Sewing Bavarian Squares: A Step-By-Step Guide To Joining Them Together

The Bavarian Square is a crochet stitch that can be used to add texture and style to various projects, such as blankets, cushion covers, scarves, and dishcloths. It is formed by working in squares with raised edges, creating a mosaic tile effect. While it may initially seem difficult, the Bavarian Square is easy to master with practice and can be made using any type of yarn. This stitch can be made in different sizes by repeating certain rounds and adding a set of clusters to each side of the square.

How to start a Bavarian square

The Bavarian Square is a crochet stitch that creates a unique, textured pattern that can be used for blankets, cushion covers, scarves, and dishcloths. While it may seem complicated at first, it is actually quite simple once you get the hang of it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to start a Bavarian Square:

Round 1: Using your first colour, chain 5, slip stitch in the first chain to form a ring, chain 1, and then single crochet into the ring. Chain 5, make a 4-treble cluster in the ring, and chain 5. Repeat this three more times, and then join with a slip stitch to the beginning single crochet. You should now have 8 chain-5 spaces, 4 single crochets, and 4 4-treble clusters.

Round 2: Chain 1, single crochet in the first single crochet, chain 2, and then make a large shell in the top of the next 4-treble cluster. Chain 2, single crochet in the next single crochet, chain 2, and then make another large shell in the top of the next 4-treble cluster. Repeat this sequence two more times, and then join to the beginning single crochet and fasten off. You should now have 8 chain-2 spaces, 4 large shells, and 4 single crochets.

Round 3: Join your next colour with a single crochet in the first chain-1 space of any shell. Chain 5, make a 4-back post treble decrease, chain 5, single crochet in the next chain-1 space of the shell, chain 5, and then make an 8-back post treble decrease. Chain 5, single crochet in the next chain-1 space of the shell, chain 5, and make another 4-back post treble decrease. Chain 5, single crochet in the next chain-1 space of the shell, and then make an 8-back post treble decrease. Chain 5, and then single crochet in the next chain-1 space. Repeat this sequence three more times, and then join to the beginning single crochet. You should now have 8 single crochets, 4 4-back post treble decreases, and 4 8-back post treble decreases.

Round 4: Chain 1, single crochet in the first single crochet, make a large shell in the top of the next 4-back post treble decrease, single crochet in the next single crochet, and then make a small shell in the top of the next 8-back post treble decrease. Single crochet in the next single crochet, make a large shell in the top of the next 4-back post treble decrease, single crochet in the next single crochet, and then make another small shell in the top of the next 8-back post treble decrease. Repeat this sequence two more times, and then join to the beginning single crochet and fasten off. You should now have 4 large shells and 4 small shells.

Round 5: Join your next colour with a single crochet in the first chain-1 space of any large shell. Chain 5, make a 4-back post treble decrease, chain 5, single crochet in the next chain-1 space, chain 5, and then make an 8-back post treble decrease. Chain 5, single crochet in the next chain-1 space, and then make another 8-back post treble decrease. Chain 5, single crochet in the next chain-1 space, chain 5, and make a 4-back post treble decrease. Chain 5, single crochet in the next chain-1 space, and then make an 8-back post treble decrease. Chain 5, and then single crochet in the next chain-1 space. Repeat this sequence around, and then join to the beginning single crochet. You should now have 4 4-back post treble decreases, 8 8-back post treble decreases, and 12 single crochets.

Round 6: Chain 1, single crochet in the first single crochet. Make a large shell in the top of the next 4-back post treble decrease, single crochet in the next single crochet, and then make a small shell in the top of the next 8-back post treble decrease. Single crochet in the next single crochet, make a small shell in the top of the next 8-back post treble decrease, single crochet in the next single crochet, and then make another large shell in the top of the next 4-back post treble decrease. Repeat this sequence around, and then join to the beginning single crochet and fasten off. You should now have 4 large shells and 8 small shells.

To continue your Bavarian Square, simply repeat Rounds 7 and 8, alternating colours every two rounds, until you have reached your desired square size. With each two rounds, you will be adding one small shell to each side of the square.

The crochet Bavarian stitch

To begin, you will need to crochet a starting ring. Chain 6 and join them into a ring with a slip stitch. This forms the foundation of your Bavarian square. The next step involves creating a treble crochet cluster with 4 treble crochets, ensuring you have five loops on the hook before drawing the final loop through all the stitches. This cluster serves as the first "spoke" of your square.

Now, you will chain 5 and single crochet into the starting ring. Repeat this process three more times to complete a total of four spokes. Join the round with a slip stitch. The first two rounds form the base of your Bavarian square, creating the necessary space for the following rounds to interlock.

The third and fourth rounds are repeating rounds, where you will anchor the stitches and work around the first spoke. Chain 1 and single crochet into the single crochet from the previous round. Yarn over twice for a treble crochet, and insert the hook into the top of the treble crochet 4 together from the previous round. Complete this stitch and then treble crochet 4, chain 1, and treble crochet 4 again. This forms the shell shape.

To secure the shell shape, work a single crochet into the single crochet from the previous round. 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 introduce a new colour if desired.

How to change colours

When crocheting a Bavarian square, you can change colours at the end of each round. The number of rounds you crochet will determine the size of your square.

To change colours, follow these steps:

• Join the next colour in any chain 1 (ch-1) space from the previous round.
• Chain 1 and single crochet into the ch-1 space.
• Continue with the rest of the steps for that round, following the Bavarian square pattern.

The spot where you start the next colour will always be the same on the square. You will start in the ch-1 sp before a corner when changing colours to start up again. As you build outward, the stopping and starting places will always be the same.

Bavarian square crochet patterns

The Bavarian crochet stitch is a concept that is worked in a square. With raised edges, it appears to puzzle together like mosaic tiles. It may seem difficult to accomplish at first, but the trick is to create enough space with the starting rounds to fit the next few rounds in.

The Bavarian Square stitch pattern is as follows:

• Ch 6. Sl st to form a ring. Ch 1, sc into the ring.
• Ch 5.
• Tr into the ring, leaving the last loop on the hook (do not complete the tr. We are going to make a cluster of 4 tr together).
• Tr into the ring once more, without completing the last part of the stitch, leaving the last loop on the hook. You should now have 3 loops on your hook.
• Repeat step 4 twice so that you have 5 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on your hook. Ch 5.
• Sc into the ring.
• Repeat steps 2-6 three more times. Join in beginning sc.
• Ch 1, sc in the same st (sc from the previous round), ch 2.
• We are now going to work into the top of the 4-tr cluster. You will see there is a little "eye." That's where you will crochet into.
• 4 tr into the top of the 4-tr cluster from the previous round. (ch 1, 4 tr) twice into the top of the 4-tr cluster. Ch 2.
• Sc into the sc from the previous round.
• Repeat steps 10-11 three more times. Fasten off.
• Join the next colour in any ch 1 space from the previous round. Ch 1, sc into ch-1 space.
• Ch 5.
• We are going to bptr 4 together. Bptr around the tr from the previous round, leaving the last loop on the hook. You should have 2 loops on your hook.
• Repeat step 15 twice more so that you have 4 loops on your hook. Bptr around the next tr from the previous round, leaving the last loop on the hook. You should now have 5 loops on your hook.
• Yarn over, pull through all 5 loops on hook. Ch 5.
• Sc into the ch-1 space from the previous round.
• Ch 5. Bptr 8 sts together. Ch 5.
• Sc into the next ch-1 space.
• Repeat steps 14-20 all the way around. Join in the beginning sc.
• Ch 1, sc into the same st (sc from the previous round).
• 4 tr into the top of the 4-tr cluster from the previous round. (ch 1, 4 tr) twice into the top of the 4-tr cluster. Sc into the sc from the previous round.
• 4 tr, ch 1, 4 tr into the top of the 8-tr cluster. Sc into the sc from the previous round.
• Repeat steps 23-24 around.
• To make a larger square, follow steps 13-25, making sure to add a set of 8-tr clusters to each side of the square as you go along. To make an 8x8 square, you would need to crochet 6 rounds (in DK yarn, less for worsted weight). You can add an edging to square it off but do not do this if you are making this into a larger afghan.

To sew the Bavarian squares together, you can follow the same process as sewing squares together for quilting or patchwork. First, arrange your squares in the desired pattern on a table or the floor. You can either make a pattern or place the fabrics randomly. Sew the squares together with a 1/4" seam allowance, keeping your squares evenly matched with a straight seam the whole way down. Press the seams with an iron to ensure neat joins.

How to assemble Bavarian squares

The Bavarian Square is a crochet stitch that creates a textured square, perfect for blankets, cushion covers, scarves, and dishcloths. It is considered an intermediate crochet technique that may take some time to master, but once you get the hang of it, it is quite easy. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to assemble Bavarian Squares:

Materials:

• Yarn in three different colours (DK or Worsted weight yarn is recommended)
• A crochet hook (4.5mm or any size slightly bigger than recommended for your yarn)

Instructions:

Round 1:

• Using your first colour, chain 5 and slip stitch in the first chain to form a ring.
• Chain 1 and then single crochet into the ring.
• Chain 5.
• Treble crochet into the ring, leaving the last loop on the hook (do not complete the treble).
• Repeat the previous step three more times, so you have four loops on your hook.
• Yarn over and pull through all five loops on your hook.
• Chain 5.
• Single crochet into the ring.
• Repeat steps 2-9 three more times.
• Join the beginning single crochet.
• Chain 1 and single crochet in the same stitch (single crochet from the previous round).
• Chain 2.

Round 2:

• Work into the top of the treble crochet cluster.
• Chain 2.
• Treble crochet four times into the top of the treble crochet cluster from the previous round.
• Chain 1.
• Repeat the previous two steps into the top of the same cluster.
• Chain 2.
• Single crochet into the single crochet from the previous round.
• Repeat steps 13-15 three more times.
• Fasten off.

Round 3:

• Join the next colour in any chain 1 space from the previous round.
• Chain 1 and single crochet into the chain 1 space.
• Chain 5.
• Back post treble crochet four times together (leave the last loop on the hook each time). You should have five loops on your hook.
• Yarn over and pull through all five loops on the hook.
• Chain 5.
• Single crochet into the chain 1 space from the previous round.
• Chain 5.
• Back post treble crochet eight times together (leave the last loop on the hook each time). You should have nine loops on your hook.
• Yarn over and pull through all nine loops on the hook.
• Chain 5.
• Single crochet into the chain 1 space from the previous round.
• Repeat steps 17-25 all the way around.
• Join the beginning single crochet.
• Chain 1 and single crochet into the same stitch (single crochet from the previous round).

Round 4:

• Treble crochet four times into the top of the treble crochet cluster from the previous round.
• Chain 1.
• Repeat the previous two steps into the top of the same cluster.
• Single crochet into the single crochet from the previous round.
• Treble crochet four times into the top of the next treble crochet cluster.
• Single crochet into the next single crochet.
• Treble crochet four times into the top of the next treble crochet cluster.
• Chain 1.
• Repeat the previous two steps into the top of the same cluster.
• Single crochet into the next single crochet.
• Repeat steps 29-30 around.

Rounds 5 onwards:

• Attach the next colour to any corner chain space of the previous row.
• Chain 1 and make a single crochet in the same stitch.
• Chain 5, back post treble crochet four times together, chain 5, and single crochet in the chain space.
• Chain 5, back post treble crochet eight times together (skipping the single crochet in between), chain 5, and single crochet in the chain space.
• Repeat the previous two steps for each corner and side cluster.
• For the last cluster, slip stitch to join instead of making a single crochet.

Continue repeating Rounds 4 and 5, alternating colours every two rounds, until you reach your desired square size. Remember to add a set of eight treble crochet clusters to each side of the square as you go along to make it larger.

Frequently asked questions