English version : free crochet pattern colourfull baby vest

This vest fits a baby up to 1 year : the back width is 27-28 cm or 10,8-11 inches.

Crochet hook : 5 mm

Yarn : aran weight (I used Rico Creative Cotton)

Gauge : not important

Used stitches : chains (ch), half double crochet (hdc)

The cardigan is worked topdown, so you start at the neck part and work downwards, and at a certain moment you separate the sleeves from the rest. The work is actually divided in 4 parts : first front part, sleeve 1, back part, sleeve 2 and second front part. Each part is separated by or 3hdc in 1 opening or 2 x 2 hdc in 1 opening. (do not bother if you do not understand it now, you will see it is very clear while crocheting)

PATTERN :

- I changed colours every row
- you turn after each row
- you do not insert your crochet hook in the 2 loops of each stitch previous row, but you crochet between 2 stitches.
- make 1hdc between each stitch, except if indicated otherwise

1. Row 1 : Chain 44, and start in 3th chain from hook : 1hdc in every ch, ch2 and turn. (ch2+42hdc)
2. Row 2 : From now on crochet between the stitches of the previous row! 8hdc, next 3hdc between next stitches (so 3hdc in 1 space), 4hdc, 3 in 1, 14hdc, 3 in 1, 4hdc, 3 in 1, 9hdc, ch2 and  turn.
3. Row 3 : 8hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 5hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 15hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 5hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 9hdc, ch2 and turn.
4. Row 4 : 10hdc, 3 in 1, 8hdc, 3 in 1, 18hdc, 3 in 1, 8hdc, 3 in 1, 10 hdc, ch2 and turn.
5. Row 5 : 10hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 9hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 19hdc (2 in 1) x 2, 9hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 11hdc, ch2 and turn.
6. Row 6 : 12hdc, 3 in 1, 12hdc, 3 in 1, 22hdc, 3 in 1, 12hdc, 3 in 1, 12 hdc, ch2 and turn.
7. Row 7 : 12hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 13hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 23hdc (2 in 1) x 2, 13hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 13hdc, ch2 and turn.
8. Row 8 : 14hdc, 3 in 1, 16hdc, 3 in 1, 26hdc, 3 in 1, 16hdc, 3 in 1, 14 hdc, ch2 and turn.
9. Row 9 : 14hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 17hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 27hdc (2 in 1) x 2, 17hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 15hdc, ch2 and turn.
10. Row 10 : 16hdc, 3 in 1, 20hdc, 3 in 1, 30hdc, 3 in 1, 20hdc, 3 in 1, 16 hdc, ch2 and turn.
11. Row 11 : 16hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 21hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 31hdc (2 in 1) x 2, 21hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 17hdc, ch2 and turn.
12. Row 12 : 18hdc, 3 in 1, 24hdc, 3 in 1, 34hdc, 3 in 1, 24hdc, 3 in 1, 18 hdc, ch2 and turn.
13. Row 13 : 18hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 25hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 35hdc (2 in 1) x 2, 25hdc, (2 in 1) x 2, 19hdc, ch2 and turn.
14. Row 14 : Now separate the sleeves and just continu crocheted over the both front parts and the back part.
20hdc, in next opening : start crocheting 1hdc, but do not finish it, crochet it half.
Next skip the first sleeve part, and move to the back part (the widest part), Find the opening between the 2 groups of 2hdc, in this opening you crochet 1 hdc, but do not finish it.
Next finish the 2 half finished hdc together!
Next hdc over the back part : 38hdc.
In the next opening : 1hdc half crocheted, skip second sleeve, go to the opening between 2 x 2hdc, here : also 1 half finished hdc, finished the 2 stitches together.
Next crochet over the second front part : 20hdc. Ch2 and turn.
15. Row 15 : 80hdc, ch2 and turn.
16. Row 16-34 : Repeat row 15. Cut yarn and cast off.

FINISHING :

- make 1 round of sc around the vest : 1sc in every stitch, and in the corners : 3sc in 1 stitch.
- buttonhole : choose on what side you want to make the buttonhole. I made the buttonhole like this : ch 4 and skip 3 stitches.
- Finishing the sleeves : I decided to make 2 more rounds for the sleeves. Of course you can also decide to make long sleeves. Attach yarn at bottom of arm opening with ch2, make 1hdc between every stitch, all around arm opening, close round with slst. in second ch. Ch2 and turn. Make 1 more round. Finally make 1 round of sc around arms.
- weave in all threads
- sew button on
- block your vest and let it dry.

Finished!!! Enjoy your lovely colourfull baby vest!!!!