Child Size Summer Vest Crochet Pattern (American Girl, Toddler, Child, Teen)

Looking for an easy, lightweight summer vest crochet pattern in child sizes? Look no further! This summer vest for children pattern contains FOUR different sizes from itty bitty 18″ doll size to pre-teen.

Child Size Summer Vest Crochet Patterns

This summer vest for kids could be worn as modeled here by the adorable Briar with a tank and shorts, or as a swimsuit coverup! Perfect for taking on a camping trip, to wear at the beach, or just to run errands around town with the family. The open weave mesh of this design allows plenty of air to keep your little one cool, while offering a super chic vibe to your sassy sidekick. 😁

First, let me say that I am BLOWN away by the love you have for my adult version of this summer vest, the Easy Breezy Lightweight Summer Vest pattern.  I love that you love it as much as I do!

Because of all of the love (and questions on how to resize the adult size for children) I have created a Summer Vest Pattern version for…

American Girl (or 18″) dolls
Toddlers
Children
Teens

Materials:

Cotlin (Size 3/DK/Lightweight yarn, cotton blend preferred)
-approx. (45, 150, 235, 375) yards (not including any fringe)

Crochet hook in size I/5.5mm

Sizes: (18” Doll, Toddler, Child, Teen)

Pattern notes:

Pattern written using US terms.

Each block is approximately ⅞” wide. Since we are working this vest in vertical rows, this is how tall each block will be.

Each “block” is three stitches wide, consisting of two chains and a double crochet. If you need to lengthen or shorten the vest, add or remove from the beginning chain in multiples of three.

There is a VIDEO tutorial in which I made the toddler size of this vest. Follow along with me as we crochet it together! If you are making a size other than toddler, you will want to substitute the stitch counts and block counts as listed for the size that you are making.

And now for the pattern!

Vest Back:

Row 1: Ch-(35, 59, 95, 140), dc in 8th chain from hook. * ch-2, sk-2 chs, dc in next ch * repeat between * * to end. (10, 18, 30, 45 blocks)

Rows 2- (12, 16, 20, 22): Ch-5 (counts as dc + ch-2 here and throughout), turn, sk-first ch-sp, dc in next dc. * ch-2, dc in next dc * repeat between * * (7, 15, 27, 42) more times. Ch-2, dc in 3rd ch from beg ch. (10, 18, 30, 45 blocks)

Do not fasten off.

Vest front:

Row 1: Ch-5, sk first ch-2. * dc in top of next dc, ch-2 * repeat between * * (4, 8, 16, 30) more times, dc in top of next dc (6, 10, 18, 32 blocks made) ch-(11, 23, 35, 38), sk-remaining (4, 8, 12, 13) blocks, join to third ch from very top corner with sl st.

Row 2: Ch-5, turn, sk-2 chs, dc in next ch * ch-2, sk 2 chs, dc in next ch * repeat between * * (1, 5, 9, 10) more times. Ch-2, * dc in top of next dc, ch-2 * repeat between * * to end. Dc in third ch from previous row’s beg ch. (10, 18, 30, 45 blocks)

Rows 3 – (4, 6, 6, 6): Ch-5, turn, sk first ch-2. * dc in top of next dc, ch-2 * repeat between * * to end. Dc in third ch from previous row’s beg ch. (10, 18, 30, 45 blocks)

Row (5, 7, 7, 7): Ch-5, turn, sk first ch-2, dc in top of next dc. * Ch-2, dc in top of next dc * repeat between * * (6, 14, 26, 41) more times (8, 16, 28, 43) fully formed blocks) ch-2, sl st to top of next dc.

Row (6, 8, 8, 8): Turn, sl st in next two chs. Sl st to top of first dc. Ch-2, sk next ch-2, dc in top of next dc. * ch-2, dc in top of next dc * repeat between * * to end. Ch-2, dc in third ch from previous row’s beg ch. (7, 15, 27, 42) fully formed blocks)

For DOLL size, end here. Move on to “second side of vest front”.

Row (X, 9, 9, 9): Ch-5, turn, sk first ch-2, dc in top of next dc. * Ch-2, dc in top of next dc * repeat between * * (X, 12, 24, 39) more times (X, 14, 26, 41) fully formed blocks) ch-2, sl st
to top of next dc.

Row (X, 10, 10, 10): Turn, sl st in next two chs. Sl st to top of first dc. Ch-2, sk next ch-2, dc in top of next dc. * Ch-2, dc in top of next dc * repeat between * * to end. Ch-2, dc in third ch from previous row’s beg ch. (X, 13, 25, 40) fully formed blocks)

For TODDLER size, end here. Move on to “second side of vest front”.

Row (X, X, 11, 11): Ch-5, turn, sk first ch-2, dc in top of next dc. * Ch-2, dc in top of next dc * repeat between * * (X, X, 22, 37) more times (X, X, 24, 39) fully formed blocks) ch-2, sl st to top of next dc.

Row (X, X, 12, 12): Turn, sl st in next two chs. Sl st to top of first dc. Ch-2, sk next ch-2, dc in top of next dc. * Ch-2, dc in top of next dc * repeat between * * to end. Ch-2, dc in third ch from previous row’s beg ch. (X, X, 23, 38) fully formed blocks)

For CHILD size and TEEN size, end here. Move on to “second side of vest front”.

Do not fasten off, use a new ball of yarn if possible for other “front”. (If not possible, leave a super long tail for crocheting around the opening when we’re finished)

Second side of vest front:

Row 1: With the top of the vest to your right and looking at the “back”, and leaving a ~36” long tail, attach yarn to opposite top right corner with sl st. Ch-(12, 24, 36, 39), sk first (4, 8, 12, 13) blocks, * dc in next dc, ch-2 * repeat between * * to end, dc in third ch from previous row’s beg ch. (12, 24, 36, 39 chains and 6, 10, 18, 32 blocks)

Row 2: Ch-5, turn, sk first ch-2. * dc in top of next dc, ch-2 * repeat between * * to chain, dc in last dc before armhole. * Ch-2, sk 2 chs, dc in next ch * repeat between * * to end. (10, 18, 30, 45 blocks)

Row 3 – (4, 6, 6, 6): Ch-5, turn, sk first ch-2. * dc in top of next dc, ch-2 * repeat between * * to end. Dc in third ch from previous row’s beg ch. (10, 18, 30, 45 blocks)

Row (5, 7, 7, 7): Turn, sl st in next two chs. Sl st to top of first dc. Ch-2, sk next ch-2, dc in top of next dc. * Ch-2, dc in top of next dc * repeat between * * to end. Ch-2, dc in third ch from previous row’s beg ch. (8, 16, 28, 43) fully formed blocks)

Row (6, 8, 8, 8): Ch-5, turn, sk first ch-2. * Ch-2, dc in top of next dc * repeat between * * (5, 13, 25, 40) more times (7, 15, 27, 42) fully formed blocks) ch-2, sk-2 chs, sl st to top of next dc.

For DOLL size, end here. Fasten off. See below for completion instructions.

Row (X, 9, 9, 9): Turn, sl st in next two chs. Sl st to top of first dc. Ch-2, sk next ch-2, dc in top of next dc. * Ch-2, dc in top of next dc * repeat between * * to end. Ch-2, dc in third ch from previous row’s beg ch. (X, 14, 26, 41) fully formed blocks)

Row (X, 10, 10, 10): Ch-5, turn, sk first ch-2. * Ch-2, dc in top of next dc * repeat between * * (X, 11, 23, 38) more times (X, 13, 25, 40) fully formed blocks) ch-2, sk-2 chs, sl st to top of next dc.

For TODDLER size, end here. Fasten off. See below for completion instructions.

Row (X, X, 11, 11): Turn, sl st in next two chs. Sl st to top of first dc. Ch-2, sk next ch-2, dc in top of next dc. * Ch-2, dc in top of next dc * repeat between * * to end. Ch-2, dc in third ch from previous row’s beg ch. (X, X, 26, 39) fully formed blocks)

Row (X, X, 12, 12): Ch-5, turn, sk first ch-2. * Ch-2, dc in top of next dc * repeat between * * (X, X, 21, 36) more times (X, X, 23, 38) fully formed blocks) ch-2, sk-2 chs, sl st to top of next dc. Fasten off.

For CHILD size and TEEN size, end here. Move on to “second side of vest front”.

Finishing for ALL sizes of Summer Vest:

Line up “front” to “back” and sew together block for block. Sew only the first (3, 5, 5, 5) rows on each front. (the ones that are “fully formed” blocks). Repeat for other shoulder. Weave in ends.

Using the tail from the first vest “front side”, ch-1, turn, 2sc around each ch-sp around the entire front opening of vest (including neck). Fasten off and weave in ends. Add fringe if desired.

Remember, if you would like to print the ad-free version of this Summer Vest pattern (all child sizes included), you can grab that on Ravelry for an itty bitty fee. Thank you!

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