Elara Bolero

A cropped, open-front bolero knitted flat in pieces and seamed. One-color fingering-weight stockinette with 1×1 rib trims and short set-in sleeves. Designed to layer over tanks, tees, and dresses; the fronts do not meet and there is no closure.

Skill level: Intermediate (simultaneous shaping, set-in sleeves, picking up stitches, seaming).

Sizes

XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

To fit bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52)" / 81.5 (91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132) cm

Finished bust (fronts meeting at center, worn open they will not meet): 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54)" / 86.5 (96.5, 106.5, 117, 127, 137) cm

Finished back width: 17 (19, 21, 23, 25, 27)" / 43 (48.5, 53.5, 58.5, 63.5, 68.5) cm

Finished length from shoulder: 14 (14½, 15½, 16, 17, 17½)" / 35.5 (37, 39.5, 40.5, 43, 44.5) cm

Body length to underarm: 7 (7, 7½, 7½, 8, 8)" / 18 (18, 19, 19, 20.5, 20.5) cm

Armhole depth: 7 (7½, 8, 8½, 9, 9½)" / 18 (19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24) cm

Sleeve length to underarm: 5 (5, 5, 5½, 5½, 6)" / 12.5 (12.5, 12.5, 14, 14, 15) cm

Upper arm: 11 (12, 13¼, 14½, 15¾, 17¼)" / 28 (30.5, 33.5, 37, 40, 44) cm

Choose the size closest to your bust with about 2" / 5 cm of ease. The bolero is meant to sit open; if you are between sizes and prefer more coverage, size up.

Instructions are for the smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Materials

Yarn: Fingering-weight wool or wool-blend with drape (merino or merino/silk is ideal), approximately 400 yds / 366 m per 100 g.

Yardage: 650 (760, 880, 1020, 1180, 1360) yds / 595 (695, 805, 935, 1080, 1245) m

Have an extra skein on hand if your gauge is slightly loose or you lengthen the body.

Needles:

• US 4 / 3.5 mm straight or circular needles for stockinette
• US 3 / 3.25 mm straight or circular needles for ribbing
• 32–40" / 80–100 cm circular needle in US 3 / 3.25 mm for the front band

A circular needle may be used to knit the large back piece flat.

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch holders or waste yarn, 2 stitch markers, blocking mats and pins (wires optional).

Gauge

26 stitches and 36 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on US 4 / 3.5 mm, blocked.

Take time to swatch and wet-block it. Fingering stockinette grows; an unblocked swatch will not predict fit. Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Abbreviations (US)

BO — bind off CO — cast on dec — decrease inc — increase k — knit k2tog — knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease) M1L — make 1 left: lift the strand between stitches from front to back, knit through the back loop M1R — make 1 right: lift the strand between stitches from back to front, knit through the front loop p — purl pm — place marker RS — right side ssk — slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease): slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 knitwise, insert left needle into the fronts of both slipped stitches and knit them together st(s) — stitch(es) St st — stockinette stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) WS — wrong side

Pattern Notes

• The bolero is worked flat, bottom up, in five pieces, then seamed. A 1×1 rib band is picked up around the front opening and back neck.
• The first and last stitch of every row are worked in pattern (knit on RS, purl on WS) as selvedge stitches for seaming. Do not slip them unless a specific row says otherwise.
• Fronts: Neck decreases begin well before the armhole. Read the entire front section before you start so you can work neck and armhole shaping at the same time.
• Use M1L at the beginning of the row and M1R at the end so sleeve increases lean into the fabric.
• Wet-block every piece to the schematic measurements before seaming. Fingering fabric changes size in the wash.
• Optional: a small hook-and-eye or decorative button at the base of the V if you want a single closure.

1×1 rib (even stitch count):

• Every row: *k1, p1; repeat from * to end.

Back

With smaller needles, CO 110 (124, 136, 150, 162, 176) sts.

Work 1×1 rib until piece measures 1" / 2.5 cm from CO, ending with a WS row.

Change to larger needles. Work in St st until piece measures 7 (7, 7½, 7½, 8, 8)" / 18 (18, 19, 19, 20.5, 20.5) cm from CO, ending with a WS row.

Shape armholes

BO 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows — 102 (114, 124, 136, 146, 158) sts.

Dec row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (2 sts decreased)

Next row (WS): Purl.

Repeat these 2 rows 3 (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) more times — 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) dec rows total, 8 (10, 12, 14, 16, 18) sts decreased after the bind-offs.

94 (104, 112, 122, 130, 140) sts remain. (XS: 4 sts bound off each side + 4 sts decreased each side = 16 sts removed; 110 − 16 = 94 ✓) (S: 124 − 10 − 10 = 104 ✓) (M: 136 − 12 − 12 = 112 ✓) (L: 150 − 14 − 14 = 122 ✓) (XL: 162 − 16 − 16 = 130 ✓) (2XL: 176 − 18 − 18 = 140 ✓)

Work even in St st until armhole measures 7 (7½, 8, 8½, 9, 9½)" / 18 (19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24) cm, ending with a WS row.

Shape shoulders and neck

Next row (RS): Knit 26 (30, 33, 37, 40, 44) sts and place them on a holder for the right shoulder, BO the center 42 (44, 46, 48, 50, 52) sts, knit to end — 26 (30, 33, 37, 40, 44) sts remain for the left shoulder. (26 + 42 + 26 = 94 ✓; 30 + 44 + 30 = 104 ✓; 33 + 46 + 33 = 112 ✓; 37 + 48 + 37 = 122 ✓; 40 + 50 + 40 = 130 ✓; 44 + 52 + 44 = 140 ✓)

Left shoulder

Next row (WS): BO 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 15) sts, purl to end.

Next row (RS): Knit.

Next row (WS): BO 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 15) sts, purl to end.

Next row (RS): Knit.

Next row (WS): BO remaining 8 (10, 11, 13, 14, 14) sts. (9 + 9 + 8 = 26 ✓; 10 + 10 + 10 = 30 ✓; 11 + 11 + 11 = 33 ✓; 12 + 12 + 13 = 37 ✓; 13 + 13 + 14 = 40 ✓; 15 + 15 + 14 = 44 ✓)

Right shoulder

With WS facing, rejoin yarn to the 26 (30, 33, 37, 40, 44) held sts.

Next row (WS): Purl.

Next row (RS): BO 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 15) sts, knit to end.

Next row (WS): Purl.

Next row (RS): BO 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 15) sts, knit to end.

Next row (WS): Purl.

Next row (RS): BO remaining 8 (10, 11, 13, 14, 14) sts.

Left Front

The left front is the piece on the wearer’s left. With RS facing, the neck edge is at the beginning of the row and the armhole/side edge is at the end of the row.

With smaller needles, CO 56 (62, 68, 74, 82, 88) sts.

Work 1×1 rib until piece measures 1" / 2.5 cm from CO, ending with a WS row.

Change to larger needles. Work in St st until piece measures 3 (3, 3, 3½, 3½, 3½)" / 7.5 (7.5, 7.5, 9, 9, 9) cm from CO, ending with a WS row.

Shape V-neck

Neck dec row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to end. (1 st decreased at neck)

Work 3 rows even in St st.

Repeat the last 4 rows (dec every 4th row / every other RS row) until 22 (22, 23, 23, 26, 26) neck decreases have been worked, then work even at the neck edge.

AT THE SAME TIME, when piece measures 7 (7, 7½, 7½, 8, 8)" / 18 (18, 19, 19, 20.5, 20.5) cm from CO, ending with a RS row, shape the armhole as follows.

Shape armhole (left front)

Next row (WS): BO 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) sts, purl to end.

Dec row (RS): Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (If a neck decrease also falls on this row, work k1, ssk at the beginning and k2tog, k1 at the end.)

Next row (WS): Purl.

Repeat the last 2 rows 3 (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) more times — 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) armhole dec rows; 8 (10, 12, 14, 16, 18) sts removed at the armhole including the bind-off.

Continue in St st, working any remaining neck decreases on schedule, until all neck decreases are complete and armhole measures 7 (7½, 8, 8½, 9, 9½)" / 18 (19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24) cm, ending with a RS row.

26 (30, 33, 37, 40, 44) sts remain. (56 − 22 neck − 8 armhole = 26 ✓) (62 − 22 − 10 = 30 ✓) (68 − 23 − 12 = 33 ✓) (74 − 23 − 14 = 37 ✓) (82 − 26 − 16 = 40 ✓) (88 − 26 − 18 = 44 ✓)

If you reach the shoulder stitch count before the armhole is deep enough, work even on those stitches until the armhole measurement is reached.

Shape shoulder (left front)

Next row (WS): BO 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 15) sts, purl to end.

Next row (RS): Knit.

Next row (WS): BO 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 15) sts, purl to end.

Next row (RS): Knit.

Next row (WS): BO remaining 8 (10, 11, 13, 14, 14) sts. (9 + 9 + 8 = 26 ✓, and matching counts for all sizes as on the back)

Right Front

The right front is the piece on the wearer’s right. With RS facing, the armhole/side edge is at the beginning of the row and the neck edge is at the end of the row.

With smaller needles, CO 56 (62, 68, 74, 82, 88) sts.

Work 1×1 rib until piece measures 1" / 2.5 cm from CO, ending with a WS row.

Change to larger needles. Work in St st until piece measures 3 (3, 3, 3½, 3½, 3½)" / 7.5 (7.5, 7.5, 9, 9, 9) cm from CO, ending with a WS row.

Shape V-neck

Neck dec row (RS): Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (1 st decreased at neck)

Work 3 rows even in St st.

Repeat the last 4 rows until 22 (22, 23, 23, 26, 26) neck decreases have been worked, then work even at the neck edge.

AT THE SAME TIME, when piece measures 7 (7, 7½, 7½, 8, 8)" / 18 (18, 19, 19, 20.5, 20.5) cm from CO, ending with a WS row, shape the armhole as follows.

Shape armhole (right front)

Next row (RS): BO 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) sts, knit to end (work a neck decrease at the end of this row if one is due).

Next row (WS): Purl.

Dec row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to end. (If a neck decrease also falls on this row, work k1, ssk at the beginning and k2tog, k1 at the end.)

Next row (WS): Purl.

Repeat the last 2 rows (dec row + WS row) 3 (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) more times — 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) armhole dec rows after the bind-off; 8 (10, 12, 14, 16, 18) sts removed at the armhole including the bind-off.

Continue in St st, working any remaining neck decreases on schedule, until all neck decreases are complete and armhole measures 7 (7½, 8, 8½, 9, 9½)" / 18 (19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24) cm, ending with a WS row.

26 (30, 33, 37, 40, 44) sts remain. (Same arithmetic as left front ✓)

Shape shoulder (right front)

Next row (RS): BO 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 15) sts, knit to end.

Next row (WS): Purl.

Next row (RS): BO 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 15) sts, knit to end.

Next row (WS): Purl.

Next row (RS): BO remaining 8 (10, 11, 13, 14, 14) sts.

Sleeves (make 2)

With smaller needles, CO 48 (52, 56, 60, 64, 72) sts.

Work 1×1 rib until piece measures 1" / 2.5 cm from CO, ending with a WS row.

Change to larger needles.

Inc row (RS): K1, M1L, knit to last st, M1R, k1. (2 sts increased)

Next row (WS): Purl.

Repeat these 2 rows 11 (12, 14, 16, 18, 19) more times — 12 (13, 15, 17, 19, 20) inc rows total.

72 (78, 86, 94, 102, 112) sts. (48 + 24 = 72 ✓; 52 + 26 = 78 ✓; 56 + 30 = 86 ✓; 60 + 34 = 94 ✓; 64 + 38 = 102 ✓; 72 + 40 = 112 ✓)

Work even in St st until sleeve measures 5 (5, 5, 5½, 5½, 6)" / 12.5 (12.5, 12.5, 14, 14, 15) cm from CO, ending with a WS row.

Shape cap

BO 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows — 64 (68, 74, 80, 86, 94) sts. (72 − 8 = 64 ✓; 78 − 10 = 68 ✓; 86 − 12 = 74 ✓; 94 − 14 = 80 ✓; 102 − 16 = 86 ✓; 112 − 18 = 94 ✓)

Dec row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

Next row (WS): Purl.

Repeat these 2 rows 11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 17) more times — 12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 18) cap dec rows.

40 (42, 46, 50, 54, 58) sts. (64 − 24 = 40 ✓; 68 − 26 = 42 ✓; 74 − 28 = 46 ✓; 80 − 30 = 50 ✓; 86 − 32 = 54 ✓; 94 − 36 = 58 ✓)

Work 6 (6, 6, 8, 8, 8) rows even in St st.

Dec row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

Next row (WS): Purl.

Repeat these 2 rows 5 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) more times — 6 (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) further dec rows.

28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) sts. (40 − 12 = 28 ✓; 42 − 12 = 30 ✓; 46 − 14 = 32 ✓; 50 − 16 = 34 ✓; 54 − 18 = 36 ✓; 58 − 20 = 38 ✓)

BO 3 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows — 16 (18, 20, 22, 24, 26) sts. (28 − 12 = 16 ✓, and matching counts for all sizes ✓)

BO remaining 16 (18, 20, 22, 24, 26) sts.

Finishing

Weave in ends loosely; you will trim them after blocking.

Block

Wet-block all five pieces to the measurements below. Pin to shape, paying special attention to straight side seams, a smooth V on each front, and even sleeve caps. Let dry completely.

Target blocked measurements

• Back: 17 (19, 21, 23, 25, 27)" / 43 (48.5, 53.5, 58.5, 63.5, 68.5) cm wide; 14 (14½, 15½, 16, 17, 17½)" / 35.5 (37, 39.5, 40.5, 43, 44.5) cm long
• Each front: 8½ (9½, 10½, 11½, 12½, 13½)" / 21.5 (24, 26.5, 29, 32, 34.5) cm wide at hem, tapering to the shoulder; same length as back
• Each sleeve: 11 (12, 13¼, 14½, 15¾, 17¼)" / 28 (30.5, 33.5, 37, 40, 44) cm wide at underarm; 5 (5, 5, 5½, 5½, 6)" / 12.5 (12.5, 12.5, 14, 14, 15) cm long to underarm, plus cap

Seams

Use mattress stitch throughout, with RS facing you.

1. Join shoulder seams, matching the 26 (30, 33, 37, 40, 44) bound-off stitches of each front to the corresponding back shoulder. (Counts match: 26 = 26 ✓)
2. Set in sleeves: pin the underarm bind-offs of sleeve and body together, pin the top of the cap to the shoulder seam, and ease the remaining cap around the armhole. Sew, keeping the seam flat around the curve.
3. Sew sleeve seams and side seams in one continuous line from cuff to hem.

Front band

With the long smaller circular needle and RS facing, beginning at the lower right-front corner:

• Pick up and knit 95 (98, 105, 108, 115, 119) sts along the right front edge (hem to shoulder), picking up 3 sts for every 4 rows
• Pick up and knit 44 (46, 48, 50, 52, 54) sts across the back neck (1 st in each bound-off st plus 1 extra at each shoulder join)
• Pick up and knit 95 (98, 105, 108, 115, 119) sts along the left front edge (shoulder to hem)

234 (242, 258, 266, 282, 292) sts. (95 + 44 + 95 = 234 ✓; 98 + 46 + 98 = 242 ✓; 105 + 48 + 105 = 258 ✓; 108 + 50 + 108 = 266 ✓; 115 + 52 + 115 = 282 ✓; 119 + 54 + 119 = 292 ✓)

If your row gauge differed, pick up 3 sts for every 4 rows along the fronts and 1 st per bound-off st at the back neck, then adjust by 1 or 2 stitches so the total is even.

Work 1×1 rib for 1" / 2.5 cm (about 8–10 rows). Bind off loosely in rib.

Weave in remaining ends. Steam the band lightly if needed, without flattening the rib.

Wear

Slip on over a tank, camisole, or dress. The fronts hang open in a shallow V; the short sleeves sit at the upper arm. If the fabric feels tight at the upper arm after blocking, the next size’s sleeve is 1–1¼" / 2.5–3 cm wider.

Enjoy your Elara Bolero.