Meet the Smitten bolero, the oh-so customizable pattern!

This 1940s staple pattern is written and intended to be an entirely customizable bolero pattern, essentially giving you the construction and equations to keep using the main “template” pattern over and over again.

It is set up with a choose-your-own-adventure style, offering three different border and edging patterns, a puffed or fitted sleeve cap, and two front shaping styles: either the sharp pointed edge (shown on the aqua sample) or a slightly curved front edge (shown on the pink).
Choose to try it out with a stockinette version first, or go hog wild and plop a stitch pattern on your first one! Instructions are included for the delightful 3-stitch bobble pattern shown on the pink sample, along with directions for putting in your own stitch pattern! So dig out those stitch pattern encyclopedias or look at some vintage patterns for inspiration!

Like always, my garment patterns use a body measurement x gauge system of pattern writing, making them fully size inclusive and tailored to your personal measurements. There are plenty of resources at Squid School to get you started on this method of pattern instruction!

We will also be running a KAL for this bolero at Squid’s School of Vintage Knitting in 2026. This will span over multiple months with helpful videos, tutorials, help with measurements and math, and much more!

This pattern is only available at Squid’s School of Vintage Knitting -- follow the link provided to get your copy of the pattern!