Mint Basketweave Bolero with Lavender Mushrooms Free Knit Pattern

Mint Basketweave Bolero with Lavender Mushrooms — Free Knit Pattern

Introduction

This little bolero is the perfect first "shaped" garment: it's really just one big rectangle of soft, airy basketweave that you fold and seam into a shrug. Worked in lace-weight mohair-silk held double, it feels like a cloud and drapes beautifully over a dress or a plain tee. The mint texture is calm and classic, and five lavender mushrooms marching up the front opening add just enough whimsy. It's a forgiving, one-size-fits-most project (women's S–L) that looks far more complicated than it is.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Lace weight mohair-silk blend (70% mohair, 30% silk; approx 420 yd/50 g per skein), held double throughout.
  • Mint (MC): 3 skeins (approx 1260 yd)
  • Lavender (CC): 1 skein (approx 420 yd)
• Needles: 5.0 mm (US 8) circular needle, 80 cm long, or size to obtain gauge (worked flat).
• Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and embroidery; stitch markers (optional); tape measure; blocking mats and pins.
• Finished size: One size fits most (women's S–L). Rectangle before folding: 110 cm wide x 55 cm high. Finished back width: 55 cm; sleeve length: 27.5 cm; front opening: 55 cm; sleeve openings: 27.5 cm circumference.

Abbreviations

• CO — cast on: make the starting stitches.
• BO — bind off: finish the edge so stitches don't unravel.
• k — knit stitch.
• p — purl stitch.
• St st — stockinette stitch: knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows.
• kfb — knit into the front and back of the same stitch (an increase of 1 stitch).
• k2tog — knit 2 stitches together (a decrease of 1 stitch).
• patt — pattern: continue in the established stitch pattern.
• rem — remaining.
• MC — main color (mint); CC — contrast color (lavender).

Gauge

16 sts and 20 rows = 10 cm in basketweave pattern, blocked. Knit a swatch in the basketweave pattern, block it, and measure a 10 cm section in the middle — if you have more stitches than 16, go up a needle size; if fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Hold the yarn double consistently. Work from two ends of the same skein or from two separate skeins, and keep the tension even so the basketweave blocks stay crisp.
• Count your blocks, not your stitches. The pattern is built on groups of 4 stitches; if a row looks off, check that you have 44 blocks of 4 across (176 sts).
• Don't skip the blocking. Mohair-silk blooms and relaxes when wet-blocked, which is what makes the basketweave even and the rectangle measure true.
• Pin the fold before seaming. Fold and pin the rectangle in half widthwise, then measure the 27.5 cm sleeve seams from each outer edge before you sew a single stitch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Rectangle (MC)

Worked flat in one piece, holding MC double.

CO 176 sts.

Rows 1–6: [k4, p4] to end (176 sts).

Rows 7–12: [p4, k4] to end (176 sts).

Rows 13 onward: Repeat Rows 1–12 until the piece measures 55 cm, ending with Row 6 or Row 12 of the repeat (176 sts).

Next: BO loosely. Rectangle measures 110 cm x 55 cm.

Mushroom Caps (CC) — make 5

Worked flat in CC.

CO 12 sts.

Row 1: Purl (12 sts).

Row 2: K1, [kfb] x10, k1 (22 sts).

Row 3: Purl (22 sts).

Row 4: K1, [kfb] x20, k1 (42 sts).

Row 5: Purl (42 sts).

Row 6: Knit (42 sts).

Row 7: Purl (42 sts).

Row 8: Knit (42 sts).

Row 9: Purl (42 sts).

Row 10: [k2tog] x21 (21 sts).

Row 11: Purl (21 sts).

Row 12: [k2tog] x10, k1 (11 sts).

Row 13: Purl (11 sts).

Row 14: [k2tog] x5, k1 (6 sts).

Finish: Cut yarn, thread through remaining 6 sts, and pull tight. Cap measures approx 8 cm in diameter.

Mushroom Stems (CC) — make 5

Worked flat in CC.

CO 8 sts.

Rows 1–6: Work in St st (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) (8 sts).

Next row: [k2tog] x4 (4 sts).

Finish: Cut yarn, thread through remaining 4 sts, and pull tight. Stem measures approx 3 cm high x 2.5 cm wide.

Assembly

Fold the rectangle in half widthwise, right sides together, to measure 55 cm x 55 cm. Seam 27.5 cm from each outer edge toward the center for the sleeves, leaving the center 55 cm open for the back. Turn right side out. Sleeve openings measure 27.5 cm in circumference.

Mushroom Appliqués

Sew one stem to the lower edge of each cap. Arrange the 5 mushrooms along the front opening, starting 5 cm from the bottom edge and spaced 10 cm apart. Sew in place using CC yarn and a tapestry needle.

Edging

With MC, pick up and knit 1 st per row along the entire front opening and bottom edge (approx 220 sts). BO loosely.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side, working them through a few stitches so they don't show through the open mohair fabric. Seam the sleeves with a simple mattress stitch for an invisible join, and check that both sleeve openings match at 27.5 cm. Sew the mushrooms on last so you can adjust their placement to sit evenly along the opening. Wet-block the finished bolero to measurements: soak gently, roll in a towel, pin to 55 cm back width and 27.5 cm sleeve length, and let dry completely. Lightly steam the mushroom caps if they need shaping.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Change the palette: Swap mint for cream and lavender for dusty rose, or make the mushrooms in the same color as the body for a subtle textured look.
• Add more mushrooms: Space them 7 cm apart instead of 10 cm for a fuller front opening — one CC skein is plenty for extra caps and stems.
• Make it longer: Work the rectangle to 65 cm high before binding off for a longer, tunic-like back; add extra yarn to your MC estimate.