Blooming Bolero

Cozy and flattering on any age or size, the Blooming Bolero vest is a fresh riff on a classic. With graceful edges and soft folds that fall at the waist to accentuate the waistline, this piece looks beautiful on every age and body-type. You can take it dancing, hiking, or snuggle up in it to read a book at home. It can be worn open in front like a traditional bolero, closed with buttons or a broach, or even encircled with a belt to add the finishing touch to a favorite ensemble. The Blooming Bolero is easy to make in just about any size.

Want the PDF to download for safekeeping?

It’s only $1.99 and you help support The Firefly Hook!

Want the Ravelry Download for $2.00?
Find this pattern on Ravelry here and use the code TAKE3 at checkout for $3.00 off (Reg. price $5.00).

Need pattern support? Join our facebook community!

Leisure Arts books by

Abbey Swanson of The Firefly Hook:

Your purchase helps support this site!

Click here to shop.

Materials

Yarn:
Specific yarn for both boleros indicated under next two photos.
Yardage:
3 – 6 months: 300
6 – 12 months: 350
12 – 24 months: 400
2 – 4 years: 450
6 – 8 years: 500
8—10 years: 550
10 – 12 years: 600
XS: 700
S: 800
M: 900
L: 1000
1X: 1100
2X: 1200
3X: 1300
Hook: Size 5.5 mm (I-9)

Pattern Info

Gauge: Is unimportant for this project since measurements are taken as the item is worked.
Skill level: Easy
Necessary Skills: basic stitches, repetitive stitch patterns, increase.

Yarn pictured (above): Berroco Vintage 53% Acrylic, 40% wool, 8% nylon worsted weight yarn, (217 yards/ 3.5 oz / 100 g per skein). Color: Aubergine 5190 Shawl size: Small Pattern worked in one color.

Pattern Sizes

Cross Back (shoulder to shoulder) measurements:
3 – 6 months: 7.5”
6 – 12 months: 8”
12 – 24 months: 8.5”
2 – 4 years: 9.5”
6 – 8 years: 10.5”
8 – 10 years: 11”
10 – 12 years: 11.5”
XS: 14”
S: 15”
M: 16”
L: 17”
1X: 18”
2X: 19”
3X: 20”

Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

Bust/chest measurements:
3 – 6 months: 16.5”
6 – 12 months: 17.5”
12 – 24 months: 19”
2 – 4 years: 22”
6 – 8 years: 25.5”
8 – 10 years: 27”
10 – 12 years: 29”
XS: 29”
S: 33”
M: 37”
L: 41”
1X: 45”
2X: 49”
3X: 53”

Yarn Pictured (above): Blue Sky Alpaca Skinny Cotton 100% organic cotton sport weight yarn (150 yards / 65 g per skein). Colors: 318 Blackberry (CA), 304 Zinc (CB), 303 Sprout (CC). Shawl size: 2 – 4 years. Pattern worked in CA, switches to CB halfway through the increase rnds of section 4, switches to CC for non-increase rnds and edging.

Notes

After teaching this pattern in classes, I highly recommend starting with a small size to get the hang of the pattern before attempting an adult size.
Blocking shawl will increase the size so don’t worry if your sizing is off by 1 – 2”.
Pattern worked in the round.
Photos show two different yarns, one with color changes, one without. Yarn specifics indicated below the photos on the previous pages.

Abbreviations

[ ] work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
( ) work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed
* repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
ch chain
ch-sp chain space
dc double crochet
rep repeat
sc single crochet
sk skip
sl st slip stitch
sp space
st(s) stitch(es)
xs times
Picot: Ch 3, sl st in first ch.

Pattern

Section 1
Rnd 1: Ch 5 (counts as (1 dc, 1 ch)), [dc, ch 1] 7 xs in first ch made, sl st in third ch of first dc.
Rnd 2: Ch 4 (counts as (1 dc, 1 ch) here and throughout pattern), [(dc, ch 1) 2 xs in next ch-sp] 7 xs, (dc, ch 1) in same ch-sp as first ch 4, sl st in third ch of first dc.
Rnd 3: Ch 4, (dc, ch 1) in next st-sp, [(dc, ch 1) 2 xs in next ch-sp (place marker), (dc, ch 1) in next ch-sp] 7 xs, (dc, ch 1) in the next ch-sp (place marker), sl st in third ch of first dc. (Note: 8 markers should now be placed at each increase.)
Rnd 4: Ch 4, [(dc, ch 1) in ea st-sp to marker, (dc, ch 1) 2 xs in st-sp at marker] around, (dc, ch 1) in same sp as ch-4 at the beginning of rnd, sl st in third ch.
Rnds 5 – to armhole: Refer to size chart and rep rnd 4 until circle’s diameter reaches desired cross-back size.

Photo is for armhole reference only. Subsequent rnds differ from pattern.

Section 2
Armhole Rnd: Ch 4, *[(dc, ch 1) in ea st-sp to marker, (dc, ch 1) 2 xs in st-sp at marker] 3 xs, loosely ch # of ch/sts between markers, sk sts between markers, (dc, ch 1) 2 xs in st-sp at marker (armhole created), rep from * once more, (dc, ch 1) in same sp as ch-4 at the beginning of rnd, sl st in third ch.

Section 3
Rnd after armhole: Ch 3, [dc in ea st/ch across to st marker, 2 dc in next st] 8 xs, sl st in third ch of first dc. (Note: The solid dc row in photo above is the rnd after armhole.)
Rnd after solid dc row: Ch 4, *[sk 1 dc, (dc, ch 1) in next st] to marker, [dc, ch 1] 2 xs at marker rep from * around, (dc, ch 1) in base of first ch-4, sl st in third ch.

Photo is for folding reference only. Final rnds differ from pattern.

Section 4
Increase Rnds: Rep rnd 4 until flaps are wide enough for ends to touch when folded at the armholes like the photo above.
Rnd 4: Ch 4, [(dc, ch 1) in ea st-sp to marker, (dc, ch 1) 2 xs in st-sp at marker] around, (dc, ch 1) in same sp as ch-4 at the beginning of rnd, sl st in third ch.
Non-increase rnds: Ch 4, (dc, ch 1) in ea st-sp around, sl st in third ch of first dc.
Rep rnd above until desired chest/bust size (see sizes) is achieved. Bust/chest = cross back + right flap + left flap.

Section 5
Edging: Ch 1, sc in next ch-sp, [3 dc, picot, 2 dc] in next ch-sp, sc in next 2 ch-sps] around.
Finish off, weave in ends.
Block and shape to desired size.
To wear: Add buttons or use shawl pin. Button size will depend on gauge. Photo below shows 1” buttons.