Crochet Sweater Vest Pattern with V-Neck and Customizable Fit
Looking for a wearable crochet layer? This sweater vest combines simple stitches, a shaped V-neck, ribbed edges, and easy length adjustments.
A crochet sweater vest is a comfortable handmade layer worked with 8-ply DK-weight yarn and simple half double crochet stitches.
Its ribbed lower edge gives the vest a neat starting point, while the shaped armholes and V-neck create a more defined silhouette. What makes this design especially interesting is the flexibility built into the pattern, allowing you to adjust the width through the ribbing and the length before the shaping begins.
From the first front-panel ribbing to the final neckline edging, this guide follows the crochet vest in the same order it is made.
You’ll work the front panel first, shape its armholes and V-neck, then create the back panel before joining the pieces at the shoulders and sides. The neckline ribbing is added last, giving you a clear sequence to follow from the first row through the finishing details.
Credit Muzhi Crochet
Materials & Tools Needed
- Yarn: Approximately 350g of 8-ply (DK / Double Knit) weight yarn (you can substitute with any yarn of your choice).
- Crochet Hook: 4.5 mm
- Notions: Tapestry/Darning needle and scissors.
Finished Size & Customization Ideas
Following this exact stitch count yields a bottom ribbing width of 5 cm and a total panel width of 60 cm.
The bottom ribbing determines the width of your sweater vest. To make it larger, add more rows to your bottom ribbing, with each ribbing row equaling one stitch for the main body.
To adjust the length, simply add or remove rows during the main body section, Rows 1–40, before beginning the armhole decreases.
Pattern Abbreviations & Terminology
The pattern uses US crochet terminology:
- ch: Chain
- st(s): Stitch(es)
- sl st: Slip Stitch
- sc: Single Crochet
- sc blo: Single Crochet Back Loop Only
- hdc: Half Double Crochet
- hdc dec (or hdc2tog): Half Double Crochet Decrease
Step-by-Step Pattern
Front Panel
Bottom Ribbing
The front panel begins with a narrow strip of single crochet worked through the back loops. Continue this ribbing until it reaches the required length before turning to work across its long edge.
Row 1: Create a slip knot and ch 10 (this creates the 5 cm length). Skip the 1st ch, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, and in each ch across. (9 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc blo in each st across. (9 sts)
Rows 3–86: Repeat Row 2. (86 rows total). Note: At 86 rows, the length of your ribbing should be approximately 60 cm.
Main Body
Once the ribbing reaches approximately 60 cm, the main body is worked along its long edge. Each ribbing row provides a stitch location for the first body row.
Row 1: Hdc into the top edge of each ribbing row across. (86 sts)
Rows 2–40: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in each st across. (86 sts)
Armhole and V-Neck Shaping
The next two rows reduce stitches at both ends of the panel. These decreases prepare the front for the armhole and V-neck shaping that follows.
Row 41: Ch 1, turn. Hdc dec over the first 2 sts. Hdc across until the last 2 sts, hdc dec in the last 2 sts. (84 sts)
Row 42: Ch 1, turn. Hdc dec over the first 2 sts. Hdc across until the last 2 sts, hdc dec in the last 2 sts. (82 sts)
Dividing the Panel: Right Side of V-Neck
Mentally divide the 82 stitches into two halves of 41 stitches each. The right side is shaped first, with decreases placed at the armhole and V-neck edges before the shaping changes to the V-neck only.
Row 43: Ch 1, turn. Hdc dec over the first 2 sts (armhole edge). Hdc in the next 37 sts. Hdc dec over the 40th and 41st sts (V-neck edge). (39 sts)
Rows 44–45: Ch 1, turn. Continue to place one hdc dec at the armhole edge AND one hdc dec at the V-neck edge in each row.
Row 46: Ch 1, turn. Hdc dec at the V-neck edge ONLY. Hdc normally across the rest of the row, including the armhole edge.
Rows 47–60: Repeat Row 46, placing an hdc dec at the V-neck edge and working regular hdc stitches across to the armhole edge.
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Left Side: Shoulder/V-Neck
Attach your yarn at the center division of the V-neck, at the 42nd stitch of the original Row 42. Work this side using the same decrease sequence as the right side.
Rows 43–60: Repeat the same decrease sequence as the Right Side (Rows 43–45: decrease at both the V-neck and armhole edges. Rows 46–60: decrease at the V-neck edge only).
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Back Panel
The back panel uses the same ribbed beginning and main body width as the front. Its upper shaping differs because it does not include a V-neck.
Bottom Ribbing: Ch 10. Complete 86 rows of sc blo, just as you did for the front panel. (9 sts per row)
Main Body: Work 40 rows of hdc along the edge of the ribbing. (86 sts per row)
Armhole Shaping
Only the armholes are shaped on the back panel. There is no V-neck decrease sequence to follow here.
Rows 41–45: Ch 1, turn. Work an hdc dec at the beginning and the end of each row (decreases for the armholes on both sides).
Rows 46-60: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in each st across normally. Ignore the V-neck shaping entirely and make no more decreases.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Assembly
With both panels complete, join them at the shoulders first and then along both sides. Lay the pieces together with the wrong sides facing out so the seams remain on the inside when the vest is turned right-side out.
Shoulder Seams
Thread the long yarn tails from the shoulder sections onto a darning needle. Sew the right shoulder of the front panel to the right side of the back panel, stitch by stitch.
Repeat for the left shoulder, then weave in the ends.
Side Seams
Using the starting slip-knot tails, or by attaching new yarn, sew the sides of the front and back panels together. Start from the bottom of the ribbing and work upward toward the armhole.
Repeat for both the left and right sides. Weave in all ends and cut the yarn.
Neckline Ribbing
Turn the vest right-side out so the seams are on the inside. The V-neck is finished with a narrow ribbed edging worked around the neckline.
Attach yarn to any point around the V-neck opening.
Row 1: Ch 5. Skip the first ch, sc in the next 4 ch. Sl st into the next 2 stitches along the neckline edge.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Skip the 2 sl sts on the neckline edge. Sc blo in the 4 sc sts. (4 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc blo in the 4 sc sts. Sl st into the next 2 stitches along the neckline edge.
Repeat: Repeat Rows 2 and 3 sequentially all the way around the neckline.
Once you have completed the neckline, fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use a darning needle to sew the first and last rows of the neckline ribbing together.
Final Finishing Check
Before wearing the vest, check the shoulder seams, side seams, neckline ribbing, and both ribbed edges for any remaining loose yarn tails. Weave in all remaining ends with a darning needle and snip off the excess yarn.
Your cozy, trendy, and fully customizable crochet sweater vest is now complete and ready to wear.
