520 Michel Vest - Waistcoat Crochet Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Longmeadow

520 Michel Vest – Crochet Waistcoat Pattern for Women by Sara Delaney

The 520 Michel Vest, designed by Sara Delaney, is a women's crochet waistcoat worked in an elegant, open mesh lace stitch. Described in the pattern itself as "a great layering piece and the perfect place to feature a stunning statement button," this vest is a versatile wardrobe addition that works beautifully over blouses, long-sleeve tops, or lightweight sweaters. The design is rated beginner difficulty, making it an excellent project for crocheters who are ready to move beyond basic rectangles but are not yet comfortable with complex shaping or stitch patterns.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's sleeveless vest (waistcoat) with a simple open-front silhouette, finished with a single statement button at the neckline or front edge. The vest is available in six finished sizes: 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, and 52 inches in bust circumference, with the sample shown in size 32 inches. Body lengths vary by size, ranging from 18 to 22 inches, ensuring a proportional fit across the size range. The finished fabric has an airy, semi-structured drape thanks to the mesh lace construction and the cotton-blend yarn used.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Valley Yarns Longmeadow, a DK weight yarn with a fiber content of 60% Cotton and 40% Microfiber, sold in 50g skeins with approximately 117 yards each. The sample is worked in color 27, Purple Haze. Depending on the size being made, the pattern requires 6 to 9 skeins:

• Size 32: 6 skeins
• Size 36: 6 skeins
• Size 40: 7 skeins
• Size 44: 8 skeins
• Size 48: 8 skeins
• Size 52: 9 skeins

The cotton-microfiber blend gives the fabric a soft hand with a subtle sheen, and the natural breathability of cotton makes this vest especially suitable for warmer seasons or layering in transitional weather. In addition to yarn, the only other material required is one 1.5-inch button, which serves as the focal decorative element of the garment.

Hook and Gauge

The pattern is worked with a US size D/3 (3.25mm) crochet hook, or whatever size is needed to achieve the correct gauge. Gauge is specified as approximately 5 stitches and 3 rows equal 1 inch in the mesh pattern. Achieving accurate gauge is important in this project because the mesh stitch is relatively open, and even small deviations can significantly affect the finished width and length of the vest.

Construction Method

The Michel Vest is constructed bottom-up and worked flat, meaning the crocheter begins at the lower hem and works upward in rows, with the fabric lying flat rather than being worked in the round. This is a seamed construction, so the finished pieces are joined together — a method that gives the garment clean, stable edges and a more structured, tailored appearance.

The lower body is worked as a single flat piece. The foundation chain is quite long — ranging from 163 chains for the smallest size up to 263 chains for the largest — and the mesh pattern is established immediately from row one. After the body reaches the desired length, the work is divided at marked points to create separate sections for the right front, left front, and back, each of which is then worked independently. This division-for-fronts-and-back approach is a classic flat crochet garment construction technique that allows for neat armhole shaping without the complexity of working in the round.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction: The garment begins at the hem and is worked upward toward the shoulders, which is the most intuitive direction for flat crochet garments and allows easy length adjustment before dividing for the armholes.
• Lace / mesh stitch: The primary stitch pattern creates an open, grid-like mesh fabric using alternating half double crochet