Cozy Cowl Vest Thank you for trying my pattern. by: Lisa Benden This is the full in-depth version, with all the pictures and notes. All the pattern directions are on the last two pages, so if you print duplex the entire thing fits neatly onto sheets of paper, but you really only need to keep track of the last one. If you have made this pattern before, or don’t want to print all the pictures, down-load the concise version, which has all the extra stuff removed. If you have any questions, or comments, or find things that need correcting, please feel free to send me a message on Ravelry. My profile name is “Lisalikescrafts” This rustic, chunky, half vest, half cowl, is a more fitted, crochet version of the eye catching vest worn by Kattniss, in Catching Fire. The result is fun to wear, and would make a great gift for any Hunger Games fan (yourself included). This is an easy pattern, perfect for the advanced beginner who is looking to move on from rectangles, and tubes. Or, for an intermediate, or advanced, crocheter looking for a unique “instant gratification” kind of project
Yarn: 280-318 yards of (3 balls) Lion brand “Thick & Quick” Or, any super bulky yarn you like. Or, 3 strands of worsted held together.
Hook: 10.0 mm (N) Needles: (Only for the herringbone triangle mod) 15mm (US 19)
Gauge: 8 sts and 5 rows = 4 inches in hdc tbl Gauge is not hugely important for this project, but if this is to fit a larger person, make sure you are not crocheting too tightly.
Abbreviation slst ch sc hdc dc
Stitch Name, and Description. Slip stitch Chain stitch Single crochet Half double crochet Double crochet
St / sts tbl tog dec
Stitch or stitches Through back loop Together Decrease (1 st) by working 2 sts together Instead of a normal hdc2tog, I work the second half of the stitch as though a sc.
D-dec
The processes looks like this: Yarn over insert hook into next st and pull up a loop (3 loops on your hook), insert hook into the next st and draw up a loop (4 loops on your hook), complete the st by drawing the yarn trough all 4 loops on your hook. Double decrease. Decrease (2 st) by working 3 sts together In hdc, I like to work this st as a dec, but draw the 4th loop up in the st after the next st. (So you skip a st in the middle.)
Note about joins and tails: I like to work over any tails I can (for about 5 sts), so I don’t need to weave them in later. This includes joins and yarn tails on the edges during construction. If you come across splices or knots in the balls of yarn cut them out and join the yarn like normal. To join a new yarn, for the next ball or for changing color, crochet to where you want the next yarn but do not quite complete the stitch, use the new yarn for the last loop you would draw through the st before moving on to the next st. For half double crochet this is what the process looks like – Yarn over, insert your hook into the st, and pull up a loop, (3 loops on your hook) drop the old yarn and use the new yarn to complete the st by drawing it through all 3 loops on your hook.
Note about Finishing: Weave in any remaining ends and block. Although blocking isn’t strictly necessary it will make the sts look tidier, and help the garment have the intended shape. P.S I just threw mine in the washer and hung it up to dry, giving the fabric a tug in the right direction, to make it a nice shape.
If the st looks loose, pull a little on the tails to tighten it up then continue as normal Herringbone, triangle mod: Instead of working the short row triangle, break yarn. With size 19 (15mm) needles: Co 12 sts using the backward loop method. Row 1: (K3tog tbl, and slip only 2 sts off the left needle) 3 times, (k2tog tbl, and slip only 1 st off the left needle) repeat until there is only 1 st remaining, kfb. (2 sts decreased) Row 2: P2tog, and slip only 1 st off the left needle, repeat until there is only 1 st remaining, purl. (No decreases) Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 6 sts after row 2. (K3tog tbl, and slip only 2 sts off the left needle) 2 times, k2tog tbl, and slip only 1 st off the left needle, knit the last stitch. (4 sts) Purl all 4 sts tog break yarn and draw the tail through the last loop to secure. Sc the long edge of triangle to the vest piece, with the pointiest corner touching the top of the sloping edge and the other corner between the 21 and 23 sts. Slst in the next st, break yarn and continue the pattern as normal.
Arrows indicate the beginning and end of the yarn.
Vest Piece New vest piece Note: Move all markers up to the new row as you come to them. These marked sts are not in any of the decreases. Work rows 1-9 through back loops. Ch 80 (You will be working in too this chain again, so don’t make it too tight.) Row 1: Hdc into 3rd ch from hook, and each st across. (78 sts) Place st markers in the 41st and 55th sts form your hook (there should be 13 st between the marked sts and 23 sts from the second marked st to the end), ch 2, turn. Row 2: Dec, hdc up to 3 st before the next marked st, Ddec, hdc, D-dec, hdc up to and in to the next marked st, dec, hdc to end, ch 2 turn. (72, 62, 52, and 42 sts) Row 3: Hdc up to 2 sts before the next marked st, dec, hdc up to 2 st before the next marked st, dec, hdc, dec, hdc up to the last 2 sts dec, ch 2 turn. (68, 58, 48, and 38 sts) Repeat rows 2 and 3 three more times, for a total of 9 rows. Do not break yarn (unless using the herringbone mod). Note: Your working yarn should be at the top of the sloping edge. You will now be working a short row triangle off of the main vest piece. Row 10: Dec tbl, hdc 1 tbl, sc 2 tbl, slst 3 tbl, ch 1 turn. (7 sts) Row 11: Sc 3, hdc up to the last 2 sts, dec, ch 2 turn. (6 sts) Row 12: Dec, hdc 4, sc 2 tbl, slst 3 tbl, ch 1 turn. (10 sts) Row 13: Same as row 11. (9 sts) Row 14: Dec, hdc 7, sc 2 tbl, slst 3 tbl, ch 1 turn. (13 sts)
Cowl Piece You may now break the yarn ; ) Cowl Note: If you want your cowl to be extra warm, work 7 rnds before starting the increases, and wear it folded over, you should have just enough yarn; if you get an extra ball you will only use a very small amount of it, if any. You will be joining your rounds but turning and working back and forth throughout this piece. Remember count your sts; it is easy to lose or gain sts at the join when doing this. Work all rows through back loops. Ch 50, join with a slst to the first ch, being sure it isn’t twisted. Work all rows through back loops. Rnd 1–4: Ch 2, dc in each st around, join with a slst to the top of the first dc, ch 2 turn. (50 sts) Rnd 5: (Hdc in the next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st) 10 times, join with a slst to the top of the first hdc, ch 2 turn. (60 sts) Rnd 6: (Hdc in the next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st) 10 times, join with a slst to the top of the first hdc, ch 2 turn. (70 sts) Rnd 7: (Hdc in the next 6 sts, 2 hdc in next st) 10 times, join with a slst to the top of the first hdc, ch 2 turn. (80 sts) Rnd 8: (Hdc in the next 7 sts, 2 hdc in next st) 10 times, join with a slst to the top of the first hdc. Ch 1 turn. (90 sts) Do not break yarn.
Assembly Note: If you want the armhole to be on the left like in the movie, work the sloping edge first instead. And hold the cowl in back. I think the way I have it written is easier, but the armhole is on the right. Hold the cowl in front to work clockwise around it. With the working yarn slst the square end of the vest piece to the cowl. the other side should be pointing to the left.
Borders Right now the vest is inside out, we want to work the borders right side out so, flip the cowl through it self so that the seam is on the inside. The arm hole should be on the right. At this point, stop working and try the piece on, if there are any errors in construction/fit correct them before moving on. Note: If you start to run out of yarn early, don’t sweat it. You can do the armhole border with the other end of your yarn, then just crochet as far as you can and work a slst in the last st, like round 4. Outside vest border: Ch 1 Rounds 1-3: Sc down the vest piece, to the bottom corner, 3 sc in the next st, sc to the beginning of the round. Round 4: Sc around (no increases), slst in the last st, break yarn.
Sc in the next 20 sts of the cowl.
Picture is halfway through round 1.
Stitch the sloping edge of the vest piece to the cowl from corner to corner. It will not reach all the way around.
Armhole border: Join yarn anywhere in the armhole by pulling up a loop, ch 1. Rounds 1 -2: (Sc up to the next inside corner, sc2tog) when you have done 2 full rounds, slst in the next st and break yarn, and weave in ends. You’re done!