Bellini Bolerino in Adriafil Charme - Downloadable PDF

Bellini Bolerino Knitting Pattern by Adriafil – Full Pattern Summary

The Bellini Bolerino is a beautifully structured, short knitted bolero designed for a chic, fitted silhouette. Published by Adriafil Yarns and available as a free downloadable PDF, this pattern is knitted in super chunky weight yarn, making it a relatively quick and satisfying project for knitters who enjoy working with thicker fibres. The bolero is worked in sizes 40, 42, and 44, offering a modest but practical size range suited to a classic European fit.

What Is Being Made

The Bellini Bolerino is a short-length bolero — a cropped, open-front jacket-style garment that covers the shoulders and upper arms while leaving the front open. It features set-in sleeves, a ribbed hem and collar finish, and a distinctive closing triangle detail on both the right and left front panels. This triangle element creates a decorative, tapered closure that adds elegance and structure to the front opening. The bolero is ideal as a layering piece over dresses, tops, or blouses.

Construction Method

One of the most notable features of this pattern is its clever construction. The back, right front, and left front are all worked together as a single piece, which significantly reduces the amount of seaming required and helps maintain an even tension throughout the body. Stitches are stood off and picked up at the armhole shaping to separate the back from the two front panels, each of which is then worked individually to shape the armhole.

The sleeves are worked separately and then joined at the underarm seam before being sewn into the armholes. Once the main body and sleeves are assembled, all standing stitches are picked up around the neckline and edges to work a continuous ribbed border. The finishing sequence is methodical and well-structured, making this a manageable project for an intermediate knitter comfortable with shaping and picking up stitches.

Techniques Used

• Working back and fronts as one piece – reduces seaming and creates a seamless body section
• Armhole shaping – stitches are stood off and picked up to separate the back from the fronts; decreases are worked leftwise every 2 rows, 3 times on each section
• Picking up stitches – stitches are picked up along edges for the ribbed border and closing triangles, using an approximate ratio of 1 stitch every row alternating with 1 stitch every 2 edge rows
• Closing triangle construction – a shaped triangular panel is worked on both the right and left fronts by casting on 31 (33–35) stitches and decreasing 1 stitch every 2 rows at the centre stitch, 12 (13–14) times, using a slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over technique at the 3 centre stitches
• Lace finishing on the closing triangle – after the triangle shaping is complete, the remaining 5 stitches are continued in K1/P1 rib for 30 (32–34) cm to form a lace or tie element
• Seaming – sleeve underarms are joined and sleeves are sewn into armholes using a tapestry needle

Stitches Used

• K1/P1 Rib Stitch – the primary stitch pattern used throughout the body, borders, and closing triangles; creates a stretchy, textured fabric with excellent drape in chunky yarn
• Knit Stitch (Stocking Stitch variation) – used in alternating stripe-like sequences throughout the body; the pattern alternates 9 rows of K1/P1 rib with 3 rows of knit stitch, with the first of those 3 rows purled on the back of the work to maintain the correct face
• Decrease techniques – leftwise decreases for armhole shaping, and a central double decrease (slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over) for the closing triangle

Stitch Pattern Rhythm

The body of the bolero is worked in a repeating sequence of 9 rows of K1/P1