Sweet Nothings Crochet: LAGOS SLEEVELESS SHELLED BOLERO

LAGOS SLEEVELESS SHELLED BOLERO - free crochet pattern info from Sweet Nothings Crochet

This has been a lovely relaxed and fulfilling trip. We’ve reached Lagos in South Portugal, and are at a beach resort just off the Praia de D.Ana and its got the fabulous name of Villa Doris Suites. The name ‘villa’ did make me dream of a little chalet, and the place where we had to check in (reception and registration) was a lovely chalet, but sadly that was not the resort. The resort is a building, and at first look we were a little upset.. but the apartment is lovely and the view is awesome – we had a beach facing apartment and there is a cute little balcony that opens out of the main bedroom with an even better view – so breakfast there was awwww!

Once again we scored on this apartment that we booked via booking.com.

So come with me on a quick look-see of the awesomeness of Lagos beach, and you'll know why I’ve dedicate the inspiration for this bolero to this beauty.

The castle - lit up on Christmas eve

A whole road of lit up trees - Christmas eve

Lagos beach

Looking up .. from the beach

the rippling water at Lagos beach, Portugal

Just can't get enough of this view

The walkway to the top of the little cliff from the beach

looking down at the beach from the cliff

and looking down from that cliff

and now you're on that little cliff

Yes, it beckons.. doesn't it?

and a panoramic view of this awesome bay

OK so we're all in the mood, let's get a-crocheting.
This is not my original pattern but these are my original notes and it’s just one of those wonderful free floating freebies over the net. I am, as usual, writing down my notes, and am sharing them with you as I make my own project. As I was halfway through creating it, my wonderful friend Rajeshwari Karthikeyan asked what I was up to and when she found I was struggling with a really poor chart, instantly sent me another version.
This second version has a different edging - so yet again, I offer you choices and decisions.

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Materials used : Today I’ve used about 3 (100 gm) balls of the lovely cotton Rosarios 4, Fo- Finho, (a 4-ply baby acrylic yarn, fingering weight), with a 3.25 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends

This yarn is not specific for this project.

You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros e ; Red rose metallic or unbranded knitting cotton as well as Oswal and Vardhaman acrylic yarns

International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.

Skill Level : Intermediate

Size made : 34 - 36” ; Length : 16”

Gauge : I small shell (across) = 1 “ ; 1 dc row (high) = ½”.

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

How to hold your yarn in crochet : https://youtu.be/FwOlCbGdbqY

Double crochet 2-tog : dc 2-tog : [yo, insert hk in st or ch-sp, yo and pull up a lp ; yo and draw through 2 lps] 2 times (3 lps on hk) ;

{yo, draw through 2 lps on hk} 2 times. One dc 2-tog made.

This video tutorial at https://youtu.be/1_oPlUfN5eg shows you how to use the dc 2-tog to decrease.

Sometimes we work the dc 2-tog in the same stitch, to use as a decorative stitch. Visit this video tutorial at https://youtu.be/lLUXOJ1sY9w

Abbreviations used : (Using U.S terminology)

lp(s) : Loop(s) sc : Single crochet

dc : Double crochet sp : Space

sl-st : Slip stitch ch : Chain

st(s) : Stitch(es) hk : Hook

yo : Yarn Over fsc : Foundation Single Crochet

Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)

Quick analysis of what we’re going to do here today.

The pattern is worked bottom up.

Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.

Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.

Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.

In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement. This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project.

We start at the base of our bolero at the back and work upwards to the shoulders. When we reach neck level, we will divide for the shoulders, and continue on to make the front of the bolero.

The fronts of the bolero are attached to the side and (not the bottom) of the back, which gives it the lovely curve.

We will then work a little border along the armhole edge as well as one continuous border along the top of neck, down the two fronts and the back of your bolero.

I work a ch 1 as a turning chain at the start of my rows for ease.

Please check the top of this blog for video links of all the stitches used in this pattern.

So let’s get started…

PART 1 - BACK

Our stitch count is in multiples of 8 + 1.

So start with the number of stitches you need for the width of the back of your bolero.

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA

Row 1 : Start with fsc in multiples of 8 + 1 for the width of your back (or half round waist/chest measurement). Turn.

We will be using a 2 types of shell stitches in this pattern.

The small shell stitch will be (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in the same st or ch-sp.

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);

[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

What is a crochet chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY

Row 2 : 2 dc in the 1^st fsc ;

*ch 2, sk next 3 fsc, small shell st in the next fsc ;

ch 2, sk next 3 fsc, 2 dc in the next fsc* ;

rep *to* till end . Turn.

The large shell stitch will be [dc in the 1^st dc of the small shell st ;

(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;

rep (to) once ;

ch 2, rep (to) 3 times].

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

Row 3 : sc in the 1^st dc ;

ch 2, sc in the next dc ;

*large shell st in the ch-2 sp of the next small shell st ;

(sc in the next dc ; ch 2, sc in the next dc)* ;

rep *to* till end . Turn.

Row 4 : 2 dc in the 1^st ch-2 sp ;

*ch 2, sk all 1^st 3 dc and 1^st two ch-sps of large shell st ;

small shell in the next ch-sp ;

ch 2, sk all dc and ch-sps of the same large shell st and 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp* ;

rep *to* till end . Turn.

What is a crochet slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

Row 5 : sl-st into the 1^st ch-2 sp , sc in the same 1^st ch-2 sp ;

*large shell st in the ch-2 sp of next small shell st ;

(sc in the next dc ; ch 2, sc in the next dc)* ;

rep *to* till end . Turn.

Rep Rows 4 & 5 for back pattern.

Now the designer has done a total of 38 rows (i.e. 19 repeats).

So I'll suggest you do the same, see if this works for you, and then change

(add / decrease - Read my notes below before you carry on).

Right, so we’ll work on this back part, and meet back here shortly.

I initially thought I’d do a 22” length for the back, and did not count the repeats by the designer.

I then smartly (or so I thought) went on to make the front of the bolero.

When I started to attach, I found that this did not look good.

The only reason it doesn’t is because we attach the front bit to the side of the bolero – so the armhole that automatically formed was really large and totally disproportionate to the body and the front bit looked like a really thin strip.

So ripped out , re-did it.. and lesson learned – well, let’s keep it like a bolero is meant to be – short and sweet.

I’ve worked 15 pattern repeats for my back and front.

Length of my bolero is 16” , Width is 37.

PART 2- FRONT

So, after you’ve got the back done up to the neck, we’re going to divide for the two front parts.

It looks like the designer has done a similar number of rows for the front and back (so once again 19 pattern repeats)

The pattern remains the same, but there are only 2 pattern repeats across.

To get that front curve along the neck edge, we will increase the length of our last st, and for convenience I’ll re-number our rows.

Now remember that we are increasing st length along the border away from the armhole and side.

This is important as we will need to make a mirror image for the two sides – so for one side you’ll follow instructions below, and then mirror for the second side.

Triple Crochet : trc : wrap yarn twice around hook, insert hk into st ; yo (4 lps on hk); [yo, draw through 2 lps] three times. One trc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/A0y4BbgDTbs

Chainless start for Triple / Treble Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of trc.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/f42MO0cGYC0

trc photo tutorial

Row 1 : 2 dc in the 1^st ch-2 sp ;

*ch 2, sk all 1^st 3 dcs and 1^st two ch-sps of large shell st , small shell in the next ch-2 sp ;

ch 2, sk all dcs and ch-sps of the same large shell st and 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp* ;

rep *to* twice BUT in the last sts, work 2 trc in the last 2 sts . Turn.

Note : You are changing the last 2 dc stitches into trc, so that there will be a natural curve at the neck end.

We will do a total of three repeats as per pattern given by designer.

Row 3 : sc in the 1^st trc ; ch 3, sc in the next trc ;

*large shell st in the next small shell st ; (sc in the next dc ; ch 2, sc in the next dc)* ;

rep *to* till end . Turn.

Note : Our ch-3 sp at the start of this side will once again add to the curvature of our bolero.

Now what I’ve done is attach this to the side after completing the front rows – and then fastening off.

You attach this front flap to the side of your work and not the bottom .

The attachment looks loose and weird as the armhole round looks loose and floppy/flappy.

Don’t worry – it works out and flattens out and once you’ve done it, you’ll see what I mean – the back comes around to the front and neatly picks up that sag.

Right, so once done, you then re-attach yarn at for the other part of the back /neck-shoulder / front and mirror this side so that both your fronts are done too… and then we’ll work some more magic in finishing this up.

PART 3 - Sleeve finishing & Border - I

Now written below is the edging I've used, but as I said at the start, my friend Rajeshwari shared a second pattern chart with me and this one has another lovely edging which is self explanatory in photos.

So take your pick.

Right.. so, as we’ve joined the front to the sides of the back, we have a natural arm hole opening made.

Let’s take a look at the armhole.

It has row edges that has either the dc’s or the sc + ch edge.

So we will be working in the centre of each one of these stitches, and term them as ‘stitches’ for convenience.

One trick that one can use is that for the last ch-5 (before joining up), do a ch 2 + dc, which then brings you right at the centre of that last ch-5 sp and where you need to be.

Round 1 : sc in the 1^st st ;

*ch 5, sc in the next st* ;

rep *to* all around. Join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

Now this is a bit tricky.

This round needs to be in multiples of 3 (i.e. there should be a multiple of 3 ch-5 sps) as the pattern starts in Round 2 and that needs this count.

So do try and figure that out in this round.

Round 2 : sl-st into the 1^st ch-5 sp, sc in the same ch-5 sp ;

*(ch 3, dc 2-tog in the next ch-5 sp ;

ch 3, dc 2-tog in the same ch-5 sp) ;

ch 3, sc in the next ch-5 sp* ;

rep *to* till end,

joining with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

How to picot : Traditionally for a ch-3 picot, you work (ch 3, sl-st in 3^rd ch from hook). For a ch-5 picot, you will do (ch 5, sl-st in 5^th ch from hook).

Here’s a great video https://youtu.be/8s3zVaBcn4s

In the last round of our border, we will be using the picot as a decorative stitch.

Our picot will be ch 3, and then sl-st into the 1^st ch.

We will also be doing a shell st only in the ch-sp between the dc 2-togs.

Our shell st here is [dc in the ch-5 sp ; (picot + dc in the same ch-5 sp) ;

rep (to) 3 times ;

one more picot on top of that last dc].

We will also be doing 1 dc each in the ch-3 sps just before and after the ch-3 sps, and this is basically our last round of pattern.

Round 3 : sl-st into the 1^st ch-3 sp , sc in that same ch-3 sp ;

*ch 1, dc in the next ch-3 sp (just before the next dc 2-tog) ;

ch 1, shell st in the next ch- 3 sp (between the two dc-2 togs) ;

ch 1, dc in the next ch-3 sp ;

ch 1, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ;

rep *to* all around, joining with an sl-st to the 1^st st.

Fasten off and repeat this for the other armhole as well as the neck edge, around the front edges and then the bottom of your bolero in one continuous round.

Sleeve finishing & Border - II

Check out the other border as well (which I have not used / done)

Great job.. We’re done with one side of the front. Fasten off and weave in ends. Repeat this for the other front side as well.

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