Little kids will love the loose, easy fit and the freedom of no sleeves. And do with this vest what people everywhere do with theirs, make it a nearly year-round layering essential!
The Materials:
- 2 (2,3) skeins of Anzula's Squishy, 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon. This colour is Teal.
- A Size E (3.5 mm) crochet hook.
- 5 1/2-inch buttons. I used Purl Soho's Medium Buttons (size 19) in the color Teal.
- 3 removable stitch markers (or safety pins or scrap yarn)
The Pattern:
Gauge - 6 stitches = 1 inch in stitch pattern
Finished Sizes - Sizes: 2-3 (3-4, 4-5)
Chest Circumference: 25 (27, 29) inchesLength from Shoulder to Bottom Edge: 12 (13, 14) inches
Armhole: 5 (5 1/2, 6) inches
The vest pictured here is a size 2-3.
Pattern Note: How to "Make 1sc into next space"
This stitch pattern alternates between making a single crochet into the next stitch (like normal) and making a single crochet into the next "space". The space is below the next stitch, slightly to the right. The first row of working the stitch pattern (Row 2) looks a little different than subsequent rows, so here are pictures of both!
For Row 2, the "spaces" are marked here with red dots:
And here's what the spaces look like once you're beyond the second row:
BeginChain 151 (163, 175).
Row 1: Starting with second chain from hook, make 1 single crochet (sc) into each chain. 150 (162, 174) stitches
Row 2: *1sc into next stitch, 1 sc into next space (see Pattern Note above), repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 7 (7 1/2, 8) inches from the beginning. When you're working the last row, mark the 43rd (46th, 49th) stitch and the 117th (127th, 137th) stitch with removable stitch markers (or safety pins).
Right Front
Gauge - 6 stitches = 1 inch in stitch pattern
Finished Sizes - Sizes: 2-3 (3-4, 4-5)
Chest Circumference: 25 (27, 29) inchesLength from Shoulder to Bottom Edge: 12 (13, 14) inches
Armhole: 5 (5 1/2, 6) inches
The vest pictured here is a size 2-3.
Pattern Note: How to "Make 1sc into next space"
This stitch pattern alternates between making a single crochet into the next stitch (like normal) and making a single crochet into the next "space". The space is below the next stitch, slightly to the right. The first row of working the stitch pattern (Row 2) looks a little different than subsequent rows, so here are pictures of both!
For Row 2, the "spaces" are marked here with red dots:
And here's what the spaces look like once you're beyond the second row:
BeginChain 151 (163, 175).
Row 1: Starting with second chain from hook, make 1 single crochet (sc) into each chain. 150 (162, 174) stitches
Row 2: *1sc into next stitch, 1 sc into next space (see Pattern Note above), repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 7 (7 1/2, 8) inches from the beginning. When you're working the last row, mark the 43rd (46th, 49th) stitch and the 117th (127th, 137th) stitch with removable stitch markers (or safety pins).
Right Front
ARMHOLE SHAPINGNote: Since both sides of the work look the same, now is a good time to use a removable stitch marker or safety pin to mark the side that is facing you as the "right side".
Row 1 (right side): (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 16 (17, 18) times, 1 sc into next stitch, turn the work. 33 (35, 37) stitches
Row 2 (wrong side): Skip a stitch, *1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space, repeat from * to end of row. 32 (34, 36) stitches
Row 3: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 15 (16, 17) times, 1 sc into next stitch, turn. 31 (33, 35) stitches
Row 4: Repeat Row 2. 30 (32, 34) stitches
Row 5: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 14 (15, 16) times, 1 sc into next stitch, turn. 29 (31, 33) stitches
Row 6: Repeat Row 2. 28 (30, 32) stitches
Row 7: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 13 (14, 15) times, 1 sc into next stitch, turn. 27 (29, 31) stitches
Row 8: Repeat Row 2. 26 (28, 30) stitches
Row 9: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 13 (14, 15) times, turn. 26 (28, 30) stitchesRepeat Row 9 until armhole measures 2 (2 1/4, 2 1/2) inches, ending with a right side row.
Row 1 (right side): (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 16 (17, 18) times, 1 sc into next stitch, turn the work. 33 (35, 37) stitches
Row 2 (wrong side): Skip a stitch, *1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space, repeat from * to end of row. 32 (34, 36) stitches
Row 3: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 15 (16, 17) times, 1 sc into next stitch, turn. 31 (33, 35) stitches
Row 4: Repeat Row 2. 30 (32, 34) stitches
Row 5: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 14 (15, 16) times, 1 sc into next stitch, turn. 29 (31, 33) stitches
Row 6: Repeat Row 2. 28 (30, 32) stitches
Row 7: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 13 (14, 15) times, 1 sc into next stitch, turn. 27 (29, 31) stitches
Row 8: Repeat Row 2. 26 (28, 30) stitches
Row 9: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 13 (14, 15) times, turn. 26 (28, 30) stitchesRepeat Row 9 until armhole measures 2 (2 1/4, 2 1/2) inches, ending with a right side row.
NECKLINE SHAPINGRow 1 (ws): (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 12 (13, 14) times, 1 sc into next stitch. 25 (27, 29) stitches
Row 2 (rs): Skip a stitch, *1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space, repeat from * to end of Right Front, turn. (1 stitch decreased)Row 3: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 11 (12, 13) times, 1 sc into next stitch. 23 (25, 27) stitches
Row 4: Repeat Row 2. 22 (24, 26) stitches
Row 5: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 10 (11, 12) times, 1 sc into next stitch. 21 (23, 25) stitches
Row 6: Repeat Row 2. 20 (22, 24) stitches
Row 7: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 9 (10, 11) times, 1 sc into next stitch. 19 (21, 23) stitches
Row 8: Repeat Row 2. 18 (20, 22) stitches
Row 9: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 8 (9, 10) times, 1 sc into next stitch. 17 (19, 21) stitches
Row 10: Repeat Row 2. 16 (18, 20) stitches
Row 11: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 7 (8, 9) times, 1 sc into next stitch. 15 (17, 19) stitches
Row 12: Repeat Row 2. 14 (16, 18) stitches
Row 13: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 6 (7, 8) times, 1 sc into next stitch. 13 (15, 17) stitches
Row 14: Repeat Row 2. 12 (14, 16) stitches
Row 15: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 6 (7, 8) times, turn. 12 (14, 16) stitches
Repeat Row 15 until armhole measures 5 (5 1/2, 6) inches, ending with either side. Cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining stitch.
Left Front
ARMHOLE SHAPINGWith the right side facing you, join yarn at the 117th (127th, 137th) stitch (marked with a stitch marker).
Row 1 (rs): Chain 1 (counts as a single crochet), *1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch, repeat from * to last stitch, 1sc into next space. 33 (35, 37) stitches
Row 2 (ws): (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 16 (17, 18) times. 32 (34, 36) stitches
Row 3: Skip a stitch, *1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch, repeat from * to last stitch, 1sc into next space. (1 stitch decreased)
Row 4: (1sc into next stitch, 1 sc into next space) 15 (16, 17) times. 30 (32, 34) stitches
Row 5: Repeat Row 3. 29 (31, 33) stitches
Row 6: (1sc into next stitch, 1 sc into next space) 14 (15, 16) times. 28 (30, 32) stitches
Row 7: Repeat Row 3. 27 (29, 31) stitches
Row 8: (1sc into next stitch, 1 sc into next space) 13 (14, 15) times. 26 (28, 30) stitches
Repeat Row 8 until armhole measures 2 (2 1/4, 2 1/2) inches, ending with a wrong side row.
Row 2 (rs): Skip a stitch, *1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space, repeat from * to end of Right Front, turn. (1 stitch decreased)Row 3: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 11 (12, 13) times, 1 sc into next stitch. 23 (25, 27) stitches
Row 4: Repeat Row 2. 22 (24, 26) stitches
Row 5: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 10 (11, 12) times, 1 sc into next stitch. 21 (23, 25) stitches
Row 6: Repeat Row 2. 20 (22, 24) stitches
Row 7: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 9 (10, 11) times, 1 sc into next stitch. 19 (21, 23) stitches
Row 8: Repeat Row 2. 18 (20, 22) stitches
Row 9: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 8 (9, 10) times, 1 sc into next stitch. 17 (19, 21) stitches
Row 10: Repeat Row 2. 16 (18, 20) stitches
Row 11: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 7 (8, 9) times, 1 sc into next stitch. 15 (17, 19) stitches
Row 12: Repeat Row 2. 14 (16, 18) stitches
Row 13: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 6 (7, 8) times, 1 sc into next stitch. 13 (15, 17) stitches
Row 14: Repeat Row 2. 12 (14, 16) stitches
Row 15: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 6 (7, 8) times, turn. 12 (14, 16) stitches
Repeat Row 15 until armhole measures 5 (5 1/2, 6) inches, ending with either side. Cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining stitch.
Left Front
ARMHOLE SHAPINGWith the right side facing you, join yarn at the 117th (127th, 137th) stitch (marked with a stitch marker).
Row 1 (rs): Chain 1 (counts as a single crochet), *1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch, repeat from * to last stitch, 1sc into next space. 33 (35, 37) stitches
Row 2 (ws): (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 16 (17, 18) times. 32 (34, 36) stitches
Row 3: Skip a stitch, *1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch, repeat from * to last stitch, 1sc into next space. (1 stitch decreased)
Row 4: (1sc into next stitch, 1 sc into next space) 15 (16, 17) times. 30 (32, 34) stitches
Row 5: Repeat Row 3. 29 (31, 33) stitches
Row 6: (1sc into next stitch, 1 sc into next space) 14 (15, 16) times. 28 (30, 32) stitches
Row 7: Repeat Row 3. 27 (29, 31) stitches
Row 8: (1sc into next stitch, 1 sc into next space) 13 (14, 15) times. 26 (28, 30) stitches
Repeat Row 8 until armhole measures 2 (2 1/4, 2 1/2) inches, ending with a wrong side row.
NECKLINE SHAPINGWork as for the Right Front Neckline Shaping section, starting with Row 1. Substitute the "right side" for the "wrong side" and the "wrong side" for the "right side". Work all the way to the end of the Right Front section.
Back
ARMHOLE SHAPINGWith the right side facing you, join yarn at the 43rd (46th, 49th) stitch (marked with a stitch marker).
Row 1 (rs): Chain 1 (counts as a single crochet), (1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch) 32 (34, 36) times, 1 sc into next space, turn. 66 (70, 74) stitches
Row 2 (ws): Skip a stitch, (1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch) 32 (34, 36) times, turn. 64 (68, 72) stitches
Row 3: Skip a stitch, (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 31 (33, 35) times, turn. 62 (66, 70) stitches
Row 4: Skip a stitch, (1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch) 30 (32, 34) times, turn. 60 (64, 68) stitches
Row 5: Skip a stitch, (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 29 (31, 33) times, turn. 58 (62, 66) stitches
Row 6: Skip a stitch, (1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch) 28 (30, 32) times, turn. 56 (60, 64) stitches
Row 7: Skip a stitch, (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 27 (29, 31) times, turn. 54 (58, 62) stitches
Row 8: *1sc into next stitch, 1 sc into next space, repeat from * to end of Back, turn. 54 (58, 62) stitches
Repeat Row 8 until back measures 4 (4 1/2, 5) inches, ending with a wrong side row. When you're working the last row, mark the 18th stitch (all sizes) with removable stitch markers (or safety pins).
Back
ARMHOLE SHAPINGWith the right side facing you, join yarn at the 43rd (46th, 49th) stitch (marked with a stitch marker).
Row 1 (rs): Chain 1 (counts as a single crochet), (1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch) 32 (34, 36) times, 1 sc into next space, turn. 66 (70, 74) stitches
Row 2 (ws): Skip a stitch, (1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch) 32 (34, 36) times, turn. 64 (68, 72) stitches
Row 3: Skip a stitch, (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 31 (33, 35) times, turn. 62 (66, 70) stitches
Row 4: Skip a stitch, (1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch) 30 (32, 34) times, turn. 60 (64, 68) stitches
Row 5: Skip a stitch, (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 29 (31, 33) times, turn. 58 (62, 66) stitches
Row 6: Skip a stitch, (1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch) 28 (30, 32) times, turn. 56 (60, 64) stitches
Row 7: Skip a stitch, (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 27 (29, 31) times, turn. 54 (58, 62) stitches
Row 8: *1sc into next stitch, 1 sc into next space, repeat from * to end of Back, turn. 54 (58, 62) stitches
Repeat Row 8 until back measures 4 (4 1/2, 5) inches, ending with a wrong side row. When you're working the last row, mark the 18th stitch (all sizes) with removable stitch markers (or safety pins).
RIGHT BACK SHOULDERRow 1 (rs): (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 9 times, turn. 18 stitches (all sizes)
Row 2 (ws): Skip a stitch, *1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch, repeat from * to last stitch, 1sc into next space. (1 stitch decreased)
Row 3: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 8 times, turn. 16 stitches
Row 4: Repeat Row 2. 15 stitches
Row 5: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 7 times, turn. 14 stitches
Row 6: Repeat Row 2. 13 stitches
Row 7: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 6 times, turn. 12 stitches
Repeat Row 7 three more times. 12 stitches
Cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining stitch.
Row 2 (ws): Skip a stitch, *1sc into next space, 1sc into next stitch, repeat from * to last stitch, 1sc into next space. (1 stitch decreased)
Row 3: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 8 times, turn. 16 stitches
Row 4: Repeat Row 2. 15 stitches
Row 5: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 7 times, turn. 14 stitches
Row 6: Repeat Row 2. 13 stitches
Row 7: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 6 times, turn. 12 stitches
Repeat Row 7 three more times. 12 stitches
Cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining stitch.
LEFT BACK SHOULDERWith the right side facing you, join yarn at the 18th stitch (marked with a stitch marker).
Row 1 (rs): Chain 1 (counts as a single crochet), *1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space, repeat from * to end of row. 18 stitches
Row 2 (ws): (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 8 times, 1sc into next stitch, turn. 17 stitches
Row 3: Skip a stitch, *1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space, repeat from * to end of row. (1 stitch decreased)
Row 4: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 7 times, 1sc into next stitch, turn. 15 stitches
Row 5: Repeat Row 3. 14 stitches
Row 6: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 6 times, 1sc into next stitch, turn. 13 stitches
Row 7: Repeat Row 3. 12 stitches
Row 8: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 6 times, turn. 12 stitches
Repeat Row 8 two more times.
Cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining stitch.
Finishing
SHOULDERSUse the tails at the shoulders to sew (or crochet) the right shoulders together and the left shoulders together. I like the finished look of sewing back and forth under the top row of stitches, like this:
ARMHOLE TRIMWith the right side facing you, join yarn anywhere along the armhole edge with a slip stitch, chain 1. Make 1sc into each stitch around the armhole edge, at the end joining with a slip stitch into the original chain 1. Do the same for the other armhole.
Remaining TrimWith the right side facing you, join yarn to the Back Neck with a slip stitch, chain 1. Make a single crochet border (as you did for the armholes) around the neck, buttonbands and bottom edge. At the corners, chain 1 to turn the corner.
Along the right buttonband (for girls) or left buttonband (for boys), make 5 equally spaced buttonholes by chaining 3. Continue the border with a single crochet into the next stitch.
Sew on five buttons across from the five buttonholes. Weave in the ends and gently block your vest. And you're done!
Row 1 (rs): Chain 1 (counts as a single crochet), *1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space, repeat from * to end of row. 18 stitches
Row 2 (ws): (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 8 times, 1sc into next stitch, turn. 17 stitches
Row 3: Skip a stitch, *1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space, repeat from * to end of row. (1 stitch decreased)
Row 4: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 7 times, 1sc into next stitch, turn. 15 stitches
Row 5: Repeat Row 3. 14 stitches
Row 6: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 6 times, 1sc into next stitch, turn. 13 stitches
Row 7: Repeat Row 3. 12 stitches
Row 8: (1sc into next stitch, 1sc into next space) 6 times, turn. 12 stitches
Repeat Row 8 two more times.
Cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining stitch.
Finishing
SHOULDERSUse the tails at the shoulders to sew (or crochet) the right shoulders together and the left shoulders together. I like the finished look of sewing back and forth under the top row of stitches, like this:
ARMHOLE TRIMWith the right side facing you, join yarn anywhere along the armhole edge with a slip stitch, chain 1. Make 1sc into each stitch around the armhole edge, at the end joining with a slip stitch into the original chain 1. Do the same for the other armhole.
Remaining TrimWith the right side facing you, join yarn to the Back Neck with a slip stitch, chain 1. Make a single crochet border (as you did for the armholes) around the neck, buttonbands and bottom edge. At the corners, chain 1 to turn the corner.
Along the right buttonband (for girls) or left buttonband (for boys), make 5 equally spaced buttonholes by chaining 3. Continue the border with a single crochet into the next stitch.
Sew on five buttons across from the five buttonholes. Weave in the ends and gently block your vest. And you're done!