Ambar's Simple Vest

Ambar's Simple Vest

© 2003 by Ambar E. Rivera

This vest is a child's size 5 Materials:

Size G hook, worsted weight yarn
2 conches
1 pack of leather shoe laces
2 pony beads

Note: Instructions for making this vest in your own size are at the bottom. I made this vest using double crochet stitches. Using the guidelines at the bottom, I'm sure you can make it with other stitches, like single crochet, or clusters, etc. You could alternate rows, too, like one double crochet row, one single crochet row.

Front Right

Row 1- Chain 29. (right side) Double crochet in second (not 3rd) chain from hook, and in each chain stitch. The 2 chains you skipped count as the first double crochet. 28 double crochets.

Row 2-13- Chain 2, turn, (Counts as 1st double crochet, now and throughout). Turn. Double crochet in each double crochet.

Row 14- Chain 1, turn, single crochet in first 4 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, double crochet in remaining stitches.

Row 15- Double crochet in each double crochet. Do not work remaining stitches. 22 stitches

Row 16- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 20 stitches. Leave chain 2 from previous row unworked. 21 stitches.

Row 17- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 18 stitches. 19 stitches.

Row 18- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 17 stitches. 18 stitches.

Row 19- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 16 stitches. 17 stitches.

Row 20- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 15 stitches. 16 stitches.

Row 21- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 14 stitches. 15 stitches.

Row 22- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 9 stitches, make a double crochet decrease, double crochet in next stitch. 13 stitches.

Row 23- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 11 stitches. 12 stitches. Cut off yarn, leaving a 4-5 inch tail for sewing to back.

Front Left:

Row 1- Chain 29. (right side) Double crochet in second (not 3rd) chain from hook, and in each chain stitch. The 2 chains you skipped count as the first double crochet. 28 double crochets.

Row 2-13- Chain 2 (Counts as 1st double crochet, now and throughout). Turn. Double crochet in each double crochet.

Row 14- Chain 1, double crochet in the next 22 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, single crochet in last 4 stitches.

Row 15- Chain 1, slip stitch in next 5 stitches, chain 2, double crochet in remaining double crochets. 22 stitches

Row 16- [IMPORTANT NOTE= From now until end of this section, you will leave all Chain 2 of previous row unworked. This is how the decreases will be made.] Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 20 stitches. Leave chain 2 from previous row unworked. 21 stitches.

Row 17- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 18 stitches. 19 stitches.

Row 18- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 17 stitches. 18 stitches.

Row 19- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 16 stitches. 17 stitches.

Row 20- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 15 stitches. 16 stitches.

Row 21- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 14 stitches. 15 stitches.

Row 22- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 9 stitches, make 1 double crochet decrease , double crochet in next stitch. 13 stitches.

Row 23- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in next 11 stitches. 12 stitches. Cut off yarn, leaving a 4-5 inch tail for sewing to back.

BACK:

Row 1- Chain 58 (just like the total number of chains in the front) [Right side!] Double crochet in 2nd chain from hook and each chain.

Row 2-13 Chain 2, turn, double crochet in each double crochet and in each chain 2.

Row 14- Chain 1, turn, single crochet in 1st 5 stitches, half double crochet in next, double crochet in next 44 stitches. Half double crochet in next stitch, single crochet in next 5 stitches.

Row 15- Slip stitch in next 6 stitches, chain 2, double crochet in next double crochet and all other double crochets of row. IMP!! Leave remaining half double and single crochet UNWORKED.

Row 16- 21- Chain 2, turn, double crochet in remaing double crochets. Do not double crochet in any of the chain 2. This will make for the decreases.

Row 22- [LEFT UPPER BACK] Double crochet in next 13 stitches. Half double crochet in next stitch.

Row 23- Chain 2, turn. Half double crochet in next stitch, double crochet in remaining stitches until end of row, half double crochet in last stitch of upper back. Do not work chain 2 stitch. Fastern off, leaving a 4 inch tail and weave in.

Row 22- [RIGHT UPPER BACK] Skip next 9 stitches of row 21, attach yarn with a slip stitch and chain 2, and work same as Row 23 of LEFT UPPER BACK.

Row 23- Chain 2, turn. Half double crochet in next stitch, double crochet in remaining stitches until end of row, half double crochet in last stitch of upper right back. Do not work chain 2 stitch. Fastern off, leaving a 4 inch tail and weave in.

FINISHING:

Whip stitch shoulder with back. Weave in ends. Attach yarn to any chain stitch on bottom, single crochet all around, working in each corner 2 single crochets. Attach the conches in front (I did it in rows 13 of the fronts) and use a pony bead to secure the leather strap. Cut the strap. Tie sides together with another lace. NOTE: Do NOT sew sides together. (unless you *want to!*)

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Important Note: This vest is for a child, size 5. You can adapt this to any size. Yes, I mean any size! Just use a shirt or sweater or vest you already own, starting with the Front Right, make as many chains as you need to get from your side to the middle of your torso. Note the number, because you're going to need it later on for the Left Front and Back.

Start making double crochets in each row, using chain 2 instead of chain 3 (so it won't make holes). Continue working in rows until you reach 2-3 inches from your under arm. Then notice how from Rows 14 and on there are decreases. Follow the instructions, only make the front as wide as you need it. End in the same way each of the decreasing rows end, for as many rows are you need.

For the Left Front, note the way it starts, just like the Right Front. The decreasing row is the same as Left Front, only with the same number of rows you used for the Right front, so make note of how many rows from botton of the vest until you're going to start to decrease. Then note how many decrease rows and repeat this for the Left Front.

For the back, you'll use twice as many chains as the front. In this case, 29 * 2= 58. Just double what you used in the starting chain of the Right Front. Chain 2, double crochet in each chain and in each chain 2. How many rows did you make before the first decrease in the front? That's the number you'll be using for the back. Notice how it's decreased in the back and follow the same instructions. Compare your work with the T shirt or vest or dress you're using to guide you. Start your decreasing with single crochets, a few of them, maybe 4 maybe 5, whatever your preference. Just make sure you write it down, so that the other side is exactly the same. Do the decreasing rows, just the beginning and end, the same as in the Back of this pattern.

Finally, whip stitch the shoulders together and even the sides, if you want. If not, then tie them together with the leather shoe laces and cut to the length you prefer.

I hope this helps you! If you think about it, you're just making double crochet rows back and forth and then just using some smaller stitches to give it a nice form towards the top. You can do it!

YOU are my portion, O Lord. Psalm 119:57