Free preview · full pattern in the Mid-Century Crochet Fashion
The Edwardian Knot Stitch Vest: vintage crochet pattern
A long vest worked from the shoulders down in 5-dc shells separated by knot stitches, with shaped neck, armholes and curved lower front corners, finished with a chain-loop edging and a looped fringe all around. Originally published as "The Edwardian Vest" in In Fashions: for Him, for Her, in Knits, in Crochets (Star Book No. 230) by American.
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Reviewed · Editorial policy
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Reviewed September 14, 2026 under our editorial policy · pattern testing in progress
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Skill level | Advanced |
| Yarn weight | Medium (#4) |
| Yardage | 104–115 yd (95–105 m) |
| Hook | 5.5 mm |
| Gauge | I hook: 1 shell, 1 double knot st, 1 shell = 2¾ in (7 cm); J hook: 1 shell, 1 double knot st, 1 shell = 3 in (7.5 cm). |
| Finished size | Small to Medium (Medium to Large), made by changing hook size. Width across back at underarm 17 (18) in [43 (45.5) cm]; width across each front at underarm 8¼ (9) in [21 (23) cm]. |
| Time | about 9 hours |
Materials
- Medium (CYC #4) worsted-weight yarn — the original was a knitting worsted size yarn: 5 (6) skeins of 2 oz (57 g). Assumption: a 2 oz (57 g) skein of worsted-weight yarn holds about 100–115 yd (91–105 m) — check your label.
- Crochet hook (original: plastic crochet hook size I for Small to Medium, size J for Medium to Large)
- Hook: Start with 5.5 mm (US I-9) for Small to Medium or 6 mm (US J-10) for Medium to Large, and change size to match the gauge
Abbreviations (US terms)
Notes before you start
- Source: "The Edwardian Vest", In Fashions: for Him, for Her, in Knits, in Crochets (Star Book No. 230), American Thread Company. Public domain in the USA.
- As printed — materials: AMERICAN THREAD; DAWN “WINTUK” KNITTING WORSTED SIZE; 5 (6)—2 oz. skeins Gold; Plastic Crochet Hook Size I for small to medium size; Size J for medium to large size OR ANY SIZE HOOK WHICH WILL RESULT IN STITCH GAUGE BELOW. Gauge: Size I hook: 1 shell, 1 d knot st, 1 shell = 2¾ inches / Size J hook: 1 shell, 1 d knot st, 1 shell = 3 inches.
- Modernisation note: Original is written in US crochet terms; kept as US terms (sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet).
- Modernisation note: Spaced abbreviations (s c, d c, sl st, y o) written as sc, dc, sl st, yo; "trc" written as tr and "d trc" as dtr; "1st" written as "first"; "st of ch" written as "ch" where the stitch is a chain.
- Modernisation note: "Cut yarn" written as "fasten off"; "attach" (yarn) written as "join".
- Modernisation note: Long printed paragraphs split into one row, round or step per line; stitch order unchanged.
- Modernisation note: Vintage sizing and ease differ from today's — compare the printed finished measurements with your own before choosing a size.
- Modernisation note: "S knot st" and "d knot st" kept as printed (single and double knot stitch); the printed definition, given inside Row 1, is kept in place.
- Modernisation note: Row 1 label added; "Repeat 2nd and 3rd rows 5 times" labelled Rows 4–13, following the printed 14th ROW.
- Modernisation note: "Center st of loop" written as "center ch of loop".
- Modernisation note: Check: back Row 3 prints the chain repeat as "repeat from * twice" for both sizes, giving 7 (8) shells. The larger size has 8 more chains (ch 39), which suggests one more repeat for that size. Left as printed; count your shells.
- Modernisation note: The photograph shows a tie at the front neckline; no instructions for it are printed and none have been added.
- Modernisation note: Metric conversions added.
Right Front
- Note: Use same directions for both sizes; see hook sizes.
- Row 1: Starting at shoulder, ch 15, 5 dc in 5th ch from hook, work a s knot st (single knot st: draw up a ½ in / 1.3 cm loop on hook, yo and pull through loop, sc in single loop of st — this completes a s knot st; draw up a ½ in loop on hook, yo and pull through loop, sc in single loop of st — this completes a d knot st), sk next 3 ch, sl st in next ch, work a s knot st, sk next 3 ch, 5 dc (shell) in next ch, sk next ch, dc in next ch, ch 1, turn.
- Row 2: Sk first dc, sc in first dc of next shell, ch 5, sc in last dc of same shell, d knot st, sc in first dc of next shell, ch 5, sc in last dc of same shell, ch 3, turn.
- Row 3: Shell in center of ch-5 loop (note: all shells will be worked in center ch of loop and will not be referred to again), s knot st, sl st in center of next d knot st, s knot st, shell in next loop, dc in last sc, ch 1, turn.
- Rows 4–13: Rep Rows 2 and 3 five times, ending last row with ch 3, turn.
- Row 14 (shape neck and armhole): S knot st, sc in first dc of shell (inc at beg of row), ch 5, sc in last dc of same shell, d knot st, sc in first dc of next shell, ch 5, sc in last dc of same shell, s knot st, dc in 3rd ch of ch at end (inc at end of row), ch 3, turn.
- Row 15: S knot st, sl st in sc of next s knot st, s knot st, shell in next loop, s knot st, sl st in center of next d knot st, s knot st, shell in next loop, s knot st, sl st in sc of next s knot st, s knot st, dc in 3rd ch of ch at end of row, ch 1, turn.
- Row 16: Sc in first dc, *d knot st, sc in first dc of next shell, ch 5, sc in last dc of same shell; rep from * once, d knot st, sc in 3rd ch of end ch, ch 3, turn.
- Row 17: Shell in first sc, *s knot st, sl st in center of next d knot st, s knot st, shell in next loop; rep from * across row, ending last repeat with 6-dc shell in last sc, ch 3, turn.
- Row 18: S knot st (inc), sk first dc, sc in next dc, ch 5, sc in last dc of same shell, *d knot st, sc in first dc of next shell, ch 5, sc in last dc of same shell; rep from * across row, ch 3, turn.
- Row 19: Shell in next loop, s knot st, sl st in center ch of next d knot st, s knot st; rep from beg twice, shell in next loop, s knot st, sl st in sc of next s knot st, s knot st, dc in 3rd ch of end ch, ch 1, turn.
- Row 20: Sc in dc, *d knot st, sc in first dc of next shell, ch 5, sc in last dc of same shell; rep from * across row, turn.
- Row 21: Ch 3, *shell in next loop, s knot st, sl st in center of next d knot st, s knot st; rep from * across row, ending with shell in last sc, ch 1, turn.
- Row 22: Sc in first dc of shell, ch 5, sc in last dc of same shell, d knot st; rep from beg across row, ending sc in first dc of next shell, ch 5, sc in last dc of same shell, turn.
- Row 23: Ch 3, *shell in next loop, s knot st, sl st in center ch of next d knot st, s knot st; rep from * across row, ending with shell in last loop, dc in last sc, ch 1, turn.
- Rep Rows 22 and 23 until there are 24 shell rows from beg or length desired, ending with Row 22 of pattern.
- Next row (start lower edge shaping): Work in pattern across row until 4 shells have been completed, then s knot st, sl st in next d knot st, s knot st, dc in center ch of next loop, ch 1, turn.
- Next row: Sc in dc, d knot st, sc in first dc of next shell, continue in pattern across row.
- Rep the last 2 rows, having 3 shells only in next row. Fasten off.
Continue this pattern
The rest of the The Edwardian Knot Stitch Vest pattern is in the Mid-Century Crochet Fashion
Still to come in the full pattern:
- Left Front
- Back
- Finishing
Included with 12 patterns for $15 — $1.25 per pattern.
Errata
No corrections have been published for this pattern. Found a mistake? Tell us and we will log the fix here with a date.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the The Edwardian Vest pattern from?
It was published as "The Edwardian Vest" in In Fashions: for Him, for Her, in Knits, in Crochets (Star Book No. 230) by American Thread Company. The publication is in the public domain in the United States; this version is transcribed and modernised by crochetpatterns.io.
What yarn or thread do I need for the The Edwardian Vest?
medium (worsted) (#4) yarn. Not printed — 5 (6) skeins of 2 oz (57 g). Assumption: a 2 oz (57 g) skein of worsted-weight yarn holds about 100–115 yd (91–105 m) — check your label.
What hook should I use?
Start with 5.5 mm (US I-9) for Small to Medium or 6 mm (US J-10) for Medium to Large, and change size to match the gauge Gauge: I hook: 1 shell, 1 double knot st, 1 shell = 2¾ in (7 cm); J hook: 1 shell, 1 double knot st, 1 shell = 3 in (7.5 cm).
