Mastering The Art Of Bavarian Crochet: A Beginner's Guide

Bavarian crochet is a technique that creates a beautiful structural surface on one side of the fabric and an interesting pattern on the other. It is usually worked in squares, with raised edges that puzzle together like mosaic tiles. The stitch is perfect for blankets, cushion covers, and other home accessories. The technique is considered intermediate-level and is a relatively new stitch that looks similar to Catherine's Wheel. It is also sometimes called the Wool-Eater stitch.

How to start Bavarian crochet

Bavarian crochet is a relatively new stitch that creates colourful crochet squares with a textured surface on one side and an interesting pattern on the other. It is usually worked in the round, but can also be worked in rows.

To start Bavarian crochet, you will need to crochet a starting ring. Chain 6 and join into a ring with a slip stitch. This is the magic loop that you will work in rounds from the inside out.

The next step is to start the first spoke. To save time weaving in the ends, wrap the yarn tail over the working yarn with each chain as you get started. You can do this each time you start a new colour.

Now, you will make a treble crochet cluster with 4 treble crochets. You should have five loops on the hook before yarning over and drawing the final loop through all the stitches.

Chain 5 and single crochet into the starting ring. Repeat these steps three more times so that you have a total of four spokes. Join the round with a slip stitch.

The next round begins with chaining 1 and single crocheting into the single crochet from the previous round. Yarn over twice for a treble crochet. Insert the hook into the top of the treble crochet 4 together from the previous round. This is the "eye" created when you drew the loop through all the stitches. Complete this stitch by trebling crochet 4 and chaining 1. Treble crochet 4, chain 1, and treble crochet 4 again.

Work a single crochet into the single crochet from the previous round to anchor the stitches. Repeat these steps, adding a shell shape to each spoke. Join the round with a slip stitch and end off the yarn.

You can now start a new colour of yarn. Join the new colour with a single crochet into the first chain-1 space from the previous round. Yarn over twice for a treble crochet and insert your hook so it goes in front of the next treble crochet from the previous round, thus starting a back post treble crochet.

Back post treble crochet 4 together. You should have five loops on the hook before drawing a loop through all and completing the stitch. Chain 5 and single crochet into the chain-1 space from the previous round.

Back post treble crochet 8 together. You should have nine loops on the hook before drawing a loop through all and completing the stitch. Chain 5 and single crochet into the chain-1 space from the previous round.

Repeat these steps, adding to each corner and side. Join the round with a slip stitch.

You can now start the next round with a new colour. Chain 1 and single crochet in the single crochet from the previous round. Working into the "eye" of the cluster from the previous round, treble crochet 4 and chain 1 two times, then treble crochet 4. Single crochet in the single crochet from the previous round.

Working into the "eye" of the cluster from the previous round, treble crochet 4, chain 1, and treble crochet 4. Single crochet in the single crochet from the previous round. Repeat these steps, adding to each corner and side.

Repeat these rounds as many times as needed to make the size of the square you want. All the corners are the same, and you can simply add more repeats of the side stitches as the piece grows.

How to change colours in Bavarian crochet

Changing colours in crochet is a great way to add visual interest to your piece. It is a relatively new stitch that is commonly worked in multiple colours, although it can also be worked in a single colour.

Round 1, Step 1: Crochet a starting ring with your first colour.

Round 1, Step 2: Start the first spoke by wrapping the yarn tail over the working yarn with each chain, and as you get started.

Round 1, Step 3: Make a treble crochet cluster with 4 treble crochets. You should have five loops on the hook before yarning over and drawing the final loop through all the stitches.

Round 1, Step 4: Finish the first spoke by chaining 5 and single crocheting into the starting ring.

Round 1, Step 5: Repeat steps 2 through 5 of this round three times so you have a total of four spokes. Join the round with a slip stitch.

Round 2, Step 1: Chain 1 and single crochet into the single crochet from round one.

Round 2, Step 2: Yarn over two times for a treble crochet. Insert the hook into the top of the treble crochet 4 together from round one. This is the "eye" created when you drew the loop through all the stitches. Complete this stitch in the next step.

Round 2, Step 3: Treble crochet 4 and chain 1. Note that this includes the treble crochet started in the previous step.

Round 2, Step 4: Treble crochet 4, chain 1, and treble crochet 4.

Round 2, Step 5: Anchor the stitches by working a single crochet into the single crochet from the previous round. This secures the shell shape.

Round 2, Step 6: Repeat steps 2 through 5, adding a shell shape to each spoke. Join the round with a slip stitch and end off the yarn. Now is a good time to weave in the end of the first colour.

Round 3, Step 1: Start a new colour by working into the first chain-1 space from the previous round, joining the new colour with a single crochet.

Round 3, Step 2: Yarn over two times for a treble crochet. Insert your hook so it goes in front of the next treble crochet from the previous round, starting a back post treble crochet.

Round 3, Step 3: Back post treble crochet 4 together. You should have five loops on the hook before drawing a loop through all and completing the stitch.

Round 3, Step 4: Chain 5 and single crochet into the chain-1 space from the previous round.

Round 3, Step 5: Back post treble crochet 8 together. You should have nine loops on the hook before drawing a loop through all and completing the stitch.

Round 3, Step 6: Chain 5 and single crochet into the chain-1 space from the previous round.

Round 3, Step 7: Repeat steps 1 (beginning with the chain 5) through step 6, adding to each corner and side. Join the round with a slip stitch.

Round 4, Step 1: Chain 1 and single crochet in the single crochet from the previous round.

Round 4, Step 2: Working into the "eye" of the cluster from the previous round, treble crochet 4 and chain 1 two times, then treble crochet 4. Single crochet in the single crochet from the previous round.

Round 4, Step 3: Working into the "eye" of the cluster from the previous round, treble crochet 4, chain 1, and treble crochet 4. Single crochet in the single crochet from the previous round.

Round 4, Step 4: Repeat steps 1 (starting from the first treble crochet) and 2, adding to each corner and side.

Repeat rounds 3 and 4 as many times as needed to make the size square you want. All the corners are the same, and you can simply add more repeats of the side stitches as the piece grows.

Tips for Changing Colours in Bavarian Crochet:

• Adding the colours in rainbow order or in a gradient of one hue (e.g. working from pink to red to burgundy) really shows off the beauty of the Bavarian stitch.
• If you plan to change back to the old colour, you can carry the unused colour inside the stitches instead of cutting and weaving in all the ends when the project is complete.
• When carrying the unused yarn colour, make sure you give the carried yarn end a tug before changing colours again so that it won't be bunched up inside the stitches.

How to do the Bavarian crochet stitch

The Bavarian crochet stitch is an intermediate technique that creates colourful crochet squares. It is usually worked in the round, but can also be worked in rows. The stitch is started with a cross shape in the middle and the interlocking rounds blend in a way that allows you to crochet gradients while also using up leftover yarn. The texture is lovely when worked in a single colour or multiple colours.

To begin, you will need to crochet a starting ring. Chain 6 and join into a ring with a slip stitch. Then, start the first spoke by wrapping the yarn tail over the working yarn with each chain. Make a treble crochet cluster with 4 treble crochets. You should have five loops on the hook before yarning over and drawing the final loop through all the stitches. Finish the first spoke by chaining 5 and single crocheting into the starting ring. Repeat these steps three more times so you have a total of four spokes. Join the round with a slip stitch.

For the second round, chain 1 and single crochet into the single crochet from round one. Yarn over twice for a treble crochet. Insert the hook into the top of the treble crochet 4 together from round one. This is the "eye" created when you drew the loop through all the stitches. Complete this stitch by trebling crochet 4, chaining 1, and then trebling crochet 4 again. Work a single crochet into the single crochet from the previous round to anchor the stitches. Repeat these steps, adding a shell shape to each spoke. Join the round with a slip stitch and end off the yarn.

For the third round, work into the first chain-1 space from the previous round and join a new colour of yarn with a single crochet. Yarn over twice for a treble crochet and insert your hook so it goes in front of the next treble crochet from the previous round to start a back post treble crochet. Make a back post treble crochet 4 together. You should have five loops on the hook before drawing a loop through all and completing the stitch. Chain 5 and single crochet into the chain-1 space from the previous round. Make a back post treble crochet 8 together. You should have nine loops on the hook before drawing a loop through all and completing the stitch. Chain 5 and single crochet into the chain-1 space from the previous round. Repeat these steps, adding to each corner and side. Join the round with a slip stitch.

Repeat rounds 3 and 4 as many times as needed to make the size of the square you want. All the corners are the same, and you can simply add more repeats of the side stitches as the piece grows.

How to do the Bavarian crochet stitch in rows

The Bavarian crochet stitch is a lovely textured stitch pattern, traditionally worked in the round. It is said to have been created by a mother-daughter duo of Bavarian descent. The stitch is perfect for creating beautiful structural surfaces on one side and interesting patterns on the other. Although it is usually worked in the round, it can be worked in rows as well.

To start, you will need to chain (ch) a multiple of 8 + 2.

Row 1

• Single crochet (sc) in the second chain from the hook.
• Skip 3 chains, (4 treble crochet (tr), chain 1, 4 tr) in the next chain, skip 3 chains, sc in the next chain.
• Repeat from across.

Row 2

• Chain 3, turn.
• Work a 4-front post treble crochet (fptr) cluster over the next 4 tr.
• Chain 4, sc in the next chain-1 space.
• Chain 3, work an 8-fptr cluster over the next 8 tr, chain 4, sc in the next chain-1 space.
• Repeat from across.
• Chain 3, work a 5-fptr cluster over the next 5 stitches.

Row 3

• Chain 4, turn. 4 tr in the top of the first cluster, sc in the next sc.
• (4 tr, ch 1, 4 tr) in the centre of the next cluster, sc in the next sc.
• Repeat from across.

5 tr in the top of the last cluster.

Row 4

• Chain 1, turn. Sc in the first tr, chain 3, work an 8-fptr cluster over the next 8 tr, chain 4, sc in the next chain-1 space.
• Repeat from across, ending the last repeat with a sc in the last tr.

Row 5

• Chain 1, turn. Sc in the first sc, (4 tr, ch 1, 4 tr) in the centre of the first cluster, sc in the next sc.
• Repeat from across.

Repeat rows 2-5, changing colours after each odd row if desired.

Projects to do in Bavarian crochet

The Bavarian crochet stitch is a fun and versatile technique that creates a beautiful structural surface on one side and an interesting pattern on the other. It is commonly used to make baby blankets, dishcloths, pillows, and other home accessories, but it can be applied to various projects. Here are some ideas for projects to do in Bavarian crochet:

• Blankets: The most popular project for Bavarian crochet is blankets. You can create a stunning and textured blanket with this stitch, and it is perfect for using up leftover yarn. You can experiment with different colour combinations and join smaller squares together to make a larger blanket.
• Pillows and Cushion Covers: The Bavarian stitch creates a beautiful textured square that is perfect for pillows and cushion covers. You can use a single colour or experiment with multiple colours to create interesting patterns.
• Kitchen Accessories: The Bavarian stitch is one of the best stitches for hot pads, trivets, coasters, and dishcloths due to its thick and heavily textured nature. When making kitchen accessories, be sure to use natural yarns such as cotton to avoid melting in contact with hot objects.
• Home Decor: You can use the Bavarian stitch to create various home decor items such as wall hangings, rugs, or even baskets. The structural and textured nature of the stitch will add interest and dimension to your home decor projects.
• Accessories: Besides home accessories, you can also use the Bavarian stitch to create fashion accessories such as scarves, shawls, or bags. The stitch will add a unique and stylish touch to your accessories.
• Baby Items: Bavarian crochet is commonly used to make baby items such as blankets, booties, and hats. The soft and textured nature of the stitch is perfect for creating comfortable and adorable baby items.

Frequently asked questions