Looking for a cozy, stylish addition to your handmade wardrobe? This Free Crochet Vest with Shawl Collar Pattern is perfect for layering all year round.
Whether you’re dressing up or lounging at home, this vest offers comfort, texture, and a timeless silhouette—all with the satisfaction of making it yourself.
Contents
Materials You’ll Need
- Medium weight yarn (approx. 3.5 oz / 100 g; 200 yds / 182 m per ball)
- Size XS/M: 6 balls
- Size L/XL: 7 balls
- Size 2/3XL: 8 balls
- Size U.S. H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Yarn needle
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- Alt = Alternate
- Approx = Approximately
- Beg = Beginning
- Ch = Chain(s)
- Dc = Double crochet
- Inc = Increase(ing)
- Rep = Repeat
- Rnd = Round(s)
- RS = Right side
- Sc = Single crochet
- Sl st = Slip stitch
- Sp = Space(s)
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- WS = Wrong side
- Yoh = Yarn over hook
Sizes
To fit bust measurement
- XS/M: 28-38″ [71-96.5 cm]
- L/XL: 40-46″ [101.5-117 cm]
- 2/3XL: 48-52″ [122-132 cm]
Finished bust
- XS/M: 39″ [99 cm]
- L/XL: 46″ [117 cm]
- 2/3XL: 52″ [132 cm]
Gauge: 14 dc and 7 rows = 4″ [10 cm]
Instructions
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes.
- Notes:
Body is worked in one piece from neck edge down to armholes. - Ch 3 at beg of row counts as dc.
- Move markers in same manner as established in 3rd row
Body
Beg at neck edge, ch 46 (52-62).
1st row: (RS). 2 dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as 3 dc). 1 dc in each of next 5 (6-6) ch. 2 dc in each of next 2 ch. 1 dc in each of next 27 (31-41) ch. 2 dc in each of next 2 ch. 1 dc in each of next 5 (6-6) ch. 3 dc in last ch. Turn. 51 (57-67) dc.
2nd row: Ch 3. 1 dc in first dc (inc made). 2 dc in each of next 2 dc. 1 dc in each of next 6 (7-7) dc. 2 dc in each of next 2 dc. 1 dc in each of next 29 (33-43) dc. 2 dc in each of next 2 dc. 1 dc in each of next 6 (7-7) dc. 2 dc in each of last 3 dc. Turn. 61 (67-77) dc.
3rd row: Ch 3. 1 dc in first dc (inc made). 1 dc in each of next 2 dc. 2 dc in next dc, placing marker on last dc worked. 2 dc in next dc, placing marker on first dc worked. 1 dc in each of next 8 (9-9) dc. Rep from * to *. 1 dc in each of next 31 (35-45) dc. Rep from * to *. 1 dc in each of next 8 (9-9) dc. Rep from * to *. 1 dc in each of next 2 dc. 2 dc in last dc. Turn. 71 (77-87) dc.
4th row: Ch 3. 1 dc in first dc (inc made). *1 dc in each dc to next 2 marked dc. 2 dc in each of next 2 marked dc. Rep from * 3 times more. 1 dc in each dc to last dc. 2 dc in last dc. Turn. (10 dc inc).
5th row: Ch 3. *1 dc in each dc to next 2 marked dc. 2 dc in each of next 2 marked dc. Rep from * 3 times more. 1 dc in each dc to end of row. Turn. (8 dc inc).
Rep last 2 rows 5 (6-7) times more. 179 (203-231) dc.
Next row (WS): Ch 3. 1 dc in each of next 25 (28-29) dc (Right Front). 2 dc in each of next 2 marked dc. 1 dc in each of next 32 (37-41) dc (Right Sleeve). 2 dc in each of next 2 marked dc. 1 dc in each of next 55 (63-81) dc (Back). 2 dc in each of next 2 marked dc. 1 dc in each of next 32 (37-41) dc (Left Sleeve). 2 dc in each of next 2 marked dc. 1 dc in each of next 26 (29-30) dc (Left Front). Turn. 187 (211-239) dc. Do not fasten off.
Left Sleeve
With RS facing, join separate length of yarn with sl st into last marked st of left Back. Ch 5 (6-7). Join ch with sl st in first marked st before Left Sleeve (after Left Front). Fasten off.
Next rnd (RS): Join yarn with sl st in marked st before left sleeve. Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 36 (41-45) dc of sleeve. 1 sc in each of next 5 (6-7) ch. Join with sl st to first sc. 41 (47-52) sc.
Next rnd: Ch 1. Working from left to right instead of from right to left, as usual, work 1 reverse sc in each sc around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Right Sleeve
With RS facing, join separate length of yarn with sl st into last marked before Right Sleeve (after Right Front). Ch 5 (6-7). Join ch with sl st in first marked st of right Back. Fasten off.
Next rnd (RS): Join yarn with sl st in marked st before right sleeve. Ch 1 (counts as dc). 1 sc in each of next 36 (41-45) dc of sleeve. 1 sc in each of next 5 (6-7) ch. Join with sl st to first sc. 41 (47-52) sc.
Next rnd: Ch 1. Working from left to right instead of from right to left, as usual, work 1 reverse sc in each sc around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Body Continued
1st row (RS): Ch 3. 1 dc in each of next 27 (30-31) dc (Left Front). 1 dc in each rem loop of next 5 (6-7) ch. 1 dc in each of next 59 (67-85) dc (Back). 1 dc in each rem loop of next 5 (6-7) ch. 1 dc in each of next 28 (31-32) dc (Right Front). Turn. 125 (141-163) dc. Place markers at each end of last row
2nd row: Ch 3. (Yoh and draw up a loop in next dc. Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice. Yoh and draw through all 3 loops on hook – dc2tog made. 1 dc in each dc to last 3 dc. Dc2tog. 1 dc in last dc. Turn.
Rep last row 6 times more. 111 (127-149) dc. Fasten off.
Collar and Edging
1st rnd (RS): Join yarn with sl st at left front ‘side seam’. Ch 1. Work 63 (73-91) sc across back to right front ‘side seam, 16 (18-21) sc across straight edge of right front, 18 sc around curved edge of right front to marker, 35 (39-41) sc up right front edge, 29 (33-38) sc across back neck edge, 35 (39-41) sc down left front edge to marker, 18 sc around curved edge of left front and 17 (20-23) sc across straight edge of left front. Join with sl st to first sc. 231 (258-291) sc.
2nd rnd: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1). 1 dc in same sp as last sl st. Skip next 2 sc. (1 dc. Ch 1. 1 dc) – V-st made in next sc. Rep from * to * 25 (29-36) times more. (Skip next sc. V-st in next sc) 9 times. Rep from * to * 33 (37-40) times more. (Skip next sc. V-st in next sc) 9 times. Rep from * to * 4 (5-6) times more. Skip last 2 sc. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of ch 4.
3rd rnd: Sl st across to ch-1 sp of next V-st. Ch 1. 1 sc in same sp as last sl st. *(3 dc. Ch 1. 3 dc) – shell made in ch-1 sp of next V-st. 1 sc in ch-1 sp of next V-st. Rep from * around, omitting sc at end of last rep. Join with sl st to first sc.
4th rnd: Sl st across to ch-1 sp of next shell. Ch 1. 1 sc in same sp as last sl st. *Ch 3. V-st in next sc. Ch 3. 1 sc in ch-1 sp of next shell. Rep from * around, omitting sc at end of last rep. Join with sl st to first sc.
5th rnd: Ch 3 (counts as dc). 2 dc in same sp as last sl st. *1 sc in next ch-3 sp. Ch 2. 1 sc in ch-1 sp of next V-st. Ch 2. 1 sc in next ch-3 sp. 3 dc in next sc. Rep from * around, omitting 3 dc at end of last rep. Join with sl st to top of ch 3.
6th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch-1). 1 dc in same sp as sl st. *Ch 1. Skip next dc, sc and next ch-2 sp. V-st in next sc. Ch 1. Skip next ch-2 sp, sc and next dc. V-st in next dc. Rep from * around, omitting V-st at end of last rep. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of ch 4.
7th to 9th rnds: As 3rd to 5th rnds.
10th rnd (inc rnd): Sl st in next dc. Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch-1). 1 dc in same sp. *Ch 1. Skip next dc and sc. V-st in next ch-2 sp. Ch 1. V-st in next ch-2 sp. Ch 1. Skip next sc and dc. V st in next dc. Rep from * around, omitting V-st at end of last rep. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of ch 4.
11th to 18th rnds: As 3rd to 6th rnds twice more.
19th rnd: As 3rd rnd. Fasten off.
Final Thoughts
This shawl collar vest is the perfect blend of simplicity and elegance. Whether you wear it over a turtleneck or a tank top, it’s a fantastic handmade layering piece. Enjoy the process — and your cozy, stylish result!
