Free preview · full pattern in the Vintage Crochet Fashion

Gypsy Bolero: vintage crochet pattern

A short, open bolero in natural worsted worked in a textured alternating sc and dc pattern, with curved fronts, a single crochet border all around and at the armholes, and a folk-style trim of gold rick rack, beads and lazy daisy leaves embroidered in green.

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By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Updated · Editorial policy · pattern testing in progress

Gypsy Bolero with rick rack and flower trim as photographed in the booklet
Fisherman · Golf GreenSave to Pinterest
Pattern at a glance
DetailValue
Skill levelIntermediate
Yarn weightMedium (#4)
Yardagethe booklet gives weight only: 2 (3, 3) skeins of 4 oz (113 g) in Fisherman and 1 skein of 1 oz (28 g) in Golf Green. Check the yardage on your yarn label. (as printed; yardage not given)
Hook5.5 mm
Gauge3 sts = 1 in (2.5 cm) in the sc/dc pattern.
Finished sizeSmall (Medium, Large). Width across back at underarm 17 (18, 19) in / 43 (45.5, 48.5) cm; width across each front at underarm including border 8½ (9, 9½) in / 21.5 (23, 24) cm.
Timeabout 13 hours

Materials

  • Medium (CYC #4) worsted-weight yarn — the original was knitting worsted or Sayelle (a worsted-weight acrylic): 2 (3, 3) skeins of 4 oz (113 g) in Fisherman (natural), and 1 skein of 1 oz (28 g) in Golf Green for embroidery
  • Mercerized sewing thread in a matching color
  • 2 packages of gold metallic rick rack
  • Assorted beads
  • Crochet hook (original: plastic crochet hook size I)
  • Sewing needle and tapestry needle
  • Hook: Start with 5.5 mm (US I-9) and change size to match the gauge
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Yarn Kit & Substitution Options

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This pattern calls for 350 yards of weight #4 yarn. Select a suggested yarn to see required skeins and estimated cost:

Caron Simply Soft · 100% Acrylic

315 yds per skein · High-yield yardage, silky no-scratch texture

2 skeins required

approx. $$10.98 total

Abbreviations (US terms)

chain
single crochet
double crochet
slip stitch
skip
stitch
stitches
repeat
round
row
increase
decrease
beginning
loop
yarn over
wrong side
place marker
turning chain

Notes before you start

  • Source: "Gypsy Bolero", Knitted and Crocheted Boutique (Star Book No. 226), American Thread Company. Public domain in the USA.
  • As printed — materials: AMERICAN THREAD “DAWN” KNITTING WORSTED or DAWN “SAYELLE”; 2 (3, 3)—4 oz. skeins Fisherman; 1—1 oz. skein Golf Green; “STAR” MERCERIZED SEWING THREAD; 1 spool matching color; 2 pkgs. Gold metallic “Fruit of the Loom”; Rick Rack; Assorted Beads; Plastic Crochet Hook Size I OR ANY SIZE HOOK WHICH WILL RESULT IN STITCH GAUGE BELOW. Gauge: 3 sts = 1 inch.
  • Modernisation note: Original is written in US crochet terms; kept as US terms (sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet).
  • Modernisation note: Spaced abbreviations (s c, d c, sl st) written as sc, dc, sl st; "1st" written as "first"; "st of ch" written as "ch" where the stitch is a chain; "repeat" written as "rep".
  • Modernisation note: "Cut yarn" written as "fasten off"; "attach" (yarn) written as "join".
  • Modernisation note: Long printed paragraphs split into one row, round or step per line; stitch order unchanged.
  • Modernisation note: The booklet's own rule for asterisks is kept: "repeat from * 3 times" means 4 patterns in all.
  • Modernisation note: The printed materials carry a footnote mark after "SAYELLE" (a DuPont certification mark for the fibre); the mark is omitted from the materials list.
  • Modernisation note: "S c, d c in 1st d c" and "1 s c, 1 d c in …" written as "(sc, dc) in …"; "place a marker" written as pm; "turning ch" written as tch; "wrong side" written as WS.
  • Modernisation note: Round numbers for the front edge Rnds 5–7 added from the printed "Repeat last 2 rounds once … then repeat 3rd round once"; the printed 8th round confirms the count.
  • Modernisation note: "Work the second armhole the same" added; the booklet gives the armhole edging once.
  • Modernisation note: Check: the right front starts on 17 (19, 21) ch with sc in the 2nd ch, while the left front starts on 19 (21, 23) ch with sc in the 4th ch; both reach 20 (22, 24) sts after Row 4. Left as printed.
  • Modernisation note: Check: Row 2 of the right front and Row 3 of the left front print no turning ch at the end. Left as printed.
  • Modernisation note: Check: the front edge round prints 53 (55, 57) sc up one front and 54 (56, 58) sc down the other. Left as printed.
  • Modernisation note: Metric conversions added.
Smart Pattern Companion

Row progress: 0 of 14 done (0%)

Back

0 of 14 done
  1. Note: Directions are given for Small; changes for Medium and Large are in parentheses.
    Mark row complete
  2. Row 1: Ch 51 (55, 59), sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch, *sc in next ch, dc in next ch; rep from * across ch, ch 1, turn.
    Mark row complete
  3. Row 2: Sc in first dc, dc in next sc, *sc in next dc, dc in next sc; rep from * across row, ch 1, turn.
    Mark row complete
  4. Rep Row 2 for pattern. Work in pattern until back measures 7 (7½, 7¾) in / 18 (19, 19.5) cm from beg.
    Mark row complete
  5. Shape armholes — next row: Sl st across first 6 sts (all sizes), work in pattern across row to within last 6 sts (all sizes), sl st in next st, ch 1, turn.
    Mark row complete
  6. Next row: Sk the sl st; keeping the pattern uniform, dec 1 st at beg and end of row (to dec: pull up a lp in each of 2 sts, yo and work off all lps at one time).
    Mark row complete
  7. Next row: Dec 1 st at beg and end of row.
    Mark row complete
  8. Rep last row twice — 30 (34, 38) sts.
    Mark row complete
  9. Work even in pattern until armholes measure 7½ (8, 8½) in / 19 (20.5, 21.5) cm from first dec.
    Mark row complete
  10. Shape neckline — next row: Work in pattern across first 8 sts (all sizes), dec in next 2 sts, ch 1, turn.
    Mark row complete
  11. Next row: Dec 1 st at beg of row, work in pattern across remainder of row.
    Mark row complete
  12. Rep last 2 rows until 6 sts (all sizes) remain.
    Mark row complete
  13. Shape shoulder — next row: Sl st across first 2 sts (all sizes), work in pattern over next 2 sts, dec in next 2 sts, fasten off.
    Mark row complete
  14. With WS of last long row toward you, sk 9 (13, 17) sts, join yarn in next st, ch 1, dec in next 2 sts, work in pattern across remainder of row. Complete this side to correspond to the opposite side, reversing shaping.
    Mark row complete

Working on:

Note: Directions are given for Small; changes for Medium and Large are in parentheses.

Continue this pattern

The rest of the Gypsy Bolero pattern is in the Vintage Crochet Fashion

Still to come in the full pattern:

  • Right Front
  • Left Front
  • Finishing and Borders
  • Finishing

Included with 71 patterns for $15 — $0.21 per pattern.

See what's inside
Cover artwork for the vintage garments collection: a folded crochet garment with collar and cuffs

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the Gypsy Bolero pattern from?

It was published as "Gypsy Bolero" in Knitted and Crocheted Boutique (Star Book No. 226) by American Thread Company. The publication is in the public domain in the United States; this version is transcribed and modernised by crochetpatterns.io.

What yarn or thread do I need for the Gypsy Bolero?

medium (worsted) (#4) yarn. Not printed — the booklet gives weight only: 2 (3, 3) skeins of 4 oz (113 g) in Fisherman and 1 skein of 1 oz (28 g) in Golf Green. Check the yardage on your yarn label.

What hook should I use?

Start with 5.5 mm (US I-9) and change size to match the gauge Gauge: 3 sts = 1 in (2.5 cm) in the sc/dc pattern.

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