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Bavarian Rainbow Afghan

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Bavarian Rainbow Afghan

The Bavarian square is a great challenge for an intermediate crochet fan, and with this Bavarian Rainbow Afghan, you'll learn how to put your crochet skills to the test!  This colorful crochet afghan pattern has plenty of color and texture, and is great for adults and babies alike.

This free crochet afghan pattern allows you to use the intricate design of the Bavarian square with six different yarn colors in order to create an eye-popping design that will look stunning in your home. Pretty in pastels, this would make a great baby blanket pattern as well as a fabulous little throw to keep in your living room for chilly guests.


Plus, look out below for everything you ever needed to know about Bavarian crochet!

NotesAfghan is worked from the center.

Join with a slip stitch as indicated unless otherwise stated.

Crochet HookH/8 or 5 mm hook

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Crochet GaugeA 4 round square measures 8” x 8”

Finished SizeAfghan Measures: 41” x 41”

Materials List

  • 2 skeins Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Light Blue
  • 1 skein Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Petal Pink
  • 1 skein Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Honeydew
  • 1 skein Red Heart Super Saver yarn in White
  • 2 skeins Red Heart Classic yarn in Light Lavender
  • 2 skeins Red Heart Classic yarn in Peachy
  • 5.0 (US H-8) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge

Bavarian Crochet Rainbow Afghan

Instructions:

  1. Round 1: With light blue 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, join to beginning sc.  (8 ch 5 spaces, 4 sc, 4 cls)

  2. Round 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 2, lg shell in top of next 4-tr cl, 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, fasten off.    (8 ch 2 spaces, 4 lg shells, 4 sc)

  3. Round 3: Join white with a sc in first ch 1 space on any lg 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, 4-bptr dec, ch 5, sc in next ch 1 space, ch 5, 8-bptr dec, ch 5] 3 times, join to beginning sc.  (8 sc, 4 8-bptr dc, 4 4-bptr dec)

  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] 3 times, lg shell in top of the next 4-bptr dec, sc in the next sc, sm shell in top of the last 8-bptr dec, join to beginning sc and fasten off.  (4 lg shells, 4 sm shells, 8 sc)

  5. Round 5: Join petal pink with a sc in first ch 1 space of any lg 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-bptr dec, 12 sc)

  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 4-bptr dec, sc in next sc, sm shell in top of next 4-bptr dec**, repeat from * around, ending last repeat at **, join to beg sc and fasten off.  (4 lg shells, 8 sm shells, 12 sc)

  7. Round 7: Join light lavender with a sc in first ch 1 space of any lg shell at corner, *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 nest ch 1 space, ch 5, 8-bptr dec**, sc in next ch space, repeat from * around, ending last repeat at **, join to beginning sc.  (4 4-bptr dec, 12 8-bptr dec, 16 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 * around ending last repeat at **, join to beginning sc and fasten off.  (4 lg shells, 12 sm shells, 16 sc)

  9. Round 9: Join peachy with a sc in first ch 1 space of  any lg shell, *ch 5, 4-bptr dec, ch 5, [sc in next ch 1 space, ch 5, 8-bptr dec, ch 5] across** to next lg shell, sc in first ch 1 space of lg shell, repeat from * around ending last repeat at **, join to beginning sc.  (4 4-bptr dec, 16 8-bptr dec, 20 sc)

  10. Round 10: 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] across to next 4-bptr dec, repeat from * twice, lg shell in top of  next 4-bptr dec, [sc in next sc, sm shell in top of next 8-bptr dec] across, join to beg sc and fasten off.    (4 lg shells, 16 sm shells, 20 sc)

  11. Rounds 11 & 12: With honeydew, repeat Rounds 9 & 10.  (4 lg shells, 20 sm shells, 24 sc at end of last Round)

  12. Rounds 13 & 14: With light blue, repeat Rounds 9 & 10.  (4 lg shells, 24 sm shells, 28 sc at end of last Round)

  13. Rounds 15 & 16: With white, repeat Rounds 9 & 10.  (4 lg shells, 28 sm shells, 32 sc at end of last Round)

  14. Rounds 17 & 18: With petal pink, repeat Rounds 9 & 10.  (4 lg shells, 32 sm shells, 36 sc at end of last Round)

  15. Rounds 19 & 20: With light lavender, repeat Rounds 9 & 10.  (4 lg shells, 36 sm shells, 40 sc at end of last Round)

  16. Rounds 21 & 22: With peachy, repeat Rounds 9 & 10.  (4 lg shells, 40 sm shells, 44 sc at end of last Round)

  17. Rounds 23 & 24: With honeydew repeat Rounds 9 & 10.  (4 lg shells, 44 sm shells, 48 sc at end of last Round)

  18. Rounds 25 & 26: With light blue repeat Rounds 9 & 10.  (4 lg shells, 48 sm shells, 52 sc at end of last Round)

What is Bavarian Crochet?

Surprisingly enough, the term Bavarian crochet does not refer to a type of crochet from a specific region. Instead Bavarian crochet refers to a particular design or technique in crochet patterns. This type of crochet often refers to crochet patterns that utilize Bavarian squares. A Bavarian crochet square consists of a pattern that uses an antique circular crochet motif worked in two rows. One row is simply clusters while the second features shell stitches. This technique allows crochet enthusiasts to add interesting textures to their pieces as well as find new and exciting ways to combine colors for eye-popping designs.

More Bavarian Crochet Patterns

  1. How to Crochet a Bavarian Square

  2. How to Crochet the Bavarian Rectangle

  3. Bavarian Tote Bag

BONUS: Catherine's Wheel Patterns

While there are nuances to the Catherine's wheel stitch that make it a different stitch altogether from Bavarian crochet, the looks are similar. If Bavarian crochet appeals to you, the Catherine's wheel stitch should appeal to you, too!

  1. Catherine Wheel Crochet Stitch Tutorial

  2. Catherine Cowl Crochet Pattern

  3. Catherine Wrist Warmers

  4. Bold and Beautiful Catherine's Wheel Crochet Throw

Abbreviations

bptr
Back post treble
Large Shell (lg shell)
(4 tr, [ch 1, 4 tr] twice) in place indicated.
Small Shell (sm shell)
(4 tr, ch 1, 4 tr) in place indicated.
4-treble cluster (4-tr cl)
Holding last loop of each stitch on hook, 4 tr in place indicated, yo, pull through all loops on hook.
4-back post treble decrease (4-bptr dec)
Holding back last loop of each stitch on hook, bptr around each of next 4 stitches, yo, pull through all loops on hook.
8-back post treble decrease (8-bptr dec)
*Holding back last loop of each stitch on hook, bptr around each of next 4 stitches*, skip sc between shells and working on next shell, repeat between * once, yo, pull through all loops on hook. The 8-bptr dec is always worked using the last 4-tr group and 1 shell and the first 4-tr group of the next shell.

Up Next:

15 Unique Crochet Stitches

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