes or fingers). When working a star decrease, you decrease stitches in a circular pattern so the tip narrows gradually and evenly. The finished tip is round and looks the same in every direction.
The star decrease includes both decrease rounds and plain rounds with no decreases in between. As a handy reference, the number of plain rounds matches how many stitches there are between the decreases. This number goes down by one after each decrease round.
Example:
If you have 12 stitches on each needle, work the decreases by knitting together sts 5–6 and 11–12 on each needle. There are four stitches between each decrease. After the first decrease round, knit four plain rounds; after the second decrease round, knit three plain rounds, and so on.
You can work star decreases either at the start and middle of each needle or at the middle and end of each needle. The decrease is done by knitting 2 stitches together. Each decrease round reduces two stitches per needle, or eight stitches in total. In both methods, it’s important to keep the distance between the decreases consistent. In the instructions below, the tip is decreased with the latter method.
For a star decrease to work, each needle needs an even number of stitches.
If there’s an odd number of stitches on the needles, do this:
- First, work an evening-out decrease round where you decrease one stitch on each needle.
- If you’re decreasing at the start and middle of each needle, knit the first two stitches on every needle together. If you’re decreasing at the middle and end, knit the last two stitches on every needle together.
- Then knit one plain round before beginning the actual star decreases.
Star decrease: instructions
Knit your sock or mitten according to your pattern until you reach the part where you’ll begin the toe decreases. Begin the decreases when your sock covers your little toe or your mitten covers your pinky.
Note: In this sample project, each needle has 12 sts. The star decreases are done at the middle and end of every needle.
1st decrease round: *Knit 4 sts, k2tog, knit 4 sts, knit the last 2 sts together.* Repeat *–* until the end of the round.
Plain rounds: Knit 4 rounds.
2nd decrease round: *Knit 3 sts, k2tog, knit 3 sts, knit the last 2 sts together.* Repeat *–* until the end of the round.
Plain rounds: Knit 3 rounds.
3rd decrease round: *Knit 2 sts, k2tog, knit 2 sts, knit the last 2 sts together.* Repeat *–* until the end of the round.
Plain rounds: Knit 2 rounds.
4th decrease round: *Knit 1 st, k2tog, knit 1 st, knit the last 2 sts together.* Repeat *–* until the end of the round.
Plain round: Knit 1 round.
5th decrease round: *Knit 2 sts together.* Repeat *–* until the end of the round.
You now have 8 sts total—2 sts on each needle.
Cut the yarn, pull it through the remaining stitches, and tighten. Then weave in the ends securely.
