Graduate Vest

$12.00

The Graduate Vest is a modern play on the classic collegiate cable sweater vest. Designed with a loose drop-shoulder and thoughtful underarm shaping for a perfect fit, this versatile layering piece is one you’ll love wearing all year round. The pattern is written for 10 sizes and features options for both fitted or oversized looks, as well as cropped or long lengths. Its unique vertical-row construction keeps the project engaging from start to finish, while included progress tables make tracking your rows a breeze.

Crocheted in a lightweight yet completely opaque fabric, the vest features a classy V-neck, a polished button band, and—everyone’s favorite feature—functional pockets! Eye-catching cable details run in line with the pockets and down the center of the back, cleverly constructed using short rows and eyelets. Whether you choose a breezy yarn for warmer weather or a cozy blend for the winter, the Graduate Vest is the ultimate wardrobe staple.

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Pattern Information

Pattern
Information

Yarn: Sport or DK Weight

Languages: en, ES

Level: Intermediate

Sizes & Fit

This pattern comes in 10 different color coded sizes in the order shown here: 1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10).
Designed to be worn with 8 - 14 cm / 3 - 5 ½ in of ease around bust.

Sizes	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Bust (cm)	75.5	84.5	93.5	106.5	115.5	124.5	138	146.5	155.5	164.5
Bust (in)	29¾	33¼	36¾	42	45½	49	54¼	57¾	61¼	64¾
These are the finished garment measurements

Material Requirements

YARN

Light DK weight yarn (size 3) or Sport weight yarn (size 2).

For a cropped vest:

805 (865, 980, 1150) (1245, 1380, 1510) (1600, 1735, 1825) m
880 (945, 1075, 1255) (1360, 1510, 1655) (1750, 1900, 1995) yds

For a full length vest:

1155 (1255, 1410, 1605) (1775, 1915, 2145) (2275, 2400, 2525) m
1260 (1370, 1545, 1755) (1940, 2095, 2345) (2485, 2625, 2765) yds

For every 5 cm / 2 in of extra length 63 (71, 78, 89) (97, 104, 115) (123, 130, 138) m / 70 (77, 86, 98) (106, 114, 126) (134, 142, 150) yds.

Amounts include 5% extra for swatching and margin of error.

Hooks

• 4.5 mm hook or size needed to meet gauge

Notions

• Tapestry needle • 2 strands of scrap yarn to be used as Stitch Markers • Scissors • 4 or more locking stitch markers • 5 to 8 buttons of ~20 mm / ¾ in in diameter • scissors •

Yarn used in the sample:

Drops, Puna (100% Alpaca, light DK weight, 50g, 110 m/120 yds), in the colorway Brown (03). 15 balls total were used for the size 7 – full length sample (1600 m total).

Hobbii, Rainbow Bamboo (60% Bamboo Viscose, 40% Cotton, sport weight, 100g, 250m), in the colorway Dusty Pine (38). 5 balls total were used for the size 5 – cropped sample (1100 m total).

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Alternative Yarns

Here are some recommended options based on weight and composition. Cotton blends labeled as Sport will work better than those with a DK label. Keep in mind that thicker, more structured yarns will also create a stiffer fabric than lighter weight yarns when matching the gauge.

Hobbii, Highland Wool (100% Peruvian Highland Wool)
Hobbii, Merino Care (100% Merino Wool)
Knit Picks, Galileo (50% Merino Wool, 50% Viscose from Bamboo)
Knit Picks, Comfy Sport (75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic)
Lion Brand, LB Collection® Superwash Merino Yarn (100% Extra Fine Wool)
KnitPicks, Gloss DK ( 70% Merino Wool, 30% Silk)

Main gauge

18 sts x 9 row pairs = 10 cm / 4in

In patt worked flat with a 4.5 mm hook after blocking
• Be sure to block and check gauge before starting by making a big enough gauge swatch (at least 15 x 15 cm / 6 x 6 in).
• Certain materials might sag, and fabric may extend too much with drape, so adjust hook size appropriately.

Swatch Instructions

Ch28 or more.

Row 1 (RS): Starting in second ch from hook and working in the back bump of each ch, hdc to end of row, turn.

Row 2 (WS): Ch1, slstBLO to end of row, turn.

Row 3: Ch1, hdcBLO to end of row, turn.

Row 4: As Row 2.

Two Row pairs have been completed. Rows 3 and 4 are one full row pair and establish patt. Work in patt until the swatch is big enough to measure gauge.

Lookbook

Check out the Lookbook for more pattern info

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Errata

Find the errors that have been corrected in this pattern since its release.

05/11/2026: Amount of yarn used in Drops, Puna sample was corrected to 15 balls.

Graduate Vest

by Maddie Brousseau

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Graduate Vest

Pattern Information