We all know a little boy like my nephew: super smart, super cute, super active! What do you make for a boy who's always on the go? You can forget about hat and gloves - who has time to put them on before running to the swing? You can toss out blankets too: by the time you’re done, he’s in college. I knew it had to be quick to make (lest he grow again), easy to wash (it’s going to get filthy), and something he would actually wear (no granny squares for this boy). So, hopefully you’ll agree that this vest has it all for your and my boy on the go.

Special thanks to Kraemer Yarn Company for supplying the yarn for this project. Please take a minute to check them out; they are great yarn company that supports all fiber enthusiasts and is conveniently located close to my hometown in Pennsylvania.

• Summit Hill Yarn by Kraemer Yarns (100% Merino superwash wool, 230 yards [210 m] per 3.5 oz [100 g])
• Main Color (MC): Adventurine (Green), 2 (2, 2, 3) skeins
• Contrasting Color (CC): Peridot (Lime), 1 (1, 1, 1) skein
• US H/8 (5.00mm) hook
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends
• (1) 18”/46 cm (18”/46 cm, 22”/56 cm, 22”/56 cm) coil-separating sweater zipper
• Sewing thread to match the zipper
• Sewing needle

Sizes Small, (Medium, Large, X-Large) fit chest size 21” (23”, 25”, 27”). Approximately a US Child size 2 (4, 6, 8).

The pattern is written for size Small with changes for Medium, Large, and X-Large written in parentheses.

17 sts x 10 rows of alternating ltr and sc-flo rows = 4" (10 cm)

• Please watch gauge as you crochet. Vest should fit loosely over clothes.
• Keep in mind that if you choose to use normal treble and single crochet in this garment, there will be a significant difference in look and wearability. You will lose the neat textured pattern that the linked trebles create, and the stitches may snag more easily.
• Vest is worked in one piece up to the arm openings, then it is divided into 3 sections: 2 front panels and the back. The only seam is at the shoulder.
• Please note that this vest uses machine-washable yarn. I do not recommend using anything but machine-washable for your child on the go.

Special Stitches

Linked Treble (ltr) (see tutorial for more on how to make this stitch):

Set-up stitch:  Insert hook into the 2nd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop, insert hook into 3rd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop, insert hook into the 5th st from hook (note:  the top of the last st of the previous row does not count as a st), yo, draw up loop (4 loops on hook), yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, yo, draw through next 2 loops, yo, draw through last 2 loops (first stitch made).

Next stitch:  Insert hook into upper horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook into lower horizontal bar, yo, draw up loop, insert hook into next ch, yo, draw up loop, (4 loops on hook), yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, yo, draw through next 2 loops, yo, draw through last 2 loops,

Linked Double Crochet (ldc):

Set-up stitch:  Insert hook into the 2nd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop, insert hook into the 4th ch from hook (note:  the top of the last st of the previous row does not count as a st), yo, draw up loop (3 loops on hook), yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, yo, draw through last 2 loops.

Next stitch:  Insert hook into horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook into next ch, yo, draw up loop (3 loops on hook), yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, yo, draw through last 2 loops.

Body

With MC, ch 113 (129, 137, 155).

Inspired by the handcrafted hippy look of the Woodstock generation, this modern take on the gypsy vest is a must-have accessory. The vest is wearable no matter what your style, dress it down with jeans and a tank top, dress it up with slacks and a tunic. This piece will see you from the dog days of summer through the cool crisp days of fall and even on to chilly winter nights.

• Rayon Boucle by Fiesta (240 yds per 4 oz.) color #2131 Taos, 4-5 hanks
• US J (6mm) hook

X-Small (Small, Medium, Large, X-Large)
Bust: 35” (38” 40”, 43”, 46”)

5 chain arches and 10 rows over 4 inches (10cm)

US Pattern conventions used
Ch – chain
Sc – single crochet
Sk – skip
Rep – repeat
Dec – decrease
Sl st – slip stitch
St – stitch
Tr – treble crochet

Back

(Working from bottom of vest to underarm)

Did you ever have one of those relatives, possibly an uncle, older cousin -- or if you were really lucky -- a father, whose adventurous spirit caught up everyone around? It’s in honor of those eccentric men who always have a new story, can make a game out of nothing, or share something magical -- not necessarily child-safe, but fun nonetheless -- that I created this vest. It features three types of crochet cables, I call them ‘the big cable,’ ‘skinny straight cables,’ and ‘the X cables.’

This project is not for the faint of heart, or the beginner crocheter (sorry!) as you should have mastered all questions of crocheting in the round, joining rows, crochet stitch anatomy, and your own visualization techniques in order to succeed. Add on to that a 2ply yarn and well… (sorry!) If you are ready for a challenge, go ahead and make the pocket/swatch. If all goes well, you are on your way! The back pocket is optional, but gives a new Papa a place to put all manner of things for a little one, or hidden from them! I put in a bit of waist shaping too, just leave it out if you like by beginning with 210 stitches and cancel the side increases. Lastly, I have only written for one size as of now, a men’s large (44 in chest). If you need larger or smaller, just edit the number of side single crochets. Ready? Let’s go!

• Hook size: E or 3.5mm
• Yarn: 1495 meters of two-ply wool, I used a 50% Merino in sage green. (40g/165m)

Make a gauge swatch: Chain 42. Chain 1 and turn.

Row 1: Sc in second chain from hook. Sc across. Ch 1 turn.

Row 2: Sc across, Ch1, turn.

Row 3: *Sc1, Double Crochet down around post of sc directly below (dblpst)*, repeat 7 more times. Sc 2. Dblpst 6. Sc 2. *Dblpst 1, sc 1*, repeat across to end.

Row 4: Sc across, working in tops of Dblpsts (skipping row 1’s sc is noticeable during the series of 6dblpst).

Row 5: Repeat Row 3.

Row 6: Repeat Row 4.

Row 7: Repeat Row 3.

Row 8: Repeat Row 4.

Row 9: This is where the trickiness begins! Please see the detail below for creating a big cable. This row contains the twist. Proceed as for row 3, checking detail when you come to the center twist. Note the twists use a Triple crochet rather than the Dbl used elsewhere.

Rows 10-18: Continue Alternating sc rows and dblpst pattern rows.

Row 19: Second twist happens here, it is exactly the same as before. the right should overlap the left throughout.

Rows 20- 35: Continue in pattern, adding twists after every five dblpst rows.

Rows 36-37: Sc evenly across. Cut thread leaving a long enough end to sew around to attach to back. Go ahead and block and measure this piece. It should be 21cm by 15cm.

US pattern notations used
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dblpst = double crochet around post of sc directly below
Dbl=1Yo
Trb=2Yo

Begin The Vest

Please review details shown at the end and read through thoroughly before beginning! Step numbers refer to vest front diagram at the end.

I keep hearing two complaints: people don't know what to do with that one skein of novelty yarn they purchased on impulse, and people don't know what to do with the skeins/partial skeins of yarn leftover after completing a big project. This simple vest is an idea I came up with to bust through part of my stash and end up with something cute and fun, not hideous and scary.

I made this vest using front-loop-only single crochet to give the vest a little more texture.  Feel free to sc through both loops if you find the front-loop-only texture distasteful. The pattern for the front panels of the vest is only one example of the many ways you can utilize your stash for the front of the vest, and you are encouraged to try different stitches. The front of the vest is a little wider than the back in order to accommodate bust size. If you are particularly busty, I suggest widening the front panels by adding a few more rows.

• Back/hood/fringe: 460 (600, 740) yards of non-variegated worsted weight yarn (I used TLC Essentials in Dark Sage because that's what I had in my stash)
• Front:  175 (225, 275) yards of stash yarn in coordinating colors
• 4.5mm (size G/7) hook or size needed to obtain gauge

S: 34" bust x 20" length (exclusive of hood and fringe)
M: 36.5" bust x 24" length (exclusive of hood and fringe)
L:  39" bust x 28" length (exclusive of hood and fringe)

9 sts x 8 rows = 2.5" in sc

For this pattern, sc = single crochet in front loop only.

The double loop stitch, DLS (adapted from the book, New Design in Crochet by Clinton D. Mackenzie, Van Nostrand, Reinhold Company, 1972): The DLS is worked with the wrong side of the project facing you.  When doing DLS for multiple rows, alternate between rows of DLS and sc, unless you would like the double-loop fringe to be two-sided.  Refer to Figures A1-A3 for each step respectively.

(Directions for right-handed crocheters):
Step 1:  Grasp the yarn with your left hand and wrap it clockwise twice around your left index finger so there are two loops around your finger. Insert the hook into the stitch so there are two loops on the hook and rotate the hook so it goes under the yarn (not shown:  wrapping the hook under the yarn in the opposite direction will yield a more secured loop stitch).

Fig. A1

Step 2:  Slip the hook under the loops around your left index finger. Catch all 3 strands with the hook and bring all three strands through the stitch (the first loop on your hook) so there are 4 loops on your hook.

Fig. A2

Step 3:  Yo and pull the yarn through all the loops on the hook.

Fig. A3

Back and Sid