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.
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.
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.)
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!
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.
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!
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??
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! ♥
It’s beautiful!! That green is stunning. Can’t wait to see the new haircut, too!
Thanks Lauren! I’m loving the green. I’m nervous about the haircut but hey, it’s just hair! 🙂
I get nervous about haircuts too. 🙂
Absolutely perfect 🙂 and there are some gorgeous knits on the flickr group, too!
Thanks! And aren’t there a ton of beautiful projects in the Flickr group?? Very inspiring!
Very pretty. A good color for you, too. This looks like a good idea for me as well
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
So cute! Can’t wait to see your new haircut!
Thanks Stephanie!
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.
Man that turned out great! What brand of yarn is that? What a beautiful shade!
Thanks! It’s Wollmeise DK, a German hand-dyed yarn.
That’s beautiful and I love that green. Looking forward to seeing the roundup of what everyone has created 🙂
I love the color- You did it great! Ines
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!
Thanks! Now I want one in several colors. lol
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!
Thanks Michelle! Nope actually it was me, a tripod and remote, with a Light Scoop on the camera. 😉
Love how it came out Tasha! You are right, it does make a great little basic 🙂
Wow, it’s gorgeous! The colour is fantastic – I love it. 🙂
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! 🙂
Truly, it’s hard to actually get up the gumption to knit it all again but I’m so glad I did!
it’s super super cute!
xo
kittee
Thanks! 🙂
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 🙂
I want to see you style it already!! And thank you. 🙂
I love this. The style looks great! For some reeason I’d never really thought of a bolero as vintage style before
Thanks! Boleros are definitely quintessential vintage pieces. 🙂
Just beautiful, I’m GREEN with envy over here.
LOL! Thanks. 😀
Wow…I love it! The colour is awesome!
xoxo Perlchen Noir
Thanks!
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!
I agree Cherise, there’s so many beautiful knits in the pool!
Looks fab! I love the colour 🙂 I’ve finished my project, just need to get around to taking photo’s & posting about it
Yay!
It’s lovely! And so cheerful!
Dunno why, but you totally gave me Carmen Miranda vibes with the styling 🙂
Ooh high compliment indeed, thanks! 🙂
Absolutely beautiful!
Thank you!
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).
Please be my guest and copy away! And yes, you’re welcome to use a photo in your inspiration post. 🙂
Beautiful!
I love this color! You’re killin’ it in this look!
Thanks so much! 🙂
What a wonderful shade of green! I also adore your whole ensemble here!
xoxo
-Janey
Thanks Janey! 🙂
The green is just absolutely delicious, and it looks like it will be such a useful wardrobe addition.
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.
This is lovely. I am really impressed that you made up your pattern, that is really skillful.
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!
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
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…
Would you ever consider releasing this as a pattern? Because if you did I would buy it!!!
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. 🙂