Damon Mcknight
The Bavarian stitch is a crochet technique that creates a thick, textured pattern, traditionally worked in rounds. However, with a few adjustments, it can also be worked in rows to create beautiful diamond-shaped designs. This stitch is perfect for blankets, pillows, and other home accessories, and can be applied to various projects. While it may initially seem difficult, mastering the Bavarian stitch is achievable and rewarding.
What You'll Learn
How to start Bavarian crochet in rows
Bavarian crochet is an intermediate-level technique that creates a thick, textured pattern. It is traditionally worked in rounds, but you can also crochet in rows.
To start Bavarian crochet in rows, you will need to work a foundation of chain stitches in multiples of 10. The length of your foundation chain will determine the final length of your project. At the end of the foundation chain, work two more chain stitches to serve as a turning chain for your next row.
Then, half double crochet into the second chain from your hook. Skip four chains in your foundation, work nine treble crochets into the fifth chain, skip another four chains, and half double crochet into the next chain. Repeat this pattern across the full length of your foundation, stopping only once you reach the end of the row.
If desired, you can change yarn colours at the end of the first row, although this is not necessary.
For the next row, chain three, then work one treble crochet into the front posts of each of the next four stitches, keeping the last loop of each treble crochet on the hook. After the last treble crochet, yarn over the hook and pull the yarn through all the loops on the hook. Work one half double crochet into the next stitch in the previous row.
Continue working a series of treble crochet clusters, chains, and half double crochets across the entire second row, stopping before the last five stitches. For the final cluster of the row, chain four, then work a treble crochet into the front posts of each of the final five stitches in the row, keeping the last loop on the hook for each one. Yarn over and pull through all the loops after completing the last one.
This completes the row. Chain four, then turn the work over.
Bavarian Porcelain Pitchers: A Guide to Sizes and Styles
You may want to see also
The Bavarian stitch pattern
The diamond shapes are made up of clusters and fans, which spread the stitches out and draw them back together. The fan stitch is defined as (4 dc, ch 1, 4 dc) in the indicated stitch. The front post cluster (or half cluster when used at the edges) is worked around the posts from the fan stitches, in the same way as for front post stitches.
To start the Bavarian stitch pattern, you can begin with a foundation row of 21 single crochet (a multiple of 6 plus 3). Because you are starting from a flat edge, Row 1 is just the top half of the diamonds. Chain 3 (counts as a dc), work 4 dc in the next stitch, skip the next 2 stitches, sc in the next stitch, *skip the next 2 stitches, fan in the next stitch, skip the next 2 stitches, sc in the next stitch. Repeat from * once more, skip the next 2 stitches, 4 dc in the next stitch, and dc in the last stitch. You should have 2 fan stitches in the middle, with 4 dc forming half a fan at each edge.
On Row 2, you start the 4-row repeat to create a new row of diamonds. Join a new colour to start this row. With the new colour, ch 1, turn, sc in the first stitch, (ch 3, cluster, ch 3, sc in the next ch-1 sp) twice, ch 3, cluster, ch 3, sc in the last stitch. You should now have 3 cluster stitches, with the sides of the fans pulled together to form the bottom of a new row of diamonds.
To make the top of these diamonds, ch 1, turn, sc in the first st, (skip the next ch-3 sp, fan in the top of the next cluster, skip the next ch-3 sp, sc in the next sc) 3 times. You should now have 3 completed diamonds.
For Row 4, change colours again. This row is similar to Row 2, but offset by half a fan. Here, you use the half cluster stitches to even out the edges. With the new colour, ch 3, turn, half cluster, (ch 3, sc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 3, cluster) twice, ch 3, sc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 3, half cluster, dc in the last stitch.
Row 5 is similar to Row 1, but you are now working into clusters instead of the foundation row. Ch 3, turn, 4 dc in the top of the half cluster, (skip the next ch-3 sp, fan in the top of the next cluster, skip the next ch-3 sp, sc in the next sc) twice, skip the next ch-3 sp, 4 dc in the top of the half cluster, dc in the last stitch.
Repeat rows 2-5 to continue the pattern.
Exploring the Peak Heights of Bavaria's Alpine Region
You may want to see also
Fan and cluster stitches
The fan and cluster stitches are the components of the diamond shapes that make up the Bavarian crochet stitch pattern. The fan stitch is defined as (4 dc, ch 1, 4 dc) in the indicated stitch. The front post cluster stitch, on the other hand, is worked around the posts of the fan stitches, similar to front post stitches. To make a front post cluster stitch:
- Yarn over, insert hook around the post of the next dc, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on the hook. Repeat this sequence 3 more times so that you have 5 loops on your hook.
- Skip the next sc, then repeat the above sequence again. You should now have 9 loops on your hook.
- Yarn over and draw through all 9 loops, ch 1 to close.
A half cluster stitch is used at the edges and is worked in the same way as the cluster stitch but with a slight variation at the end:
- Yarn over, insert hook around the post of the next dc as though for a front post stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on the hook. Repeat this sequence 3 more times so that you have 5 loops on your hook.
- Yarn over and draw through all 5 loops on the hook, ch 1 to close.
Bavarian Edge: Are the Reviews Too Good to Be True?
You may want to see also
Repeating rows 2-5
Now that you've completed the first four rows, you can continue the pattern by repeating rows 2-5. This will create a beautiful, textured diamond design. Here are the steps for each row:
Row 2
- Change colours if desired. Chain 3, then turn your work.
- Create a 4-front-post treble crochet (fptr) cluster by working a fptr over each of the next 4 stitches, keeping the last loop of each fptr on your hook. After the fourth fptr, yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on the hook.
- Chain 4, then single crochet (sc) into the next chain-1 space.
- Repeat the following across: chain 3, create an 8-fptr cluster over the next 8 treble crochets, chain 4, sc in the next chain-1 space.
- Chain 3, then create a 5-fptr cluster over the next 5 stitches.
Row 3
- Change colours if desired. Chain 4, then turn your work.
- Work 4 treble crochets (tr) into the top of the first cluster, then sc in the next sc.
- Repeat the following across: (4 tr, chain 1, 4 tr) in the centre of the next cluster, sc in the next sc.
- Work 5 tr into the top of the last cluster.
Row 4
- Change colours if desired. Chain 1, then turn your work.
- Sc in the first treble crochet, then repeat the following across: chain 3, create an 8-fptr cluster over the next 8 tr, chain 4, sc in the next chain-1 space.
- End the row with a sc in the last treble crochet.
Row 5
- Change colours if desired. Chain 1, then turn your work.
- Sc in the first sc, then repeat the following across: (4 tr, chain 1, 4 tr) in the centre of the first cluster, sc in the next sc.
Repeat these four rows to continue the pattern, changing colours after each odd-numbered row if desired.
The Correct Way to Write Bavaria in Your Sentences
You may want to see also
Changing colours
To change colours at the end of a row, simply stop crocheting with Colour A right before pulling the yarn through the last two loops on the last stitch of the row. Then, put Colour B on the hook and pull it through the last two loops. Chain one (or however many stitches you need for your turning chain), turn your work, and begin crocheting the new row with the new colour.
You can also change colours in the middle of a row. To do this, stop crocheting with Colour A before pulling through the last loop on the hook. Put Colour B on the hook and pull it through the last loop to finish the stitch. Then, continue crocheting across the row with Colour B.
When changing colours, it's important to leave a long yarn tail when you pick up the new colour. This will ensure that you have enough yarn to weave in at the end of your project. Similarly, when cutting the old colour, leave a long enough yarn tail to weave in later. If you're changing colours frequently, you can carry the unused yarn along the side of your work to reduce the number of ends you need to weave in.
Bavaria's Urban Landscape: How Many Cities Thrive Here?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Bavarian Crochet is an intermediate-level technique that creates a thick, textured pattern with yarn. It is traditionally done by working in rounds but can also be done in rows.
To start, attach your yarn to the hook using a slip knot. Then, work a foundation chain with a number of stitches that is a multiple of 10. The length of this foundation chain will be the final length of your project. Finally, work two more chain stitches at the end to serve as a turning chain for your next row.
The first stitch you will need to create is a half double crochet. Work this into the second chain from your hook, and remember not to count the loop currently on your hook when counting chains.
Skip four chains in your foundation, then work nine treble crochets into the fifth chain. Skip another four chains, then half double crochet into the next chain.
Repeat the process for creating the first shell across the full length of your foundation, stopping only once you reach the end of the row. This completes the first official row.
Yes, you can change yarn colours after completing the first row if desired. However, it is not necessary to do so.
To begin the second row, chain three, then work a treble crochet into the front posts of each of the next four stitches, keeping the last loop of each treble crochet on the hook. After the last treble crochet, yarn over the hook and pull the yarn through all the loops on the hook. Work a half double crochet into the next stitch in the previous row.
Work a series of treble clusters, chains, and half double crochets across the entire second row, stopping before the last five stitches. Work a front post treble crochet into each of the next four stitches, keeping the last loop on the hook after each one. Then, half double crochet once, followed by another four treble crochets across the next four stitches, keeping the last loop on the hook after each stitch. Finally, yarn over and pull through all the loops on your hook after the final stitch to complete a nine-stitch shell cluster.
To finish the second row, chain four, then work a treble crochet into the front posts of each of the final five stitches in the row, keeping the last loop on the hook for each one. Yarn over and pull through all the loops after completing the last one. Chain four, then turn your work over.
10. Q: How do I work across the third row?
