So, I’ve been contemplating my next knitting project. I am drawn to these kind of half cardigan things I’ve been seeing around, and also the round kind of cardigan, if you know what I mean (I think maybe it’s called a bolero, but I’m not sure). So I’ve found a few different patterns:
Peony knits has two patterns that were originally posted on craftster. The patterns are pdfs in the sidebar.
I think I am going to start with the second one from peony knits, which is styled after an anthropologie sweater, because it looks small and easy. I am still not convinced that this cropped style will look good on me, so I don’t want to invest too much time knitting long sleeves until I know if I will wear it! It’s one of those things that I want to make look good on me just through sheer will power, because I think they are so cute, but usually that doesn’t really work. My theory is that you have to be either very thin with no hips, or very busty and curvy to pull this look off, of which I am neither. We’ll see.
does anyone else know of nice patterns in this style? I am usually a sucker for free patterns, but I have seen some similar ones as well that were for purchase.
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I made the Anthroplogie inspired one and it was quite simple. I even lengthened the sleeves and the bottom because my body shape does not look flattering in short sweaters. Sadly, mine’s still sitting in my closet waiting for a time to wear short sleeves.
2/25/2006 @ 11:32 am
I’m on the same boat as you. I want to try boleros but I’m not sure I’ll manage the look.
I found that Anthropologie inspired capelet a while ago and was just considering making it my next project. I should go check what yarn I’ve got to work with.
Happy knitting!
2/25/2006 @ 12:09 pm
Wendy of Knit & Tonic has [link=http://knitandtonic.typepad.com/knitandtonic/2005/09/the_notsoshrunk.html]Maryilyn’s Not So Shrunken Sweater[/link] which, though it has slightly less bolero-ish styling than what you have pictured, might find more flattering on us more regular Janes. It’s $5. Not free but not bad either.
Not as much what you’re looking for but in the same vein are a few shrugs from Knitty, [link=http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTido.html]I Do[/link] and [link=http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/PATTshimmer.html]Shimmer[/link]. I’ve had these patterns bookmarked for ages in my “possilbe future projects” folder. They’re beautiful but I’m not at all certain that they’d be all that flattering on my bodacious and plumper-than-I’d-like form.
2/25/2006 @ 12:22 pm
ooh i really like the boobholder one! [its different] i know NOTHING about knitting… so good luck!
2/25/2006 @ 1:21 pm
The “boobholder” is SO cute!
2/25/2006 @ 2:21 pm
My friend knit me one of these as a Christmas present–it was most like the first one but without sleeves. I wasn’t sure I could wear this b/c I am large busted, but it looks great and I get a lot of compliments. (I was concerned it would accent my bust too much). Anyway, my friend actually had to remake it b/c her lower bind-off was so tight that I couldn’t button it. At a gathering last night, we had our smaller-busted friend try it (the one that was too small) on and she looked fabulous in it. I think it has less to do with your bust size and more to do with your torso. If you have a very short torso, you might not pull it off as well, but I’ve seen very few of my friends not look good in these styles. Although I will say that large busted women might not look good in the second style b/c it cuts right under the chest (another reason I can’t wear empire waist looks, sadly). But the longer ones with higher buttons in the middle of the chest rather than right at the underwire line work great!
Good luck! Post your final picture!
2/25/2006 @ 4:10 pm
There’s one called a “circle jacket”. It’s long sleeved and looks really neat. Try googling it…it was written by Kate Gilbert, the woman who wrote the infamous “Clapotis” pattern.
2/25/2006 @ 8:40 pm
I think your name is “bolero”… I love it!! A jeans+top+bolero=genial!
2/26/2006 @ 5:18 am
Try the One Skein Wonder
http://glampyreknits.tripod.com/glampyrephotos/id97.html
Doesn’t look flattering in the picture, but is a lot of fun - use larger needles and more yarn for a larger size. No sense making something out of one skein if it looks awful! And - the pattern’s only $3.75.
2/26/2006 @ 7:06 am
ahhh those are all so cute! decisions decisions!
2/27/2006 @ 1:23 am
I’ve made the boobholder one, and it’s somewhat straightforward and one of my favourite things - both knitted and otherwise. That yellow one is lovely though. Good luck with choosing!
2/27/2006 @ 9:53 am
I definitely think that you can carry off all those styles of bolero’s.
I especially like the fourth style - very chic!
However, I do think that certain styles of bolero should only be worn
based on the dimensions of your “sister’s”…just like Rachel has explained.
3/3/2006 @ 4:28 pm
I’m having a “mod hat design contest” on my blog this month.
I want to get the word out!
Please will you enter or post a link to the contest?
thank you
mod*mom
3/7/2006 @ 10:15 am
My local knit shop (Noble Knits, Oceanside, CA) is owned by an amazing woman who can make a pattern from a picture of a sweater. And she made a pattern for the exact Anthropologie sweater you pictured. It’s made on big needles, and requires no seaming when you’re through. Just weave in the ends and you’re done! Plus it only takes a couple of hours. How cool is that? It looks great in the handpainted wool by Plymouth (and it only takes 2 skeins). You can find the pattern for the “Martini Top-Down Bolero” at www.thechickswithstocks.com
3/14/2006 @ 4:16 pm
I have a friend who wears one … or a variation of one. It is called a ‘Shrug’. Please post a picture of your creation!
3/22/2006 @ 3:34 pm