Hew

Hew Bolero by Teresa Gregorio

What Is Being Made

Hew is a top-down raglan bolero designed by Teresa Gregorio for CanarySanctuary. This is a fitted, cropped garment constructed from the neckline downward with minimal seaming required. The bolero is available in ten sizes ranging from bust 34 inches to 54 inches, making it suitable for a wide range of body measurements.

Construction Method

This bolero uses a top-down raglan construction, which means knitting begins at the neckline and progresses downward toward the hem. The raglan shaping is created through strategic increases worked at marked raglan lines, which define the shoulders and armholes as the piece grows. This construction method minimizes the amount of seaming required to finish the garment, as most pieces are knit in one continuous piece from the top down.

Stitches and Techniques

The pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginner-level knitters:

• Garter Rib: A hybrid stitch pattern combining knit and purl stitches. On right-side rows, knitters alternate knit 1 and purl 1 across the row. On wrong-side rows, all stitches are purled. This creates a textured, elastic fabric with good recovery.
• 1x1 Ribbing: A classic rib pattern worked by alternating single knit and purl stitches in the round, used to define the raglan lines and create structure.
• Raglan Increases: Strategic increases worked at marked positions to shape the armholes and shoulders as the garment expands from the neckline.
• Circular Knitting: The garment is worked in the round using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming the body.

Materials and Gauge

The Hew bolero is designed to be worked in Manos Silk 2, a DK-weight yarn. Yardage requirements range from 2 skeins for the smallest size (bust 34 inches) to 5 skeins for the largest sizes (bust 50–54 inches). Knitting is worked on 4 mm circular needles measuring 16 inches or longer. The pattern is designed to achieve a gauge of 5.5 stitches per 1 inch on 4 mm needles, which is standard for DK-weight yarn and contributes to a fabric with good drape and structure.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to garment construction. While it involves top-down raglan shaping, the techniques required—basic knit and purl stitches, ribbing, and simple increases—are foundational skills within reach of beginning knitters. The designer notes that this is her first attempt at sizing a pattern, adding a personal touch to this accessible design.