Wisteria Bolero Knitting Pattern

Wisteria Bolero in McIntosh ffluff

What is Being Made

The Wisteria Bolero is a knitted shawl-style garment designed as a downloadable knitting pattern from McIntosh. This intermediate-level project creates a lightweight bolero available in three finished sizes: S/M (46 cm depth, 120 cm edge-to-edge width), L (50 cm depth, 125 cm width), and XL/XXL (54 cm depth, 130 cm width). The bolero is designed to fit UK dress sizes 8-10, 12-14, and 16-20 respectively, with corresponding chest measurements ranging from 84-109 cm.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This bolero employs a multi-section construction method that builds the garment in distinct stages. The pattern uses a cast-on foundation, followed by a ribbed section, a lace section featuring decorative openwork, and a second ribbed section before casting off. The garment requires blocking out after knitting to achieve the finished dimensions, using a blocking mat, pins, and steam iron to set the shape and drape. The pattern includes trim work marked and sewn on both sides of the finished piece, with detailed instructions for placement and attachment. A McIntosh sew-on label is added as a finishing touch using a sewing needle and thread.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Wisteria Bolero incorporates two primary stitch patterns throughout its construction:

• 1x1 Rib Pattern: Used in the ribbed sections to create vertical texture and elasticity
• Lace Pattern: Featured in the central lace section to add decorative openwork and visual interest

Core knitting stitches used include knit (K), purl (P), yarn overs (Yo) for lace creation, decreases (Dec), increases (Inc), knit 2 together (k2tog), and slip slip knit (SSK) for shaping and lace decreases. The pattern is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round.

Materials and Equipment

The Wisteria Bolero is knitted using 2 x 50g skeins of ffluff by McIntosh, a yarn specifically designed by the brand. The pattern calls for two pairs of knitting needles: 3.75mm needles for the ribbed sections and 4mm needles for the lace sections, allowing for appropriate tension control between pattern areas. Additional materials include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, row counter for tracking progress, scissors, blocking equipment (mat and pins), steam iron for finishing, and sewing supplies (needle and thread) for attaching the McIntosh sew-on label and trim work.

Pattern Notes and Knitting Considerations

The pattern documentation notes that this is a very long construction project. To enhance comfort during the extended knitting process, the pattern recommends allowing the finished work to rest on one's knees while working, reducing strain on the arms and shoulders. Tension is critical to achieving the stated finished dimensions, and knitters should verify their gauge before beginning the main project. The pattern includes a detailed abbreviations guide and uses standard knitting notation with bracket notation [:] to denote size variations throughout the instructions.