Bolero in Schachenmayr Egypto Cotton Color - S8039 - Downloadable PDF

Bolero Knitting Pattern in Schachenmayr Egypto Cotton Color – S8039

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Schachenmayr provides instructions for a classic bolero — a short, open-front jacket that sits above the waist and frames the shoulders beautifully. The design is worked in Schachenmayr Egypto Cotton Color, a 4-ply weight yarn, making it a lightweight and breathable project well suited to warmer seasons or layering over summer dresses and tops. The pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF and covers four sizes: 62/68, 74/80, 86/92, and 98/104, making it suitable for a range of children's or smaller adult sizes depending on the sizing convention used.

About the Bolero Design

The bolero is constructed from separate pieces that are seamed together, a traditional flat-knitting approach that gives the knitter precise control over shaping and fit. The pattern includes a left front panel, a right front panel, and sleeves, with detailed row-by-row shaping instructions for each component. The front panels feature elegant curved lower edges, armhole shaping, neckline shaping, and shoulder shaping, all worked with careful increases and decreases across multiple rows. This structured approach produces a neat, fitted silhouette characteristic of a well-tailored bolero.

Front Panels – Shaping and Construction

Both the left front and right front panels are cast on with 18–19–23–27 stitches respectively (varying by size) using 3mm knitting needles and worked in the Grundmuster (main stitch pattern) throughout. The right front is worked as a mirror image of the left front.

• Lower curve shaping: A decorative rounded lower edge is created at the beginning of the work by casting on additional stitches — 6 stitches once, then 4 stitches once, and 2 stitches twice — at the end of right-side rows, combined with increases worked from the cross-thread (lifted increases) before the edge stitch, twisted to the right. This technique creates a smooth, organic curve at the front hem.
• Armhole shaping: At a height of 3–4–5–6 cm, stitches are bound off at the armhole edge — 4–4–6–8 stitches once — followed by single decreases every second row, repeated 4–4–5–6 times, bringing the stitch count to 26–29–32–35 stitches.
• Neckline shaping: Beginning at 6–7–8–9 cm in height, the neckline is angled with decreases every second row (10–8–8–13 times, 1 stitch each) and every fourth row (2–4–6–4 times, 1 stitch each), reducing to 13–16–17–18 stitches.
• Shoulder shaping: At 14–16–19–21 cm in height, the shoulder slope is formed by binding off 5–6–5–6 stitches once, then 4–5–6–6 stitches twice every second row, completing the front panel neatly.

Sleeves – Shaping and Construction

The sleeves are cast on with 40–44–50–56 stitches on 3mm needles and worked flat in the same Grundmuster as the body. Sleeve shaping is achieved through gradual increases on both sides to create a tapered, set-in sleeve shape.

• Sleeve increases: Stitches are increased on both edges — 1–3–5–6 times, 1 stitch every 6th–8th–8th–8th row, and additionally 5–3–1–0 times, 1 stitch every 6th row — bringing the total sleeve stitch count to 52–56–62–68 stitches at the widest point.
• This gradual increase schedule ensures a smooth sleeve cap transition and comfortable fit across all four sizes.