Easy Kid Vest: Free Crochet Pattern

Crochet Vesta are so fun to make, the potentials in crochet vests are so numerous that they can be styled up or down and yet still make a very beautiful outfit. This was the inspiration behind this design. I wanted something that I can layer up or down depending on the weather.

This easy crochet vest was designed some years ago, and a few weeks ago, I decided to upgrade it, by adding more sizes and also color-coding the available sizes. This makes crocheting super easy and fun for you!.

Kids crochet Vest Pattern

The Texture in this Vest makes it super cute and would complement any garment.

I hope you have much fun working and wearing this beauty as I did.

As part of the “just for him” event, this pattern is available as a free download today 28th of November, 2021. Get the coupon code below and the link for your free download.

If you have missed out on some of the previous patterns in this event, why not get the whole pattern here?

You can get the ad-free copy of this pattern which is also color-coded for easy understanding on ETSY

Get the PDF Copy of Kids vest Pattern on Etsy

Since you love this pattern, you should also check out a few of my other patterns on the blog

  1. Reversible Crochet Beanie and cowl pattern
  2. Double brim beanie pattern.

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THIS EASY CROCHET KIDS VEST PATTERN

Yarn – You can make this in any DK (#3) weight yarn of your choice. This protoype was made using CotLin Reflections, Double Knit, #3 (70% Cotton, 30% Linen, 246 yards/225m per 3.5 oz/100g Hank)

Estimated Yardage

220 (250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) yards in Color A

50 (80, 100, 100, 120, 140, 160) yards in Color B

Gauge – 22 sts over 9 rows = 10 cm square/4” made in dc. Adjust hook size if necessary, to obtain gauge.

Hook and other Materials

4 MM, (G) Crochet Hook.

Terms – US Terminology

Stitches

Chain – ch

Single Crochet – sc

Treble – tr

Double Crochet – dc

Front Post Double Crochet – FPdc

Back Post-Double Crochet – BPdc

Single Crochet 2 stitches together – sc2tog

Finished measurements

0 – 6mths (6mths – 12mths, 2 – 3, 4 – 5, 6 – 7, 8 – 9, 10 -11) yrs

Chest measurement – 19 (21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30)” 

Sweater Length – 11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)”

Special note

  1. This pattern is worked flat, left to right till you get half the measurement needed.
  2. You then shape the neck by turning your work 90°
  3. Chains at the beginning of each row do not count as a stitch.
  4. To prevent working in a stitch twice, you may place a stitch marker on each stitch with Treble.
  5. The photos in this pattern are from two samples of different sizes.

Pattern Instructions

Section 1 – Back Panel

With A, Chain 51 (55, 59, 63, 67, 71, 75)

Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. 50 (54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74) sc

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as a st, here and throughout), *skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working in front of the tr just made, dc in first missed st, dc in each of next 2 missed sts, rep from * until last st, dc in last st, turn. 38 (41, 44, 47, 50, 53, 56) dc, 12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) tr 

Row 3: Ch 3, *skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working behind tr just made, dc in first missed st, dc in each of next 2 missed sts. Rep from * until last st, dc in last st, turn. 38 (41, 44, 47, 50, 53, 56) dc, 12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) tr 

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. 50 (54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74) sc

Row 5: Repeat row 4

  • Measure the width, and stop once you have ½ bust measurement, make sure to have an even number of repeats. Make sure to have an even number of “V” groups before you stop. 
  • Follow the size that corresponds to your measurement when making the repeats on the front panel. 

Rows 6 – 33 (41, 49, 57, 65, 73, 81): Repeat rows 2 – 5

Do not fasten off.

Shaping the neck

Turn work 90°

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each of the edges, aim for 2 sc in each ch 3/dc sp/st, turn. 48 (60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120) sc

Rows 2 – 3 (3, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. 48 (60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120) sc

Fasten off.

Want to see some progress photos? Get the ad-free PDF

Waistband

  • With right side facing you
  • Join A with a slip stitch to the first row on the lower end.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each of the edges, aim for 2 sc in each ch 3/dc sp/st, turn. 48 (60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120) sc

Fasten off A, join B with a sl st.

Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn. 48 (60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120) dc

Row 3: Ch 3, *FPdc around next 2 sts, BPdc around next st, repeat from * till the end of the row, turn. 16 (20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40) BPdc, 32 (40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80) FPdc

Row 4: Ch 3, *BPdc around next 2 sts, FPdc around next st, repeat* till the end of the row, turn. 16 (20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40) FPdc, 32 (40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80) BPdc

Rows 5 – 8: Repeat Row 3 – 4

Fasten off.

Section 2 – Front Panel

With A, Chain 51 (55, 59, 63, 67, 71, 75)

Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn.  50 (54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74) sc

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as a st, here and throughout), *skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working in front of the tr just made, dc in first missed st, dc in each of next 2 missed sts, rep from * until last st, dc in last st, turn. 38 (41, 44, 47, 50, 53, 56) dc, 12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) tr 

Row 3: Ch 3, *skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working behind tr just made, dc in first missed st, dc in each of next 2 missed sts. Rep from * until last st, dc in last st, turn. 38 (41, 44, 47, 50, 53, 56) dc, 12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) tr 

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. 50 (54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74) sc

Row 5: Repeat row 4

Rows 6 – 9 (13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33): Repeat rows 2 – 5

If you have adjusted the number of repeats in the back panel, make sure to have 4 groups of “V” in the middle to shape the neckline. 

This means if you have 10 “V” groups, the neckline shaping would be made over the middle 4 “V” group leaving you with 3 “V” on either side.

Shape neckline

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in next 4 sts, *skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working in front of the tr just made, dc in first missed st, dc in each of next 2 missed sts. repeat* until last st, dc in last st, turn. 34 (37, 40, 43, 46, 49, 52) dc, 11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) tr, 5 sc 

Row 2: Ch 3, *skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working behind the tr just made, dc in first missed st, dc in each of next 2 missed sts repeat * till the last 5 sts, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, turn.  34 (37, 40, 43, 46, 49, 52) dc, 11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) tr, 4 sc, 

Row 3: Ch 1,sc2tog, sc in each of the remaining sts, turn. 48 (52, 56, 58, 64, 68, 72) sc

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each of the sts till last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. 47 (51, 55, 57, 63, 67, 71) sc

Row 5: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts, *skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working in front of the tr just made, dc in first missed st, dc in each of next 2 missed sts. repeat * until last st, dc in last st, turn. 31 (34, 37, 40, 42, 46, 49) dc, 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) tr, 5 sc 

Row 6: Ch 3, *skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working behind the tr just made, dc in first missed st, dc in each of next 2 missed st. repeat * till the last 5 sts, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, turn. 31 (34, 37, 40, 42, 46, 49) dc, 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) tr, 4 sc, 

Row 7: Repeat Row 3 (of decrease)

Row 8: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. 43 (47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67) sc

Start increasing from here.

Row 9: Ch 3, skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working in front of the tr just made, 2 dc in first skipped st, dc in next 2 skipped sts, *skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working in front of the tr just made, dc in first missed st, dc in each of next 2 missed sts. repeat * till the end of the row, turn. 33 (36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51) dc, 11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) tr.

Row 10: Ch 3, *skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working behind tr just made, dc in first missed st, dc in each of next 2 missed sts. repeat * till the last 3 sts, dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in last st, turn. 34 (37, 40, 43, 46, 49, 52) dc, 11 (12, 13, 13, 15, 16, 17) tr.

Row 11: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in each of the remaining sts, turn. 46 (50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70) sc

Row 12: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in each of the remaining sts, turn. sc in each of the sts till last st, 2 sc in last st, turn. 47 (51, 55, 59, 63, 67, 71) sc

Row 13: Ch 3, skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working in front of the tr just made, 2 dc in first skipped st, dc in next 2 skipped sts, *skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working in front of the tr just made, dc in first missed st, dc in each of next 2 missed sts. repeat * till the end of the row, turn. 36 (39, 42, 4ss5, 48, 51, 54) dc, 12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) tr.

Row 14: Ch 3, *skip next 3 sts, tr in next st, working behind tr just made, dc in first missed st, dc in each of next 2 missed sts. repeat * until the last 3 sts, dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in the last st, turn. 37 (40, 43, 46, 49, 52, 55) dc, 12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) tr.

Row 15: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in each of the remaining sts, turn. 50 (54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74) sc

Check out the Adult Version of the Vest, with an Option to add sleeves!

Mommy and Me crochet Vest Pattern

Be on the lookout for the male version in a few weeks

Stop increasing 

Row 16: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. 50 (54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74) sc

Next 7 (11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31) rows: Repeat rows 2 – 5 of front panel.

End with Row 4, do not fasten off.

Shape the shoulder strap

  • Turn work 90°
  • Crocheting across the left edge.
  • Leave the neckline and right shoulder unworked.

Left Shoulder strap

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each of the edges, aim for 2 sc in each ch 3/dc sp/st, turn. 

Rows 2 – 5 (5, 5, 5, 7, 9, 11): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. 

Do not fasten off, turn, crocheting towards the other side of the panel. Sc in each st across the neckline.

Right Shoulder strap

Repeat Rows 1 – 3 (3, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11) as with the left side.

Fasten off.

If you love the stitch pattern, why not check out a few of my patterns made using this stitch?

Pinafore Pattern from kids sizes up to Adult sizes

Waistband

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each of the edges, aim for 2 sc in each ch 3/dc sp/st, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first 3 sts, *ch 3, skip next 3 sts**, sc in next 3 sts, rep from * to ** once more, sc in remaining sts. 

Rows 3 – 5 (5, 5, 5, 7, 9, 11): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. 

Repeat as with the back panel.

Shape Armhole

  • Place both panels on each other with the right side facing each other, sew the shoulder straps together. 
  • Count 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7 Trebles stitches on each side and place stitch markers.
  • Join yarn with a slip stitch, ch 1, work sc in each of the edges till you reach the stitch markers.
  • Repeat on the other side.
  • Fasten off.

Side Seam

  • Join yarn with a slip stitch to the base of the armpit, turn to the wrong side, over both front and back panels
  • Ch 1, work sl st over both sides. 
  • Or – using mattress stitch, sew the sides together.
  • Repeat on the other side.
  • Fasten off.

I would love to see your makes from this pattern, when you do make your own version of this easy crochet vest pattern, do tag e on @crochet_fosbas on Instagram.

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