purlJam

# Breezy Summer Vest Top

A lightweight, easy-to-wear sleeveless summer top worked in two simple rectangular panels with an airy openwork mesh hem. Perfect for layering over a tank or wearing solo on warm days. The clean silhouette is forgiving to fit, and the entire project uses only chains, single crochet, and double crochet — ideal for confident beginners.

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## Sizes

**Women's** S (M, L, XL, 2XL)

Finished bust measurement: **34 (38, 42, 46, 50) inches / 86 (96.5, 106.5, 117, 127) cm**
Finished length: **22 inches / 56 cm**
Designed to be worn with 0–2" of positive ease.

*Instructions are written for size S, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.*

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** DK weight cotton or cotton blend, approximately **900 (1025, 1150, 1275, 1400) yards / 825 (940, 1050, 1165, 1280) meters**
- **Hook:** US H-8 / 5.0 mm (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- **Notions:** Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers (4), measuring tape

*Sample shown uses a cotton/linen blend DK in natural ivory.*

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## Gauge

**16 dc × 8 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm** in double crochet
Take time to check gauge — it affects fit.

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)

- **ch** — chain
- **sc** — single crochet
- **dc** — double crochet
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **sp** — space
- **rep** — repeat
- **RS / WS** — right side / wrong side

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## Pattern Notes

- Vest is worked as **two flat rectangles** (Front and Back), seamed at shoulders and sides. Armholes and neckline are formed by leaving openings when seaming and by shaping the neckline on each panel.
- **The turning chain (ch-3) counts as the first dc** throughout unless stated otherwise.
- Work into the top of the turning chain at the end of each dc row.
- Stitch counts appear in parentheses at the end of each row.
- The hem uses a simple mesh (dc, ch-1) for airflow and drape.

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## Back Panel

### Mesh Hem

**Foundation:** Ch **70 (78, 86, 94, 102)**.

**Row 1 (RS):** Dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped 3 ch count as first dc), *ch 1, sk next ch, dc in next ch*; rep from * across. *(34 (38, 42, 46, 50) dc and 33 (37, 41, 45, 49) ch-1 sps; 68 (76, 84, 92, 100) sts total)*

**Row 2:** Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Dc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next dc, dc in next ch-1 sp*; rep from * across to last dc, ch 1, sk next dc, dc in top of turning ch. *(34 (38, 42, 46, 50) dc and 33 (37, 41, 45, 49) ch-1 sps)*

**Rows 3–8:** Rep Row 2.

### Solid Body

**Row 9 (RS):** Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Dc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp across to end, dc in top of turning ch. *(68 (76, 84, 92, 100) dc)*

> *Check: 34 dc + 33 ch-sps + turning ch = 68 sts. ✓ (adjust for size)*

**Rows 10–36:** Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Dc in each st across. *(68 (76, 84, 92, 100) dc)*

At the end of Row 36, piece should measure approximately **22 inches / 56 cm** from foundation edge.

### Back Neckline & Shoulder Shaping

Work shoulders separately to form a shallow back neckline.

**Row 37 – First Shoulder (RS):** Ch 3, turn. Dc in next **15 (17, 19, 21, 23)** sts. *(16 (18, 20, 22, 24) dc)*
Fasten off.

**Skip** the center **36 (40, 44, 48, 52)** sts for back neck.

**Row 37 – Second Shoulder:** Join yarn with sl st in next st (the 53rd (59th, 65th, 71st, 77th) st). Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each of the remaining **15 (17, 19, 21, 23)** sts. *(16 (18, 20, 22, 24) dc)*
Fasten off.

> *Shoulder check: 16 + 36 + 16 = 68 ✓ / 18 + 40 + 18 = 76 ✓ / 20 + 44 + 20 = 84 ✓ / 22 + 48 + 22 = 92 ✓ / 24 + 52 + 24 = 100 ✓*

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## Front Panel

Work Rows 1–28 exactly as for Back Panel (Mesh Hem Rows 1–8, then solid body Rows 9–28).

At end of Row 28, piece should measure approximately **18 inches / 46 cm**.

### Front Neckline Shaping (deeper scoop)

**Row 29 – First Shoulder (RS):** Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Dc in next **15 (17, 19, 21, 23)** sts. *(16 (18, 20, 22, 24) dc)*
Leave remaining sts unworked.

**Rows 30–36:** Ch 3, turn. Dc in each st across. *(16 (18, 20, 22, 24) dc)*
Fasten off.

**Row 29 – Second Shoulder:** With RS facing, skip center **36 (40, 44, 48, 52)** sts of Row 28. Join yarn with sl st in next st. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each of the remaining **15 (17, 19, 21, 23)** sts. *(16 (18, 20, 22, 24) dc)*

**Rows 30–36:** Ch 3, turn. Dc in each st across. *(16 (18, 20, 22, 24) dc)*
Fasten off.

> *Front shoulder check: matches Back panel stitch counts for clean seaming. ✓*

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## Finishing

### Blocking

Weave in all ends loosely. Wet-block both panels to finished measurements: each panel **17 (19, 21, 23, 25) inches** wide × **22 inches** long. Pin flat and allow to dry completely. Blocking opens the mesh hem and evens the fabric.

### Seaming

1. **Shoulder seams:** With RS together, align Front and Back shoulder pieces (each 16 (18, 20, 22, 24) sts). Using yarn needle and mattress stitch, or using sc seam with hook, join each shoulder.

2. **Side seams:** With RS together, align side edges of Front and Back. Measure **8 inches / 20 cm** down from the shoulder seam and place a stitch marker — this is the bottom of the armhole. Seam from the bottom hem up to the marker on each side, leaving the top 8" open for armholes.

### Neckline Edging

**Rnd 1:** With RS facing, join yarn at a shoulder seam. Ch 1, work sc evenly around the neckline opening, working approximately **1 sc per dc row** along vertical edges and **1 sc per st** along horizontal edges. Adjust as needed to keep edge flat (roughly 90–110 sc total). Join with sl st to first sc.

**Rnd 2:** Ch 1, sc in each sc around. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

### Armhole Edging (work both armholes the same)

**Rnd 1:** With RS facing, join yarn at underarm seam. Ch 1, work sc evenly around the armhole (roughly 1 sc per row = about 64 sc). Join with sl st to first sc.

**Rnd 2:** Ch 1, sc in each sc around. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

### Final Steps

Weave in all remaining ends on the WS. Give the top a light steam or second blocking if needed.

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## Helpful Tips

- **Gauge check:** Make a 5" × 5" swatch in dc before starting. If your swatch is larger, go down a hook size; if smaller, go up.
- **Mattress stitch** creates the most invisible side seams — highly recommended here.
- **Customization:** For a longer tunic, add 4 extra dc rows before neckline shaping (adds ~2"). For a cropped version, subtract 6 dc rows (about 3" shorter).
- **Yarn substitution:** Any DK-weight yarn with good drape works — linen, bamboo, or cotton blends give the best summer feel.

Enjoy your breezy new vest top!