Crocheting a Stylish Vest and Pants

You’ll Need

7 (7-8-8) 4-oz. skeins of worsted weight yarn;

Crochet hooks F and G;

8 buttons;

7″ zipper.

Sizes Available

Sizes: S, M, L, XL.

Body Bust Size: 31 1/2″ (32 1/2″-34″; 36″-38″; 40″).

Blocked Bust Size (closed): 32″ (36″-40″-44″).

Stitch Control

4 sc = 1″; 8 rows = 3″.

Used Patterns

Main Pattern:

Row 1 (right side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc, ch 1). Sk first sc, dc in next sc, * ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next sc, repeat from * across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3 (right side): Sc in first dc, * sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in next dc, repeat from * across, end sc in ch-3 sp. Turn.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 for pattern.

Instructions

Vest

Body

Begin at lower edge of back and fronts with size G hook, ch 125 (141-157-173). Work pattern row 1-124 (140-156-172) sc. Check gauge: row should measure 31″ (35″-39″-43″) wide. Work in pattern until piece measures 20″ from start or desired length to underarm, end with pattern row 2. Turn.

Divide Work: Right Front Yoke: (Left-handed crocheters: This will be your left front yoke.)

Row 1 (right side): Work 28 (32-36-38) sc. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, sk first 3 sc, dc in next sc, * ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next sc. Repeat from * across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Sc in each of 26 (30-34-36) sts. Turn.

Rows 4, 6, and 8: Repeat row 2.

Row 5: Sc in each of 24 (28-32-34) sts. Turn.

Row 7: Sc in each of 22 (26-30-32) sts. Turn.

Row 9: Sc in 20 (24-28-30) sts. Turn.

Next Row: Work pattern row 2. Work even in pattern until armhole measures about 6″ (6″-6 3/4″-6 3/4″) above first row of armhole shaping, end with pattern row 3.

Shape Neck:

Row 1 (wrong side): Work in pattern to within last 6 (6-8-8) sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 2: Sk first dc, * sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in next dc. Repeat from * across - 13 (17-19-21) sc. Turn.

Row 3: Work in pattern to within last 3 sc, end ch 1. Sk 2 sc, dc in last sc, ch 1. Turn.

Row 4: Work in pattern across - 12 (16-18-20) sc. Work 2 rows even. Ch 1, turn.

Shape Shoulder: Slip stitch across 6 (8-8-10) sc, ch 2, sk next sc, dc in next sc. * Ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next sc, repeat from * across. End off.

Back Yoke

Row 1: Make loop on hook: from right side, sk 6 (6-6-8) sts on last long row for underarm, sc in next dc, and in each st until 56 (64-72-80) sc are made. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 3. Sk first 3 sc, dc in next sc. * Ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next sc. Repeat from * across to within last 2 sc. Do not ch 1. Work dc in last sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Sk first dc, sc in next dc. Work in pattern across, end sc in last dc, sc in ch-3 loop - 52 (60-68-76) sc. Turn.

Repeat the last 2 rows 2 (3-3-4) times - 44 (48-56-60) sc. Work even until armholes measure same as front, end with pattern row 3.

Shape Shoulder: Slip stitch across 6 (8-8-10) sc, ch 2, sk next sc, dc in next sc, work in pattern to within last 6 (8-8-10) sc. End.

Left Front Yoke

Row 1: Make loop on hook; from right side, sk 6 (6-6-8) sts on last long row for underarm, sc in next dc and in each st across—28 (32-36-38) sc.

Row 2: Work in pattern to last 2 sc, do not ch 1, work dc in last sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Sk first dc, sc in next dc, work in pattern across—26 (30-34-36) sc. Repeat last 2 rows 3 times - 20 (24-28-30) sc. Work even until armhole measures 6″ (6″-6 3/4″-6 3/4″) above first row of armhole shaping, end with pattern row 3.

Shape Neck:

Slip stitch across 6 (6-8-8) sc. Work in pattern across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 2: Work 13 (17-19-21) sc. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, sk 2 sc, dc in next sc. Work in pattern across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 4: Work in pattern across—12 (16-18-20) sc. Work 2 rows even. Turn.

Shape Shoulder: Work in pattern to within last 6 (8-8-10) sc. End off.

Belt and Pockets

Begin at upper edge of belt and pockets, with size G hook, ch 117 (133-149-165). Work pattern rows 1 and 2 - 116 (132-148-164) sc. Check gauge; piece should measure 29″ (33″-37″-41″) wide.

Rows 3-7: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn.

Rows 8 and 9: Work pattern rows 2 and 3.

Divide for Pockets

Row 1 (wrong side): Sc in each of 24 (28-32-36) sc. Ch 1, turn. Repeat last row until piece measures 9″ from start. End off.

Second Pocket: Join yarn in 24th (28th-32nd-36th) sc from the other end on last long row. Work same as first pocket. End off. From the right side, work 1 row sc on sides and lower edge of each pocket, working 3 sc in each lower corner; keep work flat.

Finishing

Block pieces. Sew shoulders, matching sts.

Outer Border

Row 1: From right side, begin at lower right front edge (Left-handed crocheters: Begin at lower left front edge), with size G hook, sc up right front edge to neck, 3 sc in corner, sc around neck edge, holding in to desired fit, 3 sc in corner, sc down left front edge, having the same number of sc as right front edge, 3 sc in corner st, sc in each st across lower edge, 3 sc in corner st. Join with slip stitch in first sc. End off.

Row 2: From wrong side, begin at lower left front edge (Left-handed crocheters: Begin at lower right front edge), sc in each st up left front edge, around neck and down right front edge, working 3 sc in each upper corner and lower right front corner. Ch 1, turn. (Left-handed crocheters: End off. Join yarn at right neck edge.)

With pins, mark the position of 7 buttonholes evenly spaced on the last row of the right front edge; first pin 4 1/2″ above lower edge, 7th pin in 2nd sc from corner at neck edge.

Row 3 (buttonhole row): From right side, * work sc to within 1 sc of pin, ch 2, sk 2 sc, repeat from * 6 times, sc in next sc, sc in center corner sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 4: Sc in each sc and ch on right front edge. Drop yarn.

Work 2 rows sc on left front edge. End off.

Row 5: From right side, pick up dropped yarn, sc in each st around outer edge, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with a slip stitch in first sc. End off.

Armhole Border

Begin at underarm, from the right side, work 1 round sc around armhole. Join with a slip stitch in first sc. Ch 1, turn.

Rnd 2: From wrong side, sc in each sc around. Join with a slip stitch in first sc. Ch 1, turn.

Rnd 3: From right side, sc in each sc around. Join with a slip stitch in first sc. End off.

Pin lower edges of pockets to upper edge of pattern row 3 at the bottom of the vest, front edges of pockets at 2nd dc in from the front edges of the vest; sew outer edges of pockets in place including pocket borders. Steam-press seams and borders. Sew on buttons.

Pants

Left Leg

(Left-handed crocheters: This will be your right leg.) Begin at lower edge, with size G hook, ch 73 (77-81-85). Work in pattern on 72 (76-80-84) sc for 3 rows. Work 2 rows sc. Begin with pattern row 2, and work in pattern until piece measures 23″ from start or 7″ less than desired length to crotch, ending with pattern row 2. Check gauge; piece should measure 18″ (19″-20″-21″) wide.

*Back Inc Row: 2 sc in first dc, 2 sc in ch-1 sp, work in pattern across—74 (78-82-86) sc. Mark beginning of last row for back edge. Work 3 rows even.

Front Inc Row: Work in pattern across, end with 2 sc in last ch-1 sp, 2 sc in last dc, sc in ch-3 loop - 76 (80-84-88) sc. Mark end of last row for front edge. Work 1 row even. Repeat from * twice—84 (88-92-96) sc.

Shape Crotch

Row 1 (right side): Work 80 (84-88-92) sc. Turn.

Row 2: Work in pattern to last 4 sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Work 76 (80-84-88) sc. Turn.

Row 4: Repeat row 2.

Row 5: Work 66 (70-74-78) sc. Turn.

Row 6: Work in pattern to last 2 sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 7: Work 62 (66-70-74) sc. Turn.

Row 8: Repeat row 6. Cut yarn.

Right Leg

Work same as left leg until piece measures 23″ from start, ending with pattern row 2.

*Back Inc Row: Work in pattern across, end 2 sc in last ch-1 sp, 2 sc in last dc, sc in ch-3 loop - 74 (78-82-86) sc. Mark end of last row for back edge. Work 3 rows even.

Front Inc Row: 2 sc in first dc, 2 sc in ch-1 sp, work in pattern across—76 (80-84-88) sc. Mark beginning of last row for front edge. Work 1 row even. Repeat from * twice - 84 (88-92-96) sc.

Shape Crotch

Row 1 (right side): Slip stitch across 4 sts (2 dc and 2 ch-1 spaces), ch 1, sc in each st across—80 (84-88-92) sc. Turn.

Row 2: Slip stitch across 4 sc, ch 3, work in pattern across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Work 76 (80-84-88) sc. Turn.

Row 4: Repeat row 2.

Row 5: Slip stitch across 6 sts, ch 1, sc in each st across—66 (70-74-78) sc. Turn.

Row 6: Slip stitch across 2 sc, ch 3, work in pattern across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 7: Slip stitch across 2 sts, ch 1, sc in each st across—62 (66-70-74) sc.

Row 8: Repeat row 6. Turn.

Join Legs

Sc in each st across right leg, sc in turning ch-3 sp, pull up a loop in 2nd ch of turning ch; from right side, pull up a loop in first dc of left leg, yarn over hook and through 3 loops on hook, sc across left leg - 120 (128-136-144) sc. Work in pattern for 3 rows, ending on the wrong side.

Shape Darts

Row 1: Work 28 (30-32-34) sc, (decrease 1 sc) twice, (to decrease 1 sc, pull up a loop in each of 2 sts, yarn over hook and through 3 loops on hook), work 56 (60-64-68) sc, (decrease 1 sc) twice, work 28 (30-32-34) sc - 116 (124-132-140) sc. Work 3 rows even.

Next Row: Work 27 (29-31-33) sc, (decrease 1 sc) twice, work 54 (58-62-66) sc, (decrease 1 sc) twice, work 27 (29-31-33) sc - 112 (120-128-136) sc. Work 3 rows even.

Next Row: Work 26 (28-30-32) sc, (decrease 1 sc) twice, work 52 (56-60-64) sc, (decrease 1 sc) twice, work 26 (28-30-32) sc - 108 (116-124-132) sc. Work 1 row even.

Next Row: Work 25 (27-29-31) sc, (decrease 1 sc) twice, work 50 (54-58-62) sc, (decrease 1 sc) twice, work 25 (27-29-31) sc - 104 (112-120-128) sc. Work 1 row even.

Next Row: Work 24 (26-28-30) sc, (decrease 1 sc) twice, work 48 (52-56-60) sc, (decrease 1 sc) twice, work 24 (26-28-30) sc - 100 (108-116-124) sc. Work even until piece measures 9 1/2″ (10″-10″-10 1/2″) above first row of crotch shaping, ending on the right side.

Waistband

Row 1: Change to size F hook, ch 1, turn. Sc in each sc across, ch 7 for buttonhole overlap. Turn.

Row 2: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch and sc across, decrease 10 sc evenly across - 96 (104-112-120) sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Sc in each sc across.

Rows 4 and 5: Work pattern rows 2 and 3.

Row 6: Sc in each sc across. End off.

Finishing

Block pieces. Sew leg seams. Sew front and back crotch shaping; sew back seam leaving upper 7″ open for zipper. Sew in zipper. Sew button to right back waistband. Ch-1 space forms buttonhole.