Lichen Chevron Crochet Vest Dress Free Pattern

Lichen Chevron Crochet Vest Dress Free Pattern

Introduction

The Lichen Chevron Vest Dress is a boxy, sleeveless layering piece made from two simple rectangular panels, so it is a wonderful first garment project for anyone comfortable with double crochet. Worked in soft DK merino, the vertical chevron wave pattern gives it gentle texture while the lichen and moss greens bring a quiet, dark academia mood. Worn over a collared shirt, it reads like a long men's vest: straight, easy, and a little scholarly. It feels light on the shoulders, drapes softly, and only gets better with wear.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK weight (Category 3) merino wool, approx. 1000–1200 yards total: 600 yards in Lichen (light grayish green) and 400 yards in Moss (dark green).
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6), or the size needed to match gauge.
• Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure.
• Finished size: To fit chest 38–40 inches; length 36 inches from shoulder to hem; width 20 inches across front and back.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops twice.
• dc3tog — double crochet 3 together: a decrease that turns three stitches into one (yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops; repeat in each of the next two stitches, then yarn over and pull through all four loops).
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.
• sc2tog — single crochet 2 together: a decrease that turns two stitches into one.
• st(s) — stitch(es).
• RS / WS — right side / wrong side (the outside and inside of the fabric).
• Rnd — round: a row worked in a continuous circle or around an opening.

Gauge

16 stitches and 8 rows in the chevron pattern = 4 inches (10 cm). Crochet a small swatch in pattern, measure it, and change hook size if your stitch count is off.

Tips Before You Start

• Count your stitches at the end of every row. The chevron repeat is easy to drift, and one missed stitch throws off the wave.
• Keep your tension relaxed on the dc3tog valleys so the fabric does not pucker.
• Mark the first and last stitch of each row with a stitch marker so the armhole and neck decreases land in the right place.
• Work both panels with the same hook and tension so the front and back match in width.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Front Panel (Lichen)

Ch 82.

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 2 ch, [dc3tog, dc in next 3 ch, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 3 ch] rep to last 6 ch, dc3tog, dc in last 3 ch (80 sts).

Row 2: Ch 3, turn, dc in next 2 sts, [dc3tog, dc in next 3 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts] rep to last 6 sts, dc3tog, dc in last 3 sts (80 sts).

Rows 3–50: Repeat Row 2 (80 sts).

Rows 51–60: Change to Moss and repeat Row 2 (80 sts). Fasten off.

Back Panel (Lichen)

Work exactly as the front panel for 60 rows, changing to Moss for the last 10 rows (Rows 51–60). Fasten off.

Armhole Shaping (Both Panels)

With RS facing, join Moss at the underarm edge.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc2tog over first 2 sts, sc in each st across to last 2 sts, sc2tog (78 sts).

Rows 2–4: Repeat Row 1 (72 sts). Fasten off.

V-Neck Shaping (Front Panel Only)

With RS facing, join Moss at the right neck edge.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc2tog over first 2 sts, sc in each st across to last 2 sts, sc2tog (70 sts).

Rows 2–6: Repeat Row 1 (60 sts). Fasten off.

Work the left neck edge the same way, mirroring the decreases so the two sides form a V.

Side Seams

With WS together, join Moss at the bottom edge.

Row 1: Sc evenly along the side edge, working through both panels to join.

Row 2: Sc in each sc across. Fasten off. Repeat for the other side.

Edging

With RS facing, join Moss at the neck edge.

Rnd 1: Sc evenly around the neckline and both armholes.

Rnd 2: Sc in each sc around. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

The side seams are worked directly through both panels, so no separate seaming is needed. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, then block the dress lightly: mist it, pin it to the finished measurements (20 inches wide, 36 inches long), and let it dry flat so the chevron waves relax and even out.

Pro Tips and Variations

• For a longer dress, add rows in pattern before the Moss hem band, keeping the 10-row Moss band at the bottom.
• Swap the Moss edging for a contrast color like charcoal or cream to change the whole look.
• Work the armhole and neck edging in a smaller hook size for a crisper, more tailored finish.