Butterscotch Bolero in West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley DK - Downloadable PDF

Butterscotch Bolero Short Waistcoat – Knitting Pattern by Jenny Watson (West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley DK)

The Butterscotch Bolero is a stylish short waistcoat (bolero-style garment) designed by Jenny Watson as part of the Copper Crown Collection. This free, downloadable PDF knitting pattern is worked in West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley DK yarn in Shade 240 Butterscotch, producing a warm, golden-toned fitted waistcoat with a flattering silhouette. Rated as an intermediate level project, it is suitable for knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and reading multi-size patterns.

Garment Overview

The Butterscotch Bolero Short Waistcoat is a cropped, sleeveless layering piece designed to sit at the waist. It is worked flat in separate pieces — including a Left Front and corresponding sections — and then seamed together. The finished garment has a clean, structured look that suits both casual and smart-casual styling. The short length makes it an ideal layering piece over dresses, blouses, or knitwear.

Sizing and Fit

The pattern is written across five sizes, accommodating a wide range of bust measurements:

• To fit bust: 71/76 cm, 81/86 cm, 91/97 cm, 102/107 cm, and 112/117 cm (28/30 in through to 44/46 in)
• Actual (finished) measurements: 76 cm, 85 cm, 96 cm, 107 cm, and 116 cm (30 in to 45½ in)
• Full length (approximately): 36 cm, 38 cm, 40 cm, 42 cm, and 44 cm (14 in to 17¼ in)

The pattern includes a small amount of positive ease, giving the waistcoat a neat but comfortable fit across the body.

Materials Required

Yarn

• West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley DK, Shade 240 Butterscotch
• Quantity: 2 [2:2:3:3] x 100g balls depending on size
• Aire Valley DK is a smooth, reliable double knitting weight yarn well-suited to stitch definition and structured garment knitting

Needles

• 1 pair of 4mm (UK8 / USA6) knitting needles — used for the main body fabric in stocking stitch
• 1 pair of 3.25mm (UK10 / USA3) knitting needles — used for the garter stitch borders and ribbing details
• 1 x 3.25mm (UK10 / USA3) 100cm circular needle — used for picking up and working edgings around the fronts, neck, or armholes

Tension

The pattern requires a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch using 4mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is important to ensure the garment matches the stated measurements across all five sizes. Knitters are advised to work a tension swatch before beginning.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Primary Stitches

• Stocking stitch (st-st): The main body fabric of the waistcoat is worked entirely in stocking stitch — knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side — giving a smooth, classic surface ideal for showcasing the warm Butterscotch colourway
• Garter stitch (g-st): Used at the cast-on edges and borders; garter stitch (every row knitted) creates a firm, non-curling edge that frames the garment neatly

Shaping Techniques

• Simultaneous shaping: