Fast Crochet Bolero - Free Pattern

Add a warm layer to any outfit with this fast crochet bolero pattern. Find the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here!

This free crochet bolero pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarns. This post contains affiliate links.

Welcome back to the Make & Do Crew guest designer series where talented designers from across the internet share their free patterns with you, right here on Make & Do Crew.

Today Pam from Made With A Twist is here with her free chunky crochet bolero pattern! You can see lots of of Pam's crochet patterns her blog, Made With A Twist, and on Etsy and Ravelry. And be sure to check her out on social media too: Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Pam, take it away!

The Inspiration For My Fast Crochet Bolero Shrug Pattern

Like so many crocheters, I love wearing my own creations. And, as a seller, it's always great when I can wear something I've made when I'm working at local markets and craft fairs.

I found, though, that a full garment, like my Everywhere Poncho, was too hot in those rooms full of shoppers. So, I wanted to create a design that would look great but not be too warm to wear inside (or in our crazy Colorado weather where it's 80 degrees one moment and 40 degrees the next). That's why I designed this layering piece that works exactly as planned, the Venus Shrugged Bolero.

Chunky Yarn Keeps It Quick

For this design, I used the super chunky, 20% wool and 80% acrylic, Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in the Storm Front colorway.

I love this yarn because it wears so well in garments, is soft to touch (my customers love this!) and isn't scratchy at all. It's the perfect yarn for a layering accessory and helps this project to work up so quickly.

If you're sensitive to either of these materials, you can substitute your favorite super bulky (size 6) yarn. Just be sure to work up a swatch to be sure the finished project will work up to the proper size.

Construction

While many crochet garments are reserved for intermediate crocheters, this one is easy enough for an adventurous advanced-beginner. Your understanding of front- and back-post stitches will be helpful and you may just learn something new as we work a reverse single crochet as part of the garment, instead of the traditional way of using this stitch as a border.

But don't worry, detailed instructions are provided throughout and I'm confident, provided you are skilled at pattern reading, you'll catch on right away.

click to pin this pattern for later ⇨

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Fast Venus Crochet Shrugged Bolero Free Pattern

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

Save this pattern to your Ravelry here.

Pin it for later here.

Explanation: A layering accessory for every season! Accent any outfit in style with this quick and easy, shoulder-hugging bolero. Designed with flexible sizing for women's sizes XS - 5XL, this project will become a favorite for gifting and selling. Made of super chunky yarn and almost zero seaming, this project is easier than it looks and will make you feel gorgeous.

Skills required include single and double crochet, working around a post, and reverse single crochet (detailed instructions provided).

Supplies:
• Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Weight: 6/super bulky - 87 yds, 5 oz)
- Storm Front (#640-544) - 3 balls (4, 5, 5, 6)
• US N (10.00mm) crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Sizes/Measurements:
• XS/S, M/L, XL, 2XL/3XL, 4XL/5XL

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
BPdc – Back Post Double Crochet
ch – Chain
dc – Double Crochet
FPdc – Front Post Double Crochet
FPsc – Front Post Single Crochet
RSC – Reverse Single Crochet
sc – Single Crochet
sk – Skip
sl st – Slip Stitch
ST(S) – Stitch(es)
YO – Yarn Over

Special Stitches:
• Reverse Single Crochet (RSC) Also known as Crab Stitch: With project right side facing you and working from left to right (from right to left for left-handed crocheters), insert hook into next st, YO and pull up a loop, YO, pull through both loops on hook (RSC made).

• Basket Weave: The Basket Weave pattern is a series of three FPdcs and three BPdcs, repeated for three rows. Then, a series of three BPdcs and three FPdcs worked for three rows. You would continually repeat the pattern of six stitches to get your project length and repeat the six rows to get your project height.

Gauge:
• 8 sts x 6 rows = 4" square working the basketweave stitch (swatch pattern below under “special stitches”)

Gauge Swatch Pattern:
With 10.00 mm hook, ch 10.

Row 1: Turn. Working into 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across (8 sts)

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as dc), turn. Sk first st. FPdc in each of next 3 sts, BPdc in each of next 3 sts. Dc in last st.

Rows 3 & 4: Repeat row 2

Row 5: Ch 2, turn. Sk first st. BPdc in each of next 3 sts, FPdc in each of next 3 sts. Dc in last st.

Rows 6 & 7: Repeat row 5.

Swatch rows 2 - 7 should measure 4” x 4”

Overall Pattern Notes:
• Skill Level: Easy/Intermediate

• US Terminology

• Beginning ch-1 does not count as a st

• Beginning ch-2 counts as dc

• To increase size of arm opening without impacting the sizing too much, work a row of sc or dc to each long end (working into the foundation chain and, then, row 25 (25, 31, 31, 31) of the shrug before sewing the sleeves closed.

• Instructions given for size XS/S Other sizes in parentheses as XS/S (M/L, XL/1X, 2X/3X, 4X/5X).

With 10.00 mm hook, ch 52 (58, 64, 70 76).

Row 1: Beg in 4th ch from hook (counts as DC), DC in each st across. 50 (56, 62, 68, 74) sts

Row 2: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, *FPdc in next st, BPdc in next st.

Repeat from * until one st remains. Dc in last st.

Row 3: Repeat row 2.

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st and each st across.

Row 5: Ch 1, without turning your work, RSC in each st across.

Row 6: Ch 1, turn, FPsc around first st of row 4 and each st across.

Row 7: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, dc in each st across.

Row 8: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, *FPdc in each of next 3 sts, BPdc in each of next 3 sts. Repeat from * until one st remains. Dc in last st.
Rows 9 & 10: Repeat row 8.

Row 11: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, *BPdc in each of next 3 sts, FPdc in each of next 3 sts. Repeat from * until one st remains. Dc in last st

Rows 12 & 13: Repeat row 11.

Rows 14 - 19 (19, 25, 25, 25): Repeat rows 8 - 13 one (one, two, two, two) more times.

Row 20 (20, 26, 26, 26): Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.

Row 21 (21, 27, 27, 27): Ch 1, without turning your work, RSC in each st across.

Row 22 (22, 28, 28, 28): Ch 1, turn, FPsc around first st of row 20 (20, 26, 26, 26) and each st across.

Row 23 (23, 29,29,29): Ch 2, turn, sk first st, *BPdc in next st, FPdc in next st. Repeat from * across until one st remains. Dc in last st.

Rows 24 (24, 30, 30, 30) - 25 ( 25, 31, 31, 31): Repeat row 23.

Finish off.

Block your piece.

Finishing

With right sides together, fold shrug in half lengthwise. Stitch first and last rows together for 9 (10, 11, 12, 12, 12) sts in length on both left and right sides of the garment to create the 'sleeve.'

Opening

Round 1: Attach yarn at center back, sc in each st around opening to create a finished edge. Join with sl st. Finish off. Tuck ends.

Thanks again to Pam of Made With A Twist for sharing this free, easy crochet shrug pattern! Be sure to check out Pam's blog for lots more free modern crochet patterns!

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