Bolero Shrug - Knitting Pattern For Women in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky by Debbie Bliss

Debbie Bliss Bolero Shrug – Knitting Pattern Summary

This is a knitting pattern for a women's Bolero Shrug, designed by Debbie Bliss and worked in her signature Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky yarn. The pattern is published by Debbie Bliss Limited (2021) and is available as a downloadable PDF. It is rated as an intermediate difficulty project, making it well-suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping, seaming, and working flat in pieces.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a bolero shrug — a short, open-front jacket-style layer that covers the shoulders and upper arms while leaving the front of the body largely open. This style of garment is a popular wardrobe staple for adding warmth and elegance over dresses, tops, and eveningwear. The design features a sleeve with a turned-back cuff, giving it a relaxed yet refined finish. It is worked in a classic, understated colorway described as Pewter 04.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

The pattern is written to fit a range of chest sizes, offering excellent versatility across five sizes:

• To fit chest: 81–86 cm (32–34 in), 92–97 cm (36–38 in), 102–107 cm (40–42 in), 112–117 cm (44–46 in), 122–127 cm (48–50 in)
• Finished chest measurement: 92 cm, 103 cm, 113 cm, 124 cm, 135 cm (36¼ in to 53¼ in)
• Length to shoulder: 52 cm to 60 cm (20½ in to 23½ in) depending on size
• Sleeve seam with cuff turned back: 45 cm / 17¾ in across all sizes

Construction Techniques

The bolero shrug is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat, seamed method. This means each piece of the garment — such as the back, sleeves, and any front panels — is knitted separately from the lower edge upward, then joined together by sewing the seams. This traditional construction approach is favored by many knitters for its ease of handling smaller pieces and the clean, structured finish that seaming provides.

• Bottom-up construction: Knitting begins at the cast-on edge and works toward the shoulder, allowing for straightforward shaping as the work progresses.
• Worked flat: Pieces are knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, using standard straight or circular needles held as straight needles.
• Seamed finishing: Completed pieces are joined using sewing techniques, producing neat, durable seams typical of classic knitwear construction.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout this pattern is stocking stitch (known as stockinette stitch in US terminology), which creates the smooth, classic knitted fabric surface. Additional techniques referenced in the pattern include:

• Cast on / Bind off (referred to as cast off in UK terminology)
• Knit (k) and standard row-by-row knitting
• Kfb (knit into front and back) — a common increase stitch used for shaping
• Skpo / Skp — a left-leaning decrease stitch used for shaping armholes, sleeves, or necklines

The pattern uses both UK and US terminology equivalents, making it accessible to knitters on both sides of the Atlantic.

Tension / Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is essential for a well-fitting bolero. The pattern specifies a gauge of 15 stitches and 22 rows to a 10 cm / 4 in square, measured over stocking stitch using 6mm (US 10) needles. Knitters are advised to work a tension swatch before beginning and to adjust needle size as needed to match this gauge.