Free knitting patterns for bolero cropped cardigans for women. Includes easy patterns and some without picking up stitches. Updated 6/23/24
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Free Patterns
Vignale Cropped Cardigan
Easy bolero with flared sleeves and tied front knitted flat from the bottom-up. No picking up stitches. Sizes: 67 to 116 cm / 26.5 to 45.5 in. Designed by lynxrows. A kit is also available.
Spice Trail Bolero
Cropped cardigan with lace leaves climbing up the front and down the back. No picking up stitches. Sizes: Chest: 32 to 52 inches. DK weight yarn. Designed by Donna Druchunas for Knitty. Pictured project by yan
Understudy Bolero
Stunning lace cropped cardigan center-out circular jacket knit in feather and fan stitch with tied front and sleeves picked up. Extensive instructions with explanation of techniques. It would be fantastic paired with a halter top, evening dress, or swimsuit. Can also be worked as a reversible octagonal shawl. Sizes: extra small to 5x. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Jolie Elder.
Bodmin Bolero
Cropped cardigan with hood and striking leaf lace adorning the fronts. A few stitches are picked up for hood. Sizes: To Fit: 34 to 54". Quick knit in Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Berroco Design Team.
Bellini Bolerino
Bolero cardigan with darts at bust for flattering fit and interesting texture alternating rib and stockinette. Sizes: To Fit: 40 to 44. Quick knit in Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Adriafil.
Cabled Jacket
Cropped cardigan with 10 row repeat cable pattern and long sleeves. Sizes: 32" to 40" Bust. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Marilyn Peters.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Cascade Yarns Baby Alpaca Chunky yarn
Minerva Cardigan
Shawl collar bolero with elbow-length sleeves knit flat. No picking up stitches. Sizes: Finished bust: 36 to 72 inches / 91.5 to 183cm. Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Berroco Design Team.
Fern Cardi
Cropped bolero cardigan with leaf lace and short sleeves. Sizes: Finished bust: 79 to 140cm / 31 to 55 inches. DK weight yarn. Designed by Rita Taylor.
Simply Elegant Bolero
Cropped cardigan knit seamlessly from the top down with no picking up stitches and sleeves knit in the round. Sizes: S to 3X. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Teresa Chorzepa.
More Free Patterns
Bobble Edged Shrug
Cropped bolero cardigan with an all over lace pattern and pretty edging. Sizes: To Fit Bust: 81cm to 117cm (31.8" to 46"). Lace weight yarn. Designed by Debbie Bliss.
Check Bolero
Cropped cardigan with gingham checks in stranded colorwork. Knit in one piece. Sizes: S to XL. DK weight yarn. Designed by Jytte Slente for BC Garn .
Ruffled Bolero
Cropped cardigan with ruffled ribbed border and sleeves that looks like fans. Sizes: To Fit Bust: 32in to 42in / 81cm to 107cm. Designed by Araucania.
Andes Two Boleros
Two cropped cardigan styles are included in this pattern: a gorgeous lace edged bolero with knit lace along front and cuffs and an elegant short-sleeved shrug. Sizes: To Fit Bust: 32in to 46in / 81cm to 117cm. DK weight yarn. Designed by Debbie Bliss. May only be free for a limited time.
Genevieve Cardigan
Stunning cardigan with all over cable texture, cropped front and shaped low back. Sizes: To Fit Bust: 66cm/26in to 81cm/32in. DK weight yarn. Designed by Sue Hanmore for Artesano.
Everyday Flair Bolero
Cropped cardigan knit flat in one piece in Broken Rib and finished with Mesh stitch edging and cuffs on flared sleeves. Sizes: Finished Chest 43 (47, 51) in. (109 (119.5, 129.5) cm). Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand. A kit is also available.
Maddie's Bolero
Cropped lace cardigan knit with an 8 row repeat lace with curved ribbed edging and long sleeves. Sizes: To Fit Bust: 82cm/32in to 114cm/45in. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Caledon Hills.
Juliette Cardigan
Cropped bolero cardigan knit with diamond lace on the sleeves and a lace diamond on the back. Sizes: To Fit Bust: 81cm/32in to 127cm/52in. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Jennie Atkinson for Rowan.
Cropped Lace Cardigan
Long-sleeved bolero knit with a 4 row repeat Vertical Eyelet Rows. Button bands are knit with front pieces. Only neck band is picked up. Sizes: To Fit Bust: 32in to 54in. DK weight yarn. Designed by Nazli Gelin.
Patterns for Purchase
Minimalist Cable Cardigan
Women's cardigan in cropped bolero length or tunic length with cable and texture design. Sizes Bust: 89 to 180.5 cm/35.5 to 72" DK weight yarn. Designed by Carina Spencer.
Elora
A beautiful reversible lace pattern adorns this cropped cardigan with a slightly longer scarf collar you can fold and pin as you desire. Sizes Bust: 85 to 126 cm/33.5 to 49.5“ Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Linda Marveng.
Weekend Walkabout
Quick cropped cardigan with the sleek silhouette framed with ribbed cable columns. Sizes 28" to 46" Bulky weight yarn. Designed by 10 Hours or Less.
Trellis Lace Bolero
Lace cropped cardigan knit in one piece in a classic trellis lace pattern and seamed at the sides before edges are finished with a simple k1 p1 rib. Sizes XS to 3X. Designed by Kate Bellando.
Scribble Cardigan
Openwork cropped bolero cardigan featuring an open and airy stitch with contrasting vertical stripes of structure and open webs. Fingering weight yarn. 8 Sizes. Designed by Alice Hoyle.
Tilly Bomber
Cropped bolero cardigan that is designed for 10 colors so it's a great stash buster for DK weight yarn. 8 Sizes XS to 4XL. Designed by knitstitchrepeat. A kit is also available.
Bontle Cardigan Shrug
This bolero features cables along the front and sleeves with cables and a textured panel on the back, all fastened with a wide ribbon. 9 Sizes XS to 5XL. Designed by Noma Ndlovu.
Miss Carter Tie Front Shrug
Ballerina shrug with ties across bust can be worn a variety of ways. Knit sideways from sleeve to sleeve. Sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (XXL) equals 37 (38) 42 (44) 45 (46) cm cross back. Designed by Artesanitarium Designs. Fingering weight yarn.
