Sari Silk Bolero

Fits sizes med-lg (xlg)

Skill Level — Intermediate

Try different yarns, such as sari silk yarn made from remnants of saris in the factories of Nepal. You will not only be helping the women of Nepal when you buy this yarn, but you will be surprised and delighted at what you can create with it. It's like painting your own unique canvas of colorful images!

INSTRUCTIONS:

Make 2.

Beg at lower edge of sleeve, ch 25 (28). Join to first ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (always counts as first dc), dc in bottom of ch 3 (making this your first inc), dc in next ch and in each ch across, join to top of ch 3 with sl st — 26 (29) dc.

Rnd 2: (From here on out, each round will be increased, but since sari silk yarn is inconsistent in size/wt, you may only need to inc every other row for sari yarn and every row for worsted-wt. yarn). Ch 3, dc in same sp as joining (inc made) dc in each dc around, join to top of ch 3 with sl st, now and throughout pattern — 27 (30) dc.

Rnds 3–18: Rep Rnd 2, increasing 1 dc at beg of each rnd. Rnd 18 should have 43 (46) dc. Pm at middle st of Rnd 18.

Rnd 19: Ch 3, dc in same sp (inc) dc in each rem st around, working 2 dc (inc) in st where marker was placed. Join — 2 inc on Rnd — 45 (48) dc. Pm in middle st.

Rnd 20: Rep Rnd 19, 2 inc = 47 (50) dc.

Rnd 21: Rep Rnd 19, 2 inc = 49 (52) dc.

Rnd 22: Rep Rnd 19, 2 inc = 51 (54) dc.

Rnd 23: Ch 3, dc in same sp, dc in each of next 4 dc, * 2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 4 dc; rep from * around. End with 1 dc in each of last 5 (3) dc, 10 (11) inc = 61 (65) dc.

Rnd 24: Rep Rnd 19, pm in middle st before beginning, 2 inc — 63 (67) dc.

Rnd 25: Rep Rnd 23, end with dc in each of last 2 (1) dc —13 (14) inc = 76 (81) dc.

Rnd 26: Ch 3, dc in same st, * dc in each of next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc; rep from * around. End with dc in each of last 3 (2) dc — 13 (14) inc = 89 (95) dc.

Rnd 27: Rep Rnd 19 — 2 inc = 91 (97) dc.

Rnd 28: Rep Rnd 26, but instead of 5 dc between each inc, work 6 dc between each inc. End with dc in last 6 (4) dc — 13 (14) inc = 104 (111) dc.

Rnd 29: Rep Rnd 26 with 6 dc between. End with dc in last 5 (5) dc —15 (15) inc = 119 (126) dc.

Start Shoulder Shaping

Rnd 30: Rep Rnd 19 — 2 inc = 121 (130) dc.

Rnd 31: Rep Rnd 19 — 2 inc = 123 (132) dc.

Rnd 32: Rep rnd 19 — 2 inc = 125 (134) dc.

Materials:

4 hanks (200 g/160 yd.)sari silk yarn (multicolor)

Size J/10 (6 mm) hook

1 wooden toggle button

Yarn needle

Markers

Sewing needle and matching thread

Gauge:

Gauge is extremely important with this yarn.

6 dc = 2″

6 dc rows = 3¾″

Helpful Hint:

Since sari yarn is inconsistent in color and size in each skein, you may need to alternate skeins with every row. If using sari silk yarn, it is imperative to count every row due to the inconsistent nature of the yarn. You need patience to work with this material.

Words of Encouragement

The human mind is like a canvas. What are you painting on the canvas of other people's minds? I'll never forget this statement: “People will live up to whatever they think the most important person in their life thinks of them.” If you call them bad or lazy, then that's what they'll tend to become. A 300-lb. girl in her 20s once told me that when she was little, her dad constantly called her “fat girl.” He thought that would make her want to eat less, but with tears in her eyes, she told me that it made her want to eat more. Without realizing it, he made things worse with the image he painted on the canvas of her mind. But it's never too late — start painting positive images and see what kind of results you get!

Rnd 33: Rep Rnd 19 — 2 inc = 127 (136) dc.

Rnd 34: Rep Rnd 19 — 2 inc = 129 (138) dc. End off. Pm at bottom side seam, and pm at middle st on row, which will be at the shoulder.

(For size xlg only: Add additional rows as needed; inc every other row)

Back Seam

Try both pieces on and if they do not reach in back, add more rows, adding only enough incs to make it fit snugly around shoulders. The piece can be a little wavy, but that's normal. Blocking will help to smooth it out. Lay the two pieces side by side on a table (or try the pieces on and have someone help you). Pm in back where you want seam to begin and end. You should have an inverted V shape at the bottom center in back. Sewing up too many sts will cause the sides and front not to fit — approx. 40 sts. Sew up back seam with yarn and yarn needle.

Finishing — Front Button Closure

With sewing needle and thread, sew wooden button at left front, where desired. Attach yarn to other side of bolero front with sl st, at place that corresponds to button. Ch 5, turn and sl st in next st (from where attached) to form lp. End off, and weave in all loose ends. This bolero will need to be blocked.

Note: With sari silk yarn, no two skeins are alike. Sometimes it has the consistency of thread, worsted-weight, and bulky yarn all in one skein. Since there are inconsistencies, you may need to add one or more rounds to one sleeve in order to match the other.