purlJam

# The "Airy Layer" Chunky Mesh Vest

**Description**
A modern, intermediate-level crochet vest featuring a "holey" openwork mesh structure. Perfect for layering over t-shirts or dresses. Worked flat in pieces from the bottom up using Aran (Worsted) weight yarn to create a chunky yet breathable fabric. Features deep ribbed hems and a classic V-neck.

**Difficulty Level**
Intermediate

**Sizes**
To fit chest:
XS: 81 cm (32")
S: 91 cm (36")
M: 102 cm (40")
L: 112 cm (44")
XL: 122 cm (48")
2XL: 132 cm (52")

**Finished Measurements (Chest Circumference)**
XS: 88 cm
S: 98 cm
M: 112 cm
L: 122 cm
XL: 132 cm
2XL: 142 cm
*Designed with approx. 5-10 cm positive ease.*

**Materials**
*   **Yarn:** Aran/Worsted weight yarn (approx. 180m/100g).
    *   Quantity: 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) balls of 100g.
    *   *Fibre Recommendation: Cotton blend or Superwash Wool.*
*   **Hooks:**
    *   5.5mm (for Main Body)
    *   4.5mm (for Ribbing)
*   Tapestry needle for seaming.
*   Stitch markers.

**Tension (Gauge)**
13 stitches and 7 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm measured over Mesh Pattern using 5.5mm hook.
*Note: The "Mesh Pattern" consists of (1 tr, 1 ch).*

**Terminology & Abbreviations (UK Terms)**
*   **ch**: chain
*   **dc**: double crochet (US sc)
*   **tr**: treble crochet (US dc)
*   **st(s)**: stitch(es)
*   **rem**: remaining
*   **rep**: repeat
*   **RS**: right side
*   **WS**: wrong side
*   **sk**: skip
*   **sp**: space
*   **FPtr**: Front Post treble crochet
*   **BPtr**: Back Post treble crochet
*   **Mesh Pattern**: (1 tr, ch 1, sk next st)

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## Instructions

### 1. Back Panel

**Ribbed Hem**
Using **4.5mm** hook, ch 58 (64, 74, 80, 86, 94).
**Row 1 (RS):** Tr in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
[Math: 58-3 = 55 sts | 64-3 = 61 | 74-3 = 71 | 80-3 = 77 | 86-3 = 83 | 94-3 = 91]
*Stitch count: 55 (61, 71, 77, 83, 91) sts.*

**Row 2:** Ch 2 (does not count as st), *FPtr around next st, BPtr around next st; rep from * to last st, tr in top of turning ch. Turn.
**Rows 3–6:** Rep Row 2.

**Main Body**
Change to **5.5mm** hook.
**Row 1 (Setup - RS):** Ch 4 (counts as tr + ch 1), sk first 2 sts (the edge st and the first rib st), *tr in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * to last st, tr in last st. Turn.
*Note: Ensure you have an odd number of main stitches (tr) to maintain symmetry.*
*Stitch Check: You will have 28 (31, 36, 39, 42, 46) "mesh holes".*

**Row 2:** Ch 4 (counts as tr + ch 1), sk first ch-sp, *tr in next tr, ch 1, sk next ch-sp; rep from * to last st, tr in 3rd ch of turning ch. Turn.

Rep Row 2 until piece measures 35 (36, 37, 38, 39, 40) cm from bottom edge, ending on a WS row.

**Shape Armholes**
**Next Row (RS):** Sl st across first 4 (4, 6, 6, 8, 8) sts. Ch 4 (counts as tr + ch 1), work in Mesh Pattern across to last 4 (4, 6, 6, 8, 8) sts. Leave rem sts unworked. Turn.
[Math Check XS: 55 start - 4 left - 4 right = 47 sts rem]
*Stitch Counts (sts rem): 47 (53, 59, 65, 67, 75).*

Continue straight in Mesh Pattern on these stitches until Armhole measures 19 (20, 21, 22, 23, 24) cm.
Fasten off.

### 2. Front Panel

Work exactly as Back Panel until the **Shape Armholes** row is complete.
*Stitch Counts: 47 (53, 59, 65, 67, 75).*

**Shape V-Neck (Left Shoulder)**
*You will now work on only one side of the front to create the V-neck.*

**Row 1 (WS):** Work Mesh Pattern across 23 (26, 29, 32, 33, 37) sts. Turn. Leave remaining sts unworked for now.
*Note: The centre st is left unworked for the V point.*

**Row 2 (Decrease Row - RS):** Ch 3 (counts as tr), sk first ch-sp, tr in next tr (counts as tr2tog dec), work Mesh Pattern to end. Turn.
[Math: 1 st decreased at neck edge.]

**Row 3:** Work Mesh Pattern to last 2 sts, tr in top of turning ch. Turn.

**Row 4 (Decrease Row - RS):** Ch 3, tr in next tr (dec made), work Mesh Pattern to end. Turn.

Rep Rows 3–4 until 13 (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) sts remain for the shoulder.
Continue straight without decreasing until armhole matches Back Panel length.
Fasten off.

**Shape V-Neck (Right Shoulder)**
Join yarn at the neck edge (skipping the centre st if odd count, or matching the split point) to work the other side.
**Row 1 (WS):** Ch 4, sk first st, work Mesh Pattern to end.
**Row 2 (Decrease Row - RS):** Work Mesh Pattern to last 2 sts (tr and turning ch), tr in top of turning ch (dec made by omitting the last ch-1 space).
Continue decreasing at neck edge as per Left Shoulder until 13 (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) sts remain.
Work straight until armhole matches Back. Fasten off.

### 3. Finishing

**Assembly**
1.  Block pieces to measurements. This is crucial for the mesh pattern to open up.
2.  Join shoulder seams using a whip stitch or slip stitch seam (WS facing).
3.  Join side seams from hem to underarm.

**Neck Edging**
Using **4.5mm** hook, join yarn at shoulder seam.
**Round 1:** Ch 1, work 1 dc in each st around back neck. Down the V-neck slope, work approximately 2 dc per row end or 3 dc per 2 row ends to ensure it lays flat (do not bunch). At the V-point, place a marker. Work up the other side. Sl st to join.
**Round 2:** Ch 2, *FPtr, BPtr; rep around. **Crucial:** At the V-point marker, work a tr3tog (treble 3 together) over the stitches at the point to keep the V sharp. Join.
**Round 3:** Rep Round 2, working decrease at V-point.
Fasten off.

**Armhole Edging**
Using **4.5mm** hook, join yarn at underarm seam.
**Round 1:** Ch 1, work dc evenly around armhole (approx 2 dc per row end). Join.
**Round 2:** Ch 2, *FPtr, BPtr; rep around. Join.
**Round 3:** Rep Round 2.
Fasten off.

**Final Touches**
Weave in all ends.
Steam block the ribbing lightly if necessary.