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)

Ch 40 (50, 60, 70, 80).

Row 1: 1 sc into 4th ch from hook, *3 ch, sk 1 ch, 1 sc into next ch. Rep from * to end, turn.

Row 2: *3 ch, 1 sc into next 3 ch arch. Rep from * to end, turn.

Rep 2nd row until piece is desired length from underarm. (Sample is approx. 33 inches.)

Shape armholes

Dec Row 1: Sl st across 1 (2, 2, 2, 3) chain arch(es) by working a sl st in each chain (and in any sc between chain arches). Sc in next ch arch. Continue in established pattern leaving last 1 (2,2,2,3) ch arch(es) unworked.

Work in established pattern for another 8”. Fasten off.

Front (Make 2)

Ch 26 (28, 30, 34).

Row 1: 1 sc into 4th ch from hook, *3 ch, sk 1 ch, 1 sc into next ch. Rep from * to end, turn.

Row 2: *3 ch, 1 sc into next 3 ch arch. Rep from * to end, turn.

Rep 2nd row until piece is desired length from underarm. (Sample is approx. 33 inches.)

Shape armhole

Dec Row 1: Sl st across 1 (2, 2, 2, 3) chain arch(es) by working a sl st in each chain (and in any sc between chain arches). Sc in next ch arch. Continue in established pattern to end of row. Work even in established pattern for 6 more rows.

Shape Neck

At opposite side of armhole, sl st into 1st ch, sc in ch arch. Continue working in established pattern, working a sl st into first ch of each row that begins at neck edge until 4 ch arches remain. Work 2 more rows or until piece measures 8 inches from bottom of armhole. Fasten off.

Attach pieces in desired fashion (ex. sewing, slip stitch, single crochet)

Fan Edging

Join yarn at bottom corner.

Rnd 1: Work 1 round sc all the way around. (Along bottom, work 1 sc into each ch. Along sides work 2 sc in each half diamond and 1 sc in each corner of full diamond. Around back neck edge work 1 sc in each ch arch and each sc.) Join with sl st.

Rnd 2: Sc in next st. *Sk 3 sc. Work a fan of 7 Tr in next st. Sk 3 sc. Sc in next st** rep to where you would like to place tie. Sk 3 sc. Work 4 Tr in next st. Ch 31. Sc in each ch back to fan. Finish fan with 3 more Tr.* work from * to * once (to place 2nd tie) and from * to ** all the way around, ending with sl st into first sc.

Armhole edging

Join yarn at bottom seam.

Rnd 1: Work 1 round sc all the way around. Join with sl st.

Rnd 2: Sc in next st. *Sk 3 sc. Work a fan of 7 Tr in next st. Sk 3 sc. Sc in next st* rep all the way around sl st into first sc.

Note: If fans do not work out exactly evenly spaced in end, Don’t Panic. This is why we start in an inconspicuous place.

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.