Finished – Silk Rose Bolero

Here is the finished Silk Rose Bolero. I used Maharaja lace yarn from Silk Indian and a 2mm crochet hook. This bolero uses some 150 grams of yarn.

Finished! Silk Rose Bolero. :)

Finished! Silk Rose Bolero. :)

On the inside of the collar, I decided to sew on a small red satin ribbon, a bit like a label. I did this so it is easier for the wearer to see where the top side of the bolero is. Although the bolero can be worn in both directions, there is one side (top) which has a longer part of the collar.

Red ribbon sewn on the back collar of the bolero.

Red ribbon sewn on the back collar of the bolero.

Finished! Silk Rose Bolero. :)

Finished! Silk Rose Bolero. :)

If you would like to try and make a bolero like this, you can refer to The May Issue of the Crochetology Newsletter.

Update – Irish Rose Motif Bolero in Silk

The bolero is nearly finished. It is now just a matter of deciding whether or not the design for the trim is sufficient. Here is the back section of the bolero showing the Irish rose motifs pattern.

Silk Bolero in progress.

Silk Bolero in progress.

And here is the front, showing a bit of the trim on the lower right. I am thinking of making the trim for the front larger/wider than that for the back/bottom.

Silk Bolero in progress.

Silk Bolero in progress.

The trim for the sleeves will follow afterwards, which I intend to keep simple. I think that a good solid row of sc or dc stitches help in stabilising the edges of lacy crocheted fabric. It also helps to keep the shape of the garment. This is why I started the row for the trim in solid dc stitches for the body of the bolero, and perhaps will be using a row of sc stitches for the sleeves.

If you are interested in making your own Irish Rose bolero, you can find an example of the Irish Rose motif at this blogpost.

Another Irish Rose Bolero

I am making another bolero. I am using 2mm hook and Maharaja Silk lace yarn from Silk Indian. I am making this using pretty much the same construction as the bolero just finished – the Motif Shrug to Bolero.

The basic shape is a rectangle which will then be joined at the sleeves to make a shrug.

The basic shape is a rectangle which will then be joined at the sleeves to make a shrug.

But this bolero will be much looser around the arms, it will be larger. So I am making a rectangular shape that is made up of more motifs, so the rectangle is bigger. I will join to shape the sleeves of this bolero as one would make a simple shrug.

The Irish Rose motifs are joined into strips, and then the strips are later joined together along the sides with a zigzagging chain-picot-chain link.

The Irish Rose motifs are joined into strips, and then the strips are later joined together along the sides with a zigzagging chain-picot-chain link.

If you would like to try making your own, all you need to do is find a nice Irish Rose motif pattern you can start with.

Here is an example of a basic Irish Rose motif. There are many others out there. You can even find the Irish Rose motif in patterns for making doilies and tablecloths and bedspreads. I have another variation of this Irish Rose motif for a crocheted collar. You can find many variations of this pattern.

An example of an Irish Rose motif pattern. There are many others!

An example of an Irish Rose motif pattern. There are many others!

However, to make the bolero, I wanted a motif that wasn’t square so the bolero wouldn’t look too boxy or rigid. I also wanted a motif that had lacy edges because I want a delicate lacy bolero. I also wanted the motifs to be alternating and not aligned in the same column to make the design look more interesting.

This evening, I have finished the basic shrug. It is loose and perfectly lacy. Next, I will be crocheting all around the opening in the middle for the neckline/collar and the back of the bolero. After that will be the trim for the sleeves. It is quite an easy construction. But what is important is the design of the trims – how it will match the design of the Irish Rose motif.

Try making one of your own and develop your own design! It is more fun than following a fixed bolero pattern!