Minuet Vest

Minuet Vest pattern: regular traditional filet on the left, Tunisian filet on the right (red vest).

With just two skeins of a casual daytime cotton yarn, this summery vest can be thrown on over anything for a bold, modern lace statement. Use a polished fashion yarn, and the silky gloss suddenly takes the same design into an elegant Jane Austen-style world. The dramatic architecture of the lace is unforgettable over solid black. 

The basic idea of the Minuet Vest is this: crochet a simple shape, add a fancy border, then link up the sides to turn it into a vest. I chose plain filet crochet lace for the simple base shape so that it would be quick to crochet. Filet is also an easy grid for edging with a fancy border later. Chains and single crochets are the only stitches needed for the lacy scallop border.

This design won the Hookalicious award in 2010 from the Crochet Liberation Front.

Pattern Features

This pattern explains step by step how to use a type of Tunisian Knit Treble stitch for the filet, like I used for the red Minuet. If you prefer to use regular crochet stitches such as the treble crochet + ch-2 filet I used for the cropped yellow version, see this online article about adjusting the gauge of filet stitches.

Printer-friendly filet charts and edging diagrams are on the last pages of this pattern.

Skill Level

Intermediate to Experienced because of the join-as-you-go seaming. Over the years I’ve encountered crocheters who struggle with assemble-as-you-go garment construction. The struggle may be with how it’s described in text, so I’ve created visual aids for this step on the last pages. 

The skill level of the stitches is Intermediate due to the Tunisian crochet stitches used for the filet section. Experienced filet crocheters can substitute regular filet stitches following the filet charts on the last pages. The fancy scallop border requires only chains and single crochets. 

I’ve kept pattern abbreviations to a minimum and include International English equivalents for American terms.

?After using this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

  • How to construct a vest as you go, with a few crochet joins instead of seams.
  • How to let a fancy border do all the shaping.
  • How to use the same pattern to make a cropped bolero style.
  • How to crochet an easy, great-looking Tunisian Filet stitch variation.
  • How to adjust both stitch and row gauges of your filet crochet lace.
  • How to fine-tune a standard size for a Petite or Tall fit.

Materials

  • Crochet Hooks: Tunisian G-6 (4 mm) and approx. 10″ {25.4 cm} long; or size required for gauge. Regular crochet hook G-6 (4 mm) or size required for gauge. 
  • Ten stitch markers (for shoulders, corners, and side seam joins during final edging)
  • Yarn: Choose a yarn in the #2 Fine Weight category with a recommended crochet hook size range of US E/4 {3.5 mm} to US G/6 {4.0 mm}. These yarns may also be referred to as Sport or Heavy Sock {Light DK, 5-Ply}. For example, Patons’ Grace (100% mercerized cotton; green swatch in photo album).

Yarn Used for Tunisian Cherry VestDesigningVashti.com Lotus (54% Cotton, 46% Rayon; 256yd/234m per 3.5oz/100g skein): 1 ball (256 yds) for cropped bolero lengths of all sizes except Medium and Large; 2 balls (512 yds) for most sizes in the longer Vest length shown; 2 balls plus 1 smaller Lotus Snacks ball (600 yds) for Size Large Vest (has 3rd layer of Scallop edging, shown). 

Yarn Used for Key Lime Bolero: Universal Yarn’s Summer Linen (50% Linen, 50% Cotton, 126yd/115m per 1.76oz/50g ball): 2 balls (252 yds) used for Sizes Small and Smallish-Medium.

Finished Dimensions

How to choose your size: Make your vest any length you wish. This style is meant to be worn open and loose over other clothing, so even a close-fitting size will feel looser on (have more wearing ease) than it may seem from the measurements given below. 

For this pattern, the most important measurement is the width from shoulder to shoulder. The next most important one for fit is the chest/bust circumference. Each size has more than one finished bust measurement listed. It’s based on how many scallop rounds you add to the border. For example, the red vest has three rounds of scallops at the front opening (with a fourth for the collar), whereas the cropped version has only one round of scallops (with a second for the collar). Each round of scallops adds almost 5″ {12.7 cm} to the total circumference.

Sizes Teen 14-16 and XSmall

Across Shoulder when worn: 13″ {33 cm}

Finished Bust if vest is worn closed in front: 34″ {86.36 cm} with a border of two scallops would be a standard fit for a Size Teen 14-16, and close-fitting for an adult Size XSmall. 39″ {99 cm} with a wider border of three scallops would be a standard fit for an adult Size XSmall, and a very loose fit for a standard Teen.

Length: starts at 15″ {38 cm} for the cropped bolero style. Lengthen in 2.5″ {6.35 cm} increments easily with no limits; instructions are included in the pattern. Red vest shown is 22″ {55.88 cm} long. A knee length on a teen would look très Boho with boots and jeans!

Sizes Small and Smallish-Medium

Across Shoulder when worn: 15″ {38 cm}

Finished Bust if vest is worn closed in front: 37″ {94 cm} with a border of two scallops would be a standard fit for a Size Small, and close-fitting for a Size Medium. 41.5″ {105.4 cm} with a wider border of three scallops would be a standard fit for a Size Medium, and loose-fitting for a Size Small.

Length: starts at 15″ {38 cm} for cropped bolero style. Red vest shown is 22″ {55.88 cm} long. Lengthen in 2.5″ {6.35 cm} increments easily with no limits; instructions in the pattern.

Sizes Largish-Medium and Large. For a Plus Size 1X option, see Note under Finished Bust, below. 

Across Shoulder when worn: 17″ {43.18 cm}

Finished Bust if vest is worn closed in front: 39″ {99 cm} with a border of two scallops would be a standard fit for a Size Medium, and close-fitting for a Size Large. 44″ {111.76 cm} with a wider border of three scallops would be a standard fit for a Size Large, and loose-fitting for a Size Medium. Note: For a Plus Size 1X and 2X option, repeating the Scallop border a fourth time at only the sides would result in a finished bust of 49″ {126.46 cm}.

Length: starts at 17.5″ {44.45 cm} for the cropped bolero style. Red vest shown is 22″ {55.88 cm} long. Lengthen in 2.5″ {6.35 cm} increments easily with no limits; instructions in the pattern.

Bling Bam Bangles

Story Time!

Bling Bam Bangle began as a test of ribbing stitches for a simple crochet bangle. At the time (September 2012), I was preparing to teach a crochet jewelry class at a CGOA conference in Reno, Nevada.

My goal was to start with a comfortable crochet bracelet that doesn’t require a clasp. A stretchy ribbed one would slide on and off the wrist for a soft crochet bangle. 

I originally planned to make two and then compare them: a single crochet rib one, and a slip stitch rib one. Instead, I amused myself by adding a mock clasp. It reminds me of Bamm-Bamm Rubble, the baby boy who hit everything with a stone club in the The Flintstones cartoon.

Two years later (December 2014) I found the Flintstone one and tried a quick holiday version with a sequined strand held together with my Lotus yarn. I couldn’t stop! I made a dozen, and tried seven different kinds of ribbed stitches. 

This pattern offers four stretchy versions, in keeping with the original goal of a simple, stretchy ribbed “bangle.” For details on all other variations, see the Flickr photo set link that is clickable within the pattern. (Also see my newsletter, “Crochet Ribs, Old & New Grooves” on the stretch factor of different ribbed crochet stitches.)

The quirky Bam-Bam clasp is just for bang (impact). It’s crocheted last, and you can leave it off altogether as I often did. Pattern includes customizing notes.

Skill Level

Advanced BeginnerThe ribbed cuff part of the bracelet is Beginner level. A Beginner may find crocheting a sequined strand held together with a smooth yarn challenging at first.

This pattern uses minimal pattern abbreviations. UK and Australian equivalents for American measurements, yarn weights, and stitch terms are in brackets { }. After using this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

  • How to crochet four different kinds of crochet ribbing. 
  • How to crochet a simple ribbed bracelet, and how to count the rows easily.
  • How to customize the width and fit of the bangle.
  • How to crochet a decorative loop-and-post clasp.

Finished Dimensions

Approximately 1.25″ {3.18 cm} wide with a 6″ {15.25 cm} circumference. The selected rib stitches used in this pattern give the bangle enough stretch to slide comfortably onto the wrist. Exact gauge is not important, and many large sequins in some yarns can affect one’s stitching gauge, so the dimensions may vary a bit.

Materials

Crochet Hook: Size F/US-5/3.75 mm hook or size needed for gauge.
Yarn used for Bling Bam Bangles:

DesigningVashti.com Lotus Snacks (52% Cotton, 48% Rayon; 85 yd/78 m per 1.16oz/33 g skein): one ball is enough for three bracelets. (A ball of the large 256-yd ball of Lotus would yield at least nine bracelets.)

To substitute a yarn, choose a #2 Fine Weight yarn with a recommended crochet hook size range of US E/4 {3.5 mm} to US G/6 {4.0 mm}. These yarns may also be called Sport, Heavy Sock {Light DK, 5-Ply}. Figure on approx. 11 g or 29 yds, or less, per bracelet. This bracelet is also a fun way to play with color changes and a self-striping or space dyed yarn.

One strand of Lotus was held together with one strand of a sequined novelty thread:

  • Premier Yarns Enchant (76% Metallic, 24% Other; 429 yd/392 m per .88 oz/25 g skein): approx. 29 yds per bracelet. Colors used: King’s Crown and Jewelry Box.
  • Yarn Bee Bejeweled Sequin (40% Metallic Polyester, 30% Sequin Polyester, 30% Polyester; 328 yd/300 m per .88 oz/25 g skein): approx. 29 yds per bracelet. Colors used: Mulberry Multi, Gray Multi and Purple Multi.
  • Berroco Mirror FX (100% Polyester; 60 yd/55 m per .35 oz/10 g): approx. 29 yds per bracelet. Color 9001, square gold sequins on white thread.
  • Berroco Lazer (100% Polyester; 70 yd/64 m per .35 oz/10 g): approx. 29 yds per bracelet. Color 6004, silver sequins on black thread.

Yarn needle for weaving in ends.

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Crochet Cable Boot Cuff Pattern in Progress

Lucky Twist Bootslip folded over boot top

New Crochet Cable Boot Cuff Pattern!

The Lucky Twist Boot Cuff in action!

A few days ago I sent out issue #65 of my Crochet Inspirations newsletter: “Mock Cables in Slip Stitch Crochet.” I’m getting questions from readers about the dark brown crochet cable boot cuff photo (shown below). I crocheted that one in November 2012. The gray striped one is fresh off the hook.

The 2012 brown one is actually a prototype of the new crochet slip stitch Lucky Twist Mitts. It’s my newest downloadable pattern. A matching Lucky Twist crochet cable boot cuff pattern is almost finished.

Update: The boot cuff pattern is done!

The early brown Lucky Twist swatch helped me test lots of things. For example, how stretchy the limp five-ply merino yarn would be as a mitt (not enough). How much to taper the ribbed edge with short rows. I wondered about the speckled dyeing and overall dark brown tones.

As I mentioned in the newsletter, I had to dramatically brighten these photos just so that the cabled stitch textures would show up! So in real life I’d need to be standing in full sunshine to see the cabled surface texture in a dark brown yarn. The short amber color flecks are pretty, but they distract a bit from the cables.

First swatch of Lucky Twists Boot Cuffs pattern

This was also the first boot cuff prototype I’d ever crocheted. So I learned about:

  • Finished dimensions for a good crochet cable boot cuff pattern.
  • Stitch surface textures and yarn colors that show up well on that area of the body. (Lighter colors help.)
  • Should one or both edges of a boot cuff taper? (I prefer it tapered at one end only.)
  • How much yarn and time does it take to crochet boot cuffs? (About as long as crocheting just 14 inches of a scarf!)
  • Thickness of yarn and of stitches that fit inside the boot top. (Medium weight yarn seems fine for the boots I own.)
  • Folded, unfolded, scrunched. All ways are fun!

Crochet Boot Cuffs, 2012 and beyond

Back in 2012, crochet boot cuffs were such a new trend that they might have just been a one-season fad. That November I traveled to northern Illinois to teach a crochet retreat. It was a boot-wearing opportunity that I don’t often get here in Florida.

It was in Illinois that I started the brown crochet cable boot cuff pattern prototype. I’d be able to test how much warmth they add, and if I enjoy wearing them.

I discovered that crochet boot cuffs feel great! I wore them over dark tights with skirts. They stayed put. I enjoyed wearing them all ways – scrunched, folded over the boot, and unfolded. Down low into the boot or up near the knee. I did find that I wanted longer ones that covered more of my legs for warmth.

Lucky Twist Mitts

Lucky Twist Mitts is based on everything I love about the original Luckyslips Mitts pattern: the right kind of stretchy in the right places. Slip stitch ribbing is perfect for comfortably snug and warm texting mitts.

These mitts feature a mock cable accent. This entry-level “luckytwist” method is promising; see issue #65 of my newsletter, “Mock Cables for Slip Stitches). Slip stitching below the working row is the first step in creating this simple mock cable texture. Add that “luckytwist” to the stitch loop to enhance the cabled look.

Each step of the first mitt is designed as a roll out of skills in a gradual progression. There’s a complete photo tutorial for the Twisted Slip Stitch Spike Mock Cable on a printer-friendly page. Customizing tips for both Luckywomen’s and Luckymen’s sizes are included along the way for more experienced slip stitchers.

Skill Level

Advanced Intermediate. You may find it challenging to combine these three skills in this pattern: short row shaping, twisted spike stitches, and crocheting slip stitches with a consistently looser gauge. If you haven’t crocheted a project in slip stitch ribbing yet, I recommend starting with the free Eva’s Ribs Scarf (or if you’re easily bored, try a quick Bling Bam Bangle, or the free Slip Slope Scarf). The skill-building Luckyslips Mitts pattern is the ultimate introduction because it started out as a class project for slip stitch crochet beginners. Also see Slip Stitch Crochet FAQ.

I’ve kept pattern abbreviations to a minimum. UK and Australian equivalents are included with American terms.

After using this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

  • How to crochet a mock cable with twisted spike slip stitches.
  • How to use the foundation row, seaming row, and turning chains in slip stitch crochet.
  • How to begin and end ribbed rows, and how to count them accurately.
  • How to determine the front and back of this reversible ribbing.
  • How to shape slip stitch ribbing into a fitted cuff that retains its stretch.
  • How to adjust both width and length of this type of fingerless glove.
  • How to edge the ribbing with a Bosnian slip stitch.

Finished Dimensions

You can customize the cuff-to-finger opening length, the placement of the thumb opening, and the width across the palm; tips for doing this are indented and italicized within the pattern. Sizes are given for a luckywomen’s size with changes for the luckymen’s size in parentheses:

  • Length of mitt from cuff to finger opening: 6.5 (7.5)” {16.5 (19) cm}
  • Circumference of palm of mitt, unstretched: 12 (15)” {30.48 (48) cm}; nearly doubles when stretched.
  • Circumference of finger opening, unstretched: 5.25 (6)” {13.3 (15.25) cm}; stretches to approximately 7 (8)” {17.75 (20.3) cm}
  • Circumference of wrist cuff opening, unstretched: 5″ {12.75 cm}; nearly doubles when stretched.
  • Circumference of thumb opening: 2.5 to 4″ {6.3 to 10 cm} depending on your finishing rounds.
  • Distance from thumb opening to top (finger opening) of mitt: 1.25 (2)” {3.18 (5.0) cm}
  • Distance from thumb opening to cuff of mitt: 3 (3.75)” {7.6 (9.5) cm}

Materials

  • Crochet Hook: Size K/US10.5/6.5 mm hook or size needed for gauge.
  • Yarn: Choose a #4 medium-weight wooly blend that lists a crochet hook size range from US H/8/5mm to J/10/6mm on its label. These yarns may also be referred to as Heavy Worsted, Aran, Afghan, and “Light Chunky” Weight.

Each luckywomen’s mitt takes approx. 24g of yarn, so a 100g ball should yield two pairs. Each luckymen’s mitt takes approx. 50g of yarn, so a 100g ball should be enough for one pair.

Yarn Shown for luckywomen’s light green mitts: Briggs & Little Softspun (100% Wool; 240yd/219m per 4oz/113g skein).This thick two-ply yarn feels soft, light, and sort of felted.

Yarn Shown for luckymen’s blue mitts: DesigningVashti Treat Medium-Z (discontinued; 100% Merino wool; 218yd/200m per 3.5oz/100g skein). This yarn feels like cashmere.

  • Recommended: 3 stitch markers (until you can recognize the last slip stitch of each row), plus 10 for the Lucky Twist cable row.
  • Yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Warm Aeroette

Crocheting a rectangular scarf on the bias in Tunisian filet is rare for Tunisian crochet. Aeroette features the Tunisian foundation slip stitch increase method for this. 

Starting this scarf in one corner and finish at the opposite corner means you can easily make it wider for a wrap. Use any yarn; the special filet lace edging is crocheted as you go, and this makes it easy to predict how much yarn you’ll need to finish.

I originally designed Aeroette to be a practice pattern for a crochet class on the popular Aero WrapLike Aero, the scarf length and width are easy to adapt to the amount of yarn you have on hand.

Skill Level

Intermediate. Includes a stitch diagram and printer-friendly photo step-outs, for for lefties too. See Burly Bias (rated Advanced Beginner) and Tunisian Shakti Scarfythings (rated Easy) for good introductions to Tunisian biasing

?After using this pattern, you will know (if you didn’t already): 

  • How to start a Tunisian crochet project in one corner, build a rectangular scarf on the diagonal by increasing along the edges, and then decrease along both edges to complete it.
  • How to increase with the Tunisian Foundation Slip Stitch so that both shaped edges match.
  • How to understand this type of Tunisian crochet design in light of traditional filet crochet.
  • How to edge Tunisian crochet with lacy filet spaces as you go.
  • How to square up Tunisian filet edges with lean picots.

Finished Dimensions 

44″ x 10.5″ {111.76 x 26.67 cm} for a one-skein scarf; width and length are easily customized.

Materials

  • Tunisian Crochet Hook: Size US G/7 {4.5 mm}, minimum 10″ long, or size required for gauge.
  • Yarn: Abuelita Yarns Merino 3 Ply (100% fine imported merino wool; 420 yds {384 m} per 3.5 oz {100 g} skein): 1 skein.

To substitute a yarn of the same thickness: Choose a #1 Super Fine Weight yarn with a recommended hook size range of US C/2 {2.25 mm} to US E/4 {3.5 mm}. These yarns may also be called Fingering, Sock, Light Sport, Baby {3-Ply}. 

To substitute a thicker or thinner yarn, try a crochet hook size that is 2 to 3 sizes larger than usual for the yarn. The stitch diagram and basic pattern instructions will work for the yarn type, yarn amount, and hook size you decide to use.