Sweet Nothings Crochet: AN EASY SLEEVELESS VEST FOR DIYA

AN EASY SLEEVELESS VEST FOR DIYA - a free crochet pattern from Sweet Nothings Crochet

This front-open little girl's crochet jacket is really lovely pattern that is pretty easy to make. We use very basic stitches that make it simple for an intermediate beginner to try this project. I’m making this for a friend’s grand daughter, with some absolutely superb 100% cotton yarn from I Love This Cotton, with a 5 mm crochet hook. I've made a matching headband and you can find loads of my headwear patterns here
Thank you for joining me.
In case you have just joined me, know that you can access all of my earlier creations by checking under ‘categories’ on the right hand side of this blog under “Labels”.
How labels work : All patterns under a similar label can be found together so when you click on the label for say "crochet baby dress pattern", all my baby dress patterns are available - so scroll down to the very bottom and click on "Older Posts" to move onto the next post in the series. Before you reach that you have several other ways to find my blogs including blog links at the bottom of this blog
For your convenience, follow me here or on Facebook, You Tube, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.
Oh, and may I add that the fastest way to find any of my blogs is via Pinterest and if you are looking for more children wear then come here
All my blogs can be printed. Find the print friendly (green) link on the right of this blog. You can also hit Control P (or Command P for Mac) on your keyboard, and the blog will go directly to the connected printer. Remember that you only print if absolutely essential. Save paper – Save Our Earth.
Do remember to add my blog URL when you make and show off your creation.
Just copy the link on the search bar above - that's the blog URL.

To purchase this or similar yarn online, click here to buy your yarns online via Amazon. While you will still pay the same, I may get paid by Amazon as well.
This is a free blog - so do pay it forward for me. Cheers.

May I request you to please read through all my detailed instructions for each section. I take a lot of trouble in giving loads of information, so read along and make a great project. Cheers.

Materials used : Today I’ve used about 2 balls (100 gm each) of the absolutely fantastic 100% cotton yarn from I Love This Cotton (HL#581876 ; 254 Rosy) , with a 5 mm crochet hook a little embroidery thread ; embroidery needle ; fabric glue to seal ends ; crochet stitch markers ; poly-fill stuffing ; stocking net ; beads n more ; satin ribbon

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red rose , 4-ply knitting cotton , or unbranded knitting cotton or White Rose or bamboo knitting cotton , Milk cotton ; Silk yarns as well as Oswal 4-ply yarn ; Baby soft acrylic yarn , Ganga Spectrum as well

General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.

You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn , Lily Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn, Caron Simply Soft , Bernat Softee chunky.

Skill level : Easy to intermediate

Size made : 24 ; Length : ~ 16”

You can make this to any size. Size only given for rough yarn estimation.

Abbreviations used : Using U.S terminology

ch : chain ch-sp : chain space

sp : space rep : Repeat

fdc : Foundation double crochet

dc : Double crochet

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

Children’s sizing chart : here

Instructions : Using U.S terminology

Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.

Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.

Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.

In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement. This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project.

Let’s as usual start with our quick analysis of what we’re going to do here today. We start at the base of our vest and then work our way up to the shoulders and neck. I've decided to make a lovely sleeveless vest for darling Diya.

Now before you go further, here's an idea. If you like the pattern and want to make this a top, just make one back and one front, (instead of two front parts). Follow the instruction ideas for the front for armhole and neckline and voila! you have a top!

Using the ideas given below, you can make this as a vest or top using any yarn with a suitable hook, to any size. So let’s get started.

PART 1 : BACK

Make one piece

Our stitch count is in multiples of 3 + 1.

Note : If you decide to start with regular chain (which I beg you not to), start with chains in multiples of three + 3, and then turn around, and do your 1^st dc in the 3^rd ch from hk, and then dc in each ch till end. You will then work Row 2.

Foundation double crochet (fdc) : https://youtu.be/hjNUYVvyU9k

Start Row 1 : with in multiples of 3 + 1 fdc . Turn.

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

What is a chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY

Row 2 : sc in the 1^st fdc ;

*ch 4, sk next 2 fdc, sc in the next fdc* ;

rep *to* till end. Turn.

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);

[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

Row 3 : dc in the 1^st sc ;

ch 2, sc in the 1^st ch-4 sp

*ch 4, sc in the next ch-4 sp* ;

rep *to* till last ch-4 sp ;

ch 2, dc in the last sc. Turn.

Row 4 : sc in the 1^st dc ;

ch 4, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-4 sp ;

*ch 4, sc in the next ch-4 sp* ;

rep *to* till end, sk last sc and end with a sc in the last dc. Turn.

Row 5 : dc in the 1^st sc ;

*3 dc in the next ch-4 sp* ;

rep *to* till last ch-4 sp ; 2 dc in the last ch-4 sp ; dc in the last sc. Turn.

Note : Check that you have the same number of dc as your starting fdc

Row 6 : dc in the 1^st 2 dc ;

*ch 1, sk next dc , dc in the next 2 dc* ;

rep *to* till 2 dc ; ch 1, sk next dc, dc in the last dc. Turn.

Row 7 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

*dc in the next ch-1 sp ; dc in the next 2 dc* ;

rep *to* till end. Turn.

And we’ve done one lovely pattern repeat. See how lovely this look already.

Right then, continue with rep Rows 2 – 7 till your project reaches the armhole level (i.e length from the base of the vest to the armhole for the child this vest is intended for).

There is a convenient link for children body sizing at the top of this blog as well.

We’ll meet at that point for the armhole decrease.

What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

Decrease Row 1 : sl-st into the 1^st 4 dc ; sc in the same 4^th dc ; sc in the next dc ;

*ch 4, sk next 2 dc, sc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* till last 3 dc. Turn (leaving last 3 dc unworked).

Note : Please check that you once again have a multiple of 3 + 1 sts at the end of this row. The stitch pattern here is a rep of Row 2.

Rep Pattern Rows 3 - 7 once.

Rep Rows 2-7 till you have the round armhole size you need.

Remember that you need not end in a Row 7.

You could end on any row, as long as you have the armhole size / round needed. Just make a note of which row you end, so you can do that exactly for the fronts as well.

For the back, we will not do any further decrease for the neck, as we go up all the way to the shoulders with the same pattern.

When you reach the shoulders, fasten off and weave in ends.

PART 2 : FRONT

Make two

For the fronts, we will do the same as for the back, but we will add in a neckline decrease as well. So once you have done the pattern till the armhole, that’s where the difference begins.

Now for my neckline, I’m going to start the decreases when I reach half the length of armhole-shoulder length.

Let’s say you’ve done 5” from the armhole decrease to the final shoulder finish for the back, then when I reach 2.5”, I’m going to do my neckline decrease.

In my case, my one pattern repeat (Rows 2 – 7) = ~ 2.5”, so I’m going to do only one pattern repeat after armhole, and then do my neckline decrease.

OK, so enough chatting.. let’s get the first front bit done till the armhole, and we’ll chat a little again about neckline decrease.

So rep instructions of Back till armhole decrease row, but as we’re making two, you will be doing half the number of stitches that you used for the front. Ensure though that you start once again in multiples of 3 + 1.

So once you’ve reached the armhole decrease section, start your decreases from the armhole side.

After one pattern repeat, check if you think it’s “deep” enough for the neck drop (i.e shoulder to neckline), and then you will do the same decrease once for the neckline as well from the opposite side of the armhole.

Continue without any further decrease till the front reaches the same length as the back.

Fasten off and leave a long tail to join with the back.

Repeat this for the other side of the front as well.

Join the shoulders and then the sides, using one of the ideas given below.

Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

If you’ve decided (as I have) to keep this sleeveless, then finish off with one round of sc all around the armhole, and then a round of sc all around the neckline and fronts.

If you want to add sleeves, see the chart below .

If you’ve thought of adding buttons, then add one more row with small button holes along one side of the front, finishing off with one last row of sc to hold that button placket altogether.

Fasten off and weave in ends. Give yourself a big pat on the back as this one has really been a great project – especially the up and down edging – but totally worth it, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Enjoyed this ?? I sure did.. Come back right here for more freebie patterns

Remember to share this blog post when you share your photos with me on Facebook. I’d love to feature your photos on my FB page. Cheers.

If you're visiting me here for the first time, and have liked the experience, do add me to your mailing list (for your convenience) , and all my future free patterns will come straight to your mail box.

I’d appreciate if you could credit my blog (and link the original pattern link) when you make your own creation. Thanks.

Check out my awesome pins on Pinterest

OR just my free patterns

Join me on YouTube

And on my Facebook page for more patterns.

Do follow me on Twitter

Do follow me on Instagram

Find me on Ravelry

Have a great day and see you soon.

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/08/gulabi-top.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/08/vibhinna-top.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/06/rangeela-top.html