Claquato Vest for Girls Free Crochet Pattern by KT and the Squid

I first published this pattern in 2016. Now it is available as a free pattern here!

If you’d like to print this pattern or have it as a PDF you can purchase it.

[product id=8921]

Sizes
4 (6, 8, 10, 12)
To fit chest: 23 (25, 27, 28, 30)”
Finished Chest: 25 (26, 29, 30, 32)”
Garment is shown in a model with a 26” chest in size 8. This top
is designed to fit with approximately 2” of positive ease.

Yarn
Cascade 128 Superwash (100% superwash merino wool; 100g/3.5oz; bulky/5 weight yarn)
2 (3, 3, 4, 4) balls

Hook
US Size J- (6 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

Other Materials
Tapestry needle

Gauge
13 sts x 8 rows = 4″ (blocked)
Save time, check your gauge.

Gauge Pattern
Ch an odd number
Row 1: Esc in 5th ch from hook (counts as esc, ch-1 sp), *ch 1, skip 1 ch, esc in next ch; repeat from * across, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as esc, ch-1 sp), *skip next ch-1 sp, esc in next, ch 1; repeat from * across, esc in ch 2 of the beginning ch, turn.
Repeat row 2 to desired length.

Notes
There is no right or wrong side to the stitch pattern but you will pick a side when seaming the shoulders together. This top is worked in one piece with little seaming at the shoulders. You will start by working in the round from the bottom up. You will then work the back, then the front and seam the shoulders together.

Abbreviations
fsc = foundation single crochet
ch = chain
esc = extended single crochet
st(s) = stitch(es)
sc = single crochet
sp = space

Special Stitches
Foundation Single Crochet (Fsc): Ch 2, insert hook into the 2nd ch from hook, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 1 loop on hook (this makes the ch), yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook (completes the sc).
Next Fsc: Insert hook under the 2 loops of the ch of the last st and pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 1 loop, yarn over pull through 2 loops.

Video HERE.

Extended Single Crochet (esc): Insert your hook into the stitch indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 1 loop on hook, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook.

Instructions

Body
Round 1: Fsc 80 (88, 92, 96, 104), being careful not to twist, join to the first st with a slip st.
Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as esc, ch-1 sp from here on), turn *skip next st, esc in next, ch 1; repeat from * around, join with a slip st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch. 80 (88, 92, 96, 104)
Round 3: Ch 3, turn, (esc, ch 1) in each esc around, join with a slip st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch. 80 (88, 92, 96, 104)
Repeat round 3 until you have 21 (23, 27, 29, 31) total rounds.

Back
Shaping for arms
*You will now split for the arm holes and start working in rows. Turn, slip st into the 1st 2 sts.
Row 1: Ch 2 (counts as an esc from here on), (esc, ch 1) in the next 17 (19, 20, 21, 23) esc, esc in next esc. 36 (40, 42, 44, 48)
Row 2: Ch 2, turn, (esc, ch 1) in each esc across leaving the beginning ch unworked. 34 (38, 40, 42, 46)
Repeat row 2 until you have 6 (7, 8, 7, 8) total rows for the back. You will have 26 (28, 28, 32, 34) sts.

Arm Hole Length
Row 1: Ch 3, turn, esc in next esc, (ch 1, esc) in each esc across, leave the beginning ch unworked. 25 (27, 27, 31, 33)
Row 2: Ch 3, turn, esc in next esc, (ch 1, esc) in each esc across, leave the beginning ch unworked. 25 (27, 27, 31, 33)
Repeat row 2 until you have 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) total rows for the back.
Fasten off.

Front
Return to the last round of the body, skip 3 sts, join to the next esc.
Repeat the instructions of the back until you have 6 (7, 8, 9, 9) total rows for the front.

Split for Neck
*You will only split for the neck on the front.
Row 1: Ch 3, turn, esc in next esc, (ch 1, esc in the next esc) 2 (2, 2, 2, 3) times. 7 (7, 7, 7, 9)
Repeat row 1 until you have 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) rows for the neck.
Fasten off.
Return to the last row before the split for the neck, skip 11 (13, 13, 17, 19) sts, join.

Repeat row 2 as you did for the other side until you have4 (4, 4, 5, 5) rows.
Fasten off.
Seam the shoulders with a row of slip sts on each side.

Cowl
With right side facing, join anywhere at the neck (somewhere on the back is good).
Round 1: Ch 2, evenly esc around the opening of the neck, join with a slip st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch. 34 (38, 38, 48, 52)
Round 2 Ch 4, turn, skip 1, *(esc, ch 2) in the next, skip 1; repeat from * around, join with a slip st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch. 51 (57, 57, 72, 78)
Rounds 3-8: Ch 4 (counts as an esc, ch 2), turn, (esc, ch 2) in each esc around, join with a slip st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch. 51 (57, 57, 72, 78)
Rounds 9-16: Ch 5, (counts as an esc, ch 3), turn, (esc, ch 3) in each esc around, join with a slip st to the 2nd ch of the beginning ch. 68 (76, 76, 96, 104)
Fasten off.

Pocket
Row 1: Fsc 36 (40, 42, 44, 48)
Row 2: Ch 2, turn, *(esc, ch 1) in the next st, skip 1; repeat from * until 1 st remains, esc in the last st. 36 (40, 42, 44, 48)
Row 3: Ch 2, turn, (esc, ch 1) in each esc until 2 esc remain, esc in the next, leave the beginning ch unworked. 34 (38, 40, 42, 46)
Repeat row 3 until you have 8 rows, evenly sc around the entire pocket.
Fasten off.