Navia Bolero Knitting Pattern

Navia Bolero in Berroco Mantra

What is Being Made

The Navia Bolero is a knitted short-sleeved garment designed by Donna Yacino from Berroco Booklet #404. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted bolero-style piece available in both child's sizes (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) and adult bust sizes ranging from 33 inches to 61 inches. The bolero features a contemporary silhouette with finished chest measurements that vary by size, and length measurements ranging from 10½ inches for the smallest child's size to 16½ inches for the largest adult size. On select sizes, the front edges meet at the center, while on others they remain open, offering design versatility.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs a streamlined construction method where the entire body is worked in one continuous piece, beginning at the lower back edge and progressing toward the lower front edges. Rather than knitting sleeves separately and seaming them, this design features cast-on and bind-off stitches for sleeves integrated directly into the main body shaping. This technique reduces finishing work and creates seamless transitions. The garment is worked on a 29-inch circular needle, which allows for working flat while maintaining the flexibility to manage the larger stitch counts required for the bolero's proportions.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The Navia Bolero features a repeating Pattern Stitch that forms the primary textural element throughout the garment. The pattern stitch is based on a multiple of 11 stitches plus 3 edge stitches. The right-side rows incorporate knit stitches, yarn overs (yo), and slip-slip-knit decreases (SSK), creating an openwork or lace-like quality. The pattern alternates with wrong-side rows that feature knit stitches, slipped stitches with yarn in front (sl 1 wyif), and purl stitches, building dimensional texture. This combination of yarn overs and decreases creates a balanced, visually interesting stitch pattern that remains manageable for intermediate-level knitters.

Materials and Gauge

The Navia Bolero is designed to be knitted with Berroco Mantra yarn, a 50-gram ball weight. Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 3 balls for the smallest child's size to 9 balls for the largest adult size. The pattern calls for a size 6 (4.00 mm) circular needle, though knitters should size up or down as needed to achieve the correct gauge. The specified gauge is 22 stitches and 38 rows over 4 inches in Pattern Stitch. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly given the range of sizes available. Additional notions include waste yarn for holding stitches during construction, a standard practice for managing live stitches in seamless garment construction.

Skill Level and Suitability

Rated as an Intermediate difficulty project, the Navia Bolero is appropriate for knitters with foundational skills who are comfortable working with circular needles, managing pattern repeats, and executing decreases and yarn overs. The one-piece construction method and integrated sleeve shaping require attention to pattern placement and stitch counts, making this an engaging project for knitters looking to expand their technical repertoire beyond basic garment construction.