Long and Short Sleeved Boleros in Sirdar Snuggly Pearls DK - 4548 - Downloadable PDF

Long and Short Sleeved Boleros in Sirdar Snuggly Pearls DK – Pattern 4548

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Sirdar provides instructions for two charming baby and children's bolero designs: a Long Sleeved Bolero and a Short Sleeved Bolero. Both versions are worked in Sirdar Snuggly Pearls DK yarn and are sized to fit children from birth through to 7 years, making this a wonderfully versatile pattern to return to as little ones grow. The bolero silhouette is a classic, open-fronted, short-length cardigan-style garment that sits across the shoulders and upper body, perfect as a lightweight layer over babygrows, dresses, or everyday outfits.

Designs Included

Long Sleeved Bolero

The long sleeved version is a cosy, full-coverage option ideal for cooler days. It features sleeves with an adjustable length, ranging from 15 cm (6 in) for the smallest size up to 33 cm (13 in) for the 6–7 years size. The full length of the garment ranges from approximately 17 cm (6½ in) to 33 cm (13 in) depending on the size knitted. This version is shown in Snuggly Pearls DK shade 251 and requires just 1 to 3 balls of 50g yarn across the size range, making it an economical and quick project.

Short Sleeved Bolero

The short sleeved version offers a lighter, more summery feel while retaining the same elegant bolero shape. The sleeve length ranges from 6 cm (2½ in) to 9 cm (3½ in), making it a neat cap-sleeve style. This version is shown in Snuggly Pearls DK shade 277 and requires between 1 and 3 balls of 50g yarn. The reduced sleeve length also means this version knits up even more quickly, making it an excellent choice for gift knitting.

Sizing Information

Both bolero designs are available in six sizes, covering the following age ranges and chest measurements:

• 0–6 months – to fit 41 cm (16 in) chest; actual measurement 46 cm (18 in)
• 6–12 months – to fit 46 cm (18 in) chest; actual measurement 52 cm (20½ in)
• 1–2 years – to fit 51 cm (20 in) chest; actual measurement 57 cm (22½ in)
• 2–3 years – to fit 56 cm (22 in) chest; actual measurement 63 cm (24¾ in)
• 4–5 years – to fit 61 cm (24 in) chest; actual measurement 68 cm (26¾ in)
• 6–7 years – to fit 66 cm (26 in) chest; actual measurement 74 cm (29¼ in)

The pattern includes a useful reminder to circle the size you wish to make before beginning, which helps avoid confusion when working through the multi-size instructions.

Techniques and Construction

Both boleros are knitted flat using standard knitting needles and are constructed using a combination of classic shaping techniques. Key construction details include:

• Raglan shaping – the sleeves are joined to the body using raglan-style decreases, worked at the raglan edge on alternate rows. This creates a neat, fitted shoulder line that is both practical and attractive on small children.
• Neck shaping – simultaneous decreases are worked at the neck edge on every fourth row alongside the raglan shaping, requiring careful attention to work both sets of shaping at the same time.
• Thumb cast-on method – the pattern specifies the thumb method for casting on stitches, a popular technique that produces a neat, elastic edge well-suited to children's garments.
• Button bands and fastenings – the bolero fronts are finished with button bands, and the pattern calls for 2