Easy Starfish crochet pattern (free PDF)

R1with coral: 6 sc in MR(6)
R2inc ×6(12)
R3(1 sc, inc) ×6(18)
R41 sc, (inc, 2 sc) ×5, inc, 1 sc(24)
R5(3 sc, inc) ×6(30)
R62 sc, (inc, 4 sc) ×5, inc, 2 sc(36)
R7(5 sc, inc) ×6(42)
R8–942 sc(42)
R103 sc, (dec, 5 sc) ×5, dec, 2 sc(36)
R11(4 sc, dec) ×6(30)
R122 sc, (dec, 3 sc) ×5, dec, 1 sc(24)
R13(2 sc, dec) ×6(18)
R14(1 sc, dec) ×6(12)
R15dec ×6(6)
Size before assembly: about 5.2 cm at the widest, 3.2 cm long; 15 rounds.
→ Insert the safety eyes now (positions: see “Face”) and fix the backs. Start stuffing (firmly) and keep adding as you decrease.
Top up the stuffing if needed. Fasten off leaving a 15 cm tail; with the needle weave it through the front loops of all 6 stitches of the last round, pull tight and hide the end inside.

R1with coral: 6 sc in MR(6)
R2(1 sc, inc) ×3(9)
R3(2 sc, inc) ×3(12)
R42 sc, (inc, 3 sc) ×2, inc, 1 sc(15)
R5(4 sc, inc) ×3(18)
R63 sc, (inc, 5 sc) ×2, inc, 2 sc(21)
R7–821 sc(21)
Of these: top — 1; side — 2 (left and right); lower — 2 (left and right). Size before assembly: about 2.8 cm at the widest, 2.7 cm long; 8 rounds.
Fasten off leaving a long tail (30–40 cm) for sewing. Stuff firmly, then press the piece slightly flat (oval cross-section; flattened 20 %).

R1with peach: 6 sc in MR(6)
R2(inc ×2, 1 sc) ×2(10)
Of these: top — 1; side — 2 (left and right); lower — 2 (left and right). A flat circle about 1.5 cm across; 2 rounds.
Fasten off leaving a long tail (30–40 cm) for sewing. Do not stuff.

Safety eyes and noses go in before the piece is stuffed and closed (see the pieces above); embroidery is easier before the piece is sewn on.

Safety eyes with a printed glint 9 mm (on the starfish centre): in round 13, 3 st apart (count along round 13: about 1.7 st each side of the centre top line).
Embroidery in dark brown thread (on the starfish centre), straight stitches through: (between rounds 14 and 15, 1 st from the centre bottom line, toward the toy's left ) → (in round 14, 0.5 st from the centre bottom line, toward the toy's left ) → (in round 14, on the centre bottom line ) → (in round 14, 0.5 st from the centre bottom line, toward the toy's right ) → (between rounds 14 and 15, 1 st from the centre bottom line, toward the toy's right ).