A sea of gorgeous neutrals paired with a slight shimmer makes this free crochet vest pattern as stunning as it is versatile. Great beginner project made from two simple rectangles! The free pattern is below or you can purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.
THIS FREE CROCHET VEST PATTERN IS PART OF AN ONGOING PAID COLLABORATION WITH MY FRIENDS AT LION BRAND YARN. THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS.
Ordering this Shawl in a Ball yarn was totally an impulse move. I was just captivated by how the all the neutrals played together wrapped up in the skein and figured I make a plan for it later.
I set to work designing a very simple free crochet vest pattern that I hoped beginning crocheters could tackle with confidence and experienced crocheters could make in their sleep. It turned out to be really fortunate that I kept it so simple.
Last weekend, my dad suffered a brain injury mountain biking. Despite being a very experienced biker and wearing a helmet, he crashed into some very hard Rocky Mountain rocks. My week was filled with worry, hours in the ICU, more worry and luckily, some mindless crocheting to sooth my nerves.
I’m so happy to say my dad is recovering really well and just needs lots of time for his body to heal. While our world was turning upside down, priorities coming into crisp, urgent focus, I found myself so grateful to be able to crochet to bring some serenity a situation that was entirely out of my control.
I finished the last several rows of this free crochet vest pattern while sitting quietly in the ICU waiting room and even photographed it in a field right behind the hospital. Bless my sister, Mich, who was willing to model it for me even after a day of hospital stress, tears and cafeteria coffee. Now that is a good sister.
Because this Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball yarn has so much yardage per ball (enough to make an entire shawl, as you might have guessed by the name!), this free crochet vest pattern can actually be made with only two-three balls of yarn, depending on the size you’re making. I indulged my monochromatic-loving-heart with a colorway called “Namaste Neutrals,” but if vivid colors are more your thing, there are several beautiful color combinations in this line of yarn, all with a little shimmer of gold or silver woven throughout. (You can see them all here!)
SERENITY DRAPED VEST FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF of this pattern here.
Explanation: A sea of gorgeous neutrals paired with a slight shimmer makes this draped vest as stunning as it is versatile. The use of extremely simple stitches and construction allow the yarn’s beauty to shine through and make this pattern appropriate for beginners or more advanced crocheters looking for a good Netflix project.
Sizes/Measurements when laying flat: Sample pictured is a S/M. S/M: 32” wide, 25.5” tall L/XL: 38” wide, 30.5” tall 2XL/3XL: 44” wide, 30.5” tall
Gauge: 9 tr = 4” 4 rows = 4”
Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms): ch – chain sc – single crochet tr – treble crochet RS – right side WS – wrong side rep – repeat st – stitch sk – skip tch – turning chain MC – main color
Overall Pattern Notes: • If you’d like your vest to look fairly symmetrical in its striping and you’re purchasing yarn in a store, look for two skeins that are both wrapped with the same color of yarn on the outside. If you’re shopping online and unable to choose specific skeins, simply unwind one skein until you reach the color that the other skein begins with. Then reattach unwound yarn when the partial skein is finished. This isn’t foolproof, nor is symmetry necessary, but it’s just something to keep in mind if you’re interested.
• Instructions for size S/M are listed, with sizes L/XL and 2XL/3XL following in parentheses. S/M (L/XL, 2XL/3XL)
• Vest is created my making two large rectangles and seaming them together.
RECTANGLE
Make 2. If symmetrical-ish vest is desired, begin each rectangle with a new skein.
Foundation Row: Loosely ch 149 (159, 159)
Row 1: Loosely sc in second ch from hook and each ch to end of row; turn. 148 (158, 158)
Rows 2-4: Ch 1, loosely sc in each sc; turn. 148 (158, 158)
Row 5: Ch 4 (counts as tr), sk first sc, tr in each sc to end of row, tr in tch; turn. 148 (158, 158)
Rows 6: Ch 4 (counts as tr), sk first tr, tr in each tr to end of row, tr in tch; turn. 148 (158, 158)
Rep Row 614 (17, 20) more times.
Fasten off.
SEAMING
Notes: • The only noticeable difference between the “right” side and the “wrong” side of your rectangles will be evident in the single crochet rows. Be sure to seam vest with either the RS or WS facing out on both rectangles.
BACK SEAM: Lay rectangles out flat with initial Foundation Row chains touching. Use stitch markers or safety pins to pin a seam length of 68 (71, 71) tr stitches. With a doubled over piece of MC yarn, join rectangles from the bottom up using the mattress stitch.
SIDE SEAMS: Use stitch markers or safety pins to pin a seam length of 24 (27, 27) tr stitches. With a doubled over piece of MC yarn, join rectangles from the bottom up using the mattress stitch. Repeat for second side.
Take a deep breath, wrap yourself in your Serenity Vest and count your blessings. 🙂
Here are some free crochet shrug and sweater patterns you might like to make next!
Jess and Mich and the rest of the family, I am so glad that your daddy will recover and is doing well. As always great design and tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing a free version :). I really appreciate it.
Sending mega healing glows for your dad and your whole family.. May each day bring progress in your dad’s road to full recovery, Thank you for taking time to share your beautiful works.
Soooo happy to hear he is doing alright! Sending lots of love and quick healing to you and your fam. 💕💕 It’s amazing how comforting having those fibers and hook in your hand can be during a time like that.. beautiful pattern as well, can’t wait to try it out! And love to your sis for being there for ya in a stressful time as well! 💕💕
Sorry to hear about your dad’s accident; glad he is coming along. Thank you for sharing your unique patterns with us. I am finding new things and ways to make things.especially the C-2-C graphgans and I really needed the tutorial on “crochet mending. THANK YOU!
Thank you for your beautiful work. I’m glad your Daddy is doing better. Having experienced trauma, I know the value of a crochet needle and some yarn. Be Well.
Really love your designs. As an experienced hooker, I appreciate the beauty, but especially the ease of the patterns. Linked to this one from Moogly HOHD but have been a subscriber for a while now. They come together so quickly. Thank you!
I hope your Dad is well on the road to complete recovery and that he can return to his full activities soon if he hasn’t already done so. I have been looking for an easy ruana pattern. The way you adapted your initial poncho pattern to this vest is basically the design I had in my head. Thank you for the pattern and inspiration!
Hi Jess. I’m so happy and relieved to hear about your Dad’s steady progress, and trust that he will continue to go from strength to strength. Your freebies are hugely welcome, and I adore that you’re so generous with them. Thank you muchly! ~ heather x
20 Comments
Tracy
August 8, 2017 at 10:20 pmJess and Mich and the rest of the family, I am so glad that your daddy will recover and is doing well. As always great design and tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing a free version :). I really appreciate it.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
August 9, 2017 at 9:18 pmThank you so much, Tracy! I really appreciate your kind words and digital love. 🙂
Jess
Amanda Erickson
August 11, 2017 at 4:30 amSending best wishes and healing prayers. One question…. Is the treble an actual treble stitch or is it a US double?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
September 6, 2017 at 3:23 pmThanks so much, Amanda. It’s the US treble, so it’s a triple essentially. 🙂
Jeane Parker
August 12, 2017 at 7:14 amSweet Jess amd Mich,
Gentle hugs to you and your family. Crocheting rescues us almost everytime we pick up hook and yarn. This vest is gorgeous!
Jeane
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
September 6, 2017 at 3:22 pmI completely agree. Thanks for your kind thoughts Jeane!
Jess
Brenda Marshall
August 12, 2017 at 7:36 amSending mega healing glows for your dad and your whole family.. May each day bring progress in your dad’s road to full recovery, Thank you for taking time to share your beautiful works.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
September 6, 2017 at 3:22 pmThank you Brenda. I appreciate your healing glows, especially the mega ones. 🙂
xo
Jess
Nichole
August 12, 2017 at 11:45 amSoooo happy to hear he is doing alright! Sending lots of love and quick healing to you and your fam. 💕💕 It’s amazing how comforting having those fibers and hook in your hand can be during a time like that.. beautiful pattern as well, can’t wait to try it out! And love to your sis for being there for ya in a stressful time as well! 💕💕
Siobhan McGrath
August 14, 2017 at 1:16 amWishing you and your family lots of love and a speedy recovery for your dad. P.S. your sister is a fab model
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
September 6, 2017 at 3:21 pmThank you so much, Siobhan. I appreciate your loving thoughts. 🙂
I think my sister is a pretty fab model too!
Jess
Lynn
August 14, 2017 at 9:49 pmSorry to hear about your dad’s accident; glad he is coming along. Thank you for sharing your unique patterns with us. I am finding new things and ways to make things.especially the C-2-C graphgans and I really needed the tutorial on “crochet mending. THANK YOU!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
August 16, 2017 at 4:26 pmThank you so much, Lynn. I appreciate your kind words. (And your love of c2c–me too!) 🙂
Jess
Jo
August 19, 2017 at 8:27 amThank you for your beautiful work. I’m glad your Daddy is doing better. Having experienced trauma, I know the value of a crochet needle and some yarn. Be Well.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
August 22, 2017 at 9:59 pmGosh, isn’t that true? I don’t know what I’d do without crochet. I’m glad to hear you’ve benefited from it’s “therapy” too. 🙂
Jess
Carolyn
September 6, 2017 at 5:14 amReally love your designs. As an experienced hooker, I appreciate the beauty, but especially the ease of the patterns. Linked to this one from Moogly HOHD but have been a subscriber for a while now. They come together so quickly. Thank you!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
September 6, 2017 at 3:18 pmHey Carolyn,
Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m happy to have you here hooking along beside me! 🙂
Jess
Carole Milligan
October 15, 2017 at 7:43 pmI hope your Dad is well on the road to complete recovery and that he can return to his full activities soon if he hasn’t already done so.
I have been looking for an easy ruana pattern. The way you adapted your initial poncho pattern to this vest is basically the design I had in my head. Thank you for the pattern and inspiration!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
October 16, 2017 at 2:52 pmThank you, Carole! He’s really doing well! I’m so relieved.
I hope you enjoy this pattern!
Jess
aussiebushgirl
October 29, 2017 at 8:06 pmHi Jess. I’m so happy and relieved to hear about your Dad’s steady progress, and trust that he will continue to go from strength to strength. Your freebies are hugely welcome, and I adore that you’re so generous with them. Thank you muchly! ~ heather x