Rock this Crochet Vest With Shawl Collar Pattern to produce a trendy, snug layer with a chunky neck that stays looking sharp through every chilly day.
Why settle for a plain sweater when you can showcase a sleeveless garment that features a deep, overlapping collar for a truly high-end, tailored look? This striking piece captures attention with its bicolor fan motifs, where vibrant red shells are framed by crisp grey borders to produce a sophisticated, high-contrast aesthetic.
Unique Crochet Vest With Shawl Collar Pattern Stands Out Daily
Ideal for layering over a favorite blouse or a simple dress, it provides a warm embrace during transitional weather while keeping your outfit looking polished and intentional. This Crochet Vest With Shawl Collar pattern is better because it incorporates a "smoking" style neckline that is worked through vertical ribbing, ensuring the collar maintains a plush, luxurious fold that stays in place.
The tutorial highlights a clever "long stitch" technique where double crochets are anchored into lower rows, resulting in a dense, wind-resistant texture that keeps its shape far better than standard stitches.
An attractive point of this specific guide is the customizable sizing method based on half-hip measurements, which allows you to achieve a perfect fit without complex math.
By following the process of joining the structured back panel to the front panels and finishing with the integrated collar, you can produce a boutique-quality garment that feels substantial and looks professionally tailored.
Materials
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Yarn: Two contrasting colors (e.g., Red and Grey). The tutor uses a thin yarn (85% acrylic, 15% nylon) that provides approximately 620 meters per 100g ball.
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Crochet Hook: 3.0 mm hook (despite yarn label recommendations, a smaller hook is used for better structure).
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Other: Scissors, tapestry needle, and stitch markers.
Level of Difficulty
This project is intermediate. While it uses basic stitches, the construction involves color changes, working in back loops, joining pieces with slip stitches, and building a shaped collar directly onto the vest base.
Special Features
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Fan Stitch Pattern: A beautiful 3D-effect pattern created by alternating fans and long double crochets.
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Shawl Collar (Cuello Smoking): A tailored collar that is worked vertically and then folded to create its signature look.
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Ribbed Edging: The waistband and sleeve cuffs use a vertical ribbing technique for elasticity and style.
Tutor's Suggestions
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Size Adaptation: To adapt to larger sizes, simply ensure your waistband row count is a multiple of 8 + 1 and that it reaches half your hip width.
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Color Choice: Use two high-contrast colors to ensure the intricate fan and spike pattern is clearly visible.
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Gauge Check: Measure the piece against your body as you go; the tutor suggests the front panels should only reach the mid-chest to allow the wide collar to fill the gap.
Uses
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Layering: Ideal for wearing over blouses or sweaters as an elegant outer layer.
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Gift Idea: Because of its high-end appearance, it makes a wonderful handmade gift for friends or family.
Conclusion
The smoking-collar vest is a rewarding project that combines technical stitch work with clever construction. The result is a versatile garment that looks professionally tailored, proving that crochet can be used to achieve highly fashionable and structured designs.
Tip: When working the long double crochet spikes in the second color, pull the loop up significantly to match the height of your current row. If you pull too tight, the fabric will bunch and the fans will lose their shape.
Step-by-Step Details
The project focuses on creating a sophisticated crochet vest with a professional-looking "cuello smoking" or shawl collar. By using a specific fan stitch pattern and high-contrast colors, the vest achieves a high-end look while remaining approachable for those with some crochet experience.