Knit Bolero for Kids

Pair this cropped bolero sweater from Patons with your favorite pair of jeans or a cute skirt! This pattern for the beginner to intermediate knitter is a fun side project as we prepare to go back to school!

MATERIALS

• Patons® Astra (50 g/1.75 oz)
• (Pink) 3 (3-4-4-5) balls
• Knitting Needles: Size 4 mm (U.S. 6) or size needed to obtain tension.
• 1 button.

SIZES
2 (4-6-8-10) yrs

To fit chest measurement

• 2 yrs 21 ins [53.5 cm]
• 4 yrs 23 ins [58.5 cm]
• 6 yrs 25 ins [63.5 cm]
• 8 yrs 261/2 ins [67.5 cm]
• 10 yrs 28 ins [71 cm]

Finished chest

• 2 yrs 21 ins [53.5 cm]
• 4 yrs 23 ins [58.5 cm]
• 6 yrs 25 ins [63.5 cm]
• 8 yrs 261/2 ins [67.5 cm]
• 10 yrs 28 ins [71 cm]

TENSION
22 sts and 28 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in stocking st.

ABBREVIATIONS
Alt = Alternate.
Beg = Beginning.
Cont = Continue(ity).
Dec = Decrease.
Inc = Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next st.
K = Knit.
K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together.
M1 = make one stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying before next stitch and knitting into back of loop.
P = Purl.
P2tog = Purl next 2 stitches together.
P2togtbl = Purl next 2 stitches together through back loops.
Pat = Pattern.
Psso = Pass slipped stitch over.
Rem = Remaining.
Rep = Repeat.
RS = Right side.
Sl1 = Slip next stitch knitwise.
St(s) = Stitch(es).
Tog = Together.
WS = Wrong side.

INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger size(s) the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes.

LEFT FRONT
Cast on 12 (14-14-15-17) sts.
1st, 3rd, and 5th rows: (RS). Knit.
2nd row: Cast on 5 sts. Purl to end of row. 17 (19-19-20-22) sts.
4th row: Cast on 4 (5-5-5-5) sts. Purl to end of row. 21 (24-24-25-27) sts.
6th row: Cast on 4 (4-4-5-5) sts. Purl to end of row. 25 (28-28-30-32) sts.
7th row: Knit to last 2 sts. M1. K2.
8th row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 3 (3-6-6-6) times more. 29 (32-35-37-39) sts.
Shape armhole and V-Neck: 1st row: (RS). Cast off 3 (4-4-4-4) sts. Knit to end of row.
2nd row: Purl.
3rd row: K2. K2tog. Knit to last 4 sts. Sl1. K1. psso. K2 (neck edge).
4th row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 2 (2-3-3-3) times more. 20 (22-23-25-27) sts.
Dec 1 st at neck edge only, as before, on next and every following alt row 7 (6-8-7- 8) times more, then every following 4th row 1 (3-1-3-3) time(s). 11 (12-13-14-15) sts.
Cont even until armhole measures 41/2 (5-51/2-6-61/2) ins [11.5 (12.5-14-15- 16.5) cm], ending with RS facing for next row.
Shape shoulder: Cast off 5 (6-6-7-7) sts beg next row. Work 1 row even. Cast off rem 6 (6-7-7-8) sts.

RIGHT FRONT
Cast on 12 (14-14-15-17) sts.
1st and alt rows: (WS). Purl.
2nd row: Cast on 5 sts. Knit to end of row. 17 (19-19-20-22) sts.
4th row: Cast on 4 (5-5-5-5) sts. Knit to end of row. 21 (24-24-25-27) sts.
6th row: Cast on 4 (4-4-5-5) sts. Knit to end of row. 25 (28-28-30-32) sts.
8th row: K2. M1. Knit to end of row.
9th row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 3 (3-6-6-6) times more. 29 (32-35-37-39) sts.
Shape armhole and V-neck:
1st row: (RS). Knit.
2nd row: Cast off 3 (4-4-4-4) sts. Purl to end of row.
3rd row: K2. K2tog (neck edge). Knit to last 4 sts. Sl1. K1. psso. K2.
4th row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 2 (2-3-3-3) times more. 20 (22-23-25-27) sts.
Dec 1 st at neck edge only, as before, on next and every following alt row 7 (6-8-7-8) times more, then every following 4th row 1 (3-1-3-3) time(s). 11 (12-13-14-15) sts.
Cont even until armhole measures 41/2 (5-51/2-6-61/2) ins [11.5 (12.5-14-15- 16.5) cm], ending with WS facing for next row.
Shape shoulder: Cast off 5 (6-6-7-7) sts beg next row. Work 1 row even. Cast off rem 6 (6-7-7-8) sts.

BACK
Cast on 57 (63-69-73-77) sts.
Beg with a knit row, work 14 (14-20-20- 20) rows in stocking st.
Shape armholes: Cast off 3 (4-4-4-4) sts beg next 2 rows. 51 (55-61-65-69) sts.
Next row: K2. K2tog. Knit to last 4 sts. Sl1. K1. psso. K2.
Next row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 2 (2-3-3-3) times more. 45 (49-53-57-61) sts.
Cont even until armhole measures 41/2 (5-51/2-6-61/2) ins [11.5 (12.5-14-15- 16.5) cm], ending with RS facing for next row.

Shape neck and shoulder:
1st row: K13 (14-15-16-17). K2tog. Turn. Leave rem sts on a spare needle.
2nd row: P2tog. Purl to end of row.
3rd row: Cast off 5 (6-6-7-7) sts. Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog.
4th row: P2tog. Purl to end of row. Cast off rem 6 (6-7-7-8) sts.
Rejoin yarn to rem sts and cast off next 15 (17-19-21-23) sts. Sl1. K1. psso. Knit to end of row. 14 (15-16-17-18) sts.
Next row: Purl to last 2 sts. P2togtbl.
Next row: Sl1. K1. psso. Knit to end of row.
Next row: Cast off 5 (6-6-7-7) sts. Purl to last 2 sts. P2togtbl.
Next row: Knit. Cast off rem 6 (6-7-7- 8) sts.

SLEEVES
Cast on 27 (33-39-39-39) sts.
1st row: (RS). K3. *P3. K3. Rep from * to end of row.
2nd row: P3. *K3. P3. Rep from * to end of row.
Rep last 2 rows for (K3. P3) ribbing until work from beg measures 21/2 (21/2-3-3- 3) ins [6 (6-7.5-7.5-7.5) cm], ending with RS facing for next row and inc 3 (inc 1- dec 1-dec 1-inc 1) st(s) evenly across last row. 30 (34-38-38-40) sts.
Beg with a knit row, work 4 rows in stocking st.
Next row: K2. M1. Knit to last 2 sts. M1. K2. 32 (36-40-40-42) sts.
Inc 1 st, as before, at each end of every following 12th (10th-12th-8th-8th) row 2 (3-3-6-8) times more. 36 (42-46-52- 58) sts.
Cont even until work from beg measures 7 (9-111/2 -13-141/2) ins [18 (23-29-33- 37) cm], ending with RS facing for next row.
Shape top: Cast off 2 (3-3-3-3) sts beg next 2 rows. 32 (36-40-46-52) sts.
Next row: K2. K2tog. Knit to last 4 sts. Sl1. K1. psso. K2.
Work 3 rows even.
Rep last 4 rows to 26 (32-36-42-48) sts.
Dec 1 st each end of needle as before on next and every following alt row to 18 (18- 18-28-36) sts.
Work 1 row even.
Next row: Sl1. K1. psso. Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog.
Next row: P2tog. Purl to last 2 sts. P2togtbl.
Rep last 2 rows to 12 sts. Cast off.

FINISHING
Pin garment pieces to measurements.
Cover with a damp cloth, leaving cloth to dry.
Sew shoulder seams. Sew in sleeves.
Sew side and sleeve seams.
Edging: Note position of buttonhole at Right Front worked as follows: --- the following two rows explain how to do the button hole, as you work the edging you will need to make one buttonhole at the widest point of the bolero front. ----
Next row: (RS). (Buttonhole row). Pat 4 (5-5-6-6) sts. Cast off 2 sts. Pat to end of row.
Next row: Work in pat, casting on 2 sts over cast off sts.
--- the edging is worked over these 9 (11-11-13-13) sts only and sewn onto the front. It is easiest to make a long piece then sew it on as you work.
Cast on 9 (11-11-13-13) sts.
Work 4 rows in stocking st (knit on RS and purl on WS).
Work 4 rows in reverse stocking st (purl on RS and knit on WS). --- by working the 4 rows in this manner it will look like a ribbing all the way around the outside of the sweater ---
Rep last 8 rows of Ridge Pat until work fits outer edge of Body and noting position of buttonhole --- you need to fit the edging around the garment as you work, so that you know where to make the button hole --- at beg of Right Front V-neck shaping. Beg at right side seam, sew --- beginning at right side seam, sew the edging in position all the way around the outside of the body, back fronts, neck edge are all done in one long piece. ---
Edging in position as you work, easing to fit as necessary and ending with 8th row of pat. Cast off.
Sew cast on and cast off edges tog. Sew button to correspond to button-hole.