Made and counted by Wren —

Light blue puff stitch crochet vest in two sizes

5.0mm hook, worsted weight yarn: puff-stitch vest, 63 or 71 sts per panel, two sizes.

Light blue puff stitch crochet vest in two sizes
IntermediateLevel
4-6 hoursTime
5.0 mmHook
WorstedYarn
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About this pattern

A two-panel vest in light blue worsted weight yarn with a cream puff stitch row, worked flat in half double crochet on a 5.0mm hook and seamed at the sides. Foundation rows hold 63 (71) stitches per panel across two sizes, with an optional 4.5mm hook for tighter ribbing. Gauge is 16 stitches and 14 rows per 4 inches in hdc.

This vest works up as two flat panels in half double crochet, joined at the sides after a puff stitch row breaks up the plain hdc field. Each panel starts at 63 (71) foundation stitches and holds that count through six rows before the puff row alternates skipped stitches with puff stitches and single crochet. A 5.0mm hook drives the main body; a smaller 4.5mm hook is optional for tighter ribbing. Light blue main color pairs with a cream or off-white contrast for the puff detail.

The pattern

Written out round by round

Materials

Yarn

  • Main Color (MC): Light blue worsted weight yarn, approximately 280 yards for sizes XS/S or 350 yards for sizes M/L
  • Contrast Color (CC): Cream or off-white worsted weight yarn, approximately 80 yards

Hook

  • 5.0mm (H/8) crochet hook for main body
  • 4.5mm (7) crochet hook for ribbing (optional, creates tighter ribbing)

Notions

  • Yarn needle for weaving ends and seaming
  • Stitch markers
  • Scissors
  • Measuring tape
  • Gauge
  • 16 stitches and 14 rows = 4 inches in half double crochet
  • Finished Measurements

Bust

  • 32 to 34 inches (36 to 38 inches)

Length from shoulder

  • 16 inches (17 inches)

Hem width

  • 14 inches (16 inches)

Abbreviations

  • ch = chain
  • st = stitch
  • sts = stitches
  • sc = single crochet
  • hdc = half double crochet
  • sk = skip
  • puff = puff stitch

Foundation Row

Round 1Hdc in 3rd ch from hook (skipped chains count as first hdc), hdc in each ch across. Turn.63 (71) sts
Round 2Ch 2 (counts as hdc here and throughout), hdc in each st across. Turn. 63 (71) stsRows 3 through 6: Repeat Row 2.
Round 7Puff Row Ch 1, sc in first st, *sk 1 st, puff st in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st* repeat across, ending with sc in last st. Turn.63 (71) sts
Round 8Ch 2, hdc in each st and puff st across. Turn. 63 (71) sts
Round 9through 12: Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn.Row 13: Repeat Row 7 (Puff Row).Row 14: Repeat Row 8.
Round 15through 18: Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn.Row 19: Repeat Row 7 (Puff Row).Row 20: Repeat Row 8.
Round 21through 28: Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn. Continue working even until back panel measures approximately 10 inches from foundation. Do not fasten off yet.

Foundation Row

Round 1Hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in each ch across. Turn. 63 (71) stsRows 2 through 20: Work exactly as Back Panel Rows 2 through 20, including all puff stitch rows.

Hook

5.0mm (H/8) crochet hook for main body 4.5mm (7) crochet hook for ribbing (optional, creates tighter ribbing)

Notions

Yarn needle for weaving ends and seaming Stitch markers Scissors Measuring tape

Side Seams

Weave in all ends securely before moving to the next step.

Tester's notes

63 (71) foundation stitches must hold steady through Rows 2 through 6 before the puff row changes the stitch pattern; miscounting here throws off puff placement.

5.0mm hook handles the main hdc body; keep it dedicated to that panel so tension doesn't drift mid-row.

4.5mm hook is optional and only for ribbing sections; swapping hooks mid-project changes fabric density, so track where the swap happens.

Row 7 puff stitches sit between skipped stitches and single crochet, so mark the first sc of each puff repeat to keep the sk-puff-sk-sc sequence aligned across 63 (71) stitches.

Cream (CC) yardage is 80 yards total against 280 (350) yards of light blue MC; weigh or measure CC before starting the puff row so both panels match if yarn runs short.

Work in progress

Light blue puff stitch crochet vest in two sizes — photo 2
Light blue puff stitch crochet vest in two sizes — photo 3

At a glance

Rounds8
Parts5
LevelIntermediate
Time4-6 hours
Hook5.0 mm
YarnWorsted

Gauge check

After the first 6 rows of the foundation panel, measure a 4-inch span across the stitches: it should read 16 stitches and 14 rows.

If something looks wrong

Stitch count drops below 63 (71) partway through the plain hdc rows.
A missed turning chain or an edge stitch worked into the wrong loop is the usual cause; recount after every row through Row 6 and correct before the puff row locks the pattern in.
Puff stitches bunch or sit unevenly across Row 7.
This comes from inconsistent loop height when pulling up puff stitch loops; keep loop height even across all repeats in the sk-puff-sk-sc sequence for a level puff row.
The two panels don't match in width before seaming.
One panel likely used a different hook or tension than the other; confirm both hold 63 (71) stitches and check gauge against the 16-stitch, 14-row per 4-inch standard on each panel.
Ribbing feels loose compared to the main body.
The 4.5mm hook step was skipped; rework ribbing rows with the smaller hook for the tighter density the pattern calls for.

Yarn substitutions

Cotton worsted weightFirmer stitch definition on the puff row, less stretch across the 63 (71) stitch panels, and a heavier drape; hook size stays at 5.0mm.
Acrylic-wool blend, worsted weightSofter drape than straight acrylic with similar yardage needs near 280 (350) yards MC and 80 yards CC; gauge should still land near 16 stitches per 4 inches with the same 5.0mm hook.
FAQs

Questions

Can the puff stitch row be worked in the main color instead of cream?

Yes, though the contrast disappears and only 80 yards less CC is needed if MC covers the whole panel. Swapping colors does not change the 63 (71) stitch count or the sk-puff-sk-sc sequence.

Is the 4.5mm ribbing hook required?

No, it is listed as optional. Skipping it and using the 5.0mm hook throughout keeps ribbing at the same density as the body instead of tightening it.

How much yarn is needed for the larger size?

M/L sizes call for approximately 350 yards of light blue MC against 280 yards for XS/S, with CC holding steady at 80 yards for either size. Buy MC by size before starting to avoid dye-lot gaps mid-panel.

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