Bolero in Schachenmayr Catania Grande - 5902 - Downloadable PDF

Bolero in Schachenmayr Catania Grande – Free Knitting Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

This free downloadable PDF pattern guides knitters through the construction of a classic bolero — a short, open-front jacket that typically covers the shoulders and upper back while leaving the midriff exposed. Boleros are a timeless wardrobe staple that pair beautifully with dresses, blouses, and evening wear, making this an excellent project for knitters looking to add a versatile layering piece to their handmade collection. The pattern is published by Schachenmayr and is designed to be worked in their Catania Grande yarn.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Schachenmayr Catania Grande, a worsted-weight yarn. Catania Grande is a smooth, mercerized cotton yarn known for its excellent stitch definition, subtle sheen, and comfortable drape — qualities that make it particularly well suited to structured garments like boleros. The worsted weight ensures the fabric knits up at a satisfying pace while still capturing the fine detail of shaping and neckline work.

• Yarn: Schachenmayr Catania Grande
• Weight: Worsted
• Craft: Knitting
• Needles: Knitting needles appropriate for worsted-weight yarn (refer to PDF for specific size)

Construction and Garment Pieces

The bolero is worked in separate flat pieces that are later seamed together. The pattern includes instructions for a back piece, a left front panel, and by implication a corresponding right front panel. The construction method is traditional and piece-by-piece, making it accessible for knitters comfortable with flat knitting and basic garment assembly.

Back Piece

The back is shaped with careful attention to the armhole and neckline. Armhole shaping is worked at a specified height, and the neckline is formed by binding off the center 12 stitches and then working decreases on both sides. Specifically, the neckline shaping involves binding off 3 times 5 stitches, 2 times 2 stitches, and 2 times 1 stitch every right-side row, followed by 3 times 1 stitch every fourth row. The remaining 5 (7) shoulder stitches are bound off straight at 38 cm height, giving the back a clean, structured shoulder line. The pattern is written for two sizes, with stitch counts noted as pairs such as 70 (74) stitches.

Left Front Panel

The left front panel begins by casting on 4 (6) stitches with the main yarn and is worked in stockinette stitch (smooth knit fabric, referred to in the German-language instructions as glatt rechts). The curved lower edge is shaped through a series of increases and new cast-ons along the left edge: 1 time 3 (4) stitches, 5 times (6 times) 2 stitches, and 7 times (6 times) 1 stitch every second row, plus an additional 2 times 1 stitch every fourth row, bringing the panel to 26 (30) stitches.

At 16 cm height, the front neckline diagonal shaping begins along the left edge: first 1 stitch is decreased once, then 13 times 1 stitch every fourth row. Simultaneously, at 20 (18) cm height, the armhole shaping is worked along the right edge, mirroring the method used on the back piece. The remaining 5 (7) shoulder stitches are bound off straight at 38 cm height.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs a range of fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques that make it an excellent project for knitters ready to move beyond basic rectangles into proper garment shaping.

• Stockinette stitch (glatt rechts): The primary stitch pattern used throughout all pieces, creating a smooth knit fabric on the right side.
• Right-leaning decreases (k2tog):