This pattern will create a cropped, checkered crochet sweater vest. This pattern is made-to-measure, meaning there are no sizes. A list of the required measurements will be provided below. Pattern has not been tested, please feel free to provide feedback in the comments. If you like this pattern, feel free to leave a tip here!
DIFFICULTY LEVEL/SKILLS REQUIRED
Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
You will need to know the following techniques:
Color Change
HDC Decrease
SC BLO Ribbing
DC decrease
Whip stitch (to sew panels together)
GAUGE
19 stitches and 9 rows of double crochet using a 4.5 mm hook = 4”x 4” swatch
MATERIALS
YARN
You will need weight 4 (worsted) yarn in the following colors:
Pink [color 1]
Cream [color 2]
Maroon [color 3]
This pattern is made-to-measure, so the yardage will vary per person.
HOOKS
4.5 mm
4.0 mm
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
Measuring tape
Tapestry Needle
Scissors
stitch markers
METHOD
ABBREVIATIONS
CH – Chain
SC - Single Crochet
HDC – Half Double Crochet
DC – Double Crochet
DEC – Decrease
BLO – Back Loop Only
PATTERN NOTES
This pattern uses US crochet terms
CH 1/CH 2 at the beginning of each row does not count as a stitch
The pattern is worked from the bottom-up
Intarsia is the recommended color change method
SIZING
This pattern is made-to-measure, meaning there are no sizes. You will fill out the table below with your own measurements, and use these to create the garment. The last column includes my garment measurements (based on a size L/XL) for you to reference.
Please refer to this body measurement guide to understand the measurements that you need to take.
MEASUREMENTS
Letter | Formula | My Measurement (XL) |
A | [chest] ÷ 2 | 25" |
B | [Neck to Waist] - 2 | 15" |
C | Waist to Underarm - 1 | 9" |
D | [A] ÷ 5 | 5" |
E | Number of Foundation Chains divided by 5* *you will not know this measurement until you complete R0 of the front panel |
Note: For a more cropped fit, measurement B should be from the top of your shoulder to your natural waist. For a longer fit, this should be from your shoulder to your hips.
Note: For a less form-fitting finish, add 0.5 to 1 inches to measurement A.
Note: If you want a very large armhole, subtract more than 1 inch from the waist to underarm measurement.
FRONT PANEL
Foundation (R0): Using the [color 1] and a 4.5 mm hook, CH until the chain measures [A].
Make sure that the number of chains is divisible by 5.
Make note of the number of foundation chains divided by 5. This will be referred to as measurement [E].
The foundation chain does NOT count as the first row
1: CH 1 and turn. SC into the back bump of the second CH from hook. SC in the back bump of every stitch in the rest of the chain
2: CH 1 and turn. Using [color 1] HDC in the first [E] stitches
Switch to [color 2] and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 1] and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 2] and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 3] and HDC in the last [E] stitches on the row
3: CH 1 and turn. Using [color 3] HDC in the first [E] stitches
Switch to [color 2] and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 1] and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 2] and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 1] and HDC in the last [E] stitches on the row
Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the front panel measures [D] inches tall. You should end on an odd-numbered row. Cut and Tie off.
4: On a new row, using [color 2], HDC in the first [E] stitches
Switch to [color 3] and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 2] and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 1] and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 2] and HDC in the last [E] stitches on the row
5: On a new row, using [color 2], CH 1 and turn. HDC in the first [E] stitches
Switch to [color 1] and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 2] and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 3] and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 2] and HDC in the last [E] stitches on the row
Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the front panel measures [D]x2 inches tall. You should end on an odd-numbered row. Cut and Tie off.
Note: Measurement [D] x 2 should be approximately the same as measurement [C] in order to create the cropped look. If you would like the vest to be longer, repeat steps 2 through 5 before starting your arm hole shaping.
ARM HOLE SHAPING
Place two stitch markers in the two stitches at the exact center of the most recent row.
Left Shoulder
1: Using [color 1], CH 1. DEC 1. HDC in each stitch until you reach the color change.
Switch to [color 2], and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 1], and HDC in each stitch until you reach the last stitch before the stitch marker. DEC by HDC together the last two stitches at the stitch marker.
2: Using [color 1], CH 1 and turn. DEC 1. HDC in each stitch until you reach the color change.
Switch to [color 2], and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 1], and HDC in each stitch until you reach the last two stitches in the row. DEC by HDC together the last two stitches of the row.
3: Repeat steps 1 and 2, decreasing at the beginning and end of each row, until you only have the [color 2] section remaining
Now, you should only be working with [color 6], and your shoulder section should measure [E] stitches.
4: Using [color 2] CH 1 and turn. DEC 1. HDC in each stitch until you reach the second to last stitch. DEC by HDC together the last two stitches.
5: Repeat step 4 until the shoulder section measures [D] inches from where you first started the decreases. (See photo below for reference)
6: Switch to [color 1]. Using [color 1] CH 1 and turn. DEC 1. HDC in each stitch until you reach the second to last stitch. DEC by HDC together the last two stitches.
7: Repeat step 6 until the panel measures six stitches wide.
8: CH 1 and turn. SC in the next 6 stitches.
9: Repeat step 6 until the entire panel measures [B].Cut and tie off.
Right Shoulder
Starting at the second stitch marker, repeat the steps from the left shoulder section.
1: Starting in the center of the main panel (at the second stitch marker) and using [color 1], CH 1. DEC 1. HDC in each stitch until you reach the color change.
Switch to [color 3], and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 1], and HDC in each stitch until you reach the last two stitches in the row. DEC by HDC together the last two stitches of the row.
2: Using [color 1], CH 1 and turn. DEC 1. HDC in each stitch until you reach the color change.
Switch to [color 3], and HDC in the next [E] stitches
Switch to [color 1], and HDC in each stitch until you reach the last stitch before the stitch marker. DEC by HDC together the last two stitches at the stitch marker.
3: Repeat steps 1 and 2, decreasing at the beginning and end of each row, until you only have the [color 3] section remaining
Now, you should only be working with [color 6], and your shoulder section should measure [E] stitches.
4: Using [color 3] CH 1 and turn. DEC 1. HDC in each stitch until you reach the second to last stitch. DEC by HDC together the last two stitches.
5: Repeat step 4 until the shoulder section measures [D] inches from where you first started the decreases. (See photo below for reference)
6: Switch to [color 1]. Using [color 1] CH 1 and turn. DEC 1. HDC in each stitch until you reach the second to last stitch. DEC by HDC together the last two stitches.
7: Repeat step 6 until the panel measures six stitches wide.
8: CH 1 and turn. SC in the next 6 stitches.
9: Repeat step 6 until the entire panel measures [B].Cut and tie off.
BACK PANEL
Foundation: Using [color 1] and a 4.5 mm hook, CH until the chain measures [A]. (This should be the same number of chains that you started with for the front panel)
CH 2 and turn. DC into the back bump of the third CH from hook. DC in the back bump of every stitch in the rest of the chain
CH 2 and turn, DC all the way across
Repeat step 3 until the panel measures [C].
CH 2 and turn. DEC 1. DC in each stitch until you reach the second to last stitch in the row. DEC by DC together the last two stitches.
Repeat step 5 until the back panel is the same width as the shoulder section of the front panel. (see photos to the right for reference)
CH 2 and turn. DC all the way across
Repeat step 7 until the entire panel measures [B]. Cut and tie off.
ASSEMBLY
With right sides of the front and back panel together, whip stitch along both shoulders and both side seams to attach the panels.
Flip your work right side out
RIBBING
This is where you will add ribbing to the bottom, arm holes, and neckline of the vest. (Refer to this tutorial for a reference on how to add SC BLO ribbing)
Bottom Ribbing
Using [color 3] and a 4.0 mm Hook, SC all the way around the bottom edge of your vest. Slip stitch to join the final SC to the first SC
Switch to [color 1] SC all the way around the bottom edge of your vest.
Slip stitch to join the final SC to the first SC (still using [color 1])
CH 8
SC in the second CH from the hook, SC 1 in the back bump of the next 7 CH
Slip stitch to the foundation SC. Slip stitch into the next SC on the foundation row. CH 1 and turn.
SC in the BLO of every stitch on the cuff
CH 1 and turn. SC in the BLO in the next 7 stitches
Repeat steps 6 through 8 until you have added the ribbing all the way around the bottom of the vest.
Turn the work inside out, and slip stitch the two edges of the ribbing together. Cut and tie off.
Arm Hole Ribbing
Repeat these steps for each arm hole.
Using [color 3] and a 4.0 mm Hook, SC all the way around the arm hole.
Slip stitch to join the final SC to the first SC
CH 6
SC in the second CH from the hook, SC 1 in the back bump of the next 5 CH
Slip stitch to the foundation SC. Slip stitch into the next SC on the foundation row. CH 1 and turn.
SC in the BLO of every stitch on the cuff
CH 1 and turn. SC in the BLO in the next 5 stitches
Repeat steps 5 through 7 until you have added the ribbing all the way around the arm hole.
Turn the work inside out, and slip stitch the two edges of the ribbing together. Cut and tie off.
Neck Hole Ribbing
Since this is a v-neck, the neck hole ribbing will be slightly different than the arm holes. (Refer to this tutorial for a reference on how to add SC BLO ribbing on a v-neckline)
Using [color 3] and a 4.0 mm Hook, start at the center of the V, and SC all the way around the neck hole.
Slip stitch to join the final SC to the first SC
CH 1 and turn your work. SC in the last 5 stitches you made in step 1
When you reach the 6th stitch, CH1 and turn. SC in the BLO of the 5 stitches you made in step 3
Slip stitch to the foundation SC. Slip stitch into the next SC on the foundation row. CH 1 and turn.
SC in the BLO of every stitch on the cuff
CH 1 and turn. SC in the BLO in the next 5 stitches
Repeat steps 5 through 7 until you have added the ribbing all the way around the neck hole.
Turn the work inside out, and slip stitch the loose edge of the ribbing to the first 5 rows of ribbing that you created on the other side. This should create a v-neck rather than a rounded neckline. Cut and tie off.