The Why Pinks You Vest was a super fun pattern to create. I found the awesome cotton bamboo yarn from Lion Brand and just played with it! The color pattern developed as I went along. The tie around the neck started out as a belt, but I made it too long… So rather than frog the whole thing, I wove it through the neckline, and I loved how it looked! The tassels were a last minute addition just for fun. 🙂 This is a pretty basic pattern as long as you’re comfortable with color changes. If you have any questions, contact me and I’ll do my best to answer them.
If you’d like an ad-free, easily printable version of the pattern, you can help support my small business and purchase it for a small fee in my Etsy shop – SimpleThings byTia, or in my Ravelry Store – Simple Things Crochet.
Materials:
Lion Brand Cotton Bamboo in Cherry Blossom – 4 skeins
Lion Brand Cotton Bamboo in Hyacinth
Crochet hook size H for vest, size I for the tie through the neck ( you can use H for both if you like).
Abbreviations:
ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
st(s) – stitch, stitches
*Notes:
- The size is easily adjusted by making the panels larger or smaller. Just make a chain that would be a multiple of four, and then chain one more for the width of the panels. Increase or decrease rows for the length of the panels. As written, the back panel is 22” wide and 33” long, the two front panels are 9” wide each, and 33” long.
- Beginning chains count as stitches.
Instructions:
Back Panel: With Hyacinth, chain 88 + 1
Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook, and continue in each chain across to the end. 88 sts.
Row 2: Turn, ch 3, dc in base of chain (see photo below). Ch 1, skip 3, *3dc in next st, ch 1* Repeat from * to * across row. 2dc in last stitch.
Row 3: Turn, ch 4, *3dc in next ch 1 space, ch 1*. Repeat from * to * across row. 1 dc in last 2 dc cluster.
Row 4: Turn, ch 3, dc in base of ch, ch 1, *3dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1*. Repeat from * to * across row, 2 dc in last sp.
Row 5: Turn, ch 4, *3dc in next ch 1 space, ch 1*. Repeat from * to * across row. 1 dc in last 2 dc cluster.
Rows 6 – 9: Using Cherry Blossom, repeat stitch pattern alternating rows as above.
Rows 10 – 12: Using Hyacinth, repeat stitch pattern alternating rows as above.
Rows 13 – 14: Using Cherry Blossom, repeat stitch pattern alternating rows as above.
Row 15: Using Hyacinth, turn, ch 4, *3dc in next ch 1 space, ch 1*. Repeat from * to * across row. 1 dc in last 2 dc cluster.
Row 16: Using Cherry Blossom, turn, ch 3, dc in base of ch, ch 1, *3dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1*. Repeat from * to * across row, 2 dc in last sp.
Rows 17 – 40: Using Cherry Blossom, repeat stitch pattern alternating rows as above.
Side Panels – Make two: Chain 40 + 1
Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook, and continue in each chain across to the end. 88 sts.
Row 2: Turn, ch 3, dc in base of chain. Ch 1, skip 3, *3dc in next st, ch 1* Repeat from * to * across row. 2dc in last stitch.
Row 3: Turn, ch 4, *3dc in next ch 1 space, ch 1*. Repeat from * to * across row. 1 dc in last 2 dc cluster.
Row 4: Turn, ch 3, dc in base of ch, ch 1, *3dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1*. Repeat from * to * across row, 2 dc in last sp.
Row 5: Turn, ch 4, *3dc in next ch 1 space, ch 1*. Repeat from * to * across row. 1 dc in last 2 dc cluster.
Rows 6 – 9: Using Cherry Blossom, repeat stitch pattern alternating rows as above.
Rows 10 – 12: Using Hyacinth, repeat stitch pattern alternating rows as above.
Rows 13 – 14: Using Cherry Blossom, repeat stitch pattern alternating rows as above.
Row 15: Using Hyacinth, turn, ch 4, *3dc in next ch 1 space, ch 1*. Repeat from * to * across row. 1 dc in last 2 dc cluster.
Row 16: Using Cherry Blossom, turn, ch 3, dc in base of ch, ch 1, *3dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1*. Repeat from * to * across row, 2 dc in last sp.
Rows 17 – 40: Using Cherry Blossom, repeat stitch pattern alternating rows as above.
Construction: When all three panels are complete, sew the front panels to the back at the shoulders. Then sew up the side seams leaving approximately 13” for the armholes and about 10” for side slits which would make the sewed portion 10”.
For the tie:
*Notes:
- You will hold two strands together for this. One of each color.
- Leave about 7”-8” of a tail at the beginning of the chain. You can use this as part of the fringe at the end.
Using hook size I, chain 200. HDC in 2nd ch from hook and across the length of the tie. Leave about a 7”-8” tail at the end when you tie off. You can use this as part of the fringe. For this end, cut three 14” strands of each color (6 total). Weave them through the stitches to create the fringe. At the other end, cut four 14” strands of each color (8 total) and weave them through. Knot each end of the tie.
When the tie is complete, starting at the neckline, weave the tie in and out through the open spaces and all the way down the front, leaving the fringed ends to hang at the bottom. See photos below.
For the shoulder tassels:
Cut eight 19” strands of each color (16 total). Weave through the open spaces on either side of the shoulder seam and knot together.
