Ribbed Crochet Sweater Vest | Free Pattern & Video Tutorial

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Crochet sweater vests are versatile clothing pieces that can be stylish and warm. This crochet pattern makes any size ribbed crewneck sweater vest with double-stranded, worsted-weight yarn. While it’s more suitable for intermediate crochets, beginners can also tackle this project with the help of the video tutorial!

If you’re not a fan of the crewneck or you just prefer v-necks, check out this v-neck crochet sweater vest pattern!

Intermediate Crochet Project

This project uses two main stitches: the single crochet and the half double crochet. These are basic stitches that every crocheter should know.

The reason for this pattern being a little more difficult is the way that the rows are worked. Rather than crocheting a rectangle, the rows are almost always changing lengths. Another reason is the ribbing, which is crocheted onto the sweater vest. This can be more challenging for a beginner to do. To make the ribbing easier, you can crochet it first, then sew it on!

If you want to take on this project as a beginner, make sure to view the tutorial if any part of the written pattern is confusing for you! Also, please leave any questions in the comments if you have any.

Sizing

This pattern is based on my own measurements. I wear a US adult small. Within the pattern, there are italicized notes to let you know when and what to change to adjust the sizing!

Keep in mind that adjusting the number of rows in the first half of the front/back panel will require you to adjust the number of rows in the second half.

Project Overview

1. Front Panel
2. Back Panel
3. Assembly
4. Ribbing

Choosing Yarn & Hook Size

In this pattern, I use two strands of worsted-weight yarn. If you prefer using just one strand, you can! Two strands of worsted-weight yarn are equivalent to one strand of bulky yarn. You may have to adjust the pattern if you want to use a thinner yarn.

For yarn fiber, you should first decide whether you want warmth or breathability. For warmth, I would use fibers like wool and acrylic. For breathability for wearing in warmer weather, I would use cotton or a cotton blend.

Construction

Most crochet clothing pieces are crocheted top down or bottom up. This sweater vest is crocheted side to side. The first row starts directly under the armhole. Then, we make the rows longer to shape the armhole. Then, we make them shorter to shape the neck hole. Finally, the second half is a mirror image of the first half.

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Ribbed Crochet Sweater Vest Video Tutorial

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You can follow along with my YouTube video to make your own crochet sweater vest! I have timestamps included to section the video and help you jump to any point you need to!

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Materials

• 400 grams of double-stranded worsted weight yarn (Upcycle Alpaca Blend in “Lilac”)
• 8mm Clover Amour crochet hook
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker (optional)
• Tension ring (optional)
• Yarn bowl (optional)

Dimensions

Overall: 40 centimeters wide x 42 centimeters long (15.7 x 16.5 inches)

length A = 21 centimeters (8.3 inches)

length B = 18 centimeters (7.1 inches)

length C = 5 centimeters (2 inches)

Gauge

10 rows of 13 half double crochets makes a 10 x 10 centimeter square

Notes and Tips

• This pattern is written using US crochet terms
• The chain 1 at the beginning of each row/round does NOT count as a single or half double crochet
• Always single crochet on top of the single crochets from the previous row
• When crocheting the second half of a panel, check if you’re mirroring it correctly by folding it in half and making sure the ends of the rows line up
• Italicized notes tell you what to change to adjust the size

Abbreviations

blo = back loop only

ch = chain

hdc = half double crochet

rep = repeat

sc = single crochet

sk = skip

sl st = slip stitch

sl st2tog = slip stitch 2 together

sl st3tog = slip stitch 3 together

st = stitch

Front Panel

Foundation: Make a slipknot, ch29

Note: The length of your foundation chain will be length A on the sweater vest. Do fewer chains to make it shorter or more chains to make it longer.

Row 1: hdc in 2nd ch from hook and across until 6 st left, sc across (28)

Note: Do fewer single crochets for a thinner ribbing or more for a wider ribbing. Make sure to always do the same number of single crochets in each row.

Row 2: ch1, turn, sc blo in next 6 st, hdc blo across (28)

Row 3: ch3, turn, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc, hdc blo across until 6 st left, sc blo across (30)

Row 4-6: rep[Row 2, Row 3] (30, 32, 32)

This means Row 4 is a repeat of Row 2, Row 5 is a repeat of Round 3, Row 6 is a repeat of Row 2, and so on.

Note: To make the armhole bigger, keep alternating Row 2 and Row 3. Stop after an even row.

Row 7: ch25, turn, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc across ch, hdc blo across until 6 st left, sc blo across (56)

Note: The number of chains you do at the beginning of this row will be length B. Do fewer chains to make it shorter or more chains to make it longer.

Row 8: ch1, turn, sc blo in next 6 st, hdc blo across (56)

Row 9: ch1, turn, hdc blo across until 6 st left, sc blo across (56)

Row 10-11: rep[Row 8, Row 9]

Note: Alternate Row 8 and Row 9 until the space between the armhole and neck hole ribbing is wide enough. Stop after an odd row.

Row 12: ch1, turn, sc blo in next 6 st, hdc blo across until 8 st left (48)

Note: The stitches left at the end of this row is length C. Stop the row earlier to drop the neckline further or stop later to make it higher.

Row 13: ch1, turn, hdc blo across until 6 st left, sc blo across (40)

Row 14: ch1, turn, sc blo in next 6 st, hdc blo across until 2 st left (38)

Rows 15-19: rep[Row 13, Row 14] (38, 36, 36, 34, 34)

Note: Continue alternating Row 13 and Row 14 to drop the neckline further. Stop after an odd row.

Row 20: ch1, turn, sc blo in next 6 st, hdc blo across (34)

Row 21: ch1, turn, hdc blo across until 6 st left, sc blo across (34)

Row 22-24: rep[Row 20, Row 21] (34)

Note: Continue alternating Row 20 and Row 21 to make the sweater vest wider. Stop after an even row.

Now that the first half of the front panel is done, we can mirror it for the second half. If you changed the number of rows in the first half, your second half will have that same number of rows.

Row 25: ch3, turn, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc, hdc blo across until 6 st left, sc blo across (36)

Row 26: ch1, turn, sc blo in next 6 st, hdc blo across (36)

Rows 27-30: rep[Row 25, Row 26] (38, 38, 40, 40)

Note: Continue alternating Row 25 and Row 26 until neckline is completely mirrored.

Row 31: ch9, turn, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc across ch, hdc blo across until 6 st left, sc blo across (48)

Note: If you left a different number of stitches at the end of the first decrease row (Row 12), chain that number of stitches, plus 1 at the beginning of Row 31.

Row 32: ch1, turn, sc blo in next 6 st, hdc blo across (48)

Row 33: ch1, turn, hdc blo across until 6 st left, sc blo across (48)

Rows 34-35: rep[Row 32, Row 33] (48)

Note: Continue alternating Row 32 and Row 33 until you have the same number of rows between the armhole and neck hole ribbing.

Row 36: ch1, turn, sc blo in next 6 st, hdc blo in next 26 st (32)

Note: The stitch count for Row 36 should match that of the last row of the armhole (Row 6). Do hdc blo across until you have the right stitch count.

Row 37: ch1, turn, hdc blo across until 6 st left, sc blo across (32)

Row 38: ch1, turn, sc blo in next 6 st, hdc blo until 2 st left (30)

Row 39-41: rep[Row 37, Row 38]

Note: Continue alternating Row 37 and Row 38 until the armhole is completely mirrored.

Fasten off with a long loose end, a little over twice the length of the last row.

Back Panel

The back panel is almost identical to the front panel. Rows 12 and 31 end 4 stitches from the end of the row instead of 8 stitches. This will make the neckline higher in the back.

Row 12: ch1, turn, sc blo in next 6 st, hdc blo across until 4 st left (52)

Note: The stitches left at the end of this row is length C. Stop the row earlier to drop the neckline further or stop later to make it higher.

Row 31: ch5, turn, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc across ch, hdc blo across until 6 st left, sc blo across (52)

Fasten off with a long loose end, a little over twice the length of the last row.

Assembly

Lay the front panel (with the lower neckline) on top of the back panel. Make sure the extra long loose ends are on opposite sides.

Use each of the loose ends to sew up the sides of the sweater vest. Then, cut a foot/30 centimeter long double strand of yarn and use it to sew the top of one of the shoulders together. Repeat for the other shoulder.

Ribbing (2 Armholes, 1 Neck Hole)

Now, we’ll crochet on the ribbing. If you want, you can crochet the ribbing separately, and then sew it on.

Attach your yarn to the armhole at the side seam.

Row 1: ch7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, sl st to armhole, sl st3tog along armhole (6)

Row 2: turn, sk the 2 sl st, sc blo across (6)

Row 3: ch1, turn, sc blo across, sl st to armhole, sl st3tog along armhole (6)

Row 4-46: rep[Row 2, Row 3*] (6)

*If the armhole is flat (along Row 7), sl st2tog instead of sl st3tog

Note: Continue alternating Row 2 and Row 3 until you go around the armhole and get back to the first row.

Attach the last row of ribbing to the first row with sl st and fasten off.

Repeat with the other armhole and the neck hole.

Finished Crochet Sweater Vest

Weave in your loose ends and your ribbed crochet sweater vest is finished!