Crochet Bolero

Instructions

Tap a section when you finish it.

1. 1Basic rowsPlain row: ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn, skip first st, 1 dc in each st, last dc into the top of the turning chain. Increase row: ch 3, 1 dc in first st, dc to end, 2 dc in the turning chain. (2 sts increased) Decrease row: ch 3, dc2tog over next 2 sts, dc to last 3 sts, dc2tog, 1 dc in the turning chain. (2 sts decreased)
2. 2First sleeveCh 52 (56, 60, 64). Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, then 1 dc in each ch. (50 (54, 58, 62) dc) Rows 2-4: plain rows. Then work an increase row followed by a plain row, and repeat these two rows 11 (13, 14, 16) times. (72 (80, 86, 94) dc) Work 10 (8, 8, 6) plain rows. The sleeve is 36 (38, 40, 42) rows.
3. 3Back sectionWork 36 (38, 40, 42) plain rows on 72 (80, 86, 94) sts. Place markers at the edges at the start and end of this section; this is the part that stays open.
4. 4Second sleeveWork 10 (8, 8, 6) plain rows. Then work a decrease row followed by a plain row, and repeat these two rows 11 (13, 14, 16) times. (50 (54, 58, 62) dc) Work 3 plain rows and fasten off. That makes 108 (114, 120, 126) rows in total.
5. 5Sleeve seamsFold the piece in half lengthwise so the long edges meet. Starting from each end, sew the long edges together from the cuff to the marker; the center 36 (38, 40, 42) rows stay open to form the body opening.
6. 6Fan borderJoin at the end of one sleeve seam. Round 1: work sc around the opening, about 2 sc per row-end, for a total that is a multiple of 6: 144 (150, 162, 168) sc; join with a sl st. Round 2: ch 1, sc in first st, *skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, skip 2 sts, sc in next st* around; replace the last sc with a sl st to the first sc. (24 (25, 27, 28) fans) Round 3: sl st to the 3rd dc of the first fan, ch 1, sc in the same place, *7 dc in next sc, sc in the center dc of the next fan* around; sl st to first sc. Round 4: repeat round 3, this time working the sc into the center dc of each 7-dc fan.
7. 7CuffsJoin at each cuff and work 2 rounds of sc, 1 sc in each st. (50 (54, 58, 62) sc)
8. 8FinishingWeave in the ends. Wash the bolero and dry it with the fan border pinned out neatly.