70s Crochet Granny Square Vest: Full Tutorial
There is something endlessly charming about a garment that manages to feel both nostalgic and completely current at the same time. The granny square vest is exactly that kind of piece. Rooted in the craft culture of the 1970s, when women across the country were crocheting everything from bags to bedspreads, this vest has made a full comeback and shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you spotted it on your favorite fashion influencer, stumbled across it on a vintage clothing rack, or found a crumpled pattern in your grandmother’s sewing basket, you are now here, ready to make your own. This tutorial will walk you through every single step, from gathering your materials to weaving in your last end, so that you can create a beautiful handmade vest you will actually wear.
Why the Granny Square Vest Is Having a Moment Again
Before we dive into the how-to, it is worth understanding why this particular project has captured so many crafters’ hearts right now. The 1970s aesthetic has been circling back into mainstream fashion for a few years, and with it came a renewed appreciation for handmade, slow-fashion garments. The granny square vest sits at the intersection of all these trends. It is vintage in spirit, sustainable in practice, and deeply personal because you make it yourself.
Beyond the cultural moment, the granny square vest is genuinely one of the most accessible wearable crochet projects you can attempt. Granny squares are worked in the round, meaning you never have to worry about turning rows or maintaining an edge count in the traditional sense. Each square is a self-contained unit, which makes them perfect for beginners who want to work up their skills and for experienced crocheters who want a meditative, portable project. You crochet the squares separately, join them together, and suddenly you have a garment. The construction logic is almost satisfyingly simple.
Materials You Will Need
Getting your materials together before you start will save you a lot of frustration. Here is what you need for a classic, fully lined or open-sided 1970s-inspired granny square vest.
Yarn: For the most authentic 70s look, choose a worsted weight yarn in earthy tones. Think burnt orange, mustard yellow, olive green, warm brown, cream, and rust. You can work each round of your granny squares in a different color for that classic rainbow-patchwork look, or stick to two or three colors for a more cohesive palette. You will need approximately 400 to 600 yards total depending on your size, though having extra on hand is always smart.
Hook: A 5.0mm (H/8) crochet hook is ideal for most worsted weight yarns. If your squares are coming out stiff or tight, go up half a size. If they feel floppy and loose, come down. Your gauge will determine the final size of each square, so a consistent hook and tension are important.
Scissors and a tapestry needle: You will be weaving in a lot of ends with this project since every color change in every square produces a tail. A sharp tapestry needle makes this less tedious.
Stitch markers: Optional but useful for keeping track of corners and join points.
Measuring tape: Essential for checking your square size and vest dimensions.
Buttons (optional): If you want a classic front-opening vest, you can add two or three large statement buttons. Wooden toggles or vintage buttons are especially on-theme.
Understanding Gauge and Sizing
This is the part many people skip and then regret. Your gauge, meaning how large each granny square turns out with your specific yarn and hook combination, directly determines the size of your finished vest. Before you make thirty squares, make one and measure it.
A standard worster-weight granny square worked in the pattern below should measure approximately 4 inches by 4 inches after blocking. If your square is larger, your vest will be larger. If it is smaller, everything will scale down accordingly. This tutorial is written for a medium adult size using 4-inch squares arranged in a classic vest layout. Adjust the number of squares per panel to increase or decrease the size.
For a general guide: a small to medium vest uses approximately 20 to 24 squares total, while a large to extra-large vest may need 28 to 36 squares. The layout described below uses 24 squares, which is a good starting point for most adult sizes.
The Classic Granny Square Pattern
This is the foundation of everything. Once you know how to make one granny square, you know how to make the whole vest.
Abbreviations used:
ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, dc = double crochet, sp = space, rep = repeat
Round 1: With your first color, make a magic ring (or chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring). Chain 3, work 2 double crochet into the ring, chain 2. Work 3 double crochet into the ring, chain 2. Repeat this two more times so you have four clusters of 3 double crochets separated by chain-2 spaces. Join with a slip stitch to the top of your beginning chain-3. Fasten off. You now have a small square center with four corner spaces.
Round 2: Join your second color in any corner chain-2 space. Chain 3, work 2 double crochet in the same space, chain 2, work 3 double crochet in the same space. This creates your first corner. Chain 1. In the next corner space, work 3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet. Chain 1. Repeat around all four corners. Join with a slip stitch to the top of your beginning chain-3. Fasten off.
Round 3: Join your third color in any corner space. Chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet in the corner space. Chain 1. Work 3 double crochet in the chain-1 side space. Chain 1. Work the corner again in the next corner space: 3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet. Repeat around, placing a 3-double-crochet cluster in every chain-1 side space and a corner cluster with chain-2 at every corner. Join and fasten off.
Round 4: This is your final round and determines the finished size. Join your border color (often a neutral like cream, black, or brown for a classic look). Work the same way as round 3, adding one more cluster of 3 double crochets on each side as you go around. Join and fasten off.
After four rounds you should have a square with three clusters along each side and a corner cluster at each corner. Weave in all ends and block the square by wetting it, pinning it to the correct dimensions on a foam board, and allowing it to dry completely. Blocking makes an enormous difference in how neat and even your squares look.
Making All Your Squares
Now comes the meditative part. You are going to make the same square over and over again, and it is genuinely lovely once you get into the rhythm. For 24 squares, set yourself small daily goals. Four squares a day means you finish in six days. Many crocheters find that making squares while watching television or listening to podcasts is one of the most enjoyable parts of the process.
If you are making multicolored squares for a true 70s patchwork effect, try to vary your color combinations so no two adjacent squares look exactly the same. Lay them out on a flat surface occasionally to check the arrangement and make sure the colors are distributed evenly across the vest.
Laying Out Your Vest Design
Once all your squares are made and blocked, it is time to arrange them into the vest shape. A simple and classic arrangement works as follows.
For the back panel, arrange your squares in a rectangle. For a medium size, this is typically 4 squares wide and 3 squares tall, giving you a panel of 12 squares.
For the front panels, you will make two mirror-image pieces, each 2 squares wide and 3 squares tall. This gives you 6 squares per front panel and 12 squares total for both fronts.
Lay everything out flat on the floor or a large table to visualize how the vest will look before you join anything. Adjust colors and positions until you are happy with the arrangement, then take a photo so you can reference it while joining.
Joining the Squares
There are several methods for joining granny squares, and each creates a slightly different effect.
The flat slip stitch join creates an invisible seam and is great for a clean, minimal look. Hold two squares with right sides together and slip stitch through both sets of loops along one edge using a hook and yarn. This join sits on the inside of the garment.
The flat single crochet join is similar but slightly more visible from the right side. It creates a subtle ridge that can look intentional and charming, especially if worked in a contrasting color.
The join-as-you-go method involves joining each new square to the existing work during its final round, eliminating seaming entirely. This is an excellent technique for efficiency but requires some planning and experience.
For beginners, the flat slip stitch join worked on the wrong side is the most foolproof. Work across the bottom edge of each row of squares, joining horizontal neighbors first. Then join the rows to each other. Work systematically, following your reference photo.
Once all the squares are joined into the back panel and two front panels, join the front panels to the back at the shoulders. For a medium vest, the shoulder seam typically spans 2 squares on each side, leaving the center top of the back open for the neck. Join along the shoulder edges using whichever join method you used for the rest of the garment.
Finally, join the side seams, leaving enough space under the arm for a comfortable fit. Most 70s-style vests leave the sides partially or fully open at the bottom, so measure about 6 to 8 inches up from the bottom of the vest and join only from that point to the underarm. This creates that relaxed, open silhouette that is so characteristic of the era.
Adding the Border
A good border pulls everything together and gives the vest a finished, intentional look. A simple single crochet border worked in a solid neutral color works beautifully and is true to the 70s aesthetic.
Starting at the center front bottom of one front panel, join your border yarn and work single crochet evenly all the way around the entire outer edge of the vest. This means up one front opening, around the back neck, down the other front opening, and along the bottom edge. Work 3 single crochets into each outer corner to keep the work lying flat, and work a decrease at each inner corner (such as where the neck meets the front opening).
Work two or three rounds of single crochet for a neat, substantial border. You can also add a round of reverse single crochet (also called crab stitch) as the final round for a lovely corded finish.
For the armhole openings, join yarn at the underarm seam and work the same single crochet border around each armhole opening. Keep the tension firm but not so tight that it puckers the fabric.
Optional Embellishments
This is where you can really make the vest your own. The 1970s crochet aesthetic was never minimal. Consider adding fringe along the bottom hem by cutting lengths of yarn, folding them in half, and pulling them through the bottom edge with a crochet hook. Trim the fringe to an even length, or leave it intentionally uneven for a boho look.
You can also add a crochet flower or two along the neckline or front panels. Small crochet flowers worked in a bright accent color are completely on-theme and add a lovely handmade touch. Large wooden or shell buttons along one front panel, with corresponding chain-stitch loops on the other, create a functional and beautiful front closure.
Some makers also add a belt or sash, worked in a long double-crochet rectangle and threaded through the side openings, which gives the vest a more defined silhouette.
Blocking the Finished Vest
You already blocked your individual squares, but once the vest is fully assembled, it benefits from one final blocking session. Wet the entire garment with cool water, gently squeeze out the excess without wringing, then lay it flat on a clean dry towel and reshape it to the correct dimensions. Allow it to air dry completely, which may take overnight. This final blocking evens out any inconsistencies that appeared during joining and gives the finished garment a professional, polished look.
Caring for Your Granny Square Vest
Handmade crochet garments deserve gentle care. If you used an acrylic yarn, your vest is likely machine washable on a gentle cycle and can be laid flat to dry. If you used a natural fiber like wool or cotton, hand washing in cool water with a gentle soap is the safest choice. Always lay crochet garments flat to dry rather than hanging them, since the weight of a wet garment can stretch the fabric out of shape.
Store your vest folded rather than hung for the same reason.
Styling Your 70s Crochet Vest
Once your vest is finished and dried, the real fun begins. The 70s granny square vest is one of the most versatile layering pieces you can own. Wear it over a flowy patterned blouse with wide-leg trousers and platform sandals for a fully committed retro look. Layer it over a simple white t-shirt and high-waisted jeans for something more casual and contemporary. Wear it over a turtleneck in autumn for a cozy and stylish transitional-season outfit. It works equally well as a beach coverup over a swimsuit, a festival outfit layer, or even a relaxed work-from-home top depending on how you style the pieces underneath.
Because you made it yourself, it is also a completely unique garment that no one else in the world owns in exactly this combination of colors, squares, and size. That is one of the most meaningful aspects of making your own clothes. There is a quiet pride in wearing something you built stitch by stitch.
A Few Tips for Success
Keep your tension as consistent as possible from square to square. If your tension drifts as you tire, your squares will vary in size and the vest will be harder to assemble neatly. Taking breaks helps.
Weave in your ends as you go rather than saving them all for the end. With 24 multicolored squares, you could have upward of 100 ends to weave in if you leave them all. Doing it square by square keeps the task manageable.
Use a split stitch marker or a piece of contrast yarn to mark the corner chain-2 spaces of each round. It sounds unnecessary until you lose your place mid-round and have to frog several stitches.
Take your time with blocking. It genuinely transforms the look of the finished squares from “handmade” to “handcrafted,” which is a meaningful distinction.
And most importantly, enjoy the process. There is a reason crafters in the 1970s filled their homes and wardrobes with crochet. The repetitive rhythm of the hook through yarn is genuinely soothing, the color play is endlessly satisfying, and the end result is something useful and beautiful that you made with your own hands. That has always been worth the effort, in any decade.
Now you have everything you need to crochet your very own 70s-inspired granny square vest from start to finish. Take your time, enjoy each square, and do not be afraid to make this pattern your own. Tag your makes when you share them — the handmade crochet community is one of the warmest and most encouraging spaces on the internet, and your vest deserves to be seen.
