Toddler’s Bolero

 

 

 

Materials

 

Yarn: 4 oz. worsted/Dk weight cotton yarn, wool or wool blend can also be used to make

          a cool weather vest. Yardage = about 180-200 yards.

    Sample was knit from Alpine Cotton – (1) 4 oz. skein (197 yards) Lavender

    Also (1) 4 oz. skein Andee 50% Superfine Alpaca 50% Wool (250 yards) Sky Blue

Needles: US #5, #6 and #8 for the cotton (or size needed to achieve gauge)

                US #7, #8 and #10 for the wool blend (or size needed to achieve gauge)

Tapestry needle:  for seaming

Button or toggle if desired for front (optional)

Crochet Hook to make loop for closure (optional)

Finished Measurements

Chest circumference 23”

Back length (shoulder to waist) 8”

Size

18-24 months

Gauge

18s x 24r = 4” in stockinette stitch on middle size needles

 

 

 

 

Pattern Stitch                                  

From Stitchionary Volume One pg 149 #220

Linen Stitch

(even number of stitches)

 

Row 1 (RS) *K1, wyif sl 1 st: rep from * to end

Row 2 *P1, wyib sl 1 st: rep from * to end

Rep rows 1-2

 

 

Back

 

CO 54 stitches on smaller needles. Work in Linen St. for 1 ¼”

Change to # 7 and work in stockinette until piece measures 3 ½ “ from bottom edge. BO 4 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.

Decrease 2 stitches each edge every RS row 3x (Work decreases.1 stitch in from edge as follows: k1, k2 tog., knit to last  3 stitches; ssk, k1.)

Continue working in stockinette stitch until armhole measures about 4 ¾ “ when  measured straight up from BO stitches.

BO 6 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.

BO 5 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.

Place stitches on holder and break yarn.

 

 

Right Front

 

CO 4 stitches using middle size needles.  Knit 1 row, purl back. On next 4 RS rows, CO 3 stitches at beginning of rows. (16 stitches)

Increase 1 stitch at beginning of next 2 rows (18 stitches).

Work 3 more rows. BO 4 stitches (underarm) on next WS row.

Dec 1 stitches at armhole edge at the end of the next 3 RS rows (work decreases1 stitch in from edge as follows; knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1)

Work until armhole measures about 4 ¾” when measured straight up from BO stitches.

(WS) BO 6 stitches form armhole edge. Knit back. (WS)  BO last 5 stitches.

 

 

Left Front

 

Reverse shaping of R. front.

CO 4 stitches using middle size needles.

K 1 row, P1 row, CO 3 stitches at end of next 4 RS rows (16 stitches).

CO1 stitch at end of next 2 RS rows (18 stitches).

Work 1 more row ending with WS row.

Next (RS) row BO 4 stitches (underarm) at beginning of row.

Purl back. Dec. 1 stitch at beginning of next 3 RS rows as follows: k1, k2 tog. knit end of row).

Work until armhole measures 4 ¾” when measured straight up form BO stitches.

(RS)BO 6 stitches from armhole edge; work back across.

(RS)BO last 5 stitches.

Sew shoulder seams.

 

.

Edging

 

 Using smallest  needles, pick up about 100 stitches (even #) along the entire front edge as follows: *beginning at bottom edge of right front, pick up 4 stitches, pick up going up along the side (along rows pick up 2 for every 3 rows) until you reach the back neck stitches on the holder; knit those onto the needle; continue back down the other side in mirror of the right side; ending at bottom 4 stitches of left side.

Knit these stitches in Linen Stitch beginning with Row 2 of the Stitch Pattern since you are working on the WS. Work in pattern for the same number of rows as you knit for the bottom edge of the back piece.

BO all stitches in pattern on the WS loosely using the largest needles.

 

 

Cap Sleeves

 

Using smallest needles, pick up 38 or 40 (must be even # stitches) along straight edge of sleeve opening.

Do not include BO edges. Knit in Linen Stitch beginning with Row 2 of the Stitch Pattern since you are working on the WS, until the width of the sleeve is equal the BO width.

BO in pattern on WS using the largest needles.

Repeat for other side

 

Finishing

 

Sew the sleeve edges to the sleeve opening BO edges.

Sew side seams. Weave in ends Optional: Add a toggle or other button to the front where the curve starts, and add a crocheted chain loop to the opposite side.