Bolero Knitting Patterns

Boleros: the little layer that finishes an outfit

A bolero is a cropped cardigan that stops at or above the waist, usually with sleeves and open or single-button fronts. It is a genuinely useful garment, and a lovely thing to knit, because you get all the interest of a cardigan, the neckline, the sleeves, the edging, without the long body. This collection covers boleros for women, girls and babies: lacy occasion pieces for weddings and christenings, plain garter and moss stitch everyday versions, ribbed and cabled boleros, three-quarter-sleeve summer styles in cotton, and buttoned bolero cardigans that sit neatly over a dress.

Bolero, shrug or cropped cardigan?

The words get used loosely, and it is worth knowing the difference before you choose. A shrug at its simplest is a rectangle or a pair of sleeves joined across the back, with almost no front at all; slip it on and it covers your shoulders and arms and nothing else. A bolero has a proper cropped body with front edges, side seams and a defined neckline, so it hangs like a small cardigan. A cropped cardigan is longer again, usually reaching the waist. Boleros suit occasion wear because they cover the shoulders and upper arms while leaving the waistline of a dress on show.

Yarn, needles and quantities

• 4 ply on 3.25mm needles for delicate lace boleros and baby christening pieces; the fine fabric drapes and does not add bulk over a dress.
• DK on 4mm needles for everyday and children's boleros, and the most common weight in this collection.
• Cotton or cotton-silk for summer and occasion knits; it has sheen and does not feel warm indoors.
• Choose a smooth, plied yarn for lace and eyelet panels. Mohair and fluffy yarns blur the stitch pattern.
• Because there is so little body length, an adult bolero often needs only 300-500m, which makes it an excellent way to use one special skein from the stash.

Fit, and the two measurements that matter

Boleros live or die on two things: where the fronts sit and how the upper arm fits. Measure from the base of your neck down to where you want the hem, usually just under the bust or at the natural waist, and compare it to the schematic body length before you start; adding or removing a couple of centimetres before the armhole is easy. Then check the upper arm circumference. A bolero worn over a dress needs enough room to move, so allow 4-6cm of positive ease at the bicep. Because the garment is short, a little negative ease across the back is fine and keeps it sitting neatly on the shoulders.

Edgings, lace and finishing

On a bolero the edging is the design. It runs in one continuous line up the right front, round the back neck and down the left, so it is the first thing anyone sees. Picking up stitches evenly is therefore worth doing slowly: work at roughly three stitches for every four rows on a vertical edge, place markers every ten centimetres and adjust as you go, and use a needle a size smaller so the band does not flare. Garter and moss stitch bands lie flat without curling; ribbed bands pull in slightly, which is often what you want. Block lace boleros firmly, pinning out each point of a picot or scalloped edge, and the whole garment will look twice as accomplished.

Occasions, gifts and care

Boleros are a staple of the occasion wardrobe: a lacy one over a summer wedding dress, a soft DK one over a christening gown, a sparkly version for a party. For girls they solve the perennial problem of a party dress on a cold day. Wash by hand or on a wool cycle, dry flat, and store folded. For related shapes, see the shrug knitting patterns, or browse the longer options in cardigan knitting patterns and waistcoat knitting patterns.

Common questions

Is there an easy bolero knitting pattern as a free PDF? Yes, several, including simple baby and child boleros knitted flat in one piece from cuff to cuff with almost no shaping.

What is the easiest bolero construction? The cuff-to-cuff rectangle: knit one long piece, fold it in half lengthways and seam the sleeves. Then pick up round the opening for the edging.

How much yarn does a girls' bolero take? Usually one or two 100g balls of DK, depending on age and sleeve length.

Can a beginner knit a bolero? Yes. Choose a garter stitch version with set-in or straight sleeves and no lace, and the only new skill is picking up stitches for the band.