Andes Cropped Turtleneck Vest

Intermediate crochet · US terms · Worsted alpaca

A close-fitting cropped vest with a standing turtleneck, clean armhole bands, and a ribbed hem. Worked in half double crochet for a smooth, drapey fabric that shows alpaca at its best. Wear the neck unfolded as a funnel, or fold it once for a polished mock-turtleneck.

Sizes

Women’s XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

To fit bust: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50)" (76 [86.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117, 127] cm)

Finished bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52)" (81.5 [91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132] cm) — about 2" (5 cm) positive ease

Finished length (shoulder to hem): 15 (16½, 17, 18½, 19, 19½)" (38 [42, 43, 47, 48.5, 49.5] cm)

Armhole depth: 7 (7½, 8, 8½, 9, 9½)" (18 [19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24] cm)

Hem height: 2" (5 cm)

Turtleneck height: 7" (18 cm) unfolded; about 3½" (9 cm) folded

Shoulder width: 4 (4½, 5, 5½, 5¾, 6¼)" (10 [11.5, 12.5, 14, 14.5, 16] cm)

Shown in size M. Choose the size closest to your bust plus 2" (5 cm). For a closer funnel neck, choose the smaller size if you are between measurements.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) alpaca or alpaca/wool blend, approx. 218 yd / 100 g (200 m / 100 g)

Yardage: 600 (700, 850, 1000, 1150, 1300) yd / 550 (640, 780, 915, 1050, 1190) m

Skeins (218 yd / 100 g): 3 (4, 4, 5, 6, 7)

100% alpaca gives maximum drape and halo; an alpaca/wool blend holds ribbing a little more firmly. Buy an extra skein — alpaca dye lots shift, and the fabric relaxes in blocking.

Hooks:

• US G-6 (4 mm) for hem, turtleneck, and armhole bands
• US H-8 (5 mm) for body
• or sizes needed to obtain gauge

Notions: 4 stitch markers; tapestry needle; scissors; blocking mats and pins

Gauge

Body (5 mm hook): 16 hdc and 12 rows = 4" (10 cm), blocked, worked in turned rows or turned joined rounds.

Hem ribbing (4 mm hook): 18 sc-blo and 20 rows = 4" (10 cm).

Work a 6" (15 cm) swatch, wet-block, and dry fully before measuring. Alpaca blooms and lengthens; unblocked gauge will read too small.

Abbreviations (US)

• BLO — back loop only
• BPdc — back post double crochet
• ch — chain
• FPdc — front post double crochet
• hdc — half double crochet
• hdc2tog — half double crochet 2 together (decrease)
• PM — place marker
• rep — repeat
• rnd(s) — round(s)
• RS — right side
• sc — single crochet
• sl st — slip stitch
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• WS — wrong side
• yo — yarn over

Special Stitches

hdc2tog: Yo, insert hook in next st, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook); yo, insert hook in following st, yo and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook); yo and draw through all 5 loops. Counts as 1 hdc.

FPdc: Yo, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the indicated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, (yo and draw through 2 loops) twice.

BPdc: Yo, insert hook from back to front to back around the post of the indicated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, (yo and draw through 2 loops) twice.

Pattern Notes

• US crochet terms throughout.
• Ch 1 at the start of an hdc row or round does not count as a stitch. Work the first hdc in the first stitch (the same stitch as the join, on rounds).
• Body is worked in joined, turned rounds so the fabric matches the flat front and back. Join with sl st to the first hdc, then turn.
• Work in both loops unless the pattern says BLO.
• Stitch counts appear in parentheses at the end of each instruction. When a count is unchanged, it is restated once at the end of the even section.
• Markers sit at the two underarms when the body is divided; move them up until those stitches are skipped.
• Alpaca is slippery and inelastic. Weave ends through the same stitch two or three times, then reverse direction.
• Read the full size sequence before you begin. Highlight your size.

Pattern

Hem ribbing

With 4 mm hook, ch 10.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (9 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc BLO in each st across, turn. (9 sc)

Rep Row 2 until you have 160 (180, 200, 220, 240, 260) rows in total, including Row 1. The strip should measure about 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52)" (81.5 [91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132] cm) long, unstretched, and 2" (5 cm) wide.

Tip: Place a marker every 20 rows so the long count stays honest.

Join the last row to the foundation chain with whip stitch or sl st, BLO to remaining loops of the chain, to form a loop. Do not twist.

Body

Change to 5 mm hook. Turn the hem so the join sits at what will be the left side seam (as worn). Working along one long edge of the ribbing:

Setup rnd (RS): Join yarn with sl st, ch 1, work 128 (144, 160, 176, 192, 208) hdc evenly around, picking up 4 hdc for every 5 ribbing rows (skip 1 row of every 5). Join with sl st to first hdc, turn. (160 × 4/5 = 128 ✓; 180 × 4/5 = 144 ✓; 200 × 4/5 = 160 ✓; 220 × 4/5 = 176 ✓; 240 × 4/5 = 192 ✓; 260 × 4/5 = 208 ✓)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join, turn. (128 [144, 160, 176, 192, 208] hdc)

Rep Rnd 2 until the piece measures 8 (8½, 9, 9½, 10, 10)" (20.5 [21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 25.5] cm) from the bottom of the hem, ending with a WS round. Fasten off.

Place markers for the divide (count from the side join, which is the left underarm):

• PM A after the first 2 (3, 3, 4, 4, 5) sts
• PM B after the next 60 (66, 74, 80, 88, 94) sts — Back
• PM C after the next 4 (6, 6, 8, 8, 10) sts — right underarm
• PM D after the next 60 (66, 74, 80, 88, 94) sts — Front
• Remaining 2 (3, 3, 4, 4, 5) sts complete the left underarm, back to the join

Check: 2 + 60 + 4 + 60 + 2 = 128 ✓ · 3 + 66 + 6 + 66 + 3 = 144 ✓ · 3 + 74 + 6 + 74 + 3 = 160 ✓ · 4 + 80 + 8 + 80 + 4 = 176 ✓ · 4 + 88 + 8 + 88 + 4 = 192 ✓ · 5 + 94 + 10 + 94 + 5 = 208 ✓

Back

With 5 mm hook and RS facing, join yarn in the first Back st (just after PM A).

Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in each of the 60 (66, 74, 80, 88, 94) Back sts, turn. Leave underarm and Front sts unworked. (60 [66, 74, 80, 88, 94] hdc)

Armhole shaping

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st to last 2 sts, hdc2tog, turn. (58 [64, 72, 78, 86, 92] sts ✓ — 60 − 2 = 58)

Rep Row 2 a further 2 (2, 3, 3, 4, 4) times. (54 [60, 66, 72, 78, 84] sts ✓ — 3 [3, 4, 4, 5, 5] decrease rows × 2 sts = 6 [6, 8, 8, 10, 10] sts decreased)

Next row: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn. (54 [60, 66, 72, 78, 84] hdc)

Rep the even row until the armhole measures 6 (6½, 7, 7½, 8, 8½)" (15 [16.5, 18, 19, 20.5, 21.5] cm) from the divide, ending with a WS row. Count remains 54 (60, 66, 72, 78, 84) hdc.

Back neck

Neck is the center 22 (24, 26, 28, 32, 34) sts after shaping. Each shoulder finishes at 16 (18, 20, 22, 23, 25) sts. Check: 16 + 22 + 16 = 54 ✓ · 18 + 24 + 18 = 60 ✓ · 20 + 26 + 20 = 66 ✓ · 22 + 28 + 22 = 72 ✓ · 23 + 32 + 23 = 78 ✓ · 25 + 34 + 25 = 84 ✓

Right back shoulder (as worn)

Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in first 18 (20, 22, 24, 25, 27) sts, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked. (18 [20, 22, 24, 25, 27] hdc)

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st to end, turn. (17 [19, 21, 23, 24, 26] sts ✓)

Row 3 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in each st to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. (16 [18, 20, 22, 23, 25] sts ✓) Fasten off.

Left back shoulder (as worn)

With RS facing, skip the center 18 (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) sts. Join yarn in the next st.

Check of the skip: 18 + 18 skipped + 18 = 54 ✓ (XS); center skip + 2 sts decreased each side = finished neck 22 (24, 26, 28, 32, 34) ✓

Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in same st and in each st to end, turn. (18 [20, 22, 24, 25, 27] hdc)

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, hdc in each st to last 2 sts, hdc2tog, turn. (17 [19, 21, 23, 24, 26] sts ✓)

Row 3 (RS): Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st to end. (16 [18, 20, 22, 23, 25] sts ✓) Fasten off.

Armhole should now measure 7 (7½, 8, 8½, 9, 9½)" (18 [19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24] cm). If you are a row short of the Front, work one even row on each shoulder before fastening off.

Front

With 5 mm hook and RS facing, join yarn in the first Front st (just after PM C).

Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in each of the 60 (66, 74, 80, 88, 94) Front sts, turn. (60 [66, 74, 80, 88, 94] hdc)

Armhole shaping

Work exactly as for Back: decrease row 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) times. (54 [60, 66, 72, 78, 84] sts ✓)

Work even in hdc until the armhole measures 4½ (5, 5, 5½, 5½, 6)" (11.5 [12.5, 12.5, 14, 14, 15] cm) from the divide, ending with a WS row. (54 [60, 66, 72, 78, 84] hdc)

Front neck

Center 12 (14, 14, 16, 18, 18) sts are left unworked on the first neck row. Each side then decreases 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8) times at the neck edge to leave 16 (18, 20, 22, 23, 25) shoulder sts. Check: (54 − 12) / 2 = 21, 21 − 5 = 16 ✓ · (60 − 14) / 2 = 23, 23 − 5 = 18 ✓ · (66 − 14) / 2 = 26, 26 − 6 = 20 ✓ · (72 − 16) / 2 = 28, 28 − 6 = 22 ✓ · (78 − 18) / 2 = 30, 30 − 7 = 23 ✓ · (84 − 18) / 2 = 33, 33 − 8 = 25 ✓ Finished front neck = 12 (14, 14, 16, 18, 18) + 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8) each side = 22 (24, 26, 28, 32, 34) ✓

Right front (as worn) — neck edge is at the end of RS rows and the beginning of WS rows.

Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in first 21 (23, 26, 28, 30, 33) sts, turn. (21 [23, 26, 28, 30, 33] hdc)

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st to end, turn. (20 [22, 25, 27, 29, 32] sts ✓)

Row 3 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in each st to last 2 sts, hdc2tog, turn. (19 [21, 24, 26, 28, 31] sts ✓)

Continue decreasing 1 st at the neck edge every row until 16 (18, 20, 22, 23, 25) sts remain — 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8) neck decreases in total.

Work even (ch 1, hdc across, turn) on these sts until the armhole measures 7 (7½, 8, 8½, 9, 9½)" (18 [19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24] cm) from the divide, matching the Back, and ending with a RS row if possible. Fasten off.

Left front (as worn) — neck edge is at the beginning of RS rows and the end of WS rows.

With RS facing, skip the center 12 (14, 14, 16, 18, 18) sts. Join yarn in the next st.

Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in same st and in each st to end, turn. (21 [23, 26, 28, 30, 33] hdc)

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, hdc in each st to last 2 sts, hdc2tog, turn. (20 [22, 25, 27, 29, 32] sts ✓)

Row 3 (RS): Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st to end, turn. (19 [21, 24, 26, 28, 31] sts ✓)

Continue decreasing 1 st at the neck edge every row until 16 (18, 20, 22, 23, 25) sts remain.

Work even until the armhole matches the Right Front and Back. Fasten off.

Shoulders

With WS facing, seam each shoulder with mattress stitch or a sl st seam through 16 (18, 20, 22, 23, 25) sts. Turn RS out.

Turtleneck

With 4 mm hook and RS facing, join yarn at the left shoulder seam.

Pickup rnd: Ch 1, sc evenly around the neck as follows (1 sc in each st along horizontal edges and 1 sc in each row-end along vertical edges):

• Back neck: 22 (24, 26, 28, 32, 34) sc
• Back neck sides: 3 sc each side (6 sc)
• Front neck sides: 8 (8, 9, 9, 11, 11) sc each side (16 [16, 18, 18, 22, 22] sc)
• Front center: 12 (14, 14, 16, 18, 18) sc

Total: 56 (60, 64, 68, 78, 80) sc ✓ (XS: 22 + 6 + 16 + 12 = 56 ✓ · S: 24 + 6 + 16 + 14 = 60 ✓ · M: 26 + 6 + 18 + 14 = 64 ✓ · L: 28 + 6 + 18 + 16 = 68 ✓ · XL: 32 + 6 + 22 + 18 = 78 ✓ · 2XL: 34 + 6 + 22 + 18 = 80 ✓)

Join with sl st to first sc. Do not turn. All turtleneck rounds are worked on the RS.

Rnd 1 (rib): Ch 2 (does not count as a st), *FPdc around next st, BPdc around next st; rep from * around, join with sl st to first FPdc. (56 [60, 64, 68, 78, 80] sts ✓ — even count, 28 [30, 32, 34, 39, 40] repeats)

Rnd 2: Ch 2, *FPdc around next FPdc, BPdc around next BPdc; rep from * around, join.

Rep Rnd 2 until the turtleneck measures 7" (18 cm) from the pickup rnd.

For a fold-over collar, continue to 8½" (21.5 cm). Allow about 50 extra yards.

Fasten off with a long tail and join invisibly to the first FPdc, or fasten off in pattern.

Armhole bands

With 4 mm hook and RS facing, join yarn at the center of one underarm.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the armhole — 1 sc in each underarm st, 3 sc per 4 row-ends along the armhole edges, and 1 sc in each shoulder-seam stitch. Join with sl st to first sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join.

Fasten off. Rep for the second armhole.

The underarm gap closes as you work Rnd 1; if a small hole remains, close it with the starting tail.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends on the WS, reversing direction once so alpaca cannot creep.
2. Wet-block: soak in cool water with a little wool wash for 15 minutes. Press out water in a towel — do not wring.
3. Lay flat to the finished measurements. Pin the hem straight, the armholes to the listed depth, and the turtleneck so it stands without flaring. Do not overstretch. Alpaca relaxes as it dries and will grow if pinned aggressively.
4. Dry fully before wearing.
5. Optional: steam the shoulder seams very lightly from the WS, never letting the iron touch the alpaca.

Fit notes

• Length: To crop further, work fewer even body rounds before the divide (each 3 rows ≈ 1"). To hit closer to the hip, add rounds the same way; add 40–60 yd per extra inch of body.
• Turtleneck: The post-stitch rib is meant to sit close. It will stretch over the head and rebound. If your pickup feels tight while working, go up to 4.5 mm for the neck only.
• Drape: After blocking, the hdc fabric should hang smooth, without diagonal bias. If it does bias, you are working looser on RS or WS rows — even out your tension on the next garment.

Schematic measurements (blocked)