Angel Hair Bolero

Size xs-med (lg-xlg, 1x-2x)

Skill Level — Intermediate

This is basically a vest pattern with sleeves added, so you can make either one. The sleeves are worked right onto the armhole, making it an easy project if you do not like to sew in sleeves. The angel hair yarn is some of the softest yarn I have ever touched! It's heavenly!

INSTRUCTIONS:

Begins at lower edge. Back and fronts are worked in one piece before adding sleeves. See Diagram A.

This is what it will look like after you get one front done, before you do the back.

With H (J, M) hook, loosely ch 80 to measure 26″ (30″, 36″).

Row 1: Dc in sixth ch from hook (counts as first dc + ch 1), * ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in next ch. Rep from * across row, ch 4, turn — 38 spaces + 39 dc (mark this as RS).

Row 2: Sk first dc, (dc, ch 1 and dc) in next dc (1 sp inc), * ch 1, dc in next dc. Rep from * across to last dc, dc, ch 1, dc in last dc (1 sp inc). Ch 1, dc in fourth ch of tch, ch 4, turn — 40 sps + 41 dc.

Row 3: Rep Row 2, working last dc in third ch of tch, ch 4, turn — 42 sps + 43 dc.

Rows 4–8: Work evenly in patt.

Divide for Fronts and Back

For clarity, start counting here as Row 1 of front.

Row 9 (Row 1 of front): Work in patt until 9 sps and 10 dc have been made; ch 3, turn. See Diagram A.

Front

Row 10 (Row 2 of front): Work even in this manner: Sk first ch-1 sp, dc in next dc, work in patt across, with ch 1 between each dc, end with last dc in top of tch, ch 4, turn — 9 sps + 10 dc.

Row 11 (Row 3 of front): Dec row — work 7 sps across, ch 1, 2dctog, ch 3, turn — 8 sps.

Rows 12–17 (Rows 4–9 of front): Cont to dec 1 sp at arm side in this manner, every other row, until 5 sps remain (You will dec on Rows 5, 7, and 9 of front) Rows 5 and 6 will have 7 sps, Rows 7 and 8 will have 6 sps, Row 9 will have 5 sps. Make sure the ch 4s are at the outside front edge and the ch 3s are at the armhole edge.

Rows 18–20 (Rows 10–12 of front): Start ch 4 on each end here: Work even. End off.

Back

Row 1 (same row as Row 1 of front and Row 9 of body): Sk 4 sps from section just worked, for armhole (see Diagram B). Join yarn in next dc, ch 4, work until 16 sps have been made — 17 dc including ch 4.

Next Step: Work rows even in patt until back is same length as left and rt armhole.

Materials:

3 (4, 4) skeins (3.5 oz./100 g/120 yd. each) yarn in purple

For xs-med, size H/8 (5 mm) hook

For lg-xlg, size J/10 (6 mm)

For 1x-2x, size M/13 (9 mm)

Used in this project: Jo-Ann Sensations Angel Hair yarn in purple

Gauge:

Note: Number of sts is the same for all sizes. Gauge determines size, and is very important with this project, so if gauge does not match, change your hook.

3 dc 3 ch 1 =

(H hook, 2″)

(J hook, 2¼″)

(M hook, 2¾″)

3 dc rows = 2″ (2½″, 3″).

To decrease 1 space (2dctog) yo, insert hook into next dc and pull up lp on hook (3 lps on hook). Yo again and pull through 2 lps, (2 lps on hook). Yo, insert hook in next dc, and pull up lp on hook (4 lps on hook). Yo and pull yarn through 2 lps (3 lps on hook). Yo and pull through 3 rem lps on hook.

Helpful Hint:

If you are a beginner, choose a light-colored yarn for your first project. It is harder to see stitches with a dark yarn.

Words of Encouragement

You can be an angel on earth. A word of encouragement or an act of kindness can touch people in a heavenly way, and a life could be changed by your understanding or the helpful things you do. You may never know how you have touched people, but they will be thanking you forever!

Second front: On RS starting at front edge, attach yarn and ch 4. Work second front in same manner as first front. With yarn and yarn needle, sew shoulder seams with RS tog.

Sleeves

Work in rounds.

Rnd 1 of sleeve: With RS facing you, attach yarn to dc in center of underarm hole, ch 4, work 27 sps and 27 dc evenly spaced around armhole edge. Join to ch 3 of ch 4. Ch 4, but do not turn. Pm at beg of each rnd.

Rnds 2–5: Work even in patt.

Rnd 6: Dec 1 sp at end of rnd (last 2dctog), 26 sps and 26 dc.

Rnd 7: Dec 1 sp at beg of rnd (first 2dctog), 25 sps and 25 dc.

Rnds 7–13: Cont to dec 1 sp each rnd, alternating in this manner: 2dctog at end of rnd, then work the dec at the beg on the next rnd. You should have 19 sps on Rnd 13.

Rnds 14–22: Work even with no dec — 19 sps.

Rnd 23: Work even. End off — 19 sps.

Rnd 24: Sc in same sp, and in each dc and ch-1 around. End off — 38 sc.

Rep on other sleeve.

Finishing Edge

With RS of bolero facing you, join yarn at top left front edge (first sp on shoulder front). Ch 4, sl st in side of next sp, * ch 4, sl st in side of next sp, rep from * around bottom left curved edge. Ch 3, and sl st in each ch-1 sp at bottom back edge of bolero. When you get to the next curved edge (bottom rt front), start ch 4 and sl st, instead of ch 3s. Cont up RS edge. (Ch 3 and sl st) in each ch-1 sp of back neck edge. End off.