Summer Breeze Vest—Free Crochet Pattern

I am so excited to share a new summer crochet pattern with you all! Meet the Summer Breeze Vest—Free Crochet Pattern! I love this design because it is such a light and airy crochet pattern. It can be a stylish crochet accent to add over a dress, or a focal point of an outfit with jeans! Keep reading to hear about my design process, yarn info, and more…or scroll down to get directly to the free crochet pattern!

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Another great thing about the Summer Breeze Vest is that it is super simple to make. I’m not kidding—all you’ll have to do is make one back panel, and 2 front panels half the size of the back panel. Lastly, simple side and shoulder seams complete the project!

The stitch pattern is also repetitive and easy to memorize (don’t let the lace scare you! I promise, it just uses simple stitches).

One technique you will need to know for this pattern is blocking. Blocking is essential to make the lace of this design truly open up. If you’ve never done blocking before, be sure to check out this article I wrote about it. I’ll show you the 3 main types of blocking, and which yarn to use with which method. I promise, it’s NOT hard! Check out the article here.

Also…did you know you can get an ad-Free, PDF version of this pattern? It is perfect for easy-printing! Get this version HERE or click below.

The Yarn

Last thing before we get to the pattern…let’s talk yarn! I used Knit Picks Stroll Fingering for my vest. I highly recommend this yarn. It is light, and also soft! You’ll need the following amount of skeins for your project: 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 5). Order it now by clicking HERE! There are tons of beautiful colors to choose from!

Summer Breeze Vest—Free Crochet Pattern

BY DESERT BLOSSOM CRAFTS

All right, let’s jump right in!

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• To get the ad-free, PDF version of this pattern, click HERE.

Materials

• Knit Picks Stroll Fingering: 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 5) skeins
• Total yardage needed: 550 (630, 710, 790, 870, 950) yards fingering weight yarn (approximate)
• F (3.75mm) Hook (or size to obtain gauge)
• Yarn needle

Abbreviations/Stitches Used (U.S. terminology)

Chain – ch

Foundation Single Crochet – fsc

Slip Stitch: sl st

Single crochet – sc

Double crochet – dc

Repeat – rep

Round – rnd

Skip – sk

Stitch(es) – st(s)

RS: right side

Special Stitches:

V-Stitch: (Dc, ch 2, dc) in indicated stitch.

Shell: (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in indicated stitch.

Sizing:

To fit Bust size: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50)”

Width of Back panel: 16 (18, 20, 22, 24, 26)”

Width of Front panels: 8 (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)”

Length of all panels: 22 (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)”

For reference, model is 5’ 4″ with a bust of 30”, wearing a size Small.

Gauge:

4 shells and 8 rows BLOCKED = 4”

To make a gauge swatch:

Fsc 24.

Row 1: Ch 3, dc across. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, dc in next dc. *Sk 2 dc, shell in next dc. Sk 2 dc, v-stitch in next dc. Rep from * until 4 sts left. Sk 2 dc, dc in last 2 dc. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, dc in next dc. *Shell in ch-2 sp of next v-stitch, v-stitch in ch sp of next shell. Rep from * across. Dc in last 2 dc. Turn.

Rep row 3 until you have a square—at least 9 rows. Fasten off and block. Then measure the center 4 shells/v-stitches. They should be 1” each, or about 4” total. Note: it is very important to block this cardigan because the stitch pattern used opens up A LOT. The effect of the cardigan will not be the same without blocking.

Instructions:

BACK PANEL

Fsc 53, (59, 65, 71, 77, 83)

Row 1-2: Ch 3, dc across. Turn.

Row 3 (RS): Ch 3, dc in next 5 sts. *Sk 2 dc, shell in next dc. Sk 2 dc, v-stitch in next dc. Rep from * until 8 sts are left. Sk 2 sts, dc in last 6 sts. Turn.

Row 4: Ch 3, dc in next 5 sts. *V stitch in next shell. Shell in next v-stitch. Rep from * until 1 shell is left. V stitch in last shell. Dc in last 6 dc. Turn.

Row 5: Ch 3, dc in next 5 sts. *Shell in next v stitch, v stitch in next shell. Rep from * until 1 v stitch left. Shell in last v stitch. Dc in last 6 dc. Turn.

Rep rows 4-5 until you have 41 (43, 45, 47, 49, 51) TOTAL rows.

Row 42 (44, 46, 48, 50, 52): Rep row 4 again

Row 43 (45, 47, 49, 51, 53): Ch 3, dc in next 5 sts. Dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc. *Dc in next dc, sk next dc, dc in ch-sp. Sk next dc, dc in next dc. Dc in next dc, dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc. Rep from * until one v-stitch and one shell left. Dc in next dc, sk next dc, dc in next ch sp. Sk next dc, dc in next dc. Dc in next dc, 2 dc in last ch-2 sp, dc in next dc. Dc in last 6 dc. Turn.

Last row: Ch 3, dc in each st across. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

FRONT PANEL

Fsc 29 (32, 35, 38, 41, 44)

Rep the same as for back panel to row 41 (43, 45, 47, 49, 51).

Row 1 Note: For sizes M, XL, and 3XL, you will end on a v-stitch rather than a shell. Don’t worry about this—it’s fine!

Row 42 (44, 46, 48, 50, 52): Rep row 4 again.

Next row for sizes S, L, and 2XL: Ch 3, dc in next 5 sts. Dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc. *Dc in next dc, sk next dc, dc in ch-sp. Sk next dc, dc in next dc. Dc in next dc, dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc. Rep from * until one v-stitch and one shell left. Dc in next dc, sk next dc, dc in next ch sp. Sk next dc, dc in next dc. Dc in next dc, 2 dc in last ch-2 sp, dc in next dc. Dc in last 6 dc. Turn.

Next row for sizes M, XL, and 3XL: Ch 3, dc in next 5 sts, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, *dc in next dc, sk next dc, dc in ch –sp, sk next dc, dc in next dc,  dc in next dc, dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, rep from * until one v- stitch and one shell left, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 space, dc in next dc, dc in next dc, sk next dc, dc in ch -1 sp. Sk next dc, dc in next dc, and dc in remaining 6 dc. Turn.

Last Row: Ch 3, dc in next dc. Dc2tog. Dc across, until 4 dc left. Dc2tog over next 2 sts, dc in last 2 dc. Fasten off.

ASSEMBLY

With right sides together, lay the front panels on top of the back panel. Sew shoulder seams. Sew side seams, leaving a 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)” armhole opening (or whatever feels comfortable!) Then, block vest to finished measurements. (You can block before assembly too, but I found it harder to get all the pieces the same length/width).

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

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Happy Crocheting!

—Rachel 🙂