Delicate and stunning vintage angora bolero knitting pattern from 1953.

This vintage jacket is built from two simple ribbed rectangles that drape and seam into a soft, kimono-style silhouette. Worked entirely in luxurious French angora with touches of silver lamé at the edges, it creates a feather-light, haloed fabric with gentle structure.

There is no shaping; the fit comes from the ribbing, the generous width of the panels, and the way the pieces are joined. The sleeves and body taper naturally from the ribbed sections, producing an elegant, cocoon-like jacket with a shimmering border.

Sizes: 12 (14, 16)

Materials

• Tuxedo 100% French Angora (10 g balls): 25 (25, 26)
• Tuxedo Silver Lamé: 1 ball
• Knitting needles: No. 3 and No. 5
• Steel crochet hook: No. 0 (standard)
• Gauge: 6 sts = 1″; 9 rows = 1″
• Finished knitted bust: 33 (35, 37)”

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Instructions

Panels (make 2)

Using No. 3 needles and Angora, cast on 54 sts.

Lower Ribbing

Work K1, P1 rib for 2″.
Increase 1 st in every stitch across – 108 sts.

Midsection Ribbing

Switch to No. 5 needles and work K2, P2 rib for:

• 4½” (size 12)
• 5″ (size 14)
• 5½” (size 16)

Increase 1 st in every stitch across – 216 sts.

Upper Ribbing

Work K4, P4 rib for:

• 6″ (size 12)
• 6½” (size 14)
• 7″ (size 16)

Bind off all sts.

Make a second identical piece.

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Finishing

Seaming

• Fold each panel lengthwise and seam from the narrow cuff edge up to the first increase row — this forms the sleeve.
• Lay both panels flat and match the wide ends.
• Seam the wide edges together for 16 (16½, 17)” to form the center back.

Edging

Using Angora:

1. Work 1 round of single crochet (sc) around the entire jacket, including sleeve edges.

Edging sequence:

*
Using double strand of Silver Lamé, work:

• 1 sc in each sc around,
• 3 sc in each corner.

Then work 1 round of Angora sc.
Repeat from * once more.

Repeat the same edging around the sleeves.