If you want to know how to knit a Bolero for that precious baby girl in your life, I have the perfect pattern, and it even has a lacy trim if you want to get fancy.
How To Knit A Bolero
This bolero pattern will fit 3-6(6-12; 12-24) month old babies with a chest measurement of 47(50; 58) cm.
The length to shoulder is 24(28; 32) including the lacy trim.
The sleeve seam is 16(19;22) cm including the lacy trim.
This bolero cardigan is a generous fit and instructions are given for the smallest size with the larger sizes in brackets. Where you see one set of figures, it applies to all the sizes.
You Will Need:
2(3; 3) 50 g balls of Elle Baby Print or Plain 4 ply in a color of your choice.
2 x buttons.
2.75 mm knitting needles
3.25 mm knitting needles
Tension:
27 sts and 39 rows to 10 cm measured over st st using 3.25 mm knitting needles.
Abbreviations:
For a full set of abbreviations you can see the Knitting Dictionary.
Back:
Using 3.25 mm needles cast on 64(68; 78) sts.
Starting with a k row, work in st st until the work measures 10(13; 16)cm from the beg ending with a ws row.
Shape The Armholes:
Cast off 2 sts at the beg of the next 4 rows [56(60; 70) sts].
Dec 1 st at each end of the ns on the next and every foll 2(1; 2) alt rows [50(56; 64)sts].
Cont straight on these sts until your work measures 20(24; 28) cm from the beg ending with a WS row.
C/off all the sts, marking the centre 32(32: 34) sts with a colored thread for the back neck.
Right Front:
Using 3.25mm ns c/on 10(10: 12) sts and *starting with a k row work in st st as folls:
Shape Front Edge:
C/on 3 sts at beg of next row [13(13; 15) sts].
Work 1 row.
C/on 2 sts at beg of next and foll 2 alt rows [19(19; 21)sts].
Work 1 row.
Inc 1 st at the beg of next and every foll 5(6; 5) alt rows [25(26; 27) sts].
Work 1 row.
Now inc 1 st at the beg of next and every foll 4th row until there are 27(30; 33) sts on the ns.
Cont straight on these sts until work measures 10(13;16)cm from the beg ending with a rs row.
Shape Armhole:
C/off 2 sts at the beg of next and foll alt row [23(26; 29) sts].
Dec 1 st at beg of next and every foll 2(1; 2) alt rows [20(24; 26)sts].
Cont straight on these sts until work measures 17(21;24)cm from beg, ending with a ws row.
Shape Neck:
C/off 3(4; 3) sts at the beg (neck edge) of next row [17(20; 23) sts].
Work 1 row.
C/off 3 sts at the beg (neck edge) of next row [14(17; 20) sts].
Work 1 row.
C/off 2 sts at the beg (neck edge of next row[12(15; 18) sts].
Work 1 row.
Dec 1 st at beg (neck edge) of next and foll 2 alt rows [9(12; 15)sts].
Cont straight on these 9 (12; 15) sts until the work measures the same as back to shoulder ending with a ws row.
C/off all the sts.
Left Front:
Using 3,25 mm ns c/on 10(10; 12 sts).
k1 row.
Starting with a p row, work in st st as given for the right front from * to end.
Finish the work with a ws row before shaping the armhole, and finish work with a rs row before shaping the neck.
Sleeves:
Using 3.25mm ns c/on 46(48; 48) sts.
Starting with a k row, work in st st inc 1 st at each end of ns on every foll 42nd(26th;16th) row until there are 48(50; 54) sts.
Now inc 1 st at each end of ns on every 0(28th; 18th) row until there are 48(52; 56) sts on the ns.
Cont straight on these sts until work measures 12(15; 18)cm from beg ending with a ws row.
Shape Top:
C/off 3(3; 0) sts at the beg of the next 2 rows [42(46; 56)sts].
C/off 2 sts at the beg of next 6(4; 8) rows [30(38; 40)sts].
Dec 1 st at each end of row on next and every foll 1(4; 3) alt rows [26(28; 32)sts].
Now dec 1 st at each end of row on next and foll 1(1; 2)4th rows [22(24; 26) sts].
C/off 2 sts at the beg of next 4 rows [14(16; 18) sts].
C/off 3(4; 4) sts at the beg of next 2 rows [8(8; 10) sts].
C/off all the sts.
To Make Up:
Sew the shoulder seams together with right sides of the garment together.
Sleeve Trim – Both Alike:
Using 2,75 mm ns c/on 90 sts and work as folls:
**Next Row: P.
Next Row: K2, *k1, sl st back onto left hand n with right-hand n, lift the next 8 sts(1 at a time) over this st and off the n, yon twice, k first st again, k2, rep from * to end.
Next Row: K1, *p2 tog, drop first yon, (k1, p1) twice into back of second yon, p1, rep from * to last st, k1 **[50 sts].
Next Row: K.
Next Row: P.
Work the trim pattern as follows:
1st Row: *K3, k2 tog, yon twice, SKPO, k3 rep from * to end.
2nd Row: *P5, k1, p4, rep from * to end.
3rd Row: *K1, k2 tog, yon twice, SKPO, k2 tog yon twice, SKPO, k1, rep from * to end.
4th Row: *p3, k1, p3, k1, p2, rep from * to end.
5th Row: *K3, k2 tog, yon twice, SKPO, k3, rep from * to end.
6th Row: Work as given for 2nd row.
7th Row: Work as given for 3rd row.
8th Row: Work as given for 4th row.
9th Row: Work as given for 1st row.
10th Row: Work as given for 2nd row.
C/off all the sts.
Sew c/off edge of trim neatly to c/on edge of sleeve.
Front Trim – Both Alike:
Using 2.75 mm ns c/on 112(134; 145) sts and work as for sleeve trim from ** to ** [62(74; 80) sts].
Next Row (Dec Row): k one row dec 2(4; 0) sts evenly across row [60(70: 80)sts].
Next Row: P.
Work trim patt as given for sleeves.
C/off all the sts.
Sew trim c/off edge neatly along front edge ending at beg of neck shaping.
Back Trim:
Using 2.75 mm ns c/on 112(134; 145) sts and work as for sleeve trim from ** to ** [62(74; 80)sts].
Next Row (Dec Row): k one row dec 2(4; 0) sts evenly across row [60(70; 80) sts].
Work trim patt as given for seeves.
C/off all the sts.
Sew c/off edge of trim neatly to c/on edge of back.
Fold the sleeves in half lengthways the placing folds on shoulder seams, sew sleeves into position.
Sew up side and sleeve seams, including the ends of trim.
Neck Trim:
Using 2.75 mm ns c/on 167(167; 178) sts and work as for sleeve trim from ** to** [92(92;98) sts].
Next Row: P.
Next Row: K.
C/off all the sts.
Sew neck trim beg at right front trim edge evenly around the neck opening, across back neck and down neck opening at edge of left front trim.
To Complete:
Block the garment, cover with a damp cloth and leave to dry.
Sew a button at the neck edge and the second button 3 cm below, using the holes in the lacy trim as button holes.
Knitting Tip: If your casting on and casting off are to tight or too loose, use needles a size bigger or smaller for these tasks.
Knit a sample swatch slightly bigger than the size recommended in the tension, and you can adjust your needle size before starting to knit the bolero.
Why not try a pair of booties to match.
And there you have it a knitting pattern that shows you exactly how to knit a bolero for a baby.
Happy Knitting!
