How to Crochet a Bavarian Square

Instructions:

1. 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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2. 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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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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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6. 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)

7. 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.

8. 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)

9. 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.