The Virgo Vest
Work with multiple colors, but just one at a time. #MyZodiacSweater
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Detailed PDF pattern
♍︎ Step-by-step instructions
♍︎ Tutorial photos and schematics to guide you along the way
Difficulty level
♍︎ Intermediate
Size-inclusive
♍︎ Pattern written for 9 sizes with instructions on customization
♍︎ Fits busts from 26″ to 62″
What you'll need
♍︎ The Frosted Stitch Deep Freeze DK or any DK weight yarn you can meet gauge with, in the amounts shown below.
♍︎ Your 4.0 mm (main gauge) and 5.00 mm (secondary gauge) hooks, or sizes needed to obtain gauge. I used my Clover Amour hooks.
♍︎ Tape measure, scissors, darning needle, 6 locking stitch markers.
Pattern support
♍︎ For pattern related questions, please join my Facebook support group or contact me at thecrochethighway [at] gmail.com.
Join my Facebook support Group
I proud myself with writing ultra-detailed patterns for you, so that your crocheting experience is as smooth and seamless as possible. But whenever you have a pattern related question, my Facebook support group is the place to ask. There you can also share your WIPs and brag about your FOs with the community!
The Virgo Vest
When I first laid eyes on Christa’s new Grunge colorway collection, I knew that her “Docs” and “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” are the perfect Virgo colors! I had my mind on this reversible stitch pattern ever since the Scorpio Raglan proved to be so popular – but I wanted to come up with a construction which wouldn’t require as much concentration as the Scorpio does with all those raglan increases. Enter: the Virgo Vest!
With its simple, yet clever construction, this vest pattern is made up of two main panels with square neck shaping, which are connected at the sides via what I call an “underarm panel”. This underarm panel features a simple, yet very pretty and particularly flexible stitch pattern with curved underarm shaping. This facilitates an easy crocheting process as there is no complicated shaping going on in the main panels (with the reversible stitch), yet you end up with a well-fitting and easily customizable garment as the pattern walks you through every step along the way! With my detailed written instructions and tutorial photos provided for key moments, this vest will be a breeze to work up!
The Virgo Vest is also the perfect crochet pattern for both the warm and cold season – wear it as a vest layered on top of a shirt in the winter, or wear it directly on your skin in the summertime! Check out the work of my testers in the lookbook below. Some of them are wearing it as a vest, others as a tank top, but one thing’s clear: they’re all beautiful both inside and out!
The pattern
Like most CrochetHighway patterns, the Virgo Vest comes with step-by-step instructions and tutorial photos, including on how to check for gauge. The instructions, tutorial photos, and schematics walk you through every step along the way with no guesswork left for you.
The pattern calls for DK weight yarn (category 3) in at least 1 main color (MC), and 1 contrast color (CC). My testers used a variety of yarns and color combinations to show off this design – check out the tester photo gallery below to find all the details on yarns and yardages from my testers!
Quick metrics from my testers:
Difficulty rating: 2.3 / 5
Average completion time: 44 hours
Designer sample
My sample uses The Frosted Stitch Deep Freeze DK in Docs as the main color and Bullet With Butterfly Wings as the contrast color.
The WPI of this yarn is 12. Learn how to measure the WPI of your yarn.
Tester highlights
Scroll down for the complete tester lookbook, where you can find photos, yarn & yardage info from all my testers, as well as certain modifications they made to their vests for the perfect, customized fit.
A word from my testers
I am SO IMPRESSED by the finishing techniques for the edgings! I was concerned about how boxy it was looking when I finished the front and back panel, but it looked so nice at the end. This was definitely one of the best pattern testing experiences I’ve had!
I totally love the idea of reversible garments. This is a genius design. I love mine so much. I am glad that I decided to make a size with positive ease. I love it so much. Thank you so much once again for letting me test your beautiful design.
I really love my vest! I am delighted with the fit and feel of it. Thank you Ana-Maria <3
It’s easy, straightforward and highly recommended for an interlocking crochet first timer. The whole 4 rows repeat is quick to remember and easy to follow. I just can’t stress enough of how much I love your whole Zodiac collection, Ana-Maria! Good job!!!
Materials and yardage
Hooks: 4.0 mm (main gauge) and 5.0 mm (secondary gauge) hook or sizes needed to obtain gauge. I used my Clover Amour hooks.
Notions: Tape measure, scissors, darning needle, 6 locking stitch markers.
Yarn: The Frosted Stitch Deep Freeze DK (WPI=12), in Docs as MC and Bullet With Butterfly Wings as CC.
Yardage
Main color (black semisolid):
(3, 3, 3) (4, 4, 5) (5, 6, 6) hanks of TFS Deep Freeze DK, or
(515, 600, 710) (825, 915, 1035) (1150, 1250, 1350) yds
(470, 550, 650) (755, 835, 945) (1050, 1145, 1235) m
Contrast color (green variegated):
(2, 2, 2) (3, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3) hanks of TFS Deep Freeze DK, or
(365, 435, 460) (520, 545, 590) (655, 680, 680) yds
(335, 400, 420) (475, 500, 540) (600, 620, 620) m
Sizing
All my garment patterns are #sizeinclusive up to at least a 60” bust circumference.
Bust/hip sizing:
Finished bust/hip circumference (inches): (28, 32, 36) (40, 44, 48) (52, 56, 60) inches
Finished bust/hip circumference (cm): (71, 81, 91) (102, 112, 122) (132, 142, 152) cm
This vest is designed to be worn with -2″ to +2″ (-5 to +5 cm) of ease around the bust.
TRIED & TESTED SUBSTITUTION YARNS
Looking for yarn substitution ideas? Here’s a list of yarns my testers used and loved! In this list you’ll find yarn substitution ideas sorted alphabetically – I only include yarns that my testers can personally recommend!
- Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 8 Ply
- Berroco Ultra Wool DK
- Drops Cotton Light
- Hayfield Spirit DK
- Hobbii Acacia
- Katia Alabama
- Lion Brand Truboo
- Louie & Lola Yarns BFL DK
- Malabrigo Arroyo
- Mondial Basic Cotton
- Nako Saten
- Nako Vals
- Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine Uni
- Schoppel Wolle Zauberball
- Sheepjes Colour Crafter
- Sirdar Stories
- The Yarn Collective Bloomsbury DK
- Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop
- Vardhaman Cool Knit
- Yarnkart 100% Cotton Yarn
Tester lookbook
My patterns would not be so smooth without the input of my team of talented testers. Swipe left & right for more photos of your favorite versions!
Want to test my future patterns? Check out how you can become a pattern tester for CrochetHighway!
Khushbu (crochetrainbowz on Ravelry)
Size 4
678 yds of Three Trees Fibrecrafts as MC and 451 yds of Three Trees Fibrecrafts as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 3.25 mm
Mods: I omitted the last 2 pattern repeats for the length to make my tank a bit shorter than specified in the pattern.
Size 2
335 yds of Ashley’s Crochet Cozy Knots 4 ply Cotton as MC and 661 yds of Crochetedbycarisse 12 ply Cotton as CC (sport weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm
Mods: I shortened the length of the body.
Size 4
686 yds of Sheepjes Colour Crafter as MC and 490 yds of Hayfield Spirit DK as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm; 5 mm
Mods: None.
Lucia (Crochetwithlu on Ravelry)
Size 2
480 yds of Louie & Lola Yarns BFL DK as MC and 261 yds of Cleckheaton Light And Airy as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm
Mods: I shortened the body panels by 10 cm / 20 rows.
Lydia (folded.moth on Instagram)
Size 5
500 yds of Schoppel Wolle Zauberball as MC and 504 yds of Willow & Lark Poetry as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm; 5 mm
Mods: I PM on 41st ST for the arm holes to make them larger.
Dani (danielizabeth on Ravelry)
Size 5
859 yds of The Frosted Stitch Deep Freeze DK as MC and 495 yds of The Frosted Stitch Deep Freeze DK as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm; 5 mm
Mods: None.
Swarna (Swarnads on Ravelry)
Size 2
540 yds of Nako Saten as MC and 328 yds of Nako Vals as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 3.5 mm; 4 mm
Mods: Only the body length. I made 17 repeats for the back and 16 for the front.
Size 3
666 yds of Katia Alabama as MC and 384 yds of Katia Alabama Flash as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm; 5 mm
Mods: None.
Chethana (passionpack on Ravelry)
Size 3
720 yds of Yarnkart 100% Cotton Yarn as MC and 410 yds of Yarnkart 100% Cotton Yarn as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm
Mods: None.
Size 6
900 yds of The Frosted Stitch Deep Freeze DK as MC and 500 yds of Berroco Ultra Wool Dk as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm; 3.25 mm
Mods: None.
Sunhee (made_by_sunnysunshine on Instagram)
Size 1
503 yds of Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 8 Ply as MC and 283 yds of Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 8 Ply as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm
Mods: None.
Size 4
750 yds of Sirdar Stories as MC and 460 yds of Sirdar Stories as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm; 4.5 mm; 5.5 mm
Mods: I used a smaller hook for the border which worked really well on the neck and bottom hem, but not sure it helped on the sides as the side panels aren’t quite perfectly neat, but overall I’m really really happy with the result.
I’ve never really considered negative ease before as I thought I’d end up with a tight, unflattering garment, but you’ve opened my eyes and I will definitely choose sizing accordingly in the future as I’m really happy with the fit.
Pippa (pippasmakes on Ravelry)
Size 3
7752 yds of The Yarn Collective Bloomsbury DK as MC and 258 yds of Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine Uni as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm
Mods: I shortened the length by 4 repeats (back panel 16 repeats not 20, front panel 15 repeats not 19)
Pippa (pippasmakes on Ravelry)
Size 3
362 yds of Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop as MC and 292 yds of Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm
Mods: I shortened the length by 4 repeats (back panel 16 repeats not 20, front panel 15 repeats not 19)
Roberta (lescreationsderobs on Instagram)
Size 2
425 yds of Mondial Basic Cotton as MC and 273 yds of Mondial Basic Cotton as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm
Mods: None.
Swathi (Tvishasfashion on Ravelry)
Size 4
683 yds of Vardhaman Cool Knit as MC and 455 yds of Vardhaman Cool Knit as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm; 5 mm
Mods: None.
Prachi (autodidactic.crocheter on Instagram)
Size 3
683 yds of Hobbii Acacia as MC and 318 yds of Hobbii Acacia as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4.5 mm
Mods: I shortened the body length to accommodate my short torso.
Rosxy (NoRuffleByZ on Ravelry)
Size 5
835 yds of Drops Cotton Light as MC and 474 yds of Yarnbynajwa as CC (DK weight)
Hook size(s) used: 4 mm
Mods: None.
Shannon (ShannonAgain on Ravelry)
Size 6
770 yds of Malabrigo Arroyo Dk/Sport in Aguas as MC and 435 yds of Malabrigo Arroyo Dk/Sport in Cactus Flower as CC (sport weight)
Hook size(s) used: 3.75 mm for main panels, 4.25 mm and 4.5 mm for underarm panels and edging.
Mods: Added a couple rounds of SC around the bottom edge of the vest.
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