How to Crochet Ms. Lily Vest Top

Summer is back and the sun is shining bright in this part of the world. Of course, I had to crochet a vest to add to my summer wear collection.

The need for light weight, quick make crochet top was a motivation behind this top. It sports a beautiful mesh design over the V-shaped neckline. While the rest of the body is made by using only double crochet stitches in back loop only that provides a subtle wavy structure.

The beginner friendly size inclusive written pattern is supported by multiple video tutorials to help you out at crucial steps. This pattern on my blog is free.

While extra features like color coded size instructions with step by step picture tutorial is available with paid pdf pattern. Show me some support if you enjoy my work!! The paid pdf pattern will be available in my online stores from Friday 24th Feb 2023.

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This top derives it’s name from an amazing character in this beautiful and powerful historical fiction by Kate Quinn called Signal Moon: A Short story . Ms Lily vest top, named after one of the two leading characters in the book, Ms Lily Baines. A truly lovely and heart melting book I read while conceptualizing the pattern.

The book is set during WW II in 1943 and a fictional struggle in 2023, radio transcription wires go awry and a British lady working radio transcription in wartime Britain makes an impossible connection with a U.S. Navy Officer in 2023 that could make the difference between peace or war. Long distance relationship takes a whole new turn with this book. Although it left me with a couple of tears and a little heartache at the end, but this book is worth it.

This is a story that will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend this read.

OVERVIEW

This is a beginner friendly crocheted vest top pattern in sizes S-5XL.
This top uses basic crochet stitches – single crochet, double crochet and slip stitch.
Front and back pieces are worked separately, bottom-up.
Then the front piece is divided into left and right half to work the V-shape neckline.
An edging over the neckline is given followed by adding straps.
Both front and back piece is sewn together.
Finally Slip Stitch edging is given to the armholes, entire neckline and bottom of the top.
Refer to the video tutorial for neckline decrease – Neckline decrease
Refer to the video tutorial for crop top assembly – Stitching front and back panels

MEASUREMENTS

The measurements provided in the adjoining image are approximate as we all crochet differently, some tight and some loose and might lead to some differences in measurements. Hence, the chart is for reference purpose.

CROCHET GAUGE –

Size: (XS/S – M/L – XL – 2XL – 3XL – 4XL – 5XL)

Difficulty level – Advanced beginner

The pattern is written using US crochet stitch terminology. Here hook size 4 mm (G) is used. The tension is 20 double crochet x 11 rows = 10 cm/4” in width and 10 cm/4” height.

Please note that the hook size provided is for reference. Since we all crochet differently, some tight and some loose, hence, if you find you have more stitches on 10 cm = 4” swatch, change to a larger hook size. And if there are lesser stitches on 10 cm = 4” swatch, change to a smaller hook size.

MATERIALS –

Double knitting, Category- 3 Light Weight Yarn. Here, 50% cotton yarn is used

– Vardhman cotone yarn with yardage 250 metre/100g.

Shade (peach) – 200-200-250-300-300-350-400-450 g,

Hook- 4mm (G)
Scissors
Markers to mark important stitches
Yarn needle to weave in the ends
Measuring tape

SYMBOLS FOR READING THE PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS–

SL ST= Slip stitch
ST= Stitch
YO= Yarn over
CH= Chain stitch
SP= Space
SC= Single crochet in stitch
DC= Double crochet in stitch
REP **[]**= Repeat instructions between ** to **
DC in BLO = Video tutorial for DC in BLO . YO and insert hook under the back loop of the next stitch, YO and pull through a loop. There are 3 loops on hook. YO and pull yarn through first 2 loops. There are 2 loops on hook. YO and pull the yarn through both of loops.
DC2TOG BLO =**YO, insert hook in next stitch, YO and pull up loop, YO, draw through 2 loops**. Work **to** 2 times. You have 3 loops on hook, YO and draw through all loops on hook. One DC decreased. Refer video – Neckline decrease
DC3TOG BLO =**YO, insert hook in next stitch, YO and pull up loop, YO, draw through 2 loops**. Work **to** 3 times. You have 4 loops on hook, YO and draw through all loops on hook. Tow DC decreased. Refer video – Neckline decrease
Size color coding: (S – M – L – XL – 2XL – 3XL – 4XL– 5XL)

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR BACK PANEL

Row 1– CH (64 – 70 –78 – 86 – 98 – 108 – 120 – 128).

Method 1– Pull up a loop, extend it to about the height of a DC. Turn the hook twice, work a DC in the first CH ST. Continue working DC in each CH ST in the remaining (63 – 69 –77 – 85 – 97 – 107 – 119 – 127) CH stitches. Tutorial – How to start chainless DC

Method 2- Alternately, add another 2 CH ST to existing chain, DC in 4^th CH ST. Here, first 3 CH counts as first DC. Continue working DC in each CH ST in the remaining (62 – 68 –76 – 84 – 96 – 106 – 118 – 126) CH stitches. Total DC at the end of 1st row- (64 – 70 –78 – 86 – 98 – 108 – 120 – 128).

Row 2 to Row 8 – Turn.From this row onwards, work in BLO. Work DC in each ST BLO in all the stitches (64 – 70 –78 – 86 – 98 – 108 – 120 – 128). Total DC at the end of 1st row- (64 – 70 –78 – 86 – 98 – 108 – 120 – 128). Now the panel measures about 9cm or 3^1/2”.

DC Increase – Increase 2 DC in each Increase Row, by making 2 DC in 1 DC BLO at both ends of the piece.

**[ Row 9 (Increase Row)-Turn. 2 DC in the 1^st ST BLO, 1 DC in each ST BLO till the end of row except the last ST, 2 DC in the last ST BLO.

No Increase Rows- Turn. Work1 DC in each ST BLO till the end of the row for the next (4 – 4 –4 – 4 – 5 – 5 – 5 – 5) rows.]**

Repeat the pattern ** to ** (3 – 3 –3 – 3 – 4 – 4 – 4 – 4) times MORE.

P.S. – Make sure to place a marker on each increase row to assist with counting total increases.

Total DC at the end of all increases = (72 – 78 –86 – 94 – 108 – 118 – 130 – 138).

Now the panel measures about (28 – 28 –28 – 28 – 38 – 38 – 38 – 38) cm.

When all the increase and non-increase rows are done, add 2 more non-increase rows.

Two non-increase rows – Turn. Work1 DC in each ST BLO till the end of the row. Total DC at the end of ROW (30 – 30 –30 – 30 – 40 – 40 – 40 – 40) = (72 – 78 –86 – 94 – 108 – 118 – 130 – 138).

Edging over the back panel –

R1- Turn, Slip Stitch over first (8-8-8-10-12-12-15-15) stitches. HDC BLO in next, (56 – 62 –70 – 74 – 84 – 94 – 100 – 108) stitches, do not work in the remaining (8-8-8-10-12-12-15-15) stitches.

Total HDC at the end of row- (56 – 62 –70 – 74 – 84 – 94 – 100 – 108)

R2 – Turn, HDC in first 3 stitches, **CH 3, skip 3 ST, HDC in the next 3 ST**. Repeat instructions from ** to ** till last (2-2-4-2-0-4-4-0) stitches remain, 1 HDC in each of the remaining stitches.

R3 – Turn, 1 SC in each of the first (2-2-4-2-3-4-4-3) stitches, **3 SC in the CH 3 SP, 1 SC in each of the next 3 ST**. Repeat ** to ** till the end of the row. Cut the yarn. Weave in the ends.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR FRONT PANEL

Row 1– CH (64 – 70 –78 – 86 – 98 – 108 – 120 – 128).

Method 1– SC in first ST, SC in front loop of the SC just made; this will count as the first DC. Continue working DC in each CH ST in the remaining (63 – 69 –77 – 85 – 97 – 107 – 119 – 127) CH stitches.

Method 2- Alternately, add CH 2, DC in 4^th CH ST. Here, first 3 CH counts as first DC. Continue working DC in each CH ST in the remaining (62 – 68 –76 – 84 – 96 – 106 – 118 – 126) CH stitches.

Total DC at the end of 1st row- (64 – 70 –78 – 86 – 98 – 108 – 120 – 128).

Row 2 to Row 8 – From this row onwards, work in BLO. Work DC in each ST BLO in all the stitches (64 – 70 –78 – 86 – 98 – 108 – 120 – 128). Total DC at the end of 1st row- (64 – 70 –78 – 86 – 98 – 108 – 120 – 128). Now the panel measures about 9cm or 3^1/2”.
DC Increase – Increase 2 DC in each Increase Row, by making 2 DC in 1 DC BLO at both ends of the piece.

**[ Row 9 (Increase Row) – 2 DC in the 1^st ST BLO, 1 DC in each ST BLO till the end of the row except the last ST, 2 DC in the last ST BLO.

No Increase Rows- Work1 DC in each ST BLO till the end of the row for the next (4 – 4 –4 – 4 – 5 – 5 – 5 – 5) rows.]**

Repeat the pattern ** to ** (3 – 3 –3 – 3 – 4 – 4 – 4 – 4) times MORE.

P.S. – Make sure to place a marker on each increase row to assist with counting total increases.

Total DC at the end of all increases = (72 – 78 –86 – 94 – 108 – 118 – 130 – 138).

Now the panel measures about (28 – 28 –28 – 28 – 38 – 38 – 38 – 38) cm.

When all the increase and non-increase rows are done, add 2 more non-increase rows.

Two non-increase rows – Work1 DC in each ST BLO till the end of the row. Total DC at the end of ROW (30 – 30 –30 – 30 – 40 – 40 – 40 – 40) = (72 – 78 –86 – 94 – 108 – 118 – 130 – 138).

Turn, Slip Stitch over first (8-8-8-10-12-12-15-15) stitches. DC BLO in next, (56 – 62 –70 – 74 – 84 – 94 – 100 – 108) stitches, do not work in the remaining (8-8-8-10-12-12-15-15) stitches.

Total DC at the end of row- (56 – 62 –70 – 74 – 84 – 94 – 100 – 108)

Henceforth, work separately for Left side and Right side of the front panel, in order to achieve V-shape neckline.
Separate the front panel into two parts – Left front piece and right front piece, by placing a marker to separate (28 – 31 –35 – 37 – 42 – 47 – 50 – 54) stitches on the left side and same number of stitches on the right side.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEFT SIDE OF FRONT PANEL

Video tutorial for neckline decrease
**[Row 1 – Turn, DC BLO in first ST, DC2TOG BLO in next 2 ST, DC BLO in each ST till the end of row except last 4 stitches remain, DC3TOG BLO in next 3 ST, DC BLO in last ST. 3 DC decreased.
Row 2 – Turn, DC BLO in first ST, DC3TOG BLO in next 3 ST, DC BLO in each ST till the end of row except last 3 stitches remain, DC2TOG BLO in next 2 ST, DC BLO in last ST. 3 DC decreased.]**

Repeat Row 1 and Row 2 until only 5 stitches remain on the last row.

Last row – Turn, DC3TOG BLO in first 3 ST, DC2TOG BLO in last 2 ST. Total DC at end of row (2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2). Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR RIGHT SIDE OF FRONT PANEL

**[Row 1 – Turn, DC BLO in first ST, DC3TOG BLO in next 3 ST, DC BLO in each ST till the end of row except last 3 stitches remain, DC2TOG BLO in next 2 ST, DC BLO in last ST. 3 DC decreased.
Row 2 – Turn, DC BLO in first ST, DC2TOG BLO in next 2 ST, DC BLO in each ST till the end of row except last 4 stitches remain, DC3TOG BLO in next 3 ST, DC BLO in last ST. 3 DC decreased.]**

Repeat Row 1 and Row 2 until only 5 stitches remain on the last row.

Last row – Turn, DC2TOG BLO in first 2 ST, DC3TOG BLO in last 3 ST. Total DC at end of row (2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2). Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.

HOW TO ASSEMBLE THE PANELS

Refer to the video tutorial for assembly of the panels – Front and back panel assembly
Lay the panels side by side such that wrong side faces outward. With yarn needle, join both the panels with whip ST method– **Insert hook through side loop of corner ST on first panel and then through side loop of the corner ST on the second panel.** Continue in the pattern until entire side is stitched together. Repeat the same on the other side.
Make sure that the stripes on both panels match each other while stitching them together or else it will create uneven design from the joining line of both panels.

EDGING OVER NECKLINE (BEFORE ADDING STRAPS)

Join yarn on the left side of the front panel to begin edging on the neckline.
Row 1 – CH3, Work 3 HDC in the next slant DC, 3 HDC in each slant DC, till 1 stitch remains before the midfront. DC2TOG in the 2 stitches midfront. Continue working 3 HDC in each slant DC till end of the neckline.
Row 2 – Turn, CH 5, skip 3 ST, **1 HDC in each of next 3 ST, CH 3, skip 3 ST**. Repeat ** to ** till only one stitch remains. 1 HDC in the lasr stitch.
Row 3 – Turn, SC in the first ST, **1 SC in each of the 3 CH 1 SC in each of the 3 HDC stitches, stitches**. Repeat ** to ** till the end of the row. 1 SC in the last HDC. Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.

STRAPS

Wear the tube structure of the top and place markers at the front and back places where the straps should be. These are usually the stitches over the bra straps.

Start working for straps from the front panel and attach to the back panel.

Since I wanted broader straps, I worked over the 3 stitches on the last row worked on front panel and also over the adjacent stitches of neckline edging.

Left side piece – Attach yarn at CH 3, 1 DC in next 2 stitches, 2 DC over slant HDC, 1 DC over CH SP, 1 DC over slant SC. Total DC on row 1 of straps – 7.

**Turn, 1 DC in each of 7 stitches**. Repeat ** to ** until desired length of the straps is achieved. I worked a total of 8 rows for my measurements.

Attach the straps to the back panel with slip stitches OR stitch them to the back panel with yarn needle.

Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.

Right side piece – Attach yarn over slant SC, CH 3, 1 DC over CH SP, 2 DC over slant HDC, 1 DC in last 3 stitches. Total DC on row 1 of straps – 7.

**Turn, 1 DC in each of 7 stitches**. Repeat ** to ** until desired length of the straps is achieved. I worked a total of 8 rows for my measurements.

Attach the straps to the back panel with slip stitches OR stitch them to the back panel with yarn needle.

Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.

FINISHING EDGING ON ENTIRE NECKLINE

Work a finishing edging of slip stitch in each stitch over entire neckline on the front side and 3 slip stitch over each slant DC on the back side of the neckline. Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.

EDGING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TOP

Work a finishing edging of slip stitch in each stitch over entire bottom of the top.
Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.

Your top is now complete. Enjoy and have fun flaunting!

Disclosure

Thank you so much for supporting my small business. I am happy to help if you have any doubts with the pattern or you have any questions. Please reach out to me either by email (crochetmiadesigns@gmail.com). This pattern is copyright protected and cannot be changed, sold, or published/reproduced in any way. You cannot sell or change the pattern but are welcome to sell any of the items made from my patterns but PLEASE remember to reference my shop, MiaDesignsByKomal for which the pattern was used. Text and images Copyright © 2022 by MiaDesignsByKomal, all rights reserved. By purchasing this pattern, you agree to the terms above.