Learn to do Bavarian Crochet
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Bavarian Crochet: A Review, Tutorial, and Patterns
Learn to Do Bavarian Crochet is published by Annie's Attic and written by Jenny King. It is 48 pages filled with photo tutorials that teach how to do this stitch in squares, rectangles and triangles.
The basics of this stitch include treble shells, treble clusters, and back post treble decreases. It is the back post treble that raises the stitch to give it it's diamond shape.
To really bring out the texture of this stitch you should choose a number of colors to work with. Check out Noro Yarn below for self striping yarn that will cut down on the weaving in of tails you have to do with multiple color changes.
The 8 Patterns included in the Book:
This book, unlike the title suggests, does not give any background details or history to crochet in Bavaria. It does give a little blurb about the stitch being undocumented and being old but that is about it.
Although this is marketed as Bavarian Crochet it is basically a Catherine's Wheel or the Wheel stitch with raised stitches. It does have great photos of the stitch in detail for you to follow - so it is a great reference book. If you don't need another book in your library then it might be best to use the free tutorials and patterns available online.
Picture by groanygirl
The basics of this stitch include treble shells, treble clusters, and back post treble decreases. It is the back post treble that raises the stitch to give it it's diamond shape.
To really bring out the texture of this stitch you should choose a number of colors to work with. Check out Noro Yarn below for self striping yarn that will cut down on the weaving in of tails you have to do with multiple color changes.
The 8 Patterns included in the Book:
- Baby Blanket
- Vest
- Table Runner
- Basket
- Afghan
- Bag
- Scarf
- Hat
This book, unlike the title suggests, does not give any background details or history to crochet in Bavaria. It does give a little blurb about the stitch being undocumented and being old but that is about it.
Although this is marketed as Bavarian Crochet it is basically a Catherine's Wheel or the Wheel stitch with raised stitches. It does have great photos of the stitch in detail for you to follow - so it is a great reference book. If you don't need another book in your library then it might be best to use the free tutorials and patterns available online.
Picture by groanygirl
Contents at a Glance
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Deborah Norville Yarn in Shades of Blue
Multiple Shades of Blue Yarn Are A Perfect Choice for An Afghan
Deborah Norville Premier yarn is known for it's no pill acrylic fiber. This means you can wash and wear your projects without them turning into rough looking pieces with snags in the fabric.
This yarn comes in a variety of colors so even if blue is not your favorite color you can choose shades for your project.
It is a medium worsted yarn and crochets to 2.75" - 3.50" on an I hook, J hook or K hook. For those who knit it works up on US knitting 7, 8, or 9 at 4" 5".
Each skein is 4 ounces and 203 yards, 100% acrylic and machine washable. Do not iron as with all acrylics they shouldn't be around high heat - it is safe to dry on low.
This yarn comes in a variety of colors so even if blue is not your favorite color you can choose shades for your project.
It is a medium worsted yarn and crochets to 2.75" - 3.50" on an I hook, J hook or K hook. For those who knit it works up on US knitting 7, 8, or 9 at 4" 5".
Each skein is 4 ounces and 203 yards, 100% acrylic and machine washable. Do not iron as with all acrylics they shouldn't be around high heat - it is safe to dry on low.
Sarah London's Wool Eater Blanket
A Tutorial and A Ravelry Download
It was Sarah's Wool Eater blanket that first introduced me to this stitch pattern. Her use of color really brings out the beauty of the raised stitches.
Sarah is a textile artist in London who has brought life back into the art of crochet with her keen eye for color. Color really makes a difference in the end product. Think icky 70's crochet and compare to her pieces on her blog.
Sarah has her own yarn line and publishes an eMag - find out details on her blog where you'll be able to subscribe and purchase past issues.
If you're looking to try this pattern out she has a pictorial tutorial on her blog plus the pattern is available for free on Ravlery.com. If you are a Ravelry member be sure to join her wool eater group - ask questions if you get stuck - someone is always willing to assist.
Photo: MoiraCrochetsPlarn on Flickr
Self Striping Yarn
Noro Yarn
This particular stitch is best worked in multiple colors. I think a quality Self Striping Yarn would be my preference as I wouldn't have to weave in so many ends.
I've seen this blanket worked in bright colors and subdued shades. It is also nice when the color family's are considered. How about using 5 - 7 shades of green or complimentary colors?
Noro makes a number of yarns in colorways that gradually fade into one another when worked. The fibers used in the yarn are silk, kid mohair, lambswool, ganpi paper, cotton, cashmere, alpaca, camel, and angora.
I've seen this blanket worked in bright colors and subdued shades. It is also nice when the color family's are considered. How about using 5 - 7 shades of green or complimentary colors?
Noro makes a number of yarns in colorways that gradually fade into one another when worked. The fibers used in the yarn are silk, kid mohair, lambswool, ganpi paper, cotton, cashmere, alpaca, camel, and angora.
How to Bavarian Crochet?
A Series of Clusters and Shells
Learning how to Bavarian crochet takes a little bit of practice but once you get the 2 round stitch pattern in your fingers you will be able to create a number of projects.The three main difficulties I had when learning this stitch pattern:
- Knowing where to make the slip stitches
- Knowing where and when to work around the post
- Knowing which round was an increase round and which round was a Back post round
You will need to know how to make a treble crochet stitch and a back post treble crochet.
The first round consists of 4 -4treble clusters.
The second row is the increase row and you'll be working into the top of the 'eye' of the clusters you made in the previous round. Each corner will have 10 Trebles and the others [side] will have 6 trebles.
The third round you will be working back post trebles into the valley [3 treble posts, 1 treble post around the middle join, 3 treble posts] for a total of 7 trebles. In each corner you'll make 4 back post trebles.
You'll be repeating the second and third rows until you have your desired size.
In my example I used a fingering weight self striping yarn with a crochet hook size D. The thicker your yarn the thicker the fabric.
Need a Refresher Course? Learn to Crochet
Learn Crochet Stitches
Learn to Crochet with either a great pictorial book like Teach Yourself Visually by Kim P. Werker and Cecily Keim or via youtube videos.
Before taking on the stitch pattern presented here be sure you fully understand how to make a treble stitch. This stitch is also known as the triple crochet. Also be sure you know how to make multiple stitches into a single stitch. (i.e. a shell) Learning how to make a cluster stitch is also necessary when learning this stitch pattern.
What you need to keep in mind is that when making triple crochet shells you complete each treble stitch. On the other hand, when making triple crochet clusters you yarn over pull through twice leaving one loop on the hook until you are done with the cluster. You then yarn over and pull through all the loops on the hook and chain 1 to close up.
Before taking on the stitch pattern presented here be sure you fully understand how to make a treble stitch. This stitch is also known as the triple crochet. Also be sure you know how to make multiple stitches into a single stitch. (i.e. a shell) Learning how to make a cluster stitch is also necessary when learning this stitch pattern.
What you need to keep in mind is that when making triple crochet shells you complete each treble stitch. On the other hand, when making triple crochet clusters you yarn over pull through twice leaving one loop on the hook until you are done with the cluster. You then yarn over and pull through all the loops on the hook and chain 1 to close up.
Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crochet (Teach Yourself VISUALLY Consumer)
Amazon Price: $13.53 (as of 06/02/2012)
This book is a great reference book for those who have some knowledge of crochet stitches. It has wonderful pictures of the stitches and in the back it has an index you can use to find the stitch fairly quickly.
Catherine's Wheel Tutorial
Crochet Geek Video Tutorial
Teresa aka Crochet Geek shows how to make the Catherine's Wheel stitch pattern. She uses a multiple of 6+4. You can view her chart for this pattern on her blog CrochetMania.blogspot.com.
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What is Bavarian Crochet?
Catherine's Wheel or the Wheel Stitch
I'm not sure why Jenny King decided on this term but her inspiration behind creating the chart for this was from an older afghan. She knew it was decades old and having come up with nothing about it she decided to make up the chart herself.
Another story goes that someone was crocheting with a lady and she noticed the unique stitch. It's said that term comes from the fact that she was indeed from Bavaria.
Plenty of people, including myself, have tried researching this online to no avail. This stitch is similar to the stitch called Catherine's Wheel and the Wheel stitch. Until we start actively documenting stitches and history of crochet we will all still be left in the dark as far as crochet history is concerned.
Photo: groanygirl on Amazon
History of Crochet
The History of Crochet is unorganized and pretty much a big mystery. No one really has much documented information on it and so myth or legend gets mixed up with fact.
Many cultures have crochet in their past but there is no specific documentation on the actual time and culture of its inception. It may have Arabian roots, Asian roots and even South American roots. It wasn't until the 18th century that it reached Europe.
Read More
Many cultures have crochet in their past but there is no specific documentation on the actual time and culture of its inception. It may have Arabian roots, Asian roots and even South American roots. It wasn't until the 18th century that it reached Europe.
Read More
Crochet: History & Technique
Amazon Price: $45.87 (as of 06/02/2012)
This book takes a look at the history of Crochet in Europe - Demark to be specific. It includes a number of motifs with photos and instructions. It touches on the history of this craft from 1800's - 1900's.
Bavarian Crochet Patterns
Various Patterns and Techniques Using this Patterned Stitch
- Crochet Dad's Rectangle Version
- Crochet Geek's Catherine's Wheel - Wheel Stitch version with video tutorial
- Knotty Stitches made a Pillow using the book as a guide
- Cthulhu shows us her blanket using the book. Front and Back sides of the blanket.
- Make in K-town shows how to make a flower
- Sarah London's Wool Eater Tutorial for a blanket. She's hosting a Crochet A-long in 2012 - find out more here.
Baby Matinee Crochet Pattern
Bavarian Matinee Crochet Pattern 177 USA
Amazon Price: (as of 06/02/2012)
Crochet Coffee Sleeve Pattern
Crochet Pattern - 2 Versions of Bavarian Crochet Thread Coffee Cozies | Price: $4
Crochet Pattern for Bavarian-Style Crochet Coffee Cozies using #3 size crochet thread. Not as bulky as worsted or even sport-weight yarn.
The li... (full description)
Which Do You Prefer? Catherine's Wheel or Bavarian Crochet?
What have you made using this stitch pattern?
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naheedahsan
Mar 18, 2012 @ 8:23 am | delete
- thanks for sharing this
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earthybirthymama
Feb 29, 2012 @ 6:20 pm | delete
- You have me hooked! I really want to give this stitch a try. Many blessings.
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Sara is a mom who loves to crochet and write Squidoo pages.
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