Bavarian Crochet Rectangle Pattern

The Bavarian Crochet Rectangle Pattern is a great technique to learn if you're looking for a new challenge. This Bavarian stitch pattern is great for purses, afghans, and more! The Bavarian Crochet Rectangle will give texture and style to all your crochet patterns. Learn how to crochet the Bavarian rectangle in this easy to follow tutorial. Once you've got this technique down, use it to create this beautiful Bavarian Crochet Scarf Pattern from our friends over at I Like Crochet.

Materials List

Yarn of choice (2 colors)
Crochet hook of choice

Special Abbreviations and Stitches

Treble (tr)
Back post treble (bptr)
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-back post treble decrease (4-bptr dec): Holding back last loop of each stitch on hook, bptr around each of next 4 stitches, yarn over, 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, yarn over, pull through all loops on hook. The 8-bptr dec is always worked using the last 4-tr group of 1 shell and the first 4-tr group of the next shell.

Instructions:

When working into beginning ch, insert hook under top two loops of ch to avoid stretching the chain and leaving a large hole.

Round 1: With first color ch 22, sc in 2nd ch from hook, [skip 4 chs, sm shell in next ch, skip next 4 chs, sc in next ch] twice. (see photo 1), working in opposite side of starting ch, skip 5 chs, sm shell in next ch, which will be the same ch as sm shell on the opposite side of the ch (see photo 2), skip next 4 chs, sc in next ch, skip next 4 chs, sm shell in next ch which will be the same ch as sm shell on the opposite side, skip last 5 chs, join to beginning sc (see photo 3) and fasten off. (4 sc, 4 small shells)
Round 2: Join next color with a sc in first sc, *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 sc, repeat between * once, join to beginning sc (see photo 4). (2 8-bptr, 4 4-bptr, 6 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc. lg shell in top of first 4-bptr dec (corner), sc in next sc, sm shell in top of next 8-bptr dec, sc in next sc, lg shell in top of next 4-bptr dec (corner), sc in next sc, lg shell in top of next 4-bptr dec (corner), sc in next sc, sm shell in top of next 8-bptr dec, sc in next sc, lg shell in top of last 4-bptr dec (corner), join to beginning sc and fasten off (see photo 5). (2 sm shells, 4 lg shells, 6 sc)
Round 4: Join next color with a sc in first ch 1 space of first 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] twice, 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, repeat between * once, join to beginning sc (see photo 6). (10 sc, 4 4-bptr dec, 6 8-bptr dec)
Round 5: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *lg shell in top of next 4-bptr dc, sc in next sc, [sm shell in top of next 8-bptr dec, sc in next sc] twice, 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, repeat between * once, join to beginning sc and fasten off. (6 sm shells, 4 lg shells)
Round 6: Join next color with a sc in first ch 1 space of shell in first 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] 3 times, ch 5, 4-bptr dec, ch 5, [sc in next ch 1 space, ch 5, 8-bptr dec, ch 5] twice*, sc in next ch 1 space, repeat between * once, join to beginning sc. (14 sc, 4-4bptr dec, 10 8-bptr dec)
Round 7: 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] 3 times, lg shell in top of next 4-bptr dec, [sc in next sc, sm shell in top of next 8-bptr dec] twice*, sc in next sc, repeat between * once, join to beginning sc and fasten off. (14 sc, 10 sm shells, 4 lg shells)
Next Rounds: To make the rectangle larger, continue repeating Rounds 6 and 7 alternatively, working 2 rounds of each color until desired square size. You will be adding 1 sm shell to each side of rectangle with every 2 rounds worked.
To make a longer rectangle, work beginning ch in multiples of 10 plus 2 more. Each small shell repeat uses 10 chs.