How to draw octagons and eight-pointed stars with compass and ruler

Basket weave creating octagon patterns

1. Draw two intersecting lines, one horizontal and the other vertical.

2. Draw a circle with a compass, placing the compass point at the intersection of the lines. Leave enough room to draw equal sized circles on each size, at the bottom, and at the top. 

3. Draw four more circles using as center point the intersection points between lines and circles.

4. Draw the straight lines as shown in the image below (purple lines) 

5. The straight lines divide the circle into eight equal parts. Also, they locate eight points on the circumference of the circle. 

6. These points can be used to form octagons, eight-pointed stars, and other patterns.