Work at Home Vest in Seamless V-Stitch

Description

The emphasis is on practicality: the V-stitches are quick to crochet and lacy while still adding warmth. And, versatility: whether made of wool, cotton, or acrylic, it’s casual but striking over jeans or a dressy blouse. Fancier fashion yarns won’t wear out quickly because the larger armholes reduce friction (and reduce the amount needed of a pricy yarn!). The cotton version can even double as an apron.

The Work@Home vest satisfies several of my design goals at once. Last winter, while working at home, I needed a warm, easy-to-wear layer immediately. This meant that I needed to be able to use the yarn I had on hand, and to be able to wear it as soon as I ran out of the yarn. For these reasons and more, this vest takes advantage of seamless top-down construction. It allowed me to try it on as I was crocheting it, for example. There were also very few yarn ends to weave in.

Skill Level

Intermediate. This pattern features mixed construction and simple shaping. Pattern abbreviations have been kept to a minimum. International English equivalents to American measurements, yarn weights, and stitch terms are provided in brackets {}.

After using this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

• How to begin with a pretty neckline raglan-style in the round; step-by-step photo tutorial provided.
• How to crochet a fashionable top with a surprisingly small amount of yarn.
• The fun and convenience of crocheting a vest seamlessly from the top down.
• A fresh look for the popular (and speedy!) double crochet “V-stitch”.
• The unique value of twisted stitches.
• A designer use for that third lower loop of tall crochet stitches.

Finished Dimensions

Note: Finished measurements were calculated after simple damp blocking (tips included in pattern) and then measured “hung” (worn on mannequin and myself) to get the most realistic final dimensions. Even so, each yarn drapes differently, and garment length may vary a bit on different body shapes.

• Finished Bust & Hip for Size Small: 39″ to fit a standard size Small (32″-34″ actual bust, 34″-36″ actual hip) {99 cm to fit a standard size Small (81 cm-86 cm actual bust, 86 cm-91 cm actual hip)}. Pink and 2-color Vests pictured are size Small.
• Finished Bust & Hip for Size Medium: 42″ to fit a standard size Medium (36″-38″ actual bust, 38″-40″ actual hip) {107 cm to fit a standard size Medium (91 cm-96 cm actual bust, 96 cm-102 cm actual hip)} Off-white Vest is a Medium.
• Finished Bust & Hip for Size Large: 46.5″ to fit a standard size Large (40″-42″ actual bust, 42″-44″ actual hip) {118 cm to fit a standard size Large (101 cm-107 cm actual bust, 107 cm-112 cm actual hip)}

Finished Length: Pattern includes guidance for choosing the length of your vest. It’s easy because vest is crocheted from the neckline down. This means you can try it on as you go and stop when you’re done. Lengths shown:

1. Off-white cotton version measured hung, 23.5″ {60 cm}; flat: 22″ {56 cm}
2. Pink bamboo version measured hung, 19.25″ {49 cm}; flat: 18″ {46 cm}
3. Wool “Aelfthryth” version measured hung, 15.5″ {40 cm}; flat: 14″ {36 cm}

Materials

• Crochet Hook: Size US K-10.5/6.50mm crochet hook or size needed for gauge.
• 4 stitch markers for neckline.
• Yarn used for Work@Home Vest in variegated pink: Misti Alpaca Baby Me Boo (50% Baby Alpaca, 30% Merino Wool, 20% Bamboo; 174yds/159m per 3.5oz/100g ball), color #BBH07 Rosario. Two skeins used for Small vest; 3 needed for Medium, 4 for Large.
• Yarn used for Work@Home Vest in off-white cotton: Pisgah Yarn Peaches & Creme (100% unmercerized cotton; 690yds per 14oz/396g cone), For the Medium vest pictured, I used 300g-320g of one cone, which is approximately 522yd-550yd. One full cone might be enough for size Large.
• Yarns used for “Aelfthryth” Work@Home Vest in muted green and violet: Malabrigo (100% Merino Wool; 210yds/192m per 3.5oz/100g ball), color #607 Vetiver (gray-green), 1 skein (wish I’d had two for a longer vest). Manos del Uruguay (100% Wool; 138yds/126m per 3.5oz/100g ball), color #62 (dusty violet), 1 skein. For size Medium, another skein of each color is recommended. For Large, a total of 3 skeins of the main color and 2 skeins of the contrast color.

Yarn substituting advice: Begin with yarns that list a needle or hook range of H/8/5 mm–I/9/5.5 mm, even though you’ll be using a K/10.5/6.5 mm. A yarn with interesting texture or color changes gives a new look to the familiar V-stitch pattern. Unmercerized cotton is not known for having a fashion drape, but it works nicely for this design because of the looser gauge. I had an easier time achieving the right gauge with some than others. There are many more good yarns for this pattern. If you try a yarn that doesn’t look as good as in my photos, give it a chance by blocking it a bit–it only takes a few minutes.