Boleros in Sirdar Soukie DK - 2432 - Downloadable PDF

Boleros in Sirdar Soukie DK – Pattern 2432: Children's Knitted Boleros for Ages 2–13

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Sirdar presents two charming children's boleros worked in Soukie DK yarn — a Short Sleeved Bolero and a Long Sleeved Bolero. Both designs are rated Easy Knit, making them an excellent choice for knitters who are building confidence beyond the basics. The pattern covers six sizes ranging from 2–3 years up to 12–13 years, fitting chest measurements of 56 cm (22 in) to 81 cm (32 in), so it grows with your child or works beautifully as a gift across a wide age range.

What Is Being Made

A bolero is a short, open-fronted jacket or shrug that typically ends at or just above the waist, leaving the front open rather than fastening fully. It is a versatile layering piece that works over dresses, tops, and school uniforms alike. This pattern produces two versions of the same classic silhouette:

• Short Sleeved Bolero — features a neat 3 cm (1¼ in) sleeve, ideal for warmer weather or as a lightweight layer over party outfits.
• Long Sleeved Bolero — features sleeves ranging from 24 cm (9½ in) for the smallest size up to 42 cm (16½ in) for the largest, providing warmth and coverage through cooler seasons.

Both boleros fasten with a single button at the front, giving a tidy, classic finish. The full length of the garment ranges from 26 cm (10¼ in) to 36 cm (14 in) depending on the size knitted.

Yarn and Materials

The primary yarn specified is Sirdar Soukie DK, a double knitting weight yarn. The two boleros are shown in different colourways:

• Short Sleeved Bolero — worked in Soukie DK shade 178, requiring 3–4 x 50g balls depending on size.
• Long Sleeved Bolero — worked in Soukie DK shade 179, requiring 3–7 x 50g balls depending on size.

The pattern also notes that the designs are also suitable for a range of other Sirdar DK yarns, including Country Style DK, Click DK, Wash 'n' Wear Double Crepe DK, Crofter DK, Calico DK, Ella DK, and Cotton DK, though yarn amounts may vary. This flexibility makes the pattern particularly useful if you already have a suitable DK yarn in your stash.

In addition to yarn, you will need:

• 1 pair of 4mm (UK8 / USA6) knitting needles — the primary needle size used for the main body fabric.
• 1 pair of 3¼mm (UK10 / USA3) knitting needles — used for cast-on and ribbed or border sections.
• 1 pair of 3¾mm (UK9 / USA5) knitting needles — used at specific points in the construction.
• 1 button per bolero for the front closure.

Knitting Techniques Used

Both boleros are constructed using straightforward, traditional knitting techniques, which is why the pattern carries an Easy Knit classification. Key techniques include:

• Thumb method cast-on — used to begin the back and front sections, creating a neat, elastic edge.
• Armhole shaping — achieved by casting off stitches at the beginning of rows and then working decreases at each end of subsequent rows, giving the garment a clean, fitted armhole.
• Decreasing — used throughout shaping sections to reduce stitch counts at armholes and necklines.
• Increasing — used to shape sleeves and other sections as required.