I am a big fan of crochet and since my friends have started having babies, I have been looking for nice crocheted gifts for them. You may tell me that crochet is old-fashioned and mainly granny oriented but that is just partially true ;-)!
I do not think I am especially old-fashion so believe me, there are some very nice and modern crochet patterns out there and especially on the web if you take your time and are a bit persevering as well...
One site in particular has lots of beautiful free crochet patterns: Daisy Cottage - blankets, hats, bags, many modern crochet designs there. You can also have a look at my post on baby yarn in Hong Kong where I have used cool crochet buttons by a Creative Being.


I have seen on Pinterest some very cute crochet stars and tried a few patterns, but this one is my favorite.
You can choose to stop once the star is done and make a garland of stars for example or follow a bit longer to make a cute star basket!

Supplies needed:

It just depends on which type and size of yarn you prefer using.
For this example I have used:

• Any yarn you fancy! - 1 color for the star & 1 other color for the sides of the basket
• Corresponding crochet size 
• This free pattern if you prefer using patterns - if not, you can follow the step by step instructions below.

Here I have used a 3.5mm crochet with lilac color cotton yarn.

Reminder of crochet abbreviations:

st(s) - Stitch(es)
ch - Chain stitch
ss - Slip stitch
dc - Double crochet
[...] - following instructions applies to this group of stitches

Steps:

Foundation ring:

Chain(ch) 5, join with a slip stitch (ss) to form a ring.

Round 1

Ch 2, 2 dc cluster (a cluster is a group of stitches) into foundation ring, ch 3,
[3 dc into foundation ring, ch 3] repeat 4 times.
Join with ss in top of beginning 2 dc cluster.

Round 2

Ss into the next ch 3 space from round 1, ch 3, [2 dc,ch 2, 3 dc] in ch 3 space from round 1,
*[3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in next ch 3 space from round 1, repeat from * 3 times more so that you get 5 branches in total.
Join with ss in top of this round beginning ch 3.

Round 3

Ss into the next st, ch 3, 1 dc 1 next st, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into next ch 2 space from round 2,
1 dc in each of the next 2 sts, skip next st,
* 1 dc in each of the next 2 sts, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into next ch 2 space from round 2, 1 dc in each of the next 2 sts, skip next st, repeat from * 3 times more so that you get 5 new branches.
Join with ss in top of this round beginning ch 3.

Round 4

Ss into the next st, ch 3, 1 dc in each of the next 3 sts, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into next ch 2 space from round 3,
1 dc in each of the next 4 sts, skip next st,
* 1 dc in each of the next 4 sts, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into next ch 2 space from round 3, 1 dc in each of the next 4 sts, skip next st, repeat from * 3 times more so that you get 5 new branches.
Join with ss in top of this round beginning ch 3.
Fasten off.