How to Bavarian Crochet Photo Tutorial
Ready to learn a new stitch combination that creates colorful crochet squares? Meet Bavarian crochet. Starting with a cross shape in the middle, the interlocking rounds of Bavarian crochet blend in a way that allows you to crochet gradients while also using up some leftover yarn.
This intermediate technique is a relatively new stitch that looks similar to Catherine's Wheel, but it is unique in the way the rounds connect. You may even get some granny square vibes from it as your work grows.
Learn how to crochet the Bavarian stitch with this photo tutorial.
Equipment / Tools
- Crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
Materials
- Basic yarn in several colors
Instructions
Round 1, Step 1: Crochet a Starting Ring
Round 1 setup: Chain 6 and join into a ring with a slip stitch.
Round 1, Step 2: Start the First Spoke
Chain 5.
To save time weaving in the ends, wrap the yarn tail over the working yarn with each chain and as you get started. You can do this as you start each new color.
Round 1, Step 3: Make a Treble Crochet Cluster
Work 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
Chain 5 and single crochet into the starting ring.
Round 1, Step 5: Repeat to Complete the Round
Repeat steps two through five of this round three times so you have a total of four spokes.
Join the round with a slip stitch.
Round 2, Step 1: Begin Working Around the First Spoke
Round 2 setup: Chain 1 and single crochet into the single crochet from round one.
Chain 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 1, Step 2: Treble Crochet Around the Spoke
Treble crochet 4 and chain 1.
Note: This includes the treble crochet started in the previous step.
Treble crochet 4, chain 1, and treble crochet 4.
Round 2, Step 3: Anchor the Stitches
Work a single crochet into the single crochet from the previous round. This secures the shell shape.
Round 2, Step 4: Repeat to Complete the Round
Repeat steps two and three, adding a shell shape to each spoke.
Join the round with a slip stitch and end off the yarn. To save time later, now is a great time to weave in the end of the first color.
Round 3, Step 1: Start a New Color of Yarn
Round 3 setup: Working into the first chain-1 space from the previous round, join a new color of yarn with a single crochet.
Chain 5.
Round 3, Step 2: Make a Back Post Treble Crochet Cluster
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, 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.
Round 3, Step 3: Complete the Corner
Chain 5 and single crochet into the chain-1 space from the previous round.
Round 3, Step 4: Make a Back Post Treble Crochet Cluster
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 5: Complete the Side
Chain 5 and single crochet into the chain-1 space from the previous round.
Round 3, Step 6: Repeat to Complete the Round
Repeat steps one (beginning with the chain 5) through step five, adding to each corner and side.
Join the round with a slip stitch.
Round 4, Step 1: Treble Crochet Around the Corner
Round 4 setup: 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.
Round 4, Step 2: Treble Crochet the Side
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 3: Repeat to Complete the Round
Repeat steps one (starting from the first treble crochet) and two, 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'll simply add more repeats of the side stitches as the piece grows.
Adding the colors in rainbow order or in a gradient of one hue (for example, working from pink to red to burgundy) really shows off the beauty of the Bavarian stitch.
