CROCHET BOLERO | Step-by-Step Tutorial, Beginner Friendly
Hello, lovely fiber artist friends! 🌸
I'm excited to share a brand new pattern with you today—one that's perfect for adding a touch of pizzazz to any outfit: a crochet bolero! They are also commonly called shrugs.
This versatile piece is perfect for layering over a summer dress or pairing with a simple top to elevate your look. Grab your hook, some fun yarns and let's get started on this fun and fashionable project!
Materials:
Scissors
Embroidery Needle
8mm crochet hook
Medium and Bulky Weight Yarns
Yarns that I used:
Eyelash yarn by Ice Yarns
Facets™ Yarn by Loops & Threads
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton
Eddie Bauer Wool Paca
Techniques:
ch(s): chain(s)
blo: back loop only
dc: double crochet
dtr: double treble crochet
hdc: half double crochet
hdc2tog: half double crochet two together
fdc: foundation double crochet
sk: skip
sc: single crochet
sl st: slip stitch
slip knot
st (s): stitch (es)
yo: yarn over
Skill Level:
Advanced Beginner
Yardage Estimate:
294 yards (269 m)≈ 179 g (6.3 oz)
Notes:
- This pattern makes a size Small/Medium so you will need to adjust the exact stitch count to get it to be your exact size.
- Make sure to keep the first row of foundation double crochet divisible by 4 in order to make it more easy to figure out where to increase.
- For the sleeves in this pattern I share three different motifs: the mesh stitch, double treble, double crochet. You can feel free to adjust the sleeves to fit your exact design specifications in each round.
Pattern:
Create the Body
Round 1: Slip knot, work 52 fdc, sl st into the beg ch 3 & mark 4 corners of foundation row.
Round 2: ch 3 (counts as a dc), turn work, 1 dc in each st and 2 dc, in each corner, sl st into beg ch 3 (56 sts total).
Round 3: ch 3 (counts as a dc), turn work, 1 dc in each st and 2 dc in each corner, sl st into beg ch 3 (60 sts total).
I like to space my stitch markers exactly evenly for the first increase round and then alternate placing the first marker in the second inc st, then the second marker in the first inc st, the third marker in the second inc st, and the fourth marker in the first inc stitch, because this allows the shaping to be more of an oval than an exact circle which I love the way it hugs the shoulders.
However, feel free to keep the markers in the second st of the inc if you would like the markers to be spaced exactly evenly and be an exact rectangle.
Round 4: ch 3 (counts as a dc), turn work, 1 dc in each st and [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] all in each corner st, sl st into beg ch 3 (72 sts total).
Round 5: ch 3 (counts as a dc), turn work, 1 dc in each st and [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] all in each corner st, sl st into beg ch 3 (88 sts total).
Round 6: ch 4 (counts as a dc and ch 1 sp), turn work, [*1 dc, ch 1, sk 1 st; repeat * until ch-2 corner sp. Work a dc in ch-2 sp, ch 12, dc in ch-2 sp across].
Repeat steps in [ ] on the other side, **ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 dc in the next st, until end of round ** around; sl st in the beg ch 3 (28 sts).
Round 7: ch 4 (counts as a dc and ch 1 sp), turn work, [*1 dc, ch 1, sk 1 st; repeat * until armhole. Work a dc in each st].
Repeat steps in [ ] on the other side. ** ch 1, sk 1 st, 1 dc in next st, repeat ** until the end of round, sl st in beg ch 3 (50 sts).
Round 8: ch 3, turn, work 1 dc in each st and ch 1 sp, sl st into beg ch 3 (75 sts).
Round 9: ch 3, turn, work 1 dc in each st, sl st into beg ch 3 (75 sts).
Round 10 & 11: ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1 sp), turn, sk 1 st *work 1 dc, ch 1, sk 1 st; repeat * around; sl st into beg ch 3 (38 sts).
Round 12: ch 1 (doesn't count as a st), 1 sc in each st and ch 1 sp around; sl st in first st (76 sts).
Sleeve
Round 6: ch 2 (doesn’t count as st), work 1 hdc in each st and hdc 2 tog in the corners (ch 2-sp and around dc of armhole) around, sl st in beg ch 3.
Round 7-9: ch 3 (counts as a dc), work 1 dc in each st around, sl st into beg ch 3.
Round 10 & 11: ch 5 (counts as a dtr), work 1 dtr in each st around, sl st into beg ch 3.
Round 12-14: ch 3 (counts as dc), work 1 dc in each st around, sl st into beg ch 3.
Round 15-28: Use the mesh stitch, dc in each st, or dtr in each st motif as you like. Feel free to mix and match different yarns to add interest and color to your piece.
Round 29: ch 1 (does not count as st), sc in each st around, sl st into first st of round, tie off.
Neckline
sl st into back of collar, ch any number of chs until collar reaches desired height.
I worked 9 chs.
Starting in second ch from the hook, work 1 sc in each ch back across the row.
*Sl st into two chains along the neckline. Turn work and work 1 sc in blo back across the row. ch 1, turn, work 1 sc in blo back across the row.
Repeat * all the way around
Connect both sides of the collar together with a sc in the blo of the last row and in each ch of first row, tie off and weave in the ends.
Terms and Conditions of Pattern:
This pattern was made to be used by individual crocheters and small businesses. Feel free to make and sell them at craft fairs. I do not allow mass production of my designs.
Join me on Social Media
If you make this piece and post it online I would love to see! Tag me @cactusladycreation. Also feel free to send to a friend or two that you think would like it as well!
@cactusladycreation