Boleros and Blanket in Hayfield Hayfield Baby Sparkle DK - 4720 - Downloadable PDF

Boleros and Blanket in Hayfield Baby Sparkle DK – Pattern 4720

This charming knitting pattern (pattern number 4720) from Hayfield offers three delightful projects in one downloadable PDF: a long-sleeved bolero, a short-sleeved bolero, and a knitted blanket, all worked in the same beautiful yarn. Designed for the tiniest recipients, the pattern covers sizes from premature babies right through to 3 years old, making it an exceptionally versatile addition to any knitter's collection. The inclusion of premature sizing is a particularly thoughtful and practical feature, catering to the needs of very small newborns.

About the Yarn: Hayfield Baby Sparkle DK

All three projects are knitted using Hayfield Baby Sparkle DK in shade 603, a yarn specifically formulated for babywear. As the name suggests, this yarn incorporates a subtle sparkle or glitter element woven into a soft DK-weight base, giving finished items a gentle shimmer that is perfect for special occasion garments and gift pieces. The DK (double knitting) weight makes it suitable for a wide range of knitters and produces a fabric that is light and comfortable against delicate baby skin.

• Needles required: 1 pair of 4mm (UK 8 / USA 6) knitting needles
• Yarn weight: DK (double knitting)
• Yarn brand: Hayfield Baby Sparkle DK, shade 603, sold in 100g balls

The Boleros

The bolero is a short, open-fronted jacket that sits across the shoulders and upper body, leaving the front open rather than fastening with buttons. This style is a perennially popular choice for babies and toddlers as it layers beautifully over dresses, rompers, and other outfits, adding warmth without bulk. The pattern provides instructions for two sleeve length variations: a long-sleeved version and a short-sleeved version, giving knitters flexibility depending on the season or occasion.

Bolero Sizing

• Ages covered: Premature, Premature (second size), 0–6 months, 6–12 months, 1–2 years, 2–3 years
• Chest sizes: 31, 36, 41, 46, 51, and 56 cm (12–22 in)
• Actual measurements: 34–60 cm (13½–23¾ in) across the range
• Full length (approximate): 15–34 cm (6–13½ in) depending on size
• Long sleeve length: 8–24 cm (3–9½ in), noted as adjustable
• Short sleeve length: 2.5 cm (1¼ in) across all sizes

Bolero Yarn Requirements

• Long-sleeved bolero: 1 ball of Hayfield Baby Sparkle DK for sizes premature through 1–2 years; 2 balls for sizes 2–3 years
• Short-sleeved bolero: 1 ball of Hayfield Baby Sparkle DK across all sizes

The Blanket

The third project in this pattern is a knitted baby blanket measuring approximately 61 x 76 cm (24 x 30 in) — a generous size suitable for use in a pram, cot, or as a play mat. A key design feature noted in the pattern is that the blanket is worked with knitted-in borders, meaning the edging is created as part of the main knitting process rather than being added separately afterwards. This technique produces a neat, professional finish and avoids the need for a separate border pick-up stage.

Knitted-in borders are typically achieved by working a consistent number of stitches at each end of every row in a non-curling stitch such as garter stitch (knit every row), while the main body of the blanket may be worked in a different stitch pattern. This creates a tidy frame around the blanket that lies flat without rolling at the edges — an important consideration for baby items that