Sweet Nothings Crochet: SHANKH BOLERO plus SCARF

SHANKH BOLERO plus SCARF - free crochet pattern info from Sweet Nothings Crochet

This oh, so beautiful shank bolero uses two patterns – one part is for the simpler bolero and the other for the long scarf. It is the easy combination of these two patterns that makes this such a gorgeous creation. Throw in some multi colored yarn and you end up with an awesome creation.

Shankh is the Hindi word for Shell – so now you know why I named this project.

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Materials used : Today I’ve used ~ 200 gms of the gorgeous Bella Baby wonder 4-ply acrylic yarn with a 3 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends ; embroidery needle.

I bought this yarn in Australia from Spotlight stores. 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 or 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.

Size made : 36” (L/XL)

Skill level : Intermediate to Advanced skill level

Stitches used :

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

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

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

Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

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

Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)

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.

Before we head off to the project, let’s get an idea of what we’re creating here today.

As always I request you to please go through all my detailed notes before you pick up your hook. There are ideas galore…. Enjoy!

This is a bottom up creation. For this pattern we will start at the base of the top and work our way to the shoulders. We will work one back and two fronts for this creation.

Here are ideas to make this into a top.

As we are working with the easy rectangle presentation, you will get a nice off-the-shoulder bit that works as a smallish sleeve. Finish that edge and you have a lovely top.

You can make this into a crop top as well. All you do is work the pattern to the length needed and you are done. Working a smaller set of rectangles, joining at the shoulders and not working any sleeves will give you an awesome off the shoulder loose crop top that will make you the envy of all your friends.

Today however, we’re making a bolero plus scarf.

So for the back, we will work one rectangle in Pattern 1.

We will then work two rectangles in the Shelled pattern (Pattern 2) for the scarf portion.

We will attach our yarn in the centre back and then work one half each for the two front scarf bits.

These will then go across the back and fall across the front as well.

The length of the scarf will depend on how long you want it (or as much yarn you have). I wanted to use up all my yarn, and this is the length I ended up with – but you could easily make it longer.

In my case then, this is like an ‘uneven bolero’ (like the uneven tops and uneven dresses that have the front short and back long? Here my front is long and the back a bit shorter ;) )

I have been inspired by this creation here

First calculations :

1. Keep your round bust / round chest / round waist measurements. Use the largest measure.

2. You need to decide the length for your top.

3. You need to decide how long you’d like your scarf.

You can make this to any size, just ensuring that you get the stitch count right.

The recipient has worn it differently - and she has promised to send me photos or a video of how she wore it this way - she seems to have put the scarf bit around the bottom, hasn't she.. hmmm yet another drape, huh?

... but this is the way it was 'intended' by the designer

PART 1 : Back

The stitch count for our pattern 1 is in multiples of 9 for the width you want for your bolero. Remember #1 from notes above.

For this back pattern, there are two charts – so two ways to make it.

Foundation double crochet (fdc) : https://youtu.be/hjNUYVvyU9k

Start : with fdc in multiples of 9. Turn.

I suggest you start with fdc, but if you are still struggling with it, work a fsc chain and then work dc all the way to the end.

If you are struggling with fsc as well, then start with ch in multiples of 9 + 2 and work a dc in the 3^rd ch from hk. Ensure that you have the stitch count at the end of your first row.

The first way (that I’ve chosen) is to work a dc 2-tog.

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

“Split dc 2-tog” st : The dc 2-tog is, however, worked over three stitches skipping 2 sts in between. So you work the first half of your dc 2-tog over one stitch, sk the next st and work the 2^nd half of the dc 2-tog over the next st.

As we’re splitting this stitch, let’s call this our “Split dc 2-tog” st.

In case you find this tedious or not as neat, choose to use the other method. In this method you will work a ch-5 sp over 3 sts per the chart below. The ch-5 sp is the same as the Split dc 2-tog and is worked every alternate row.

For every other row we will work a dc all through and the pattern is the same whether you use the ch-5 sp or the Split dc 2-tog.

I am writing my instructions as per what I have done.

If you choose the ch-5 pattern, please follow the chart above.

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 chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY

Row 1 : dc in the 1^st fdc ;

ch 1, Split dc 2-tog over the same 1^st fdc , sk the next st and next fdc ;

*ch 3, skipping the st in the middle of the next 3 fdc, work Split dc 2-tog over the next st, and the next st* ;

rep *to* till end ;

ch 1, dc in the same last fdc. Turn

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

*sk the next st ; 3 dc in the next ch-3 sp* ;

rep *to* till end ;

dc in the last dc. Turn.

Check that you have the same number of sts that you started with.

We will now start with our Split dc 2-tog stitch.

Row 3 : Split dc 2-tog over the 1^st 3 dc , (so using the 1^st dc, skipping the 2^nd dc and using the 3^rd dc) ;

*(ch 3, Split dc 2-tog over the next 3 dc)* ;

rep *to* till the end ;

ch 1, 2 dc in the last ch-1 sp ; dc in the last dc. Turn.

Row 4 : dc in the 1^st dc ; 3 dc in the next ch-3 sp ;

*sk next st ; 3 dc in the next ch-3 sp* ;

rep *to* till end. Turn.

Check that you have the same number of sts that you started with.

Row 5 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

ch 1, Split dc 2-tog over the same 1^st fdc , sk the next st and next dc ;

*ch 3, Split dc 2-tog over the next 3 sts* ;

rep *to* till end ; ch 1, dc in the same last dc. Turn

Put your work down and admire what you have created.

We’ve completed one pattern repeat.

Rep Rows 2 – 5 for as many times as you’d like, ending with an all-dc Row 2 or 4 till you reach the shoulders.

When you are done, you will have one large rectangle which is the back or your bolero. Now for the front we will work a slightly different pattern and two smaller rectangles.

FRONT PATTERN 2 :

This is what the designer intended the front to look like

This is what the recipient has done and she says this works for her too :)

For the front, we will work the Shell or Shankh pattern.

Once again let’s take a look at what we need to do here. The diagram shows that there is one back and two front rectangles. It has two colours for the front – the green bit seems to be a repeat of the back pattern, and the peach/pink bit seems to be the shell pattern.

So in case that’s what you wanna do, then you will work two shelled halves for the front rectangles that way. The green bit is a repeat of the back pattern which you then work as an ‘edging’ all around the shell pattern and then attach the two rectangles together to the back bit.

I am going to work the shell pattern for the front – working one long rectangle. So basically I’m gonna work a shell patterned scarf and then attach that on to the back bit.

The stitch count for the Shell pattern is in multiples of 16.

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

Start with fsc for the width you’d like for your scarf in stitch count multiples. Turn

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 1 : sc in the 1^st fsc ;

ch 4, sk next 2 fsc, sc in the next fsc ;

(ch 4, sk next 2 fsc, sc in the next fsc) ;

rep (to) till end. Turn.

Row 2 : dc in the 1^st sc ;

ch 2, sc in the 1^st ch-4 sp ;

*(ch 4, sc in the next ch-4 sp ; 7 dc in the next ch-4 sp ;

sc in the next ch-4 sp ;

ch 4, sc in the next ch-4 sp ; ch 2, dc in the next sc) ;

rep (to) till end. Turn.

Row 3 : dc in the 1^st dc ; ch 2, sc in the 1^st ch-4 sp ;

*(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;

rep (to) 6 times ;

ch 1, sc in the next ch-4 sp ; ch 2, dc in the next dc*

rep *to* till end. Turn.

In the following row, we will work a dc 3-tog.

I have chosen to work a dc 3-tog, but the pattern chart shows a trc 3-tog.

You decide which one you wish to use.

Triple / Treble crochet 3-tog : trc 3-tog : https://youtu.be/O8HM5j8ZXHw

Double crochet 3-tog : dc 3-tog : https://youtu.be/qlnqXDB3OUM

Row 4 : sc in the 1^st dc ; ch 1, dc 3-tog in the 1^st ch-1 sp ;

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

rep (to) 4 times ;

ch 1, sc in the next dc ;

ch 1, dc 3-tog in the next ch-1 sp*

rep *to* till end. Turn.

Row 5 : dc in the 1^st sc ; ch 2, sc in the 1^st ch-3 sp ;

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

7 dc in the next ch-3 sp ; sc in the next ch-3 sp ;

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

rep *to* till end. Turn.

This row, as you may have noticed, is the same as Row 2.

So we have successfully finished one beautiful shell pattern and one repeat.

Rep Rows 3 – 5 for as many rows as are needed for the length of your scarf.

How do you measure how long a scarf you need?

So the scarf is divided into three lengths. There is one length that is fixed – the one that needs to behind for the width of back bit you’ve just made ; and then there’s the front length , which again is fixed as it should be as long as the back that you’ve made and then is the free bit that is longer and the scarf-like bit. So this rectangle will go over the top of the back and down the sides of the back rectangle and then hang down for as long as you want.

Once you complete this scarf bit, come back so we can attach it and finish it all up. See you soon.

FINISHING :

For a neat finish, run a row of sc all around the open end of the front, across the back, down the other side of the front and then finally all along the bottom edge.

In case you want buttons, you will need to figure out what size they are and leave an opening along the left hand side placket.

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

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

Work in a final row of picot if desired.

Work the finishing around the ends of the sleeve too.

You could also work a round of reverse single crochet or crab stitch all around to finish.

Crab Stitch or Reverse Single Crochet stitch : https://youtu.be/cG3crwyHPnk

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Here are some of my other creations. Have fun with these free patterns too

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/05/shankh-bolero-plus-scarf.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/04/makadee-bolero.html