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.

Colors used in the sample (all Cascade Heritage):

• 5607 Red
• 5640 Cinnamon
• 5723 Gold Fusion

Gauge: 4 bptr measure 0.5 inches, taken after blocking. Remember that blocking will relax the stitches and they might grow or loosen.

Size and Attaching√Block finished square to 8″ × 8”. Note that this one just measures 8” wide (as opposed to the 8.5” we’ve been doing). That’s because we won’t be creating a seam with this square. It will just be attached directly to tops of the half circles.