[Learn  Ginantsilyo by project]

What the project is about: Creating a simple bolero (small shrug) using five pieces of crocheted fabric.

One of the skills I learned as a crocheter is creating ‘forms’ and shapes by adjusting the number of stitches and joining the pieces. This know-how is very useful for me, especially when creating wearable crochet. I can draw the pattern of a blouse and pick up a lace pattern I want then I can adjust the stitches to form the desired shape. I used this technique in creating the winter solace bolero.

[Background why winter solace? – the colors of the yarn used reminds me of the holiday season]

Winter Solace Bolero:

 

Skills to Learn:

1. Creating pieces of a bolero
2. Joining the pieces to make a bolero

About the yarns and the pattern:

1. Variegated Yarn of turquoise blue and yarn [You can substitue this with any yarns of choice]. I bought mine from the website http://craftandme.com. The owner gave this yarn as freebie from our last transaction. The yarn is labeled Indonesian Cotton Thread and is quite similar to the Monaco/Cannon mercerized cotton thread we have here in the Philippines, only that the yarn is twice thicker. If you are going to use these brands, two strands would be needed to match the gauge.

2. Turquoise blue Plush Yarn. I bought this yarn from Rosario, Pasig, the famous Bodega sa Rosario and such quoted as Rosario Yarns. You can substitute any plushy looking soft cuddly yarns I actually do not know the actual content of this yarn so i nicknamed it plush yarn

3. A lace pattern – Pattern #45 from 252 Crochet Patterns Japanese Crochet Book. This has been my favorite lace pattern so far and I have created a lot of different projects from this.

 The actual project instructions:

The bolero is made up of 5 parts, crocheted individually. 2 sleeves, 2 front parts and the back part. I sewed them together using left over crochet thread. Then I added the border. The border’s just plain dc. I used automatic locks to close the front part. And attached two medium sized white textured buttons in front to accentuate.

Gauge: I used 2.10 mm hook (US Size)

• 13 ch ~ 2in
• 7 rows ~ 2in

Materials:

• Indonesian cotton thread no. 20 (1 ball is 100g, 100% cotton) of variegated turquiose color
• Soft plush Turquiose yarn bought from Pasig
• 2.10 mm Hook
• Buttons bought at Carolina’s Lace Shoppe at SM North
• Automatic Locks bought at Divisoria
• Big needle

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Special Stitches:

3dc cluster –

(Yo, insert hook in next st, yo draw yarn through st, yo, draw yarn through two loops on hook) 3 times. yo, draw yarns through 4 loops on hook.

2dc cluster-

(Yo, insert hook in next st, yo draw yarn through st, yo, draw yarn through two loops on hook) 2 times. yo, draw yarns through 3 loops on hook.

3dc closed shell –

Make 3dc on next st.

2dc closed shell –

Make 2dc on next st.

Stitch Diagram:

Stitch Repetitions (SR):

Gauge:

Each SR is 2.5 in long

SR 1. dc each on next 5 st. (ch2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st); 3 times, ch 2, skip 2ch sp.

SR2. (2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, (2dc cluster on next 2 st). (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make 3dc closed shell on next st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp).

SR3. 3dc cluster on next 3 st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st), dc on next st, (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st). (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp)

SR4. dc on next st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). dc each on next 5 st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp).

SR5. Make 3dc closed shell on next st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). (2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, (2dc cluster on next 2 st). (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp)

SR6. (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st), dc on next st, (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st). (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp).3dc cluster on next 3 st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp)

Pattern Diagrams of Stitch Repetitions.

Take note that the foundation chains in each sr’s represents the st. SR also varies depending on the direction you are working to.

Sleeve Pattern:

(This measures ~12.5in in diameter)

ch 79. sl st in first ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1 . ch 3(counts as 1 dc). (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR1 4 times. dc on next 5 st, (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc each on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Sl st on 3rd ch of rnd1.

Rnd 2 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). Make a 2dc closed shell on the third ch of previous row.(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR2 4 times. (2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, (2dc cluster on next 2 st), .(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). sl st on 3rd ch of rnd2.

Rnd 3 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). dc on 3rd ch from the hook , dc next st, (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st). .(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR3 4 times. 3dc cluster on next 3 st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). sl st on 3rd ch of rnd2.

Rnd 4 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). 4dc on next 4st.(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR4 4 times. dc on next st, .(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). sl st on 3rd ch of rnd2.

Rnd 5 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). 2dc on next 2 st, make 2dc cluster on next 2st.(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR5 4 times. 3dc closed shell on next st. (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). sl st on 3rd ch of rnd5.

Rnd 6 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). make 2dc cluster on next 2 st.(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR6 4 times.(Make a 2dc closed shell on next st), dc on next st, (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st).(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). sl st on 3rd ch of rnd6.

Rnd 7 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). (dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR1 4 times. dc each on next 5 st . (ch 2, skip 2 ch sp, 2dc). dc on third chain of previous row. Turn

Rnd 8 ch 3(counts as 1 dc). ch 2, skip 2 ch sp.Make SR2 4 times. ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st). (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st). Turn.

Rnd 9 ch 4(skip 2 ch sp). Make SR3 4 times. 3 dc cluster on next 3 st. ch 1, skip 1 ch sp. dc on next st. Turn.

Rnd 10 ch 1. sc on last 3dc cluster of previous row. .(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR1 3 times. dc each on next 5 st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st). dc on first 3dc cluster of previous row. Turn.

Rnd 11 ch 5. skip 2ch sp. Make SR2 3 times. ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st). ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Dc on first dc of previous row. Turn.

Rnd 12 ch 4, skip 2 ch sp. Make a Make SR3 3 times. 3dc cluster on next 3 st. ch 1, dc on fourth ch of previous row.Turn

 

Rnd 13. ch 1, sc on last 3dc cluster of previous row.( ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. dc on next st. ch 2, skip 2 ch sp). Make SR1 twice. dc each on next 5 stitches. ch 2 skip 2 ch sp dc on next st. (skip 2ch sp) dc on first 3dc cluster of previous row. Turn.

Rnd 14 ch 5. Skip 2 ch sp. Make SR2 twice. . ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st) ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Dc on first dc of previous row. Turn

Rnd 15 ch 4, skip 2ch sp. Make SR3 twice. Make 3dc cluster on next 3 st. ch 1, skip 1 ch sp, dc on fourth ch of previous row. Turn.

Rnd 16 ch 1. sc on last 3dc cluster of previous row. .(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2, skip 2ch sp). Make SR1. dc each on next 5 st. ch 2 skip 2 ch sp, dc on next st. dc on first 3dc cluster of previous row. Turn

Rnd 17 ch 5. skip 2ch sp. Make SR2. ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st). ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Dc on first dc of previous row.

Rnd 18 ch 4, skip 2ch sp, Make SR3. 3dc cluster on next 3st. ch 1, skip 1 ch sp, dc on fourth ch of previous row, Turn.

Rnd 19 ch 1, sc on last 3dc cluster of previous row. ( ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. dc on next st. ch 2, skip 2 ch sp). dc each on next 5 st, ( ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. dc on next st) dc on first 3dc cluster of previous row. Turn

Rnd 20 ch 5 skip 2 ch sp, ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st), dc on next st, ( Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st) ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Dc on first dc of previous row.Turn.

Rnd 21 ch 4, skip 2 ch sp. Make 3dc cluster on next 3 st. ch 1, skip 1 ch sp, dc on fourth ch of previous row. Turn.

Rnd 22. ch 3, dc on 3dc cluster of previous row. ch 3, sl st on last dc of previous row. Fasten off.

Make 2 sleeves following same instructions.

Finished sleeve measures approximately 12.5 in in diameter and 7in long from first row to last row.

Sleeves Pattern Diagram

 

 

Front Part Pattern:

Ch 49

Row 1 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), (ch 2 skip 2ch sp, dc on next ch) ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Make SR1 3 times. Turn

Row 2 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Make SR6 3 times. Make 2dc closed shell on next st. Turn

Row 3 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), Make a 2dc closed shell on next st.(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR3 3 times. Turn

Row 4 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) (ch 2 skip 2 ch sp) Make SR1 3 times. dc each on next 3 st. Turn

Row 5 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR5 3 times. Turn

Row 6 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Make SR3 3 times. Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st. Turn

Row 7 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). ch 2, skip 2 ch sp. Make SR4 3 times. dc on next st. Turn

Row 8 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). ch 2 skip 2ch sp. Make SR5 3 times. Make a 2dc closed shell on next st. Turn

Row 9 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Make a 2dc closed shell on next st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR3 twice. 3dc cluster on next 3st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). (Make a 2dc closed shell on next st) dc on next st(Make a 2dc closed shell on next st.) ch 2 skip 2ch sp, dc on next st. Turn

Row 10 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Make SR1 3 times. dc each on next 3 st. Turn

Row 11 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR5 3 times.

Row 12 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). (skip 2 ch sp). Make SR3 3 times. 2dc cluster on next 2st. Turn.

Row 13 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). ch 2 skip 2 ch sp. Make SR4 twice.(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp).dc each on next 5 st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, skip 2 ch sp). dc on next st. Turn.

Row 14 ch3 (counts as 1 dc) ch 2, skip 2 ch sp. Make SR2 twice. (Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st) dc on next st (Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st).(ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make a 2dc closed shell on next st. Turn.

Row 15 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) Make a 2dc closed shell on next st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR3 twice. Make a 3dc cluster on next 3 st. skip 2 ch sp. dc on next st. Turn

Row 16 ch 3(counts as 1 dc) skip 2 ch sp dc on next st. Make SR1 twice. dc on next 3 st. Turn.

Row 17 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp).Make SR5 twice. Turn

Row 18 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) skip 2 ch sp. Make SR3 twice. Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st. Turn

Row 19 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR1, dc each on next 5 st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, skip 2 ch sp). dc on next st. Turn.

Row 20 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc)ch 2 skip 2ch sp. Make SR2. (Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st.) dc on next st, (Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st.) (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). 2dc closed shell on next st. Turn

Row 21 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). 2dc closed shell on next st. (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR 3. 3dc cluster on next 3 st. skip 2 ch sp. dc on next st. Turn

Row 22 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) skip 2 ch space. dc on next st. Make SR1. dc each on next 3 st.

Row 23 ch 3 (counts as 1 dc)(Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st.) (ch 2, skip 2ch sp, dc on next st, ch 2 skip 2 ch sp). Make SR4

Row 24 ch 3 (Counts as 1 dc) Make SR3. Make a 2dc cluster on next 2 st.

Row 25 ch 3 (counts as 1dc) ch 2 skip 2 ch space. Make SR4. Fasten off

Make 2 of these.

Front Part Stitch Diagram

 

Back Part Stitch Diagram

 

Joining them together

Using a big needle, sew the pieces(using running stitches) together like this:

 

Adding the borders.

The borders are just dc’s crocheted along the border of the garment. Attached the plush yarn anywhere along the border. Crochet 2dc’s on each 2ch sp/3ch sp/dc space of the border, adding more dc’s on the corners.

Adding Buttons

Add two buttons at the lower left side of the bolero. The buttons are just to accentuate. The trick used was I added automatic locks as fastener for this bolero. For cleaner look.