Peaches and Cream Crochet Child Vest – Free Pattern

This little crochet child vest is available in sizes 2-10 years and includes instructions on customising the length and shoulder strap width. It is a pretty, loose-fitting vest, and perfect for jazzing up any outfit for a fashion-loving little girl 🙂

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After making the Twinkle Tank for myself, and another one for my mum, my little 4 year old was very put out that I hadn’t made anything for her. So obviously we had to fix that.

It is worked from the bottom up in one piece and then this piece is divided into 3 to create the 2 front panels and the back panel. The only sewing required is for the shoulder straps at the end – perfect if you are a bit averse to seaming!

Yarn

For this crochet vest, I used one of my favourite summer yarns – Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK in Peach Orange and Champagne White. However, any Size 3/DK/Light worsted weight yarn would work well. And you if you do make this vest, please be sure to let me know, either by commenting below or letting me know on Facebook or Instagram. I absolutely love to hear from other makers.

More Crochet Patterns

You might also be interested in these other crochet patterns:

“In the Groove” Crochet Fingerless Gloves – Free Pattern

Dream Catcher Cardi – Free Crochet Shrug Pattern

Herringbone Tunisian Crochet Wrap – Free Pattern

Crochet Tank Top | Free Pattern

Notes

Please read these before starting!

Construction

• The vest is worked in one piece, from the bottom up; the only seaming is the shoulder straps at the end.

Size & Fit

• The sizes in this pattern are based on the body measurements as laid out by the Craft Yarn Council (https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/child-youth-sizes).
• Before you start, go through the pattern and highlight/mark the stitch and row counts that correspond to the size you are making. (This will make your life much easier!)
• The vest is pretty loose fitting; if child is between sizes (as per chest measurement), you can probably go for the smaller size, but you will have to use your own judgement here.

Adjustments

• If you wish to add/subtract length to/from the body panel, the best place to do this is on the “Mid Panel” section. Make sure that this section has an even number of rows i.e. you are always ending on a WS row, and the rest of the pattern can be followed as is.
• You can also adjust the height of the neckline by adding/subtracting decrease rows in the ‘Neckline Shaping’ section. (You will need to crochet the same number of rows in the ‘Back Panel’ section)

Pattern Notes

• Instructions are given for the smallest size, with all larger sizes given in ()
• To start the piece, you can either chain the required number followed by a row of stitches or you can use the chainless foundation method (see Special Stitches)
• Ch 3 at the start of each row counts as one stitch (unless otherwise indicated). So, at the start of each row, you will skip the very first stitch (the one directly under the ch-3).
• The stitch count for each row is given in [] at the end of each row. If no stitch count is indicated, then the count is the same as the previous row.

Stitch Chart & Schematics

The pattern PDF also includes a full garment schematic, as well as stitch charts for the Lace and Cluster patterns, that are not available in the free pattern.

Finished Measurements

All measurements below are in inches.

Gauge

24 stitches  x 11 rows measured over Lace Pattern = 5” x 5” (12.5 cm x 12.5 cm)

21 stitches  x 10 rows measured over Double Crochet Cluster Pattern = 4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm)

Materials

Hook: 3.5mm/E-4 crochet hook (I love this Clover Amour one)

Yarn: Any DK/Size 3/Light weight yarn

The amounts given below are for Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK (137m/125yds per 50g skein; Size 3/DK/Light; 100% Cotton)

The two colorways I used were ‘Peach Orange’ and ‘Champagne White’.

Misc.

• Yarn Needle for weaving in ends
• Stitch markers

Special Stitches

Double Crochet Cluster (dc-cluster)

Step 1: Yarn over, insert hook into indicated st and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)

Step 2: Yarn over, pull through first two loops (2 loops on hook)

Step 3: Skip next st

Step 4: Yarn over, insert hook into next st and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook)

Step 5: Yarn over and pull through first two loops (3 loops on hook)

Step 6: Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops

Written Pattern (US Terms)

Abbreviations

Bottom Lace Section

All sizes: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10)

Row 1 (RS):
fdc 104 (116, 128, 134, 140), turn. [104 (116, 128, 134, 140)]

OR

Ch 106 (118, 130, 136, 142), dc in fourth ch from hook, dc in each st across, turn. [104 (116, 128, 134, 140)]

Row 2 (WS):
Ch 4 (counts as tr here and throughout), sk first 3 dc, tr in next dc, ch 1, crossing in front of the previous tr, tr in second skipped dc, *sk next 2 dc, tr in next dc, ch 1, crossing in front of the previous tr, tr in first skipped dc; repeat from * across, end with 1 tr in the top of the turning ch-3, turn.

Row 3 (RS):
Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), sk first tr, * 3 dc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in the top of the turning ch-4, turn.

Rows 4-9 (11, 13, 17, 21):

Repeat previous two rows 3 (4, 5, 7, 9) times.

Row 10 (12, 14, 18, 22) (WS):

Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each st across, (on last st, change to Color B with 2 loops on hook), turn. [104 (116, 128, 134, 140)]

Middle Section

Special stitch: dc-cluster. Please read Special Stitches above if you haven’t already done so.

Row 1 (RS):

Using Color B, ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), dc-cluster in first and third st, ch 1, *dc-cluster {first leg of dc-cluster in same st, sk 1 st, last leg of dc-cluster in next st}, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in first sc from previous row, turn. [104 (116, 128, 134, 140)]

{From this point onwards, ‘dc-cluster’ will always be made as follows: first leg in the same st, sk 1 st, last leg in next st, unless otherwise indicated}

Rows 2-6 (6, 8, 10, 10):

Repeat previous row 5 (5, 7, 9, 9) times.

Adding extra length
If you wish to add extra length at this point, repeat Row 1 until the desired length is reached. Make sure end on an even number of rows.

FRONT Armhole Shaping (Right Hand Side)

Setup Step: With RS facing, insert 4 stitch markers as follows:

Size 2: 25th and 28th st from Right edge and 25th and 28th st from Left edge.

Size 4: 27th and 32nd st from Right edge and 27th and 32nd st from Left edge.

Size 6: 29th and 36th st from Right edge and 29th and 36th st from Left edge.

Size 8: 29th and 39th st from Right edge and 29th and 39th st from Left edge.

Size 10: 31st and 40th st from Right edge and 31st and 40th st from Left edge.

All sizes: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10)

Dec Row 1 (RS):

Ch 3, dc-cluster in first and third st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * until 1 st remains before stitch marker, dc-cluster in same st and st with stitch marker, turn. [24 (26, 28, 28, 30)]

Dec Row 2:

Ch 2 (does not count as a st), sk first st and next st, dc in next st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn. [23 (25, 27, 27, 29)]

Dec Row 3: Repeat Dec Row 1. [22 (24, 26, 26, 28)]

Row 4:

Ch 3, dc-cluster in first and third st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn. [22 (24, 26, 26, 28)]

FRONT Neckline Shaping (RHS)

All sizes: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10)

Dec Row 1:

Ch 2 (does not count as a st), sk first st and next st, dc in next st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn. [21 (23, 25, 25, 27)]

Dec Row 2:

Ch 3,  dc-cluster in first and third st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with dc-cluster in same st and last st, turn. [20 (22, 24, 24, 26)]

Dec Rows 3-12 (14, 14, 14, 16):

Repeat previous two rows 5 (6, 6, 6, 7) times. [10 (10, 12, 12, 12)]

Row 13 (15, 15, 15, 17):

Ch 3,  dc-cluster in first and third st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn. [10 (10, 12, 12, 12)]

Rows 14-19 (16-21, 16-22, 16-24, 18-26):

Repeat previous row 6 (6, 7, 9, 9) times. [10 (10, 12, 12, 12)]

Fasten off.

FRONT Armhole Shaping (LHS)

All sizes: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10)

With RS facing, insert hook into first stitch marker from Left Edge of panel and pull up a loop,

Dec Row 1: (RS)

Ch 3 (counts as dc), sk first st, insert hook into next st, dc-cluster, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn. [24 (26, 28, 28, 30)]

Dec Row 2: (WS)

Ch 3, dc-cluster in first and third st, *ch 1, dc-cluster; repeat from * across, end with dc in top of turning ch-3, turn. [23 (25, 27, 27, 29)]

Dec Row 3:

Repeat Dec Row 1. [22 (24, 26, 26, 28)]

Row 4:

Ch 3, dc-cluster in first and third st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn. [22 (24, 26, 26, 28)]

FRONT Neckline Shaping (LHS)

All sizes: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10)

Dec Row 1: (RS)

Ch 3, dc-cluster in first and third st, *ch 1, dc-cluster; repeat from * across, end with dc in top of turning ch-3, turn. [21 (23, 25, 25, 27)]

Dec Row 2:

Ch 3, sk first st, dc-cluster in next st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn. [20 (22, 24, 24, 26)]

Dec Rows 3-12 (14, 14, 14, 16):

Repeat previous two rows 5 (6, 6, 6, 7) times. [10 (10, 12, 12, 12)]

Row 13 (15, 15, 15, 17):

Ch 3,  dc-cluster in first and third st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn. [10 (10, 12, 12, 12)]

Rows 14-19 (16-21, 16-22, 16-24, 18-26):

Repeat previous row 6 (6, 7, 9, 9) times. [10 (10, 12, 12, 12)]

Fasten off.

BACK Panel

All sizes: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10)

With RS facing, insert hook into second st marker on RHS (leaving 2 (4, 6, 9, 8) sts unworked and pull up a loop.

Dec Row 1 (RS):

Ch 3, sk first st, insert hook into next st, dc-cluster, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * until 1 st remains before stitch marker, dc-cluster in same st and st with stitch marker, turn [48 (52, 56, 56, 60)]

Dec Row 2 (WS):

Ch 2 (does not count as a st), sk first st and next st, dc in next st, *ch 1, dc-cluster; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn [46 (50, 54, 54, 58)]

Dec Row 3:

Ch 3, sk first st, insert hook into next st, dc-cluster,, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with dc-cluster in same st and last st, turn [44 (48, 52, 52, 56)]

Row 4:

Ch 3, dc-cluster in first and third st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn [44 (48, 52, 52, 56)]

Rows 5-16 (18, 18, 20, 22) (ending on a WS row):

Repeat previous row 11 (13, 13, 15, 17) times. [44 (48, 52, 52, 56)]

BACK Neckline Shaping (RHS)

All sizes: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10)

With RS facing, place stitch marker into 12th (12th, 15th, 15th, 15th) stitch from RHS of the Back panel just completed.

Dec Row 1 (RS):

Ch 3, dc-cluster in first and third st, *ch 1, dc-cluster; repeat from * end with 1 dc in st before stitch marker, turn [11 (11, 14, 14, 14)]

Dec Row 2 (WS):

Ch 3, sk first st, insert hook into next st, dc-cluster, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn [10 (10, 13, 13, 13)]

Size 2 (4) only

Row 3 (RS):

Ch 3, dc-cluster in first and third st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn [10 (10)]

Fasten off.

Size 6 (8, 10) only

Dec Row 3 (RS):

Repeat Dec Row 1 [12 (12, 12)]

Row 4 (WS):

Ch 3, dc-cluster in first and third st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn [12 (12, 12)]

Fasten off.

BACK Neckline Shaping (LHS)

All sizes: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10)

With RS facing, insert hook into 12th (12th, 15th, 15th, 15th) stitch from LHS of the Back panel just completed and pull up a loop.

Dec Row 1 (RS):

Ch 2 (does not count as a st), sk first st and next st, dc in next st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn [11 (11, 14, 14, 14)]

Dec Row 2 (WS):

Ch 3, dc-cluster in first and third st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch1; repeat from * across, end with dc-cluster in same st and last st, turn [10 (10, 13, 13, 13)]

Size 2 (4) only

Row 3 (RS):

Ch 3, dc-cluster in first and third st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn [10 (10)]

Fasten off.

Size 6 (8, 10) only

Dec Row 3 (RS):

Repeat Dec Row 1 [12 (12, 12)]

Row 4 (WS):

Ch 3, dc-cluster in first and third st, ch 1, *dc-cluster, ch 1; repeat from * across, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch-3, turn [12 (12, 12)]

Fasten off.

FINISHING

Blocking

Block piece to measurements for the size you are making.

Seaming

Fold left and right Front Panels over so that the RS of the Front Panels are facing the RS of the Back Panel i.e. you are looking at the vest inside out.

Seam shoulders and weave in any ends.

Edging

• Turn the vest the right way around.
• Looking at the back of the vest, insert hook into the start of the shoulder strap on your left (as you are looking at it). Pull a loop and ch 1
• sc evenly along the edge of the shoulder strap and down the front neckline of the vest until you reach the bottom lace panel
• Change to Color A with two loops on hook
• Continue to sc along the edge of the bottom lace panel, sc 3 times in the bottom corner, sc in each of the starting chains along the bottom of the piece
• sc 3 times in the next corner and then up along the right edge of the bottom lace panel until you reach the top panel
• Change back to Color B with two loops on hook
• sc evenly up along the neckline, then along the shoulder strap and finally across the back neckline until you reach your starting point.
• Join with a sl st (or invisible join) and fasten off.

Ties

• Cut 3 strands of yarn of equal length (approx. 30 inches)
• Find the row on the Front panel where the neckline shaping starts and thread the 3 strands through the edging stitch on this row
• Pull through and double over the strands so that you have 6 strands. Braid, knot and trim ends.
• Repeat for the opposite side.

If you wish, you can purchase an inexpensive, ad-free PDF version of this pattern through Ravelry, Etsy or LoveCrafts.

I hope you have enjoyed this pattern, if you have questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me. And be sure to tag your finished project on Instagram or Facebook using @nedandmimi or #nedandmimi!

Happy crocheting!

Sarah