Overview

"What even is a bolero?!" This was what I originally thought when my friend of almost seventeen years (!!!) asked me to crochet her one for her birthday. After much research and evaluation, I finally concluded what a bolero actually is!!

As soon as I found an appropriate tutorial, and after consulting my friend Olivia, I got to work!

Materials used

Bright Red Scarf

• 5.5 mm hook
• "I Love This Yarn!" Rose Pink yarn
• Scissors (for any cutting)

In terms of a tutorial, I used this incredible and detailed tutorial by Anna Greene on YouTube.

Final Review

This project gets...

☆☆☆☆☆ 5 STARS!!!!!

The entire bolero-making process was a learning experience. I learned a new stitch and a new pattern. I binged a new Netflix show that just came out at the time (Now it's terrible because one of the main actors did TERRIBLE THINGS...) with my mom while making it, and the repeated pattern made the experience relaxing.

Final Verdict- "So worth it! Gwen loves it!"

Things to keep in mind for the future

This project gets ZERO complaints. I do have a few comments because it was a new adventure...

Pros

This is the second gift I have ever given that has been crocheted, and I can conclude that there is nothing better than giving a home-made gift. The joy I saw on Gwen's face! And while Gwen's brother gave the best birthday gift (an electric guitar?! 🎸🎸 how cool is that!), I knew I definitely had an incredible gift.

The project itself was extremely easy to make. The stitch is double crochet, and the pattern is repeated for the entire project. I binged Netflix with my mom while making this.

Cons

There really weren't any cons. I would recommend blocking your crochet project to get a better fit, however, I do not have a proper blocking board so I will have to make one! Blocking tools can include big and heavy books as well as pins.

Finally, me personally, I would have made the sleeves wider, but they fit Gwen like a glove. The tutorial was slightly unclear about how to make the sleeves/how to determine the spacing, but a tip Anna gave was to wear the project as you go to see if it fits to your liking.

Note to Gwen

Dear Gwen,

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Where to begin... From our walks to elementary school every morning, featuring your grandmother and my mother (we thought we were so cool when they let us go alone); to our play-dates on your porch after school where we would use your hose to spray water everywhere and dance dramatically; to our trips to the mall with your parents (because we couldn't drive) and you would laugh at me for liking the music your dad used; to me driving YOUR car (because you were too scared to go on the highways) and driving you AND your date home after the most awkward mall date ever (no offense but am I wrong?)

Gwen, you have stuck with me through some of the most difficult and rewarding times. We have been friends for almost EIGHTEEN years... that is CRAZY. A friendship that long will last a lifetime. I cannot wait to see all you will accomplish #NowATerp! I also can't wait for you to visit me at Georgetown and raid the Brandy Melville and Glossier and then have my mom and dad be mad at me because I spend too much money??!

I will miss you a TONS in college. I am tearing up writing this... anyways... I hope as you live your best college life you wear this bolero and think of the myriad of memories we have made. Love you a tons.

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Love, Surfia! 💜

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I hope you enjoyed the blog post!

-xoxo, soph

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