Ember Crown Crochet Square – July 2026

Bavarian crochet is one of those techniques where the finished object looks implausibly difficult and the actual process is not. Each round builds on the last with a sequence of post stitches and chains that creates a raised, layered surface, almost like a relief carving. In Red, Cinnamon, and Gold Fusion, that surface reads as heat: something that glows from the center out.

The medallion quality of the stitch is what earned this square its name. The clusters radiate from the center in concentric rings, and in these three colors, the whole thing looks less like fabric and more like something that belongs on the wall of a forge. In the best way.

Bavarian crochet looks harder than it is. That’s exactly the kind of technique that belongs in Year of Color.

Ember Crown is part of Year of Color 2026, a free monthly make-along sponsored by Cascade Yarns. Each month brings two new squares and four emails exploring color theory, history, and craft. Squares are free forever.

Pattern

Setup: Using Color A Red , Ch 6. Sl st to join into a ring. Ch 1 and sc into ring.

Round 1

Step 1: Ch 5.

Step 2: Make 4 Inc Tr (see Special Stitches) in ring; 5 loops on hook.

Step 3: YO and pull through all 5 loops; 1 loop on hook.

Step 4: Ch 5

Step 5: Sc into ring.

Step 6: Repeat Steps 1-5 an additional 3 times. You’ll have 4 petals.

Step 7: Join to beginning sc with a sl st.

Round 2

Step 1: Ch 1, sc in same st from the previous rnd, ch 2

You’ll now be working into the “eye” of each 4-tr cluster. It’s at the top where you pulled all 4 trebles together.

Step 2: All into the eye – 4 tr, ch 1, 4 tr, ch 1, 4 tr.

Step 3: Ch 2

Step 4: Sc into the sc from the previous rnd.

Step 5: Rep Steps 2-4 into each of the petals so that you’ve worked fully around. FO.

Round 3

Step 1: Clip Color A and join Color B Cinnamon in any Ch-1 sp of the previous rnd. Ch 1, sc into the same space.

Step 2: Ch 5.

You’ll be working incomplete sts again. This time, they’re back post trebles (bptr).

Step 3: Work a BPtr4tog around the 4 trebles from the previous rnd; 5 loops on your hook.

Step 4: YO and pull through all 5 loops.

Step 5: Ch 5.

Step 6: Sc in the ch-1 sp from the previous rnd.

You’re now just before the “V” formed between 2 petals (we’ll call this a diamond when you’re done). You need to fill in this whole span, so that’s what we’re doing next.

Step 7: Ch 5.

Step 8: BPtr8tog; 9 loops on hook.

Step 9: YO and pull through all 9 loops.

Step 10: Ch 5.

Step 11: Sc in the ch-1 sp from the previous rnd.

Step 12: Rep Steps 2-11 around.

Step 13: Join to beginning sc with a sl st.

Round 4

Step 1: Ch 1, sc in the same sc you were just in.

Step 2: This next step will create a half circle in the corner. All into the eye of the BPtr4tog from the previous rnd – 4 tr, ch 1, 4 tr, ch 1, 4 tr.

Step 3: Sc into the sc from the previous rnd.

Step 4: This next step will create a half circle in the diamond “V” in the middle of the square. All into the eye of the BPtr8tog from the previous rnd – 4 tr, ch 1, 4 tr.

Step 5: Sc into the sc from the previous rnd.

Step 6: Rep Steps 2-5 around. FO.

Additional Rounds (and additional colors)

Change colors at the start of Round 3, following the color sequence of A Red -B Cinnamon – C Gold Fusion . Repeat Rounds 3 and 4 for 2 additional times. You’ll use Color C for the first set, and then Color A a second time. With each repeat you’ll be adding one more diamond to each side of the square.

About Year of Color

This square is part of Year of Color 2026, a 12-month program that teaches you a new colorwork technique every month through two free square patterns (one crochet, one knit). Each month features a curated color palette, technique tutorials, and color inspiration articles. By December, you’ll have 12 squares to join together into whatever you’d like, and a whole year of new skills to show for it.

I’m Jody Richards, the math-geeky, web-dev-turned-fiber-arts-obsessive behind Knotions. Crafting runs deep in my family: my mom was an avid embroiderer and sewist, and she sparked a lifelong love of making things. I’ve been combining that love with a very analytical brain ever since.

I have degrees in Math and Computer Science and spent 30 years in web technology before making Knotions my full-time focus. You might know me as Ravelry member #85, or from patterns like the Natalya Mitts and Chevvy Socks.