After I finished the Neckwarmer Vest, I had an idea for a different collar and since I had a few skeins of Simply Soft lying around, I decided to make up this alternate design. The collar on this vest hangs down slightly as a small drape over the center front of the neckline. I’ve already worn this vest several times and it is flattering as well as warm.
I needed 9 buttons. When have you ever seen 9 of the same sweater buttons in the same place? Even JoAnn’s only stocks about 6 buttons of each type. So I raided my button box and found 9 silver buttons. Unfortunately, only 2 pair were the same! Okay, I know it’s a bit lame and so 1980′s but I mixed and matched the buttons and used them all. Without further ado, here is the pattern for the Neckwarmer Vest II.
NECKWARMER VEST II
Materials: 6 skeins Caron Simply Soft, 3 oz ea, color Dark Country Blue, crochet hook sizes I and H, (9) 1″ buttons, tapestry needle
Size: Bust and Hips 44″
Gauge: 12 pattern stitches =4″, 13 pattern rows = 4″
Stitches used: Slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet, sc 2tog, dc 2 tog Tc2 counts as a stitch.
Body
With I,ch 116, sc in 2nd ch from hook and into ea ch to end (115 scs), ch1, turn.
Row 2: Row 2: Sc into 1st sc, *dc into next sc, sc into next sc*. Repeat from * to * to end of row, ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Sc into 1st sc. *dc into next dc, sc into next sc*. Repeat from * to * to end of row. Ch1, turn.
Repeat row 3 until you have 37 rows or until piece measures 13″. End on RS row. Ch 1, turn.
Left Front
Work in pattern for 25 stitches. Ch 1, turn.
Continue to work in pattern over 25 stitches until you have worked 19 rows or until the piece measures 7″ from the beginning of armhole . End on a WS row. Ch 1, turn.
Shape Neck
Work 16 sts in pattern, leaving 9 sts unworked, turn.
Row 2: Sc2tog, work 14 more sts to end, ch1, turn.
Row3: Work even in pattern on 15 sts. Turn.
Row 4: Dc2tog, work 13 more sts to end, ch 1, turn.
Row 5: Work even in pattern on 14 sts. Turn.
Row 6: Sc2tog, work 12 more sts to end, ch 1, turn.
Work 4 more rows even or until piece measures 10 “ from beginning of armhole. End on WS row. Fasten off.
Back
On right side, sk 8 sts, Attach yarn with a sl st in 9 th st, ch 2, sc in next sc, follow pattern for 47 more sts (49 total), ch 2, turn.
Next row: Sc in 1st sc, follow pattern to end of row, ch 2, turn.
Repeat until piece measures the same as front. Fasten off.
RightFront
On right side, sk 8 sts, attach yarn as for left front and work in pattern on 25 sts until piece measure 7″. Fasten off.
Shape Neck
Turn. Attach yarn in 10th st, ch 2, sc in next sc. Work in pattern. Ch 1, turn. (16 sts)
Row 2: Work 14 sts in pattern. sc 2tog over last 2 sts. Ch1, turn.
Row 3: Work even in pattern on 15 sts. Ch 1, turn.
Row 4: Work 13 sts, dc2tog over last 2 sts. Ch 2, turn.
Row 5: Work even in pattern on 14 sts.Ch 1, turn.
Row 6: Work 12 sts, sc2tog over last 2 sts, ch 1, turn.
Work in pattern until piece measures the same as left front. Fasten off.
Joining: With the right sides facing each other, whip stitch or crochet the fronts to the backs. Weave in ends.
Front Bands: On right side,with H , attach yarn to bottom front corner with a sl st. Ch 1, sc in same st. Work 59 more sc along front to neck edge. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Work even in sc to bottom edge, Ch1, turn.
Row 3: Work 2 sc, *ch 2, sk 2 sc, work 9 sc* Repeat from * to * along front to last 3 sts. Ch2, sk 2 sc, sc in last st. Ch 1, turn.
Row 4: Sc in ea sc. Place 2 sc in ea ch 2 sp. Ch 1, turn.
Row 5: Work even in sc to end of row. Fasten off.
Work 5 rows sc along left front as for right front, omitting buttonholes.
Armhole Trim: With H, attach yan with a sl st at shoulder. Sc in same st and in ea st around, working 66 sc. Sl st to beginning sc. Ch 1, turn.
Work 2 more rows around armholes. Fasten off.
Note: The armholes on this vest are wide. If you prefer to have them a bit smaller, work a few less sc in the first round, being careful that your fabric does not pucker.
Neck Edge and Scarf: On right side, attach yarn with a sl st at right front neck edge. Sc in same st. Work a total of 69 sc around neck edge. Fasten off. Chain 21, fasten off. With a sl stitch, attach chain to right front neck at 11th st from edge of band. Fasten off. Repeat for left front.
Row 1: On right side, attach yarn to right scarf chain with a sl st. Sc in same st, work in pattern around neck to end of opposite ch on left front. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2 and 3: Work even in pattern.
Row 4: Work 3 sts in pattern, ch 2, sk 2 sts, continue in pattern to end of row.
Row 5: Work in pattern to Ch 2 sp. Work 2 sts in pattern in ch 2 sp. Work in pattern to end of row.
Work a total of 17 rows, making buttonholes on the 9th and 15th rows. Fasten off. Sew buttons opposite buttonholed on the left front band. Cross scarf ends diagonally and sew buttons on left front scarf. Weave in all remaining ends.
Jan Clark
February 7, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I absolutely love this! I would love to make one but could you define what it means to “work in pattern” ….I’ve not seen this before and although I’ve done a few projects still consider myself maybe an advanced beginner
…thanks in advance
wolfcrochet
February 8, 2010 at 8:56 am
Jan, it simply means that you continue working the stitch pattern that was established in the first few rows, ie: in this case it is the pattern of alternating a single crochet with a double crochet all across the row.
Patty Bray
February 22, 2010 at 9:56 am
I love this vest but I meed to start simple, can you send me this vest without the neck warmer . or a simple vest pattern Thank you so much. Patty Bray
wolfcrochet
February 22, 2010 at 10:41 am
Hi Patty, Thanks for looking at my vest pattern. To omit the neckwarmer, simply skip the part in the pattern entitled “Collar and Scarf”. Instead, you can join your yarn on the outside on the right front top neck corner and work 3 rows of single crochet stitches around the neck. I like to use a hook 2 sizes smaller than the one I used for the body of the vest so that the neckline doesn’t pucker. Work in the ends of rows and into all stitches, making sure that you get a nice flat neckline. Then you can just finish off and weave in your ends. Continue with the rest of the pattern as normal.
Dorothy
March 3, 2010 at 9:50 pm
I love the look of this pattern. Is there a way to make larger sizes?
wolfcrochet
March 4, 2010 at 10:09 am
Dorothy, you can try to make the vest larger by crocheting to your own measurements. I only made it in my size because I always like to check for fit. It would be hard to check for fit if you don’t have the person in front of you, therefore I have never made any of my patterns for different sizes.
Lynn
April 17, 2010 at 11:57 am
If I made this without the neck piece, would the neck be v-shaped??
Wolf Crochet
April 17, 2010 at 2:34 pm
No Lynn, it would be a round neckline. You would have to do a couple of rows of crochet around the neck to finish it off if you don’t add the neckwarmer.
Valeria
July 1, 2010 at 11:25 am
Quick question, if I wanted to make a smaller size in this vest, is there a certain multiple of stitches that I need to have to make the pattern stitch work? Just glancing, I would say a multiple of 2 plus 1. Would that be a correct assumption?
Wolf Crochet
July 6, 2010 at 8:44 am
Yes, Valeria, that is correct.
Liz
October 5, 2010 at 11:43 am
I love this pattern! I saw a vest in a catalog and could not justify spending the $80 on it and found your pattern which is almost identical to the one in the catalog. Couple of questions – how long is the vest and if I was was interested in making it longer – do you have any recommendations???
Wolf Crochet
October 5, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Wow! I can’t believe that this design has been so popular! The vest measures about 20″ from back of neck to hem. If you would like to make it longer, be aware that the body (below the armholes) is 13″ long from hem to beginning of armhole. Just crochet as many more rows as you need to make it the length you desire, then start on your armholes.
Wendy
October 21, 2010 at 10:42 am
I love the neckline, no I love the whole thing. Beautiful.
Wolf Crochet
October 21, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Thanks Wendy!
Vims
December 2, 2010 at 5:59 am
I absolutely love your design but I am scared to start this !!! Thanks for sharing and maybe I will start this sooner than later:)
Wolf Crochet
December 2, 2010 at 8:27 am
Good luck with the vest Vims. I’ll be happy to help if you run into any trouble.
Yvette
June 6, 2011 at 8:44 am
I love your vest and started to make one for my mom. I’ve finish the following parts from the pattern you provided: Body, Left Front, and Shape Neck. I am confused with the next two parts – Back and Right Front. Both say skip 8 stiches on right side. I don’t know where to start now.
Please, please help me. Thank you so very much in advance!!!
Wolf Crochet
June 6, 2011 at 9:43 am
Okay Yvette, you have just finished the right front and are going to skip some space for your underarm. Place your fabric right side up. Go down to the corner where your right front meets the body and count 8 stitches to the left. Attach your yarn in the 9th stitch and proceed with the rest of the instructions. When you have finished the back, you will do the same thing for the left front, counting over 8 stitches from where the back meets the body at the corner and attaching your yarn in the 9th stitch. Please let me know if this is clear.
Yvette
June 7, 2011 at 7:40 am
Thanks very much for your quick response. I got it now! Thanks again!
Wolf Crochet
June 8, 2011 at 6:05 am
Yvette
June 15, 2011 at 11:35 am
I am working on the neck edge and scarf now. Could you please explain the use of the two “chain 21″ after attaching each to right and left front band on the 11th st? I can’t picture them and don’t understand how to use them in the next 17 rows. In addition, on the right front of the scarf where the buttonholes are and toward the edge, are the stitches sc or sc/dc like the rest in the pattern? Thanks very much for your help.
Yvette
June 16, 2011 at 8:42 am
I am working on the neck edge and scarf now. Could you please tell me the function of the two “chain 21″ in the instruction? What’s the purpose of making two such chains and attach them to the right and left front band on the 11th st? Thank you very much for your help in advance!
Wolf Crochet
June 16, 2011 at 9:15 am
Hi Yvette. The two chains will be the tie ends of the scarf as they extend out from the neck. If you read further, you will see that you will be working into those chains and the end result will be a scarf that you can tie around your neck.
Wolf Crochet
June 16, 2011 at 9:16 am
Yes, you will continue the stitch pattern on the front edge.
Yvette
June 16, 2011 at 2:19 pm
The scarf is like a collar, right? If I don’t tie it around my neck, I can fold it down like a collar, can’t I?
If I understand it correctly, I need to work in pattern around the neck between the two 21 chains and make 17 rows. What happens to the 10 sts from the chains to the front edges? The vest picture shows that the scarf started from the edge of the right front. I am confused. Sorry for my slowness. Please help. Thank you very, very much!!!
Wolf Crochet
June 16, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Okay Yvette, I’m sorry. I was thinking about the vest with the scarf, another pattern of mine. In this pattern, the extensions on the neck are not tied but are buttoned into a collar. After you have attached both chains to the neck edge (one on each side) you will attach your yarn in the first chain on the right front side of the neck and work in pattern all the way across the chain, around the neck, and across the next chain. This is what will give you your increase so that the collar can drape down in front and can be overlapped and buttoned. I hope this is a little more clear. If not, let me know and I will try to make you a drawing.
Yvette
June 17, 2011 at 8:19 am
Thank you very much! I think I start to get it now. Instead of ch 1 and turn at the end of each row, I should use the chains (the ch 21 attached at each end) to increase and the chains will also have a smoother look than ch 1 and turn, right?
If it’s not too much trouble, a drawing will help me a great deal. Thank you so very much for your help and patience!
Yvette
June 17, 2011 at 9:18 am
Another question, if I leave 5 sts undone from both neck edges where the front bands are and start to work in pattern and make 17 rows, then come back and do sc for 5 rows and button holes just as I did for the front bands. Would this work? Thanks for your advice!
Wolf Crochet
June 18, 2011 at 8:34 am
Yvette, I will email you a drawing of the neck edge. Your idea about the chains is not correct. I think that the drawing will make it clear. As for the buttonholes on the collar, you should try to stick with the pattern. If you make buttonholes in a band like you did on the front of the vest you will end up with a much longer collar and one that droops down in the front. I wonder if this pattern is too ambitious for you. I applaud the fact that you are attempting a project like this but you might have been better off with something in the easy range. Do you have a friend who crochets and can help you along?
Yvette
June 18, 2011 at 2:00 pm
I realized that I misunderstoodd the chains. I was picturing them “standing up” vertically. Because from the vest picture provided, the edge of the scarf looks right at the edge of the front band. It’s actually not.
I did discuss it with a friend who crochets. Neither of us got it. A picture of the vest with collar dropping down might be helpful.
Thanks very much for sending me the drawings. It will work!!!
Wolf Crochet
June 19, 2011 at 7:58 am
Oh I’m so glad that the drawing helped. I no longer have the vest but if you unbutton the collar, the ends hang down just like a scarf. When you finish making the collar, you will see that you must place the ends of the scarf sections at right angles to each other. This gives you the triangle effect in the photo.
Jeff Garren
August 12, 2011 at 3:32 am
this is probably going to sound strange coming from a guy, but i love this pattern. i’ve been working on extending arms and a train to make a bathrobe. do you have any advice on how to do that?
Wolf Crochet
August 12, 2011 at 6:55 am
Hi Jeff! Not strange at all! If you want to make a bathrobe, simple make your body longer by working more rows until it is the length you desire to the underarms. I’m not sure what you mean by a train. For the sleeves, you can stick to the modular design of simple rectangles. Measure your arm (sleeve) length from the underarm to the wrist and then add about 1 1/2 to 2 ” for a cuff that you can turn up. Make the sleeve wide enough to fit into the armhole by measuring the opening. Start at the underarm and standing your tape measure on end, measure all around the armhole. This will be your sleeve width. For more information see Design Lesson I and II.
Jeff Garren
August 12, 2011 at 8:19 am
sorry about the terms. my mother is a dressmaker, so we refer anything longer than mid calf to be a train. i’m making the robe for her. and thanks for the tips.
Wolf Crochet
August 12, 2011 at 10:15 am
Lol! I’ve never heard that term used that way before!
Jody
November 2, 2011 at 11:37 pm
I am at the Left front part of the pattern. I don’t understand Work in pattern for 25 stitches. Can you explain?
Wolf Crochet
November 3, 2011 at 4:58 am
Jody, “work in pattern” simply means to keep working in the pattern stitch that you’ve been using since the beginning. In other words, continue as you have been doing for 25 stitches.
Cassie
November 14, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Hi, I am starting your pattern, you did not specify which is the right side…I am assuming it is the second row of the body?
Thanks!
Wolf Crochet
November 15, 2011 at 10:14 am
Cassie, the right side is the side where the yarn tail of the starting chain is on the left. Before seamimg, if you prefer the other side, you can designate it as the right side.
Joy
July 2, 2012 at 9:36 am
I am very confused on the neck edge and scarf. Would you e-mail me a drawing how to get started with the chains. Thanks so much.
Wolf Crochet
July 2, 2012 at 10:10 am
Hi Joy! I’m so sorry about your confusion! I haave company from out of town so I can’t make a drawing right now but I will try to explain:
Work 69 sc around neck as a base for your scarf. Fasten off. Make two chains of 21 each. Fasten these chains off. Take one chain of 21 and attach it to the 11th stitch on the neck from the front edge with a slip stitch. Take the other chain and attach it on the 11th stitch on the neck from the front edge with a slip stitch on the other side. You now have a chain of 20 (the last chain disappears when you fasten off the chain), 69 neck stitches, and another chain of 20.
On the right side of the garment, attach your yarn with a slip stitch into the first chain of the chain 20. Single crochet in the same stitch and into each chain and each stitch until you get to the end of the chain on the other side. Turn.
Work even in your pattern and continue as the directions state. I hope this helps!
Joy
July 3, 2012 at 9:19 am
Thanks for your reply – I will now be able to finish the project. It was a fun pattern to do.
Laura Henderson
October 25, 2012 at 8:25 pm
I love this vest and would like to make it. Is there a way to print the pattern? I have tried but only the side bar will print. Thanks
Laura H
Wolf Crochet
October 26, 2012 at 5:51 am
Laura, I am not having a problem printing the pattern. Can you copy and paste it to a Word Document? Or maybe even save it to your computer? When I get back from vacation I will put the remainder of my patterns in pdf format but that won’t be until around the middle of next month.
Laura Henderson
October 26, 2012 at 11:07 am
I have tried copy and pasting, but it only copies the sidebar, even when I do select all. I do copy to Word frequently and I only run into a problem when a block is on the site. Thank you for your help. BTW, I can’t copy any of your patterns.
Wolf Crochet
October 26, 2012 at 11:21 am
Hmm, this is very interesting. Let me try a few things Laura.
Rosina
January 18, 2013 at 6:13 pm
Hi I am at the shape neck section, but i don’t understand, turn, attach yarn in 10th stitch, chain 2, single crochet in next single crochet.
Wolf Crochet
January 19, 2013 at 10:06 am
You will be on the right front of the vest, in other words, the part that will cover your body where your right arm is. At the top of the right front, after your turn, you will attach the yarn with a slip stitch in the 10th stitch from the edge. Make sure you are on the outside edge and not the armhole edge. You will be shaping this area to accommodate your neck where the vest buttons in the front on the right side. I will be happy to make a little sketch for you if you think this will help but you are really only doing the opposite of what you did on the left front.
Jane
January 20, 2013 at 4:11 am
Need your help… I didn’t measure for the body before starting and now this is going to fit too tight. Could I extend the bands for the button / button holes to give me a bit more room? I understand I will also have to tweak the collar to allow for the extra measure.
Wolf Crochet
January 20, 2013 at 5:53 am
Hi Jane, Yes you could add “panels” to each side at the center front but be aware that this will shift your armholes further back and might not make for a good fit. If you only need a little more width it might still be ok. There’s nothing to be lost by giving it a try!
Jane
January 20, 2013 at 6:04 am
Do you think if I added an extra 2 inches (one inch each side), I would have to adjust the armholes? I am so close to finishing the body… I don’t want to start over….
Wolf Crochet
January 20, 2013 at 6:21 am
Jane, I would go ahead and try it. The armholes in this pattern are very roomy and will allow for some adjustment. When you get to the armhole trim, be sure that you are not cinching them in too much. You’ll try it on anyway before you do the armhole trim and you’ll know right away if it will be ok.
Connie
February 10, 2013 at 12:42 pm
This is just the pattern I’ve been looking for and I would love to make this pattern but would need to reduce the size. I read the about making it smaller and did not understand. Would it be possible for you to give a number for the starting chain and possibly other tips for making it smaller? I am 5″1 and normally wear about a size 2. Bust about 34. Thank you muchly.
Wolf Crochet
February 11, 2013 at 10:48 am
Connie, if you make the starting chain shorter, you must reduce everything else too. If you want to have the finished vest measure 36″ around (this gives you 2″ of ease) You must chain 109 in the gauge that is given in the pattern. However, since you are working the entire body in one piece, you will also have to reduce your front sections to the armhole. My best advice to you is to hold the fabric up to your body as you go along. Then you will know how far over you must crochet for your armhole and your neck shaping.
Connie
February 11, 2013 at 10:25 pm
Thank you, I will give it a try.
Deborah H
February 20, 2013 at 11:04 pm
I printed the instructions on 1/12/13 and the size states Bust and Hips 44″….now it is 38″. I used the correct size hook, the same yarn, and it measures 36″. Very disappointed.
Wolf Crochet
February 21, 2013 at 8:36 am
Hi Deborah, I’m sorry that you are disappointed with this pattern. The change in hip and bust size was an error. I was correcting one of my other patterns and go the wrong vest! I have changed it back to the original size. Now, as to the fact that your vest came out smaller; gauge is all-important in working a project. The least little difference in the number of stitches per inch can change the measurement of a garment drastically over the whole piece. If you are using the same yarn and the same-sized hook, your stitch gauge must be smaller than mine, that is, you are crocheting a lot more tightly than I do. Simply using the same yarn and hook does not guarantee the same size! I have also found that using a different color of yarn will result in a different gauge. It seems that some dyes puff up the yarn where as others make it seem much thinner. I have had this happen with Simply Soft many times.
It is important that when you work your project, you constantly measure your width as you go along. Sometimes a piece will get smaller in width as you progress because the first few rows were worked on top of a chain. If you find that this is happening, you must start again and add stitches. If all this sounds complicated, I can only say that gauge is a variable thing and must be watched closely. That is the nature of making a knitted or crocheted garment.
Finally, I wanted to add a note about my patterns. I decide to make a project for myself or a family member and enjoy writing up the pattern for that item and posting it on my blog. This is my hobby. I like to share my experiences in crochet and give others an opportunity to try out some free patterns. I have stated many times that I am not a pro. I do not have testers or proofreaders at my disposal. When you make one of my patterns you must approach it in that spirit. Be aware of your crochet style and how tightly you work. Measure, measure, measure and do not be afraid to make changes. Free patterns are merely guidelines to help you work a project. They are not guaranteed perfect.