free patterns

Today I finally have a new pattern for you all!

Do you remember the Springtime Cardigan in this post?

Well I have tweaked the things that needed tweaking and decided on calling it a bolero and… ta-dah! A crochet pattern freebie for you all 🙂

This bolero is a very forgiving fit which means it will comfortably fit a child from ages 2-5. I hope to work on a bigger size… particularly an adult version at some time in the future… but I’m afraid no promises as to when that might be!

There is a fair bit of terminology and stitch guidance at the beginning here but stay with me, keep scrolling and you will find the pattern! 😉

As usual, you may sell any items you crochet using my pattern with the due design credit given but the pattern is not to be reposted or sold….. it is available for FREE here! Thankyou.

Supplies
Stylecraft Special DK (two colours or as many as you like!)
7mm hook
darning needle
Button

Terminology/Handy Hints

To fit ages 2-5.

Read the pattern through first! 😉

Tension Gauge – 13 treble stitches across 7 rows = 10cm square

I use UK terminology in all of my patterns.

st(s) = stitch(es)
ch = chain
ch sp = chain space
ss = slip stitch
dc = double crochet (single crochet US)
tr = treble crochet (double crochet US)
dtr = double treble crochet (treble crochet US)
dtr4tog = double treble crochet 4 together (decrease)

double treble crochet(dtr) [tr for the US] – Yarn over hook twice, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch (4 loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops left), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook (2 loops left), yarn over and pull through all remaining loops. (double treble crochet complete)

dtr4tog – *Yarn over hook twice, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch (4 loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops left), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook (2 loops left)* work this** through 3 more times working into the next 3 sts, yarn over and pull through all remaining loops on the hook. (decrease complete)

Tall Cluster – This is essentially a dtr4tog worked over 3 stitches not 4, the 2nd and 3rd dtrs are worked into the same stitch. *Yarn over hook twice, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch (4 loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops left), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook (2 loops left)* work this ** twice into the next st and then once more into the following third stitch, yarn over and pull through all remaining loops on the hook. (cluster complete)

Short Cluster – This is the same as above but worked in trebles not dtr. *Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch (3 loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook (2 loops left)* work this ** twice into the next st and then once more into the following third stitch, yarn over and pull through all remaining loops on the hook. (cluster complete)

Pattern

R1) Chain 4, slip stitch into 1st chain to form a ring

R2) ch3, work 13tr into the ring, ss to close the round (14sts)

R3) ch4, work (tr, ch) into each stitch, ss to close (28sts)

R4) ss into the next chain space, (ch3, 2tr) in this space, then 3tr in each ch sp around, ss to close (42)

R5) Work a Tall Cluster chaining 4 in place of the 1st dtr, ch3, *Tall Cluster, ch3* repeat** to end, ss to close (56)

R6) ss into ch sp, (ch4, tr, ch, tr, ch) in this space, (tr, ch, tr, ch, tr, ch) in each ch sp around, ss to close (84)

R7) ss into ch sp, (ch3, tr) in this space, 2tr in each ch sp around, ss to close (84)

R8) Work a Tall Cluster chaining 4 in place of the 1st dtr, ch3, *Tall Cluster, ch3* repeat** to end, ss to close (113)

R9) ch4, (dtr, ch, dtr, ch, dtr, ch) in the next 6 ch spaces, ch20, skip 4 ch spaces, (dtr, ch, dtr, ch, dtr, ch) in the next 7 ch spaces, ch 20, skip 4 ch spaces, (dtr, ch, dtr, ch, dtr, ch) in the next 6 ch spaces, (dtr, ch, dtr ch) in the next ch sp, ss to the top of the starting chains (160)

R10) ss into ch sp, (ch3, tr) in this space, 2 tr in each single chain space around. In the long chain spaces work 23tr. Ss to close. (162)

R11) Work a Short Cluster chaining 3 in place of the 1st tr, ch2, *Short Cluster, ch2* repeat to end, ss to close (162)

R12) ch4, (tr, ch, tr, ch, tr, ch) in each ch sp around, (tr, ch, tr ch) in the last ch sp, ss to the top of the starting chains (324)

R13) ch3, *2tr in the next ch sp, 2tr in the next ch sp, 1tr in the next ch sp*, repeat all the way round, working the last single tr in to the same space as the original ch3, ss to close. (271)

R14) Work a Tall Cluster chaining 4 in place of the 1st dtr, ch, *dtr4tog, ch* repeat all the way round, ss to close. (136)

This is the start of the edging, so a good natural place to change colour if you want to.
R15) The following round is worked only in the previous decrease stitches not in the chain stitches.
ch3, 7tr in the same st, ch1, dc in the next st, ch2, (2tr, ch, 2tr) in the next st, ch2, dc, ch1, *8tr, ch1, dc, ch2, (2tr, ch, 2tr), ch2, dc, ch1*, repeat** to the end 17 repeats total, ss to close. (357)

R16) ch3, tr in next 7 sts, ch1, (2tr, ch, 2tr) in the cluster ch sp, ch1, *tr in the next 8 sts, ch1, (2tr, ch, 2tr) in the ch sp, ch1*, repeat ** to the end, ss to close. (255)

R17) ch3, tr in next 7 sts, (2tr, ch, 2tr) in the cluster ch sp, *tr in the next 8 sts, (2tr, ch, 2tr) in the ch sp*, repeat ** to the end, ss to close. (221)

R18) ch3, *(2tr, ch, 2tr) in the space between the 4th and 5th tr of the previous round – the centre of the fan, ch2, 8tr in the cluster ch sp, ch2*, repeat ** to the end, ss to the first tr to close. Fasten off. (289)

Darn in any ends you have and at this point I would recommend blocking. I just did a quick pin out and steam block with my iron but it made the world of difference to the drape. Now all that is left to do is add a button if you wish. My daughter has two now, one with and one without, I personally prefer it with. The pattern of this bolero is lacy enough that it doesn’t really need a specific buttonhole just use any hole already there!

I hope you enjoy this pattern! If you have any feedback or questions for me just let me know in the comments below 🙂
If you do make a bolero for a little person in your life and use Instagram I would love to see! Please tag me @ourlovelylittlelife and use the hashtag #springtimebolero 😉