Spring Vest Crochet Along: Part ONE

Today is the day for part ONE of the Spring Vest Crochet Along! This pattern is broken into two parts, and today we will start on the body of the vest. Grab your materials and let’s get started!

Spring Vest: Part ONE

Find all of the materials for this crochet along, along with the gauge and dates etc, at this post. Gauge is very important in this pattern, mostly for the width of the stitch.

Now that you’ve got your materials and your gauge as similar to mine as possible, let’s start our vest!

For this portion of the pattern, we are working from the bottom hem up to the underarm. At the end of this portion of the Crochet Along, you will have one large rectangle. (The size of the rectangle is dependent of the size of the vest – measurements below).

Pattern Notes:

See the video below for further instruction on all of the following:

Odd numbered rows are “right side”.

The crossed double crochets go around each other.

The chain at the beginning of each row DOES count as a stitch.

Cluster = YO, insert hook in next ch-sp and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). YO, pull through two loops (2 loops on hook). YO, insert hook in same ch-sp and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). YO, pull through two loops (3 loops on hook). YO, insert hook in same ch-sp and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook). YO, pull through two loops (4 loops on hook). YO, pull through all loops. Again, see video below.

Sizes: (XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL)

If in doubt on sizing, or debating between two sizes, I would go with the larger size. This is a vest afterall, so I would rather it be a bit too large than a bit too snug.

Important: Keep your tension LOOSE. Even if you were able to meet gauge with double crochet as instructed in the materials and information post, I’ve noticed that this stitch has a tendency to shrink as you go. I recommend that you measure the total width (vest width in the chart above) periodically starting around row 10 to make sure you’re on track, and you might even go up a hook size if you find that this is a problem for you. You should maintain a gauge of 5 complete clusters width in 4″ throughout the pattern.

Sizes: (XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL)

PART ONE:

Row 1: Fsc-(146, 158, 170, 182, 200, 224, 252, 278) (or ch-147, 159, 171, 183, 201, 225, 253, 279, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each to end)

Row 2: Ch-3 (counts as dc), turn, sk-3 sts, dc in next. Ch-1, dc in 2nd missed stitch (see photo). * sk-2 sts, dc in next, ch-1, dc in 1st missed stitch * (this should leave one st open in between the crossed dcs) repeat between * * to end of row, dc in last st. (146, 158, 170, 182, 200, 224, 252, 278)

Row 3: Ch-4 (counts as dc + ch-1), turn. Sk-first ch-sp, in between next crossed dc place one cluster. * ch-2, cluster in next ch-sp * repeat between * * to end. Ch-1, dc in 3rd ch of turning chain. (48, 52, 56, 60, 66, 74, 84, 92 clusters)

Row 4: Ch-3, turn, sk next ch-1 sp and next cluster. * dc in next ch-sp, ch-1, dc in previous ch-sp * repeat between * * to end. Dc in 3rd ch of turning chain. (146, 158, 170, 182, 200, 224, 252, 278)

Rows 5 through (32, 32, 32, 34, 34, 32, 30, 30): alternate rows 3 & 4

You should end with a crossed double crochet row. Do not fasten off.

That is all there is to part one! This stitch takes a bit to get used to, but once you find that groove you’ll fly right through these rows! Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to complete this portion of the pattern by Friday, March 27th, 2020. 😛

Here is my finished part ONE:

Of course, if you fall behind there will be no penalities, but it is fun to crochet together and to share our progress with like-minded crochet friends. When you’re finished with this portion, I’d love to see a photo! Tag me by using @HeartHookHome on Instagram and Twitter, or share in the Heart Hook Home Crochet Community on Facebook.

If you’re looking for more fun patterns, these past crochet alongs were so much fun, and you can work them in parts as well:

Come On I Wanna Ruana: Free Crochet Along!

“Woven In Time” Sofa Blanket Crochet Along Materials & Dates

The Elizabeth Cardigan – Crochet Along (CAL) – Free Crochet Pattern

Dragon Tears Coin Purse Crochet Along