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Author

by Robyn Chachula

Introduction

We all know a little boy like my nephew: super smart, super cute, super active! What do you make for a boy who’s always on the go? You can forget about hat and gloves – who has time to put them on before running to the swing? You can toss out blankets too: by the time you’re done, he’s in college. I knew it had to be quick to make (lest he grow again), easy to wash (it’s going to get filthy), and something he would actually wear (no granny squares for this boy). So, hopefully you’ll agree that this vest has it all for your and my boy on the go.

Special thanks to Kraemer Yarn Company for supplying the yarn for this project. Please take a minute to check them out; they are great yarn company that supports all fiber enthusiasts and is conveniently located close to my hometown in Pennsylvania.

Materials List

• Summit Hill Yarn by Kraemer Yarns (100% Merino superwash wool, 230 yards [210 m] per 3.5 oz [100 g])
• Main Color (MC): Adventurine (Green), 2 (2, 2, 3) skeins
• Contrasting Color (CC): Peridot (Lime), 1 (1, 1, 1) skein
• US H/8 (5.00mm) hook
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends
• (1) 18”/46 cm (18”/46 cm, 22”/56 cm, 22”/56 cm) coil-separating sweater zipper
• Sewing thread to match the zipper
• Sewing needle

Finished Size

Sizes Small, (Medium, Large, X-Large) fit chest size 21” (23”, 25”, 27”). Approximately a US Child size 2 (4, 6, 8).

The pattern is written for size Small with changes for Medium, Large, and X-Large written in parentheses.

Gauge

17 sts x 10 rows of alternating ltr and sc-flo rows = 4″ (10 cm)

Notes

• Please watch gauge as you crochet. Vest should fit loosely over clothes.
• Keep in mind that if you choose to use normal treble and single crochet in this garment, there will be a significant difference in look and wearability. You will lose the neat textured pattern that the linked trebles create, and the stitches may snag more easily.
• Vest is worked in one piece up to the arm openings, then it is divided into 3 sections: 2 front panels and the back. The only seam is at the shoulder.
• Please note that this vest uses machine-washable yarn. I do not recommend using anything but machine-washable for your child on the go.

Special Stitches

Linked Treble (ltr) (see tutorial for more on how to make this stitch):

Set-up stitch:  Insert hook into the 2nd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop, insert hook into 3rd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop, insert hook into the 5th st from hook (note:  the top of the last st of the previous row does not count as a st), yo, draw up loop (4 loops on hook), yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, yo, draw through next 2 loops, yo, draw through last 2 loops (first stitch made).

Next stitch:  Insert hook into upper horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook into lower horizontal bar, yo, draw up loop, insert hook into next ch, yo, draw up loop, (4 loops on hook), yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, yo, draw through next 2 loops, yo, draw through last 2 loops,

Linked Double Crochet (ldc):

Set-up stitch:  Insert hook into the 2nd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop, insert hook into the 4th ch from hook (note:  the top of the last st of the previous row does not count as a st), yo, draw up loop (3 loops on hook), yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, yo, draw through last 2 loops.

Next stitch:  Insert hook into horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook into next ch, yo, draw up loop (3 loops on hook), yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, yo, draw through last 2 loops.

The Pattern

Body

With MC, ch 113 (129, 137, 155).

Row 1 (right side):  Starting in 5th ch from hook (first ch-4 counts as ltr), ltr each st across, ch 1, turn.   (110 [126, 134, 152] ltr)

Row 2: Sc-flo in each ltr across, sc in turning ch, ch 4, turn.

Row 3: Ltr in each sc across, ch 1, turn.

(Sizes L and XL ONLY):  Repeat rows 2-3 once more before continuing.

Row 4: Sc-flo in each ltr across, sc in turning ch, with CC, ch 3, turn.

Row 5: Ldc in each sc across, with MC, ch 1, turn.

Rows 6-13: Repeat Rows 2-3.

Rows 14-15: Repeat Rows 4-5.

Rows 16-21: Repeat Rows 2-3.

Rows 22-23: Repeat Rows 4-5.

Front Panel

Row 24: Sc-flo in each of the next 22 (26, 28, 32) ldc across, sc2tog over next 2 ldc, ch 1, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked.  (23 [27, 29, 33] sts)

Row 25: Sc2tog over sc2tog and next sc, hdc in next sc, dc in next sc, tr in next sc, ltr in each sc to end, ch 1, turn.  (22 [26, 28, 32] sts)

Row 26: Sc-flo in each ltr across, sc-flo in tr, ch 4, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked.  (19 [23, 25, 29] sc)

Rows 27-29: Repeat Rows 3-5.

Rows 30-37: Repeat Rows 2-5.

(Sizes L and XL ONLY):  Repeat Rows 2-5 once more before continuing.

Row 38: Repeat Row 2.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Row 39: Join MC to 7th (7th, 9th, 9th) st from end of previous row with sl st, sc2tog over next 2 sc, hdc in next sc, dc in next sc, tr in next sc, ltr in each sc across, ch 1, turn.

Row 40: Sc-flo in each ltr across, sc-flo in tr, with CC, ch 3, turn.  (9 [13, 13, 17] sc),

Row 41: Repeat Row 5.

Rows 42-43: Repeat Rows 2-3.

Size Small Only

Row 44: Sl st in each of first 3 ltr, sc-flo in each of next 2 ltr, hdc-flo in each of next 2 ltr, dc-flo in each of next 2 ltr.

Sizes M (L, XL) Only

Row 44: Sl st in each of first 3 (3, 4) ltr, sc-flo in each ltr across, ch 3, turn.

Row 45: Dc in each of next 2 (2, 3) sc, hdc in each of next 3 (3, 3) sc, sc in each of next 2 (2, 3)  sc, sl st in each of next 2 (2, 3) sc.

All sizes: Fasten off, weave in ends.

Back Panel

Now we go back to Row 24 on the body.

Row 24: Join MC to 7th st from where you divided for Front Panel with sl st, sc2tog over next 2 ldc, sc-flo in each of next 44 (52, 56, 66) ldc, sc2tog over next 2 ldc, ch 1, turn (leaving remaining stitches unworked).

Row 25: Sc2tog over sc2tog and next sc, hdc in next sc, dc in next sc, tr in next sc, ltr in each of next 37 (45, 49, 59) sc, dc in next sc, hdc in next sc, sc2tog over next sc and sc2tog, turn. (38 [46, 50, 60] tr)

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Row 26: Join MC to the first ltr (skipping other sts), sc-flo in each ltr across, sc-flo in tr, ch 4, turn.

Rows 27-29: Repeat Rows 3-5.

Rows 30-43: Repeat Rows 2-5, ending last row on Row 3.  

(Sizes L and XL ONLY):  Repeat Rows 2-5 once more before continuing.

First Shoulder

Size Small Only

Row 44: Sl st in each of first 3 ltr, sc-flo in each of next 2 ltr, hdc-flo in each of next 2 ltr, dc-flo in each of next 2 ltr.

Sizes M (L, XL) Only

Row 44: Sl st in each of first 3 (3, 4) ltr, sc-flo in each of next 10 (10, 13) ltr, ch 3, turn.

Row 45: Dc in next 2 (2, 3) sc, hdc in next 3 (3, 3) sc, sc in next 2 (2, 3) sc, sl st in last 2 (2, 3) sc.

All sizes: Fasten off, weave in ends.

Opposite Shoulder

Size Small Only

Row 44: Skip 20 sts from where you divided for the First Shoulder, join MC with sl st, ch 3, dc-flo in each of next ltr, hdc-flo in each of next 2 ltr, sc-flo in each of next 2 ltr, sl st in each of next 3 ltr.  

Sizes M (L, XL) Only

Row 44: Skip 20 (24, 26) sts from where you divided for the first shoulder, join MC with sc, sc-flo in each of next 9 (9, 12) ltr, ch 1, turn.

Row 45: Sl st in each of first 2 (2, 3) sc, sc in each of next 2 (2, 3) sc, hdc in each of next 3 (3, 3) sc, dc in each of last 3 (3, 4) sc.

All sizes: Fasten off, weave in ends

Opposite Front Panel

Now we go back again to Row 24 on the body.

Row 24: Skip 6 ldc from where you divided for Back Panel, join MC yarn to next ldc with sl st, sc2tog over next 2 ldc, sc in each ldc to end, ch 3, turn.

Row 25: Ltr in each of next 19 (23, 25, 29) sc, dc in next sc, hdc in next sc, sc2tog over next sc and sc2tog, turn.   Fasten off.  

Row 26: Join MC to the first ltr (skipping other sts), sc-flo in each ltr across, ch 4, turn.

Row 27-29: Repeat rows 3-5.

Rows 30-37: Repeat rows 2-5.

(Sizes L and XL Only): Repeat rows 2-5 once more before continuing.

Row 38: Repeat row 2.

Row 39: Ltr in each of next 9 (13, 13, 17) sc, dc in next sc, hdc in next sc, sc2tog over next two sc.  Fasten off, weave in ends.

Row 40: Join MC to the first ltr (skipping other sts), sc-flo in each ltr across, with CC, ch 3, turn.

Row 41: Repeat row 5.

Rows 42-43: Repeat rows 2-3.  

Size Small Only

Row 44: Ch 3, dc-flo in next ltr, hdc-flo in each of next 2 ltr, sc-flo in each of next 2 ltr, sl st in each of last 3 ltr.  

Sizes M (L, XL) Only

Row 44: Sc-flo in each of next 10 (10, 13) ltr, ch 1, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked.

Row 45: Sl st in each of first 2 (2, 3) sc, sc in each of next 2 (2, 3) sc, hdc in each of next 3 (3, 3) sc, dc in each of last 3 (3, 4) sc.  

All sizes: Fasten off, weave in ends.

Finishing

Blocking

Lay vest flat on towel, pin to schematic dimensions, spray with water, allow to dry.

Seaming

Fold vest in quarters with right sides facing, pin should seams together, join yarn to top of shoulder, insert hook into top loops of both the front panel and back panel st, yo, draw up loop, draw loop through loop on hook (sl st seam created), continue for entire shoulder.  Fasten off, weave in ends.  

Body Border (optional)

Join yarn to bottom of body opening, sl st up opening evenly and each side of body.  Fasten off, weave in ends.  

Cuffs

Around arm openings and bottom of body: Join yarn to underarm or end of body with right side facing, ch 5, turn.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, sl st in next st of vest twice (first sl st joins row to vest, second sl st counts as turning ch), turn.

Row 2: Sc-blo in each sc across, ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Sc-blo in each sc across, sl st in next st twice, turn.

Continue working rows 2-3 evenly around arm opening and body. Whip stitch arm cuff together. Fasten off, weave in ends.  

Collar

Join yarn to neck opening with right side facing, ch 11, turn.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, sl st in next st of vest twice (first sl st joins row to vest, second sl st counts as turning ch), turn.

Row 2: Sc-blo in each sc across, ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Sc-blo in each sc across, sl st in next st twice, turn.

Continue working rows 2-3 evenly around neck opening.  Fasten off, weave in ends.

Last step

Pin zipper into body opening, back-stitch zipper in place with matching thread and sewing needle.

Schematic