Shell Stitch Vest Pattern

MATERIAL: 4 (5-6) skeins Sport Yarn (2 oz. skein) 1 crochet hook No. 6 or G Size 34 Sizes 36 and 38 are in parentheses

PATTERN: 1st row: * 2 d.c., ch. 1, 2 d.c. in 3rd st. from hook, skip 2, 1 d.c. in next st., skip 2 repeat from * across row, ch. 3, turn.

2nd row: * 2 d.c., ch. 1, 2 d.c. in center of shell of previous row, ch. 1, 1 d.c. on top of d.c. of previous row, ch. 1 repeat from * across row, ch. 3, turn.

Repeat 2nd row for pattern only.

BACK: With No. 6 crochet hook ch. 19 (20-21) inch. and work in pattern (width of Back should be 18 (19-20) inch.) for 13½ (14½-15½) inch. or any des. length to underarm.

Shape armhole: work a slip st. across 1st pattern, work across row to within last pattern, turn.

Decr. 1 st. each end of every other row until Back is 14½ (15-16½) inch. wide.

Work even until armhole measures 8 (8½-9) inch., fasten off.

RIGHT FRONT: With No. 6 crochet hook ch. 10 (11-12) inch. and work in pattern. (Width of Front should be 9 (10-11) inch.) until piece measures as long as back to underarm.

Shape armhole: work a slip st. across 1st pattern at armhole edge, work in pattern across row decr. last st. at end of row for V neck shaping.

Cont. to decr. 1 st. at armhole edge every row 3 times and at the same time decr. 1 st. at center edge for V neck every other row until piece is 2 (2½-3) inch. wide.

Work as high as Back and fasten off.

LEFT FRONT: Work as Right Front reversing all shapings.

FINISHING: Sew up side and shoulder seams. With No. 6 crochet hook work 2 rows s.c. around the entire vest and around each armhole.

Ties: with No. 6 crochet hook and double yarn, attach yarn at point of V neck shaping and make a ch. 10 inch. long on each front. Make 2nd set of ch. the same way 6 inch. below V neck. Block to size.

This free pattern originally published in Vests