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Tasha Could Make That

Tasha Could Make That

Vintage knitting, sewing, and a lifetime of craftiness

My Knit for Victory green bolero

January 29, 2014 by Tasha 59 Comments

Folks, Knit for Victory has been fantastic, and today I’m happy to share the first of my two finished projects for the knit-along challenge. (Reminder, Friday is the deadline!)

You may recall from my bolero inspiration post that I had to change my original knitting plans as my shoulder hasn’t been allowing me to knit stranded projects. So I designed something I really wanted in my wardrobe: a little green bolero.

Knit for Victory green boleroa

You’ll see it’s very simple! As I explained in the bolero inspiration post, I started off knitting this with two strands of DK-weight yarn to achieve bulky weight and used a moss stitch pattern, but close to the end I decided it was going to be too big. And thus re-started, nixed the moss stitch and kept it a single strand of yarn.

Knit for Victory green bolero

Very un-fussy, just plain stockinette except for the ribbing. The ribbing all around the opening was picked up after and knit on. It’s easiest to see how the ribbing wraps around the bolero when it’s laying flat. (This was taken before blocking.)

Knit for Victory green bolero

There’s really not much to say about this knit, other than it’s a great basic! Originally I was thinking about adding some felt appliqué, and then later just ordered a brooch to wear with it, but it didn’t arrive in time so I went without any adornment. It’s colorful enough, I think that suits it just fine!

Knit for Victory green bolero

The set-in sleeves were knit from the top down, and the body was knit in the round to the armholes. The scooped shaping on the front was achieved by casting on the number of stitches I wanted for the back plus much less for each front, and gradually increasing up to the full number of stitches I wanted for the bust to have a few inches of negative ease (since this is obviously not meant to close). There was no side shaping. I didn’t write a pattern but I have notes on most of what I did on my Ravelry project page.

Knit for Victory green bolero

I’m so glad I frogged the first almost-finished version of this and knit it again. I don’t do that a lot, but when I really want something to be just right, it’s worth it. Why invest so many hours knitting something, only to have it live in the back of the closet?

To keep it 1940s, I paired it with a Nudeedudee vintage-style blouse in original feedsack (it has puffed sleeves, explaining why it kind of looks like I’m wearing shoulder pads), a me-made 40s skirt and a head scarf. (I’m about to get a pretty drastic haircut this weekend so I haven’t bothered to do a thing with my hair lately.)

I think it’s the perfect outfit to show off this snappy little bolero!

Knit for Victory green bolero

Boleros are perfect when you just need a light knit or want to cover up a little bit. Sure, I won’t actually get to wear this for a few more months due to winter, but a girl can dream, right??

Knit for Victory green bolero

I sure think of this as a victory. I might need another one or two in different colors, too!

Be sure to check out our Knit for Victory Flickr pool and Ravelry finished projects thread, gorgeous 40s-themed projects are pouring in! ♥

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Filed Under: Knit-alongs, Knitting, Vintage Wardrobe Tagged With: boleros, finished projects, knit for victory, vintage knitting

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lauren of Rosie Wednesday says

    January 29, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    It’s beautiful!! That green is stunning. Can’t wait to see the new haircut, too!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 29, 2014 at 2:28 pm

      Thanks Lauren! I’m loving the green. I’m nervous about the haircut but hey, it’s just hair! 🙂

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        January 29, 2014 at 2:51 pm

        I get nervous about haircuts too. 🙂

        Reply
  2. Philippa says

    January 29, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    Absolutely perfect 🙂 and there are some gorgeous knits on the flickr group, too!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 29, 2014 at 2:29 pm

      Thanks! And aren’t there a ton of beautiful projects in the Flickr group?? Very inspiring!

      Reply
  3. Abigail says

    January 29, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    Very pretty. A good color for you, too. This looks like a good idea for me as well

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 29, 2014 at 2:31 pm

      Abigail, I edited it into the post because I forgot to mention, but I have more details on the construction on my Ravelry page if you were looking to knit a similar one. 🙂

      http://www.ravelry.com/projects/ByGumByGolly/knit-for-victory-bolero

      Reply
  4. Stephanie says

    January 29, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    So cute! Can’t wait to see your new haircut!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 29, 2014 at 2:31 pm

      Thanks Stephanie!

      Reply
  5. Penny-Rose says

    January 29, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    I love everything about this – the shape, the stitch and the colour – it looks lovely. Your styling is spot on – the blouse is a great contrast to the lovely bright green. A drastic haircut? Looking forward to seeing your hair and your other projects.

    Reply
  6. Jessica says

    January 29, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    Man that turned out great! What brand of yarn is that? What a beautiful shade!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 9:00 am

      Thanks! It’s Wollmeise DK, a German hand-dyed yarn.

      Reply
  7. Lucy says

    January 29, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    That’s beautiful and I love that green. Looking forward to seeing the roundup of what everyone has created 🙂

    Reply
  8. Ines says

    January 29, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    I love the color- You did it great! Ines

    Reply
  9. Nancy D says

    January 29, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    Very cute! I love boleros (or shrugs as I sometimes call them) for wearing around the house if I’m a bit chilly. The short sleeves and cropped sort of cut-away waist means I don’t drag my lovely knitwear through the onions I’m chopping! I have several of them. But now you make me want one in green!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 9:01 am

      Thanks! Now I want one in several colors. lol

      Reply
  10. Michelle says

    January 29, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    This is a perfect little bolero for pairing with dresses and skirts! You’ve styled this whole outfit wonderfully! Also, your pictures are amazing! Did Mel take them? If so, let her know how great a job she did with the lighting and exposure!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 9:02 am

      Thanks Michelle! Nope actually it was me, a tripod and remote, with a Light Scoop on the camera. 😉

      Reply
  11. Rachel says

    January 29, 2014 at 6:03 pm

    Love how it came out Tasha! You are right, it does make a great little basic 🙂

    Reply
  12. Laura says

    January 29, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    Wow, it’s gorgeous! The colour is fantastic – I love it. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Jo says

    January 29, 2014 at 6:48 pm

    Prettyyyyy, I already had plans to make something like this, I Love boleros! Very impressed you drafted this. You look lovely , oh and well done for frogging something that wasn’t working out. That can be tough! 🙂

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 9:04 am

      Truly, it’s hard to actually get up the gumption to knit it all again but I’m so glad I did!

      Reply
  14. kittee says

    January 29, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    it’s super super cute!
    xo
    kittee

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 3:58 pm

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Rochelle New says

    January 29, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    I need to photograph my headband asap! How sad is it that I just got my hair cut and um, STILL haven’t done anything with it?! lol I can’t wait to see your new hair!!!

    Your bolero turned out perfectly and I love that color green 🙂

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 3:55 pm

      I want to see you style it already!! And thank you. 🙂

      Reply
  16. Kaitlyn says

    January 29, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    I love this. The style looks great! For some reeason I’d never really thought of a bolero as vintage style before

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks! Boleros are definitely quintessential vintage pieces. 🙂

      Reply
  17. MagenRaquel says

    January 29, 2014 at 11:42 pm

    Just beautiful, I’m GREEN with envy over here.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 3:55 pm

      LOL! Thanks. 😀

      Reply
  18. Perlchen Noir says

    January 30, 2014 at 12:01 am

    Wow…I love it! The colour is awesome!

    xoxo Perlchen Noir

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  19. Cherise says

    January 30, 2014 at 12:26 am

    Lovely little bolero! That colour suits you so well and combined with your blouse makes the outfit so fresh.

    I looked at the flickr pool and WOW, so many talented knitters. I would take any of those knits in my closet in a blink!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 3:56 pm

      I agree Cherise, there’s so many beautiful knits in the pool!

      Reply
  20. Josie-Mary says

    January 30, 2014 at 1:41 am

    Looks fab! I love the colour 🙂 I’ve finished my project, just need to get around to taking photo’s & posting about it

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 3:58 pm

      Yay!

      Reply
  21. Siri says

    January 30, 2014 at 2:55 am

    It’s lovely! And so cheerful!
    Dunno why, but you totally gave me Carmen Miranda vibes with the styling 🙂

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 3:56 pm

      Ooh high compliment indeed, thanks! 🙂

      Reply
  22. Person hinter den Worten says

    January 30, 2014 at 6:13 am

    Absolutely beautiful!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 3:57 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  23. Kirsty says

    January 30, 2014 at 6:36 am

    This is the most perfect little bolero, and I think I have just the right yarn to shamelessly copy you! So I’m very happy that you shared your project notes with us!

    Would it be alright for me to use one of the pictures in this post on my blog? I will of course credit you as creator and link it to this post. (I’ll be talking about knitting inspiration).

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 3:58 pm

      Please be my guest and copy away! And yes, you’re welcome to use a photo in your inspiration post. 🙂

      Reply
  24. Erin says

    January 30, 2014 at 10:33 am

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  25. Ginger says

    January 30, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    I love this color! You’re killin’ it in this look!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 3:56 pm

      Thanks so much! 🙂

      Reply
  26. Janey says

    January 30, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    What a wonderful shade of green! I also adore your whole ensemble here!

    xoxo
    -Janey

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 3:56 pm

      Thanks Janey! 🙂

      Reply
  27. Kerry says

    January 30, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    The green is just absolutely delicious, and it looks like it will be such a useful wardrobe addition.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      January 30, 2014 at 3:57 pm

      Thanks Kerry, I think it will be too! I’d like to do a long sleeved version sometime too, to make it transition into winter.

      Reply
  28. Kate-Em says

    January 30, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    This is lovely. I am really impressed that you made up your pattern, that is really skillful.

    Reply
  29. BottleGlass says

    January 30, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    Egads! Look at that nifty little bolero; it looks amazing! I absolutely adore that shade of green too; it just pops. 🙂 Great job on it!

    Also, I can’t wait to see your new haircut. I bet you will look fabulous! (Then again, you always seem to.) I love the styling and thank you for sharing the project notes!

    Reply
  30. Jessica Cangiano says

    January 31, 2014 at 3:34 am

    It is a thing of complete and total verdant beauty!!! Fabulous shape, length, and colour. A green that punchy also seems like such a great note to help try and usher springs’s early return in with. Awesome job, dear Tasha! You and your new bolero look fantastic!

    ♥ Jessica

    Reply
  31. Bellis Winter says

    February 9, 2014 at 5:06 am

    So cute, I love the color, this green is fantastic !!!!!

    I’m sorry I’m late… but I try to join your group “knit for victory”, I hope it’s in the good way
    http://belliswinter.wix.com/belliswinter#!Coup-de-foudre-a-new-model-to-knit-in-retro-land/ctkp/189E6482-4342-4529-8189-81741C41845D

    and sorry for my very very bad Language, I’m learning…

    Reply
  32. Miss Crayola Creepy says

    February 10, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    Would you ever consider releasing this as a pattern? Because if you did I would buy it!!!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 10, 2014 at 5:10 pm

      I highly doubt it, but I do plan on knitting myself another one or two so if I iron out a few kinks it’s possibly I’d consider it. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. An outfit post that mostly was not | By Gum, By Golly says:
    June 9, 2014 at 9:52 am

    […] this case, obviously I ran with the bright green in my Knit for Victory bolero. Which I may add, I wear all the freaking time, over any other short-sleeved knit I own. Clearly I […]

    Reply
  2. Shooting Star bolero and Cotton + Steel Arrow dress | By Gum, By Golly says:
    July 24, 2014 at 8:47 am

    […] back to the topic at had! The yellow bolero is another version of my Knit for Victory bolero, from a pattern I designed for myself (Ravelry project page here). The original is in dk weight but […]

    Reply
  3. Daydreaming about autumn sewing and knitting | By Gum, By Golly says:
    September 11, 2014 at 7:15 am

    […] I do also want a green cardigan in a more classic style. I wear and love my Knit for Victory green bolero so much that I’m tempted to knit a cardigan in a similar bright green, too, as I know it […]

    Reply
  4. Why I love (but am not doing) Me Made May, AKA it’s a Me Made Life | By Gum, By Golly says:
    May 15, 2015 at 11:17 am

    […] put together with several items I’ve made. I made the dress last spring, I made the bolero last winter, I made the earrings last month, and the brooch this week. The only things I’m wearing today […]

    Reply

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