Houndstooth Crew Neck Vest
- Bea Kulyanee
- Oct 4, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 17
Like the other creations of mine, this is a 2.0 version and made to wear in tropical weather.
The first version was a V-neck vest. I did love it, and I wore it on my trip to Melbourne, Australia in late autumn a few years ago. I found that using a 4.0 mm hook made the vest too stiff. It was not easy to put on or take off. After coming back I decided to rip it.
I made this 2.0 version with a 7.0 mm hook, making the vest more stretchy and comfortable. Using a larger hook, the stitches will be a bit larger and looser, and the fabric will have more give. You will also get to your size faster. When you work on your vest, just use your measuring tape to measure your project and adjust accordingly.
I chose summer cotton yarn from my local shop for this project since I want to be able to wear it in warm weather. I would really love to make this vest with merino, too. I read that merino is also good for warm days. Alpaca is also good, but it's more expensive.
I found it fun to make the vest. The houndstooth pattern is quite simple. Since I'm not a fan of sewing pieces together, I made this vest in one piece from the bottom up. I tried it on many times whilst making it to see how it fits.
If you feel like making this houndstooth vest yourself, the downloadable pattern with its diagram, stitch tips and photos of the steps to join in turning round seamlessly is now available to purchase from my Ravelry store.
PATTERN
Materials and gauge
Yarn: 100% cotton (light weight - fingering or sport) or choose whichever yarn you prefer, 2 colours, approx. 50 g or 140 m each
Hooks and tools: 7.0 mm (for the body), 6.0 (for ribbed edges), tapestry needle, scissors, measuring tape
Gauge: 16 stitches and 15 rows = 10 cm in houndstooth stitches
Pattern notes
This crew neck vest is made bottom up in turning rounds - join and turn - so that the yarn can be picked up for the next round without cutting it off. Hence, there is no need for sewing, and the seam is barely visible with the techniques I use. The houndstooth pattern is a repeat of pairs of a single crochet stitch and a double crochet stitch in one round and then working dc sts into sc sts and sc sts into dc sts on the next. The pattern consists of three parts: body, yoke, and ribbed edge.
The vest measures 36 cm wide and 50 cm long (from shoulder to hem). It is approximately a size XS. It is easy to adjust the measurement to your preferred size by using a measuring tape and then adding or removing stitches as needed. However, keep the number divisible by 4.
Abbreviations
bl = back loop
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
dc2tog = double crochet 2 together
fdc = foundation double crochet
fsc = foundation single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
ht = houndstooth stitch (sc, dc)
prv = previous
r = row/round
sc = single crochet
sc2tog = single crochet 2 together
sk = skip
sl = slip stitch
st = stitch
tu = turn
Body
Start with Colour A (black) and alternate with Colour B (white) in each round.
AR 1: 108 fdc, and join. (Add or remove stitches to fit your size. Keep it in an even number divisible by 4.)
BR 2: 1 dc in the next st, 53 ht, and join. (54 pairs, 108 sts)
AR 3: 53 ht, 1 sc in the next st, and join. (54 pairs, 108 sts)
BR and AR 4-42: Repeat BR 2 and AR 3.
Yoke
The armhole measures about 20 cm (7.5-8 in). Adjust according to your size by adding or removing the number of fsc. I also leave 6 sts at each side of the body for the underarms.
AR 43: 12 ht, 50 fsc, 24 ht, 50 fsc, 11 ht, 1 sc in the next st, and join. (196 sts)
BR 44: (1) 1 dc in the next st, 10 ht.
(2) 1 sc2tog in the dc and the fsc of the prv r (sk the sc), 1 dc in the next fsc, 23 ht, 1 sc, 1 dc2tog in the fsc and the sc (sk the dc).
(3) 22 ht.
(4) repeat (2)
(5) 11 ht, and join. (188 sts)
AR 45: (1) 10 ht, 1 sc.
(2) 1 dc2tog in the next sc sts (sk the dc2tog), 23 ht, 1 sc2tog in the next dc sts (sk the sc2tog).
(3) 1 dc, 21 ht, 1 sc.
(4) repeat (2)
(5) 1 dc, 10 ht, 1 sc, and join. (180 sts)
BR and AR 46-55: Repeat the pattern until you get to your size. Try putting it on to see where it sit around your neck and how you feel. I do not raise the back of the neck in this pattern as I want to wear it in a tropical climate.
Ribbed edges
Switch to a 6 mm hook or a smaller hook to make hdc ribbed edges with Colour A. The crew neck consists of 5 hdc sts working in bl only in each row, the arm 4 hdc sts, and the hem 8 hdc sts. Ch 2 extra sts as the first st when starting the ribbing.
The hem is split at the sides. When one side is done, just start again by chaining 10. The vest is now ready.
© 2024 Bea Kulyanee. The pattern is for personal use only. Do not sell, distribute or claim as your own.
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