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Make Them Lacy Crocheted Vest and Tam: vintage crochet pattern
A long lace vest worked from the neck down in fan-shaped double crochet groups between dc and treble shells, with a matching tam made from the same stitch pattern gathered at the crown and finished with a crocheted bow. Originally published as "Make Them Lacy — Crocheted Vest & Tam" in In Fashions: for Him, for Her, in.
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 | 207–230 yd (189–210 m) |
| Hook | 5 mm |
| Gauge | H hook: 5 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm); I hook: 4 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm). |
| Finished size | Small to Medium (Medium to Large), made by changing hook size. Width across back at underarm 17 (19) in [43 (48.5) cm]; width across each front at underarm 8½ (9½) in [21.5 (24) cm]. Tam size not printed. |
| Time | about 14 hours |
Materials
- Medium (CYC #4) worsted-weight yarn — the original was knitting worsted or Sayelle: 3 (4) skeins of 4 oz (113 g) for vest and tam. Assumption: a 4 oz (113 g) skein of worsted-weight yarn holds about 200–230 yd (183–210 m) — check your label.
- Crochet hook (original: plastic crochet hook size H for Small to Medium, size I for Medium to Large)
- Blunt tapestry needle, stitch marker
- Hook: Start with 5 mm (US H-8) for Small to Medium or 5.5 mm (US I-9) for Medium to Large, and change size to match the gauge
Abbreviations (US terms)
Notes before you start
- Source: "Make Them Lacy — Crocheted Vest & Tam", 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 “SAYELLE”® or “DAWN” KNITTING WORSTED; 3 (4)—4 oz. skeins Tomato or Flame; Plastic Crochet Hook Size H for Small to Medium size; Size I for Medium to Large size OR ANY SIZE HOOK WHICH WILL RESULT IN STITCH GAUGE BELOW.. Gauge: Size H hook; 5 ch sts = 1 inch; Size I hook; 4 ch sts = 1 inch.
- 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: Left front "NEXT 4 ROWS" labelled Rows 6–9, following the printed 10th ROW.
- Modernisation note: Left front Row 13: "skip ch 6" written as "sk 6 ch".
- Modernisation note: Check: the tam is worked "same as back for 8 rows" on a chain of 88 instead of the back's 56; the back's repeats are written for a 56-chain start, so carry the repeats across the longer foundation. Left as printed.
- Modernisation note: Metric conversions added.
Vest — Back
- Note: Use the same directions for both sizes; see hook sizes.
- Row 1: Starting at neck edge, ch 56, dc in 8th ch from hook, *ch 7, sk next 7 ch, (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc) (dc shell) in next ch; rep from * 5 times. Ch 1 to turn all rows.
- Row 2: Sl st in first shell, ch 6, dc in same space, *ch 5, 5 dc in next shell, ch 5, dc shell in next shell; rep from * twice.
- Row 3: Sl st in first shell, ch 6, dc in same space, *ch 3, 2 dc in each of the first 2 dc of next dc group, 3 dc in next dc, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 3, dc shell in next shell; rep from * twice.
- Row 4: Sl st in first shell, ch 6, dc in same space, *ch 1, sk first dc of next dc group, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 1, dc shell in next shell; rep from * twice.
- Row 5: Sl st in first shell, ch 7, tr in same space, *ch 7, dc shell in center dc of next dc group, ch 7, (1 tr, ch 3, 1 tr) (tr shell) in next shell; rep from * twice.
- Rep Rows 2–5 twice.
- Next 3 rows: Rep Rows 2, 3 and 4, ch 14 at end of last row, drop yarn, do not turn. Join a separate length of yarn to 3rd ch of ch at beg, ch 8, fasten off. Pick up dropped yarn, turn.
- Next row: Dc in 7th ch from hook, ch 7, tr shell in next shell, then work from * of Row 5, ending with ch 7, dc shell in last ch of free ch, ch 1, turn.
- Next row: Sl st in shell, ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in same space, *ch 5, dc shell in next shell, ch 5, 5 dc in next shell; rep from *, ending ch 5, dc shell in next shell, ch 5, 3 dc in last loop, turn.
- Next row: Ch 3, dc in same space, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 3, dc shell in next shell, then work from * of Row 3, ending with ch 3, 2 dc in each of the last 3 sts, turn.
- Next row: Ch 3, dc in same space, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 1, dc shell in next shell, then work from * of Row 4, ending with ch 1, sk next dc, 2 dc in next st, dc in next dc, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, 2 dc in turning ch, ch 7, turn.
- Next row: Dc in same space, ch 7, tr shell in next shell, then rep from * of Row 5, ending with ch 7, dc shell in last st at end of row, turn.
- Rep last 4 rows 5 times. Fasten off.
Continue this pattern
The rest of the Make Them Lacy Crocheted Vest and Tam pattern is in the Mid-Century Crochet Fashion
Still to come in the full pattern:
- Vest — Left Front
- Vest — Right Front
- Vest — Finishing
- Tam
- 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 Make Them Lacy — Crocheted Vest & Tam pattern from?
It was published as "Make Them Lacy — Crocheted Vest & Tam" 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 Make Them Lacy — Crocheted Vest & Tam?
medium (worsted) (#4) yarn. Not printed — 3 (4) skeins of 4 oz (113 g). Assumption: a 4 oz (113 g) skein of worsted-weight yarn holds about 200–230 yd (183–210 m) — check your label.
What hook should I use?
Start with 5 mm (US H-8) for Small to Medium or 5.5 mm (US I-9) for Medium to Large, and change size to match the gauge Gauge: H hook: 5 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm); I hook: 4 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm).
