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FREE Easy Hooded Crochet Vest Pattern for Beginners

Crochet Hooded Vest Free Pattern For Beginners

If you have been looking for a free crochet hooded vest pattern with a perfect fit look no further! The Winnie Hooded Vest is a crochet vest pattern for beginners made in one simple piece and only uses one seam to create the hood! This free modern crochet vest has afterthought pockets that are simple to make and attach! You will love this handmade vest and it will be a perfect addition to your wardrobe for warm weather summer outfits!

The Winnie a hooded Vest is an easy crochet vest pattern that can be customized in so many ways such as adding a button closure or a belt! If you have been looking for crochet mens vest patterns Winnie is a great option! Winnie looks great in different colors with a collared shirt, perfect for the men in your life! Use the Free Crochet Pattern, grab an ad-free pdf or an all-in-one Kit from Lion Brand Yarn! Happy Crocheting!

Best Bang for your Buck, get a Kit From Lion Brand includes PDF and Yarn!
Get a PDF on Etsy or Ravelry!

crochet hooded vest
crochet hooded vest

Is it Hard to Crochet a Vest?

Crochet vest patterns are not hard, they are an easy skill level project when made with basic stitches or a simple stitch repeat. This hooded crochet vest pattern was my first garment design and will be a great addition to your pattern collection. A Free Crochet Vest Pattern like this one if perfect for warmer weather in the spring and summer season since it is a great layering garment.

This is the only pattern of mine that I have made multiple times besides a hat or something small like a washcloth. I personally do not like making a large item more than once, but I have made this crochet vest with pockets not once, not twice, but THREE times! The first time I made the Winnie Hooded Vest was to get the pattern written. Then I made it again to take more photos and update my pattern. The third time was to create a new sample so that this crochet vest pattern could be added to my other Lion Brand Kits! I also took that as an opportunity to take photos to show you more of a “how to crochet a vest in one piece” kind of post! After a ton of tweaks I can honestly say this really is a crochet pattern for beginners!

How to Make a Simple Crochet Vest

This crocheted vest is made by creating one large rectangle with skipped stitches to create the arm openings. There is only one seam created which forms the hood. Once folded together and seamed the front panel and back panel is formed and no side seam is necessary! This construction make this a very boxy square vest but the open basic crochet stitches make the vest very light weight so the vest body falls comfortably.

Lion Brand Pound of Love

To update this free crochet hooded vest pattern I remade mine using Lion Brand’s Pound of Love Yarn in  Succulent, AND you can now get Winnie as a Kit! Pound of Love is a great yarn that is super affordable and comes in wonderful selection of colors! I hope that my updates to Winnie, a crochet vest with pockets, make this crochet pattern for beginners much more clear! I have also made this hooded vest in cotton yarn which is great for the warmer months. When made with cotton this crocheted vest with pockets works wonderfully as a beach coverup!

Come find me on…

Materials

Size 6.50 mm crochet hook
Scissors
#4 Worsted Weight Cotton or Acrylic Yarn –
780 (810, 840, 910, 940, 1010, 1070) Yards
Yarn Needle

Gauge

6 Rows X 12 sts in DC is 4” x 4”

 

XS

S

M

L

XL

2X

3X

TOT. LENGTH

38.3”

38.3”

39.7”

39.7”

42.3”

42.3”

43.7”

TOT. WIDTH

32”

33.3”

34.7”

37.3”

38.7”

41.3”

44”

HOOD

14”

14”

14”

14”

14”

14”

14”

BACK – WAIST

24.3”

24.3

25.7”

25.7”

28.3”

28.3”

29.7”

CROSS BACK

14.5”

16”

17.3”

17.3”

18.7”

18.7”

18.7”

FRONT PAN.

8.6”

8.6”

8.6”

10”

10”

11.3”

12.7”

ARM HOLE

7”

7”

8”

8”

9”

9”

10”

Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations

  • Chain Stitch – ch
  • Slip Stitch – Sl St
  • Double Crochet – dc
  • Stitch(es) – st(s)
  • Foundation Double Crochet – Fdc – Chain 4, yarn over, insert hook into 4th chain from the hook, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook) yarn over and pull through 1 loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through all loops (1 foundation double crochet with chain at bottom created) *Yarn over, insert hook to bottom of the stitch you just made, it will look like the top or “V” of a stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 1 loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over pull though all loops.
  • Picots – Ch 3, Sl St into same space.
  • * – Designates a repeat.
  • XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X) – Use corresponding number for your size.
  • Turning ch 3 counts as 1 dc
  • Turning ch 4 counts as (1 dc, ch 1).
  • Pattern is worked in multiples of 4 +3.
crochet vest with pockets
crochet vest with pockets

Crochet Hooded Vest Pattern

Row 1
Fdc 115 (115, 119, 119, 127, 127, 131) sts.
Row 2
Ch 4, turn, skip next st, dc in next st, *ch 1, skip 1, dc in next st.
Repeat from * to end. [115 (115, 119, 119, 127, 127, 131) total stitches]
Row 3
Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across placing last dc in 3rd chain of the turning ch-4.
Row 4
Ch 3, turn, dc in next 2 sts, *ch 1, skip 1, dc in next 3 sts, repeat from * to end placing the last dc in turning ch-3.
Row 5
Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across placing last dc in 3rd chain of the turning ch-4.
Row 6 – 12 (12, 12, 14, 14, 16, 18)
Rep. Rows 2 -5. Reference stitch diagram for clarity.
Row 13 (13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 19)
Repeat Row 5 (5, 5, 3, 3, 5, 3) for 52 (52, 53, 53, 58, 58, 59) stitches, ch 21 (21, 24, 24, 27, 27, 30), skip 21 (21, 24, 24, 27, 27, 30) sts, dc in next st, dc to end. See photo below for clarity.

crochet pattern for beginners
crochet pattern for beginners

Row 14 (14, 14, 16, 16, 18, 20) – 34 (36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46)
Rep. Rows 2 -5, reference stitch diagram for clarity.

easy crochet pattern
easy crochet pattern

Row 35 (37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47)
Repeat Row 3 (5, 3, 5, 3, 5, 3) for 52 (52, 53, 53, 58, 59) stitches, ch 21 (21, 24, 24, 27, 27, 30), skip 21 (21, 24, 24, 27, 27, 30) sts, dc in next st, dc to end. See previous photos for clarity.
Row 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) – 48 (50, 52, 56, 58, 62, 66)
Rep. Rows 2 -5, reference stitch diagram for clarity.
Finish Off.

easy crochet pattern
easy crochet pattern

Crochet Hooded Vest Assembly

With Right Sides facing, bring the corners of your hood together and seam to the end.
The turn your Right Sides out.
*Use diagram and photos for clarity.
Finish Off.

Vest Trimming

Round 1
Reattach your yarn at the bottom corner of your vest so that you will be working up towards the hood.
Do one complete round of SC evenly around the edge of the entire vest placing 3 sc stitches in each corner.
Sl St to your first sc.
Round 2
Ch 1, sc to first corner, place 3 sc in the second stitch of previous 3-sc, then 3 sc, *picot, 3 sc, repeat from * to end, place 3 sc in the second stitch of previous 3-sc, sl st to first sc in round.
Finish off.

Pockets – Make Two

Row 1
Fdc 17 sts.
Row 2
Ch 4, turn, skip next st, dc in next st, *ch 1, skip 1, dc in next st.
Repeat from * to end. [17 total stitches]
Row 3
Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across placing last dc in 3rd chain of the turning ch-4.
Row 4
Ch 3, turn, dc in next 2 sts, *ch 1, skip 1, dc in next 3 sts, repeat from * to end placing the last dc in turning ch-3.
Row 5
Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across placing last dc in 3rd chain of the turning ch-4.
Row 6 & 7
Repeat Rows 2 & 3, but do not finish off.
Ch 1, turn your work 90 degrees clockwise to work down the side, sc evenly to corner, place 3 sc in corner, turn work again, sc across next side, place 3 sc in corner, turn again, sc evenly to last corner, 3 sc, *picot, 3 sc, repeat from * to end, 3sc in last corner, sl st to first sc in round, leave a long end to attach your pocket.
Final pocket measurement is 5” x 5”.

Pocket Attachment

Place your pockets on the desired location of your vest with the picots at the top.
Thread your yarn needle with the long tail of your pocket and sew around the three sides of the pocket leaving the top with the picots open.
Tie off on the inside of your vest and weave in your end!

YOU ARE DONE! Congratulations!
Don’t forget to share some pictures and tag @life.and.yarn!

winnie hooded vest
winnie hooded vest
Pattern contents are NOT to be re-shared, DIRECT LINKS ONLY to this post for the pattern.

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111 Comments

    1. Any chance to still get the Winnie pattern..just learning crochet here and would LOVE it to be my 1st project !

      1. Hi! If you are part on my subscribers list then I literally just sent a coupon code! It’s 25OFFWINNIE on Etsy and Ravelry! You can use the links in this post! The code is only good until Wednesday! The Winnie would be a great first project and I’m always here to help!

  1. My daughter’s just said, ‘can I do this for her?’ I’m going to give it a go, just not too sure about following a pattern as I used to be.

  2. in each DC stitch and around each CH 1 space AND in the 3rd chain of the turning CH 4 of the last row: a little confused about “around” each ch 1. So do I go through the hole or through the chain? If that make sense =D

    1. For this row it is all DCs. If it’s a DC, I work in the stitch. If it is a chain space I place my DC around it and not in it. That is just my preference and I think I looks cleaner. If you prefer to work in the chain 1 then that is fine. Just be sure that you have the correct amount of stitches including the chain up when you complete that row. Please let me know if that doesn’t make sense!

    2. Hello!!! I’m loving working on this pattern. I usually do stuffed animals so this is outside my comfort zone. I just have 1 question on rows 6-12 ( 12, 12, 14, 14) what do the 12s and 14s mean????
      Thank u!!!

      1. Hi! Those are for what size you are working on! Each size varies a bit, so follow the number according to the size you are making!

      2. Did you figure this out? I’m still stuck on those numbers in parenthesis. Makes no sense to me.

      3. You have to follow the number according to the size you are making. So if you are making the smallest size you follow the first number.

  3. AbAbout how many yards of yarn are needed for this project? Would a 1lb skein work for an extra large?

    1. An XL requires about 1625 yards of #4 yarn. It would depend on the brand of your 1 pound skein but I believe you would be just shy of what you would need!

    1. I believe you are referencing the arm hole sections? For however many chains you create, that is how many stitches you will skip before reattaching your yarn. So if you are chaining 25 stitches, you will skip 25 stitches and reattach in the 26th stitch from the last stitch you created. I hope that helps!

      1. Thank you so much. That’s what I thought but wasn’t sure. Thanks for the quick response.

    1. Hi! The Winnie has now become a paid pattern and has been replaced by The Madeline as my new free pattern. If you would like there is a code until Wednesday you can use! It’s 25OFFWINNIE on Etsy and Ravelry! You can get there by using the links in their post!

    1. I have been thinking about adding video tutorials with my patterns, but I do not have any yet! Hopefully soon!

  4. I am very disappointed that this doesn’t go larger than an xl. I would love to make it. But it doesn’t go big enough.

    1. Hi Sally! I’m sorry, it takes me a lot of time to do all of the sizing. That being said, I DO plan on adding additional sizes to ALL of my patterns. I hope you will check back or sign up for my newsletter, I will notify my subscribers when patterns are updated!! Enjoy the rest of your day!! -Brianna

      1. One side is longer then the other I figured this was for hood placement is the hood to be formed on the end that is longer I hope that makes sense

  5. Hi there, still looking for the stitch diagram. If this diagram is only in the paid pattern, please say so.

    1. Hi Gwen! I replied to your other comment, it must not have sent you a notification. I removed that note as the diagram and charts are only part of the paid pattern. Sorry for the confusion!

  6. I’ve just found you today – and this awesome Vest Pattern!\ Thank you for sharing! think even I may be able to do this. Only question I have is the stitch diagram, referenced in Row 14 – when I click on that link, all I get is a definition of diagram….but NO diagram….is there a diagram available?
    Thank you for all you share…..artists like yourself who post these lovely designs are such an inspiration for the rest of us to work just a bit harder to improve our own skills! So I thank you sincerely!

      1. Thanks Gwen!!! I just tried to get rid of the silly note again. I can’t figure out why that part won’t stay updated!

    1. You don’t know how happy comments like this make me! THANK YOU! I have been trying to get rid of that not but it just keeps coming back! All diagrams, stitch charts and sizing charts are available in the paid PDF versions. You can grab a copy on Etsy or Ravelry, but I’m always here to help whether you are working off of the free or paid version!

  7. I am still a bit of newbie here and just started making this. For Rows 6-12 it says repeat rows 2-5 starting with Row 2 and ending with Row 4…so is Row 5 not repeated at all so it’s just 2-4?

    1. The pattern repeat is rows 2-5. So you will repeat those rows for 6-12 and your 12th Row will be a row 4 reapeat. I hope that makes sense!

  8. Got to where you said finish off and hood attachment… I’ve been doing this for about a year, but I’m 14 and pretty sure I missed something. I only have one side of the vest? Like one arm hole and a little back? And where do I get the hood pattern? Sorry!

    1. You have already been working the hood. When you are done you will have one big rectangle with two arm holes. Then you seam up the top to creat the hood. I hope that helps!

  9. Trying this pattern out, thank you! Although I am making an XL version, I am finding that it’s rather short still, gauge is correct, and the armholes are tight. It’s closer to a M/L size than XL.
    So I have a question for you… If sizing up to make a bit longer and larger armholes, what is the multiples of the base chain you’re doing?

    1. Hmmm you said your gage is correct? I’m just curious since I had multiple testers and so many have made this and that has never been a comment I have received! I have to go back into my pattern notes and find my base chain multiple.

      1. If you could, that’d be great. Usually I am not a regular XL size at times. I’ll see how it goes towards the end. :) Yes, the gauge is correct, I checked before I started, and am using a K hook. Thank you again. :)

  10. I must be having a mental block. I don’t know what to do after row 6. What do the numbers in the parentheses mean

  11. I’m pretty good at reading patterns, I thought, lol. This pattern has me stumped. I did rows 1-5 with no problem. Then row 6…what are the numbers in the first parentheses after saying the row. Then in the instructions for the rows…what for example, does 4 (4,4,2,2) mean…HELP…thanks in advance

    1. Hi christal! The rows in parenthesis are giving you clarity on what row you are repeating to reference back to. So for example, if you are making an XS you will continues with the Row 2-5 repeat but for an XS you can’t make a full repeat. The last row you will make is a row 4 repeat before you do an arm section.

  12. Thank you for this awesome pattern, finishing up the 1st round of sc, and round 2 states ch1 and continue on… is it another round of sc before the picot round?

  13. I’m a UK crocheter, I’m not sure of the sizes, what measurements are S, M & L? (I love this pattern and my Mum’s name was Winnie)

    1. Hi!! I am going to be updating all of my patterns to have the sizing listed. Currently that is information that I have in my paid PDFS. Just to give you an idea until I update, I am wearing the medium in the photos and I am 5′-7″ and about 125 pounds. I hope that helps!

  14. Okay so I am just starting this project. I was only going to make a large but it looks so short… made it through the first row and I dont understand how this is supposed to be both sides and the hood with how short it is. I checked my gauge and its spot on. What am I missing here?

    1. If you have met guage it should measure about 40”… (121 sts / 12sts x 4” is about 40”) is that what you have?

  15. Hey! I would live to make this for myself. However, I am a larger lady. Anyway to make the pattern work for a 3x?

    1. I am currently in the process of regrading all of my patterns to go to 5x! I am hoping to have them all updated by the fall. I’ll be sending out emails as they are updated!

      1. I figured it out. It was my mistake. I found the answer in one of the posts regarding the corresponding stitches. My duhh moment of the day. Lol

      1. I was hoping to find a video for this pattern as well. I’m semi familiar with the terms on the pattern, but this is my second project attempt (just did some arm warmers).

      2. As of right now I do not have a video but I am working on a new sample and will have pictures!

      3. Oh my gosh pictures would be super helpful. I just ripped out 6 rows (all my work so far) because I think I missed ending a double crochet into a 3rd chain.

    1. I sorry I figured it out. Just need to re read it a few (several) more times. Thank you for you quick response.

    2. Ok I am confused. First I am making a size large. On row15 you have to make chain of 24, then the next chain isn’t until row 41.

      1. Yup. That is what is creating the holes for your arms…the space in between is the back of the vest!

  16. Alright, I must have screwed up somewhere. I’m on row 51 about to start 52, and my arm holes dont line up and one side is angled (sloping upwards?). Did I completely screw up and need to start over….or is this how it’s supposed to go for the hood? Also when I do finally get to the hood, how many slip stitches is it for the 127 stitches? I dont see a number there (or maybe I’m blind, lol).

    Thank you for any and all help!!!!!!

    1. I keep trying to figure out where I keep getting it wrong, and the best I can figure is the chains at the end of the rows.

      SO…(cause I’ve restarted twice now and by the 6th row I’m getting the stitch count off and starting to angle on one side only), I’m doing the Large size, row one gets the 129 stitches, cool. Count back 4 from the hook do a double stitch, cool, that’s one. Keep going until I hit the end and that gives me 127…no that should be 126, right (cause I think it was when I did it and counted) 129-4+1= 126?

      Then I add 4 chains which adds 2 (1 DC and 1 chain), so then when I start in the 2nd DC stitch (cause you skip the 1st one) that’s 3? I swear, I’m not that blonde, but I can’t figure out the issue other than this.

      Please help! :/

      1. Ok, the good news, I’m almost done editing this entire pattern, but it’s not going to be ready until the end of the month…so what I can tell you is now I’m not starting the first row with chains and instead using a Fdc…that may make it easier if you start with a Fdc 127.

        You can find directions on how to do a Fdc on the Thea poncho, https://lifeandyarn.com/free-crochet-poncho-pattern-thea/

        Also, make sure when you are doing the rows with the chains you are skipping 1 stitch and not accidentally using the next stitch.

        I’ll have the update out ASAP with more pictures and help!

  17. Brianna, your ‘Likes’ are having some kind of technical glitch: no idea how to fix it though – sorry.
    LOVELY PATTERN, this: will try it out in a gigantic size ere long, just because it’s so pretty ! :)

  18. I want to make this for my grandaughter but on this post I can’t see the measurements for the large size. Is there something I can do?

    1. There is a chart in the pattern…you may have to flip your device to the side to see it on the whole screen…or look from a computer ?

  19. Hello all, I have been waiting to start this project for a while now. I have decided to use a sport weight size 3 yarn for this while keeping the hook size to a K. I am making the 3x just for the longer version. When I got to the “center” panel, I had to downsize how many rows because I am not as wide ( I laid it across my back and measured that way) and then continued on following the rest of the pattern. And because I’m not a perfect crocheter, I ended up missing a stitch ( I did not find out where until I ripped over 12 rows, twice!). This is a beautiful pattern and worth trying it out!

  20. I am a new at this and especially reading patterns as I taught myself through watching videos. I made it to row 20 so far without an issue. I have turned my work and heading back toward the 30 chains of the arm hole from previous row but don’t know how to continue from here. My stitch count is 131 which is the 3X size. I repeat row 2 and I have one double crochet before the chain that I am now supposed to skip and I don’t know if I am supposed to make stitches around the chain and how many to keep my count of 131 correct. Could I get clarity on how to do the row with the chains?

    1. Depending on what you are comfortable with you can make the stitches in the chains or around them. Personally I like to go around the whole chain just because I think it looks cleaner, but if you are worried about making too many or two few you can work in the chain stitches! Hope that helps!

  21. It does, Thank you so much for such a quick response as I am trying to have this finished in the next 5 days. I new I needed 16 plus the chain 1 for a total of 32 but wasn’t sure how to get to the other side. It makes perfect sense. I will have to go into the chais instead of around because that’s what I did with the other rows.

  22. I finished the vest part. Now I am having trouble with the diagram for the hood. With the right side facing me, I turn my work sideways so my arm holes are on each side with the longer portion towards the top for the hood….correct? Then I can’t figure out how to fold like the picture to seam the hood. Should I put it on wrong side out and put the ends together to do the hood and then turn the whole vest right side out or does

    1. Hi Amy! So basically if you fold the vest in half the long way so that your first row and last row align, you will then seam along the row ends starting with the two corners and finishing at what would be the center of the back of the completed vest…does that help?

  23. Does the right side face you as you fold over the side panels to meet in the middle? I’m still trying to figure out the hood

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