How to Crochet a Bavarian Square
Learn about Bavarian crochet patterns with this step-by-step tutorial.
A Bavarian square is a lovely and unique way to add texture and style to your crochet projects, and with this easy to follow tutorial on How to Crochet a Bavarian Square, you can learn how to create this neat crochet design.
Geared more towards the intermediate crocheter, this technique may take some time to master, but once you have it down, it's a great way to jazz up your crochet afghans, scarves, dishcloths, and much more!
Have you tried Bavarian square crochet? Leave us your tips and tricks in the comments below!
Materials List
- 3 different colors of yarn
- Crochet hook
Instructions:
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Round 1: With first color, ch 5, slip stitch in first ch to form a ring, ch 1, [sc in ring ch 5, 4-tr cl in ring, ch 5] 4 times (see photo 1), join with a slip stitch to beginning sc. (see photo 2). (8 ch-5 spaces, 4 sc, 4 4-tr cls) Join with a slip stitch as indicated unless otherwise stated. First ch of ch 5 made after working either a cluster or a bptr dec is actually the “locking stitch”. This ch forms the “o” at the top of the stitch that will be worked into on the next row or round.
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Round 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 2, lg shell in top of next 4-tr cl (see photo 3), ch 2, [sc in next sc, ch 2, lg shell in top of next 4-tr cl, ch 2,] 3 times, join to beginning sc. and fasten off. (8 ch-2 spaces, 4 lg shells, 4 sc) Note: Piece may ruffle slightly until next round is worked.
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Round 3: Join next color with a sc in first ch 1 space of any shell, ch 5, 4-bptr dec, ch 5, sc in next ch 1 space of shell, ch 5, 8-bptr dec, ch 5, [sc in next ch 1 space of shell, ch 5, 4-bptr dec, ch 5, sc in next ch 1 space of shell, ch 5, 8-bptr dec, ch 5] 3 times, join to beginning sc. (8 sc, 4 8-bptr dec, 4 4-bptr dec)
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Round 4: Ch 1, sc in first sc, lg shell in top of the next 4-bptr dec, sc in next sc, sm shell in top of the next 8-bptr dec, [sc in next sc, lg shell in top of the next 4-bptr dec, sc in next sc, sm shell in top of the next 8-bptr dec] 3 times, join to beginning sc and fasten off. (4 lg shells, 4 sm shells)
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Round 5: Join next color with a sc in first ch 1 space of any large shell, *ch 5, 4-bptr dec, ch 5, sc in next ch 1 space, ch 5, 8-bptr dec, ch 5, sc in next ch 1 space, ch 5, 8-bptr dec, ch 5**, sc in next ch 1 space, repeat from * around ending last repeat at **, join to beginning sc. ( 4 4-bptr dec, 8 8-bptr dec, 12 sc)
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Round 6: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *lg shell in top of next 4-bptr dec, sc in next sc, sm shell in top of next 8-bptr dec, sc in next sc, sm shell in top of next 8-bptr dec**, sc in next sc, repeat from * around ending last repeat at **, join to beginning sc and fasten off. (4 lg shells, 8 sm shells)
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Round 7: Join next color with a sc in first ch 1 space of any corner shell, *ch 5, 4-bptr dec, ch 5, sc in next ch 1 space, ch 5, 8-bptr dec, ch 5, sc in next ch 1 space, ch 5, 8 bptr dec, ch 5, sc in next ch 1 space, ch 5, 8-bptr dec, ch 5**, sc in next ch 1 space, repeat from * around ending last repeat at **, join to beginning sc.
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Round 8: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *lg shell in top of next 4-bptr dec, sc in next sc, sm shell in top of next 8-bptr dec, sc in next sc, sm shell in top of next 8-bptr dec, sc in next sc, sm shell in top of next 8-bptr dec, **, sc in next sc, repeat from * around ending last repeat at **, join to beginning sc and fasten off. (4 lg shells, 12 sm shells)
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Next Rounds: To make the square larger, continue repeating Rounds 7 and 8 alternatively, working 2 rounds of each color until desired square size. You will be adding 1 sm shell to each side of square with every 2 round worked.
Abbreviations
- (tr)
- Treble
- (bptr)
- Back post treble
- Large Shell (lg shell)
- (4 tr, [ch 1, 4 tr] twice) in place indicated
- Small Shell (sm shell)
- (4 tr, ch 1, 4 tr) in place indicated
- 4-treble cluster (4-tr cl)
- Holding last loop of each stitch on hook, 4 tr in place indicated, yarn over, pull through all loops on hook.
- 4-back post treble decrease (4-bptr dec)
- Holding back last loop of each stitch on hook, bptr around each of next 4 stitches, yarn over, pull through all loops on hook.
- 8-back post treble decrease (8-bptr dec)
- *Holding back last loop of each stitch on hook, bptr around each of next 4 stitches*, skip sc between shells and working on next shell, repeat between * once, yarn over, pull through all loops on hook. The 8-bptr dec is always worked using the last 4-tr group of 1 shell and the first 4-tr group of the next shell.
Have you ever tried this technique before? What do you think?