This long-time favorite is from 1880s Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 3. It’s so repetitive and predictable (in a good way) that I finished all but a couple of rounds in 1 day while writing the instructions! I added a couple of rounds to make the star points crisp and changed the last couple of rounds to make it easier to work. This piece can be blocked as a 9.25” diameter doily or into a hexagon for afghan blocks. Half hexagons for an afghan’s edges can be worked by using 2 needles, half the stitches and working wrong side rows in purl instead of knit stitch.
I’ve posted Weldon’s original companion edging separately on Ravelry.

The first 3 rows of the pattern are knitted back and forth to have enough stitches to start working in the round comfortably. Any small gap left by this technique can be closed when weaving in the beginning thread end. If preferred, work in the round from the start or use any technique comfortable to you to get started. Some people use a crochet “magic loop” and a few rounds of single crochet to start.
Skills needed: long-tail cast on, knit, purl, yarn over, k2tog, SKP (slip 1, knit 1, PSSO) and bind off in knit stitch.

Gauge is not important in this pattern. Any block-able yarn/thread will work. Make a swatch to check size and appearance.

250 yards of #10 crochet cotton thread will make 1 doily/block in the stated gauge.