Call it a bolero, call it a cropped cardi. Whatever you call it, your autumn could use some spice, no?

• Bernat Satin (166 yds/152 meters/3.5 oz), 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) balls in Bordeaux
• 6.5mm (US K) hook
• Yarn needle

X-Small (Small, Medium, Large, X-Large)

Women's Size: 0/2 (4/6, 8/10, 12/14, 16/18)

5 rows of 2 shell repeats = 5" (12.7cm)

Special Stitch:

Shell = work [2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] in same space/st.

Left Front Panel

Ch 32 (41, 50, 59, 68).

Row 1: Sc into 8th ch from hook, *ch 3, skip 2 sts, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in next ch,* rep from * to * across, ending ch 3, skip 2 sts, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in last st, ch 2, turn.  

Row 2:  Skip first ch sp, *work shell into next ch sp (between 2 sc’s), ch 1, sc in next dc, ch 1,* rep from * to * across, ending work shell into next ch sp (between 2 sc's), ch 1, sc in middle st of previous turning ch, ch 5, turn.  

Row 3:  *Sc into ch sp between first 2 pairs of dc in shell, ch 3, sc into second ch sp of same shell, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2,* rep from * to * across, ending with dc in top of ch-2  of previous turning ch, ch 2, turn.

For Rows 4 – 25 (27, 29, 31, 33): Repeat Rows 2 - 3.

Row 26 (28, 30, 32, 34):  Repeat Row 2 across but do not ch 5 at end of row, turn.

Row 27 (29, 31, 33, 35): Sl st in each st across first shell, sl st in next sc, ch 5, *sc into ch sp between first 2 pairs of dc in shell, ch 3, sc into second ch sp of same shell, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2,* rep from * to * across, ending with dc in top of ch-2  of previous turning ch, ch 2, turn.  

For Rows 28 (30, 32, 34, 36) – Row 32 (34, 36, 38, 40):  Repeat Rows 2 & 3.

Fasten off.  I recommend waiting to weave the ends until you know that the bolero will fit you the way that you want. (I learned the hard way!)

Right Front Panel

Ch 32 (41, 50, 59, 68).

Row 1: Sc into 8th ch from hook, *ch 3, skip 2 sts, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in next ch,* rep from * to * across, ending ch 3, skip 2 sts, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in last st, ch 2, turn.  

Row 2:  Skip first ch sp, *work shell into next ch sp (between 2 sc’s), ch 1, sc in next dc, ch 1,* rep from * to * across, ending work shell into next ch sp (between 2 sc's), ch 1, sc in middle st of previous turning ch, ch 5, turn.  

Row 3:  *Sc into ch sp between first 2 pairs of dc in shell, ch 3, sc into second ch sp of same shell, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2,* rep from * to * across, ending with dc in top of ch-2  of previous turning ch, ch 2, turn.

For Rows 4 – 26 (28, 30, 32, 34): Repeat Rows 2 - 3.

Row 27 (29, 31, 33, 35):  Repeat Row 3 across until sc before last shell, dc in that sc, ch 2, turn (leaving rest of row unworked).  

For Rows 28 (30, 32, 34, 36) – Row 32 (34, 36, 38, 40):  Repeat Rows 2 & 3.

Fasten off.  

Back Piece

Ch 68 (77, 86, 95, 104)

Row 1: Sc into 8th ch from hook, *ch 3, skip 2 sts, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in next ch,* rep from * to * across, ending ch 3, skip 2 sts, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in last st, ch 2, turn.  

Row 2:  Skip first ch sp, *work shell into next ch sp (between 2 sc’s), ch 1, sc in next dc, ch 1,* rep from * to * across, ending work shell into next ch sp (between 2 sc's), ch 1, sc in middle st of previous turning ch, ch 5, turn.  

Row 3:  *Sc into ch sp between first 2 pairs of dc in shell, ch 3, sc into second ch sp of same shell, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2,* rep from * to * across, ending with dc in top of ch-2  of previous turning ch, ch 2, turn.

Rows 4 – 19 (21, 23, 25, 27):  Repeat Rows 2 - 3.

Row 20 (22, 24, 26, 28):  Repeat Row 2 across but do not ch 5 at end of row, turn.

Row 21 (23, 25, 27, 29):  Sl st in each st across first shell, sl st in next sc, ch 5, *sc into ch sp between first 2 pairs of dc in shell, ch 3, sc into second ch sp of same shell, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2,* rep from * to * across row until sc before last shell, dc in that sc, ch 2, turn. (1 unworked shell on each side.)

For Rows 22 (24, 26, 28, 30) – Row 28 (30, 32, 34, 36):  Repeat Rows 2 - 3.

Row 29 (31, 33, 35, 37):  Repeat Row 3 until the sc after the 2nd (2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 4th) shell, dc in that sc, ch 2, turn (leaving rest of row unworked).

Row 30 (32, 34, 36, 38) – Rows 33 (35, 37, 39, 41):  Repeat Rows 2 - 3.

Fasten off.

Skipping 1 (2, 1, 2, 1) shells from last st, join yarn to sc after last skipped shell, ch 5.

Row 34 (36, 38, 40, 42): Repeat Row 3 across rest of row.

Rows 35 (37, 39, 41, 43) – Rows 38 (40, 42, 44, 47):  Repeat Rows 2 - 3.  

Fasten off.

Sleeve (make 2)

The sleeves are made from the bottom up. As arm-length may vary (or if you want short sleeves), feel free to adjust sleeve length to your preference.  You may want to hold the piece to your arm to make sure it is the correct length. Repeat Rows 2 - 3 until desired length, then work the last 3 rows.

Ch 41 (50, 59, 68, 77)

Row 1: Sc into 8th ch from hook, *ch 3, skip 2 sts, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in next ch,* rep from * to * across, ending ch 3, skip 2 sts, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in last st, ch 2, turn.  

Row 2:  Skip first ch sp, *work shell into next ch sp (between 2 sc’s), ch 1, sc in next dc, ch 1,* rep from * to * across, ending work shell into next ch sp (between 2 sc's), ch 1, sc in middle st of previous turning ch, ch 5, turn.  

Row 3:  *Sc into ch sp between first 2 pairs of dc in shell, ch 3, sc into second ch sp of same shell, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2,* rep from * to * across, ending with dc in top of ch-2  of previous turning ch, ch 2, turn.

Rows 4 – 34 (36, 38, 40, 42): Repeat Rows 2 - 3.

Row 35 (37, 39, 41, 43): Repeat Row 3, ending ch 3, turn.

Row 36 (38, 40, 42, 44):  Work dc into first ch sp, ch 1, *work shell into next ch sp (between 2 sc’s), ch1, sc in next dc, ch 1,* rep from * to * across, ending dc into next ch sp (between 2 sc's), dc in top ch of previous turning ch, ch 5, turn.  

Row 37 (39, 41, 43, 45):  Work dc into first ch sp, ch 2, sc into next ch sp, *sc into ch sp between first 2 pairs of dc in shell, ch 3, sc into second ch sp of same shell, ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2,* rep from * to * across, ending sc into ch sp between first 2 pairs of dc in last shell,  dc into last ch sp of last shell, ch 2, dc in third ch of previous turning ch, ch 4, turn.

Row 38 (40,42,44,46):  Work 2 dc into first ch sp, ch 1, sc in next ch sp, ch 1, *work shell into next ch sp (between 2 sc’s), ch 1, sc in next dc, ch 1,* rep from * to * across, ending sc in ch sp after last shell, ch 1, 2 dc in last ch sp, dc in third ch of previous turning ch.  Fasten off.

Line up bolero back piece with one front panel & seam together, making sure to leave the  armholes unseamed. Repeat for other front panel.  Attach and seam sleeves making sure seam is under arm.  Try bolero on before weaving ends.  If all is well, work edging.

Edging

Attach yarn to front panel at lower right hand corner, ch 1, sc in next st, work sc evenly (1 sc in each st or as desired) along edge of whole piece, adding a second row of edging, if desired.  Fasten off.

Attach yarn to any st on cuff of sleeve, ch 1, sc in next st on sleeve, ch 1, sc in next st and in each st around cuff (or as desired), adding a second row of edging, if desired.  Repeat for other sleeve.

Fasten off, weave your ends, and go show off!