This bolero was designed using chunky yarn however, we used aran weight cashmere for the sample shown above and knitted it at the same tension to make a nice soft and drapey fabric.

Sizes: xs [s, m, l, xl, xxl].
To fit chest: 71 – 76 [81 – 86, 91.5 – 96.5, 101.5 – 107, 112 – 117, 122 – 127] cm (28-30 [32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50] inches).

Yarn requirements (approx): 2 [2, 2, 3, 3, 4] x 100g (100m) balls Rowan Polar (60% wool, 30% alpaca, 10% acrylic). As this yarn has been discontinued you can use any aran or chunky weight yarn. Experiment with some yarn in your stash!

Needles: One 80cm or longer 8mm circular needle.

Tension: 12 sts and 16 rows to 10cm (4 inches) in st st using 8mm needles

Also required: Stitch markers, 0.5m of 24mm ribbon or one button approx ½ inch wide

For the best results we recommend that you choose your size based on your high bust measurement (measured directly under your armpits) rather than your actual bust measurement.
At the most appropriate point for your size you will be directed to try on the bolero. The sizing on this pattern is very simple and is designed to be knitted to fit. The sizes are just used as a guide to when you should try it on to check the fit, so don’t stress too much over selecting the correct size initially.
When directed to try on the bolero slip all sts onto scrap yarn without removing any markers. Drape around your shoulders and if the fronts meet and there is no more than a 7.5cm (3”) gap at the underarms then it is large enough. If it is too small follow the directions for the next largest size before moving on to the next section. If it is too big, simply rip out the last four rows before moving onto the next section.

Two different styles or colours of stitch markers are required. These are referred to in the directions as marker A and marker B, so that the abbreviation ‘pmA’ requires you to place an A marker in that position, etc. A markers are used to mark the position of the raglan increases and B markers are used to mark the beginning of lace repeats, which avoids headache inducing amounts of stitch counting.

Section 1a (all sizes).

Cast on 50 sts.
Row 1 (WS): k.
Row 2 (RS): k12, yo, pmA, k1, yo, k2, yo, pmA, k1, yo, k18, yo, pmA, k1, yo, k2, yo, pmA, k1, yo, k12. 58 sts.
Row 3 (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts (slipping each marker as you come to it), k3.
Row 4 (RS): k3, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k to 1st marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k1, pmB, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k1, pmB, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k3. 66 sts.
Row 5 (WS): k.
Row 6 (RS): k to 1st marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to end. 74 sts.
Row 7 (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 8 (RS): k3, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k to 1st marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k3. 82 sts.
Row 9 (WS): k.
Repeat rows 6 to 9 twice, on the last row (row 17) remove both B markers but leave A markers in position. 114 sts.
Row 18 (RS): k to 1st marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to end. 122 sts.
Row 19 (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 20 (RS): k3, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, yo, slm, k1, yo, k1, pmB, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k1, yo, slm, k1, yo, pmB (k1, yo) 3times, (k2tog) 6times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, yo, slm, k1, yo k1, pmB, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1), 3 times, k1, yo, slm, k1, yo, pmB (k1, yo) 3 times, (k2tog) 6times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k3. 130 sts.
Row 21 (WS): k.
Row 22 (RS): k to 1st marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to end. 138 sts.
Row 23 (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 24 (RS): k3, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k to 1st marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k3. 146 sts.
Row 25 (WS): k.

For size xs try on now and if the fit is fine work section 2. 146 sts.
If it is too small repeat rows 22 to 25 once more before going to section 2. 162 sts.

Repeat rows 22 to 25 once for size s and twice for all other sizes. 162 sts for size s, 178 sts for all other sizes.
For sizes s and m try on now and if the fit is fine go to section 2.
If it is too small for size s repeat rows 22 and 25 once more before going to section 2 and for size m work the first 4 rows of section 1b before going to section 2.

Section 1b (size l, xl, xxl only):

Row 1 (RS): k to 1st marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, remove next marker B, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, remove next marker B, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to end. 186 sts.
Row 2 (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 3 (RS): k3, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k to 1st marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, pmB, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, yo, slmA, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, pmB, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, yo, slmA, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (yo, k1) 3times, (k2tog) 6times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k3. 194 sts.
Row 4 (WS): k.

For size l try on now and if the fit is fine go to section 2.
If it is too small work the following 4 rows before going to section 2.

Row 5 (RS): k to 1st marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, remove next marker B, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, remove next marker B, k to end. 202 sts.
Row 6 (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 7 (RS): k3, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k to 1st marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, pmB, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6times, (k2tog) 6times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k1, pmB, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k3. 210 sts.
Row 8 (WS): k.

For size xl try on now and if the fit is fine go to section 2.
If it is too small work the following four rows before going to section 2.

Row 9 (RS): k to 1st marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, k to end. 218 sts.
Row 10 (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 11 (RS): k3, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k to 1st marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6times, (k2tog) 6times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k to next marker A, yo, slm, k1, yo, knit to next marker B, (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k3. 226 sts.
Row 12 (WS): k.

For size xxl try on now, if it is too small work the last 4 rows once more before going to section 2.

Section 2 (all sizes):
Row 1 (RS) remove all B markers as you come to them: k to 1st marker A, remove marker, cast off 3, (sl st on right needle back onto left needle, cast on 2, cast off 5), repeat until less than 3 sts remain before next marker A, sl st on right needle back onto left needle, cast on 2, cast off remaining sts before marker A, remove marker A, cast off 1, k to next marker A, slm, cast off 3, (sl st on right needle back onto left needle, cast on 2, cast off 5,) repeat until less than 3 sts remain before next marker A, sl st on right needle back onto left needle, cast on 2, cast off remaining sts before next marker A, remove marker A, cast off 1, k to end.

You should now have the left front, the back, and the right front all still on the needles with the sleeve sts between them bound off with a picot bind off. In the next row you are going to bridge the underarm gap between the front and back sections by working up to the gap, casting on 12 or 14 sts, and then working across the next section.

Row 2 (WS): k3, p to 1st marker A, cast on12 [12, 12, 12, 14, 14], p to next marker A, cast on 12 [12, 12, 12, 14, 14], p to last 3 sts, k3. 114 [122, 130, 138, 150, 158] sts.

Section 3a (sizes xs, s, m and l only):

Row 1 (RS): k3, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3times, k0[4, 8, 12], (k2tog) 3times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times, k0[4, 8, 12], (k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k3.
Row 2 (WS): k.
Row 3 (RS): k.
Row 4 (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.

Repeat last 4 rows 4 times, or until the bolero reaches the desired length.

Section 3b (sizes xl and xxl only):

Row 1 (RS): k3, (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k0[4], (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k0[4], (yo, k1) 3 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 6 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k3.
Row 2 (WS): k.
Row 3 (RS): k.
Row 4 (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.

Repeat last 4 rows 4 times, or until the bolero reaches the desired length.

Picot cast off (all sizes): cast off 3, (sl st on right needle back onto left needle, cast on 2, cast off 5), repeat until less than 3 sts remain before end, cast off remaining sts.

Finishing: weave in ends, and thread ribbon through top corner eyelet holes on either side and tie in a bow. Alternately use a brooch or button to fasten.

Copyright Kerrie Allman and Yarn Forward Magazine. 2006 All rights reserved.