70’s Granny Square Vest — FREE Crochet Pattern + Video Tutorial

There’s something wonderfully timeless about a granny square vest. Whether you grew up watching your grandmother work her way through a basket of yarn scraps in the 1970s, or you’ve only recently discovered the magic of crochet through social media, this project is guaranteed to steal your heart. It’s colorful, it’s textured, it’s layered over everything from flowy boho blouses to simple white tees — and best of all, it never goes out of style.

Right now, granny square vests are having a full-on renaissance. You’ll spot them on Etsy shops selling out overnight, on fashion bloggers layering them over linen shirts, and on craft influencers showing off their weekend makes. But here’s the truth that every seasoned crocheter already knows: you don’t need to spend $80 on one. You can make your own, customize every color, and wear it with the kind of pride that only comes from saying “thanks, I made it myself.”

This free crochet pattern is designed for beginner-to-intermediate crocheters. If you’ve made a granny square before, you’re already most of the way there. If you haven’t, don’t worry — the video tutorial linked below walks you through every single step so you won’t feel lost for even a moment.

Let’s get into it.

Why Granny Square Vests Are Timeless

The granny square first appeared in crochet publications in the early 20th century, but it exploded in popularity during the 1960s and 70s as part of the broader handcraft revival that swept through counterculture circles. People were making their own clothes, growing their own food, and rejecting the idea that everything had to come from a factory. Crochet was radical in the best possible way.

The vest, as a garment, was a 70s staple. Worn open and long, or short and cropped, it added texture and warmth without the bulk of a full sweater. Paired with wide-leg trousers, a peasant blouse, or denim, it became a signature look of the decade.

Today, we’re revisiting that era with a modern twist. Contemporary granny square vests tend to feature more intentional color palettes — think rust, terracotta, sage green, and cream rather than every color in the rainbow (though that classic scrappy, maximalist approach is absolutely still on the table if that’s your vibe). The construction methods have also been refined over the decades, giving us cleaner joins and better shaping options.

This pattern captures the soul of the original while being completely wearable in the present day.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you dive in, gather your supplies. This pattern uses a standard worsted weight yarn and a 5mm crochet hook, which gives a nice drape while still maintaining the structure that makes granny squares so satisfying to look at.

Yarn: Approximately 800–1,200 yards of worsted weight yarn total, depending on your size. You can use one main color with two or three contrast colors, or go fully scrappy and use up your stash. Some popular color combinations right now include cream with earthy terracotta and sage, navy with cream and mustard, or a classic rainbow on a black background.

Hook: 5mm (US H/8) crochet hook. You may want to go up to 5.5mm if you tend to crochet tightly.

Notions: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers (optional but helpful), and a tape measure.

Gauge: One completed granny square should measure approximately 5 inches by 5 inches after light blocking. Gauge is more important here than it is in many crochet projects, because the number of squares you need will depend on how large each one is. Swatch and measure before you commit to making dozens of squares.

Sizing: This pattern is written for sizes Small through 2XL. The number of squares you’ll need for each size is listed in the pattern section below.

Understanding the Granny Square

If you’re brand new to crochet or just need a refresher, here’s a quick breakdown of how a classic granny square works.

A traditional granny square is worked in rounds from the center outward. You start with a magic ring (or a chain ring if you prefer), work a cluster of double crochets separated by chain spaces in round one, and then continue adding rounds, each one building on the corners and side panels of the previous round. The result is a small, perfectly geometric square that can be made in any size by simply adding more rounds.

For this vest pattern, each square is worked to four rounds, giving you that 5-inch measurement. You’ll make the squares individually and then join them together using the join-as-you-go method or a simple slip stitch join — both options are demonstrated in the video tutorial.

The Granny Square Pattern

Foundation Ring: Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring, OR use a magic ring.

Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as first double crochet), work 2 double crochets into the ring, chain 2. Work 3 double crochets into the ring, chain 2. Repeat 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 the starting chain-3. Fasten off if you are changing colors, or continue to Round 2.

Round 2: Join new color in any corner chain-2 space. Chain 3, work 2 double crochets into the same space, chain 2, work 3 double crochets into the same space (corner made). Chain 1. In the next corner space, work 3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets. Chain 1. Repeat around all four corners. Join to top of starting chain-3. Fasten off.

Round 3: Join new color (or same color) in any corner space. Work a corner (3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets) in the corner space, chain 1. Work 3 double crochets in the chain-1 side space, chain 1. Work a corner in the next corner space. Repeat around. Join and fasten off.

Round 4: Repeat the pattern of Round 3, adding one more cluster of 3 double crochets along each side as you go around. When you reach each corner, work the standard corner cluster. This final round can be worked in a single solid border color to tie all your squares together visually.

Weave in ends and block lightly if desired. Your square should now measure approximately 5 inches on each side.

How Many Squares Do You Need?

This is where the fun math comes in. The vest is constructed by arranging granny squares in a grid pattern — no shaping required. The armholes are created by leaving gaps in the arrangement rather than by decreasing or increasing stitches. This makes the construction beginner-friendly and very forgiving.

For a Small (bust 32–34 inches): Make 24 squares total — 12 for the front and 12 for the back.

For a Medium (bust 36–38 inches): Make 28 squares total — 14 for the front and 14 for the back.

For a Large (bust 40–42 inches): Make 32 squares total — 16 for the front and 16 for the back.

For an XL (bust 44–46 inches): Make 36 squares total — 18 for the front and 18 for the back.

For a 2XL (bust 48–50 inches): Make 40 squares total — 20 for the front and 20 for the back.

Each panel is arranged in a 4-square-wide by 3-square-tall grid (for Small and Medium), or a 4-square-wide by 4-square-tall grid (for Large through 2XL). The armhole openings are created by leaving the top corner squares unjoined or by leaving a one-square-wide gap in the grid — detailed diagrams and a visual walkthrough are covered in the video tutorial below.

Joining Your Squares

There are several ways to join granny squares, and your choice will affect the look of the finished vest. Here are the three most common methods.

The flat slip stitch join is worked with the wrong sides of two squares held together. You insert your hook through both back loops of the corresponding stitches and slip stitch across. This creates a subtle, slightly raised seam on the right side of the work. It’s fast, it’s clean, and it works beautifully for a structured look.

The flat single crochet join is done the same way but uses single crochets instead of slip stitches. It creates a more pronounced ridge, which many people love as a design element. If you work this join in a contrast color, it becomes a bold graphic detail that really screams 70s aesthetic.

The join-as-you-go method is a technique where you attach each new square to the previous one during the last round of crocheting, eliminating a separate seaming step. It takes a bit of practice to get used to, but once you do, it speeds up the finishing process significantly. The video tutorial demonstrates this method in real time.

For this vest, the flat single crochet join in a coordinating or contrast color is strongly recommended. It gives the finished piece that handcrafted, textural look that makes granny square garments so visually compelling.

Constructing the Vest

Once you have all your squares joined into two panels (front and back), assembling the vest is straightforward.

Hold the front and back panels with right sides facing outward. Join them at the shoulder seams using your preferred join method. Leave a gap of approximately two squares at the top of each panel for the neck opening. The shoulder seams typically span one to two squares on each side, depending on your size.

Next, join the side seams, leaving the top portion open for the armholes. The armhole opening should be approximately two to three squares tall, measured from the shoulder seam downward. For a more fitted look, leave two squares open. For a flowy, oversized boho look, leave three.

Once the side seams are joined, you can finish the raw edges of the armholes and neckline with a simple single crochet border. Work one round of single crochets evenly around each armhole and then around the entire neckline. If you want to add a little 70s flair, work the border in a bold contrast color or add a round of shell stitches for a decorative edge.

The bottom hem of the vest can be left as-is (the finished edges of the bottom squares are naturally clean) or you can add a simple border here as well for a more polished look.

Styling Your Granny Square Vest

Half the fun of making a garment is figuring out how to wear it. Here are some ways to style your finished vest that lean into that 70s energy.

Layer it over a loose white linen button-down shirt for a relaxed, boho brunch look. Leave the vest open and let the shirt collar peek out at the neckline. Add some wide-brim hat energy and you’re ready for a farmers market or an outdoor festival.

For a more casual everyday look, throw it over a simple fitted ribbed tank top in a neutral color. The contrast between the graphic texture of the granny squares and the smooth simplicity of the tank is visually interesting without feeling overdone.

If you want to lean into the vintage aesthetic fully, pair it with high-waisted flared jeans, a tucked-in blouse, and some chunky wooden jewelry. Stack some rings, wear some earthy tones, and you’ve got a look straight out of a 1975 catalog — in the best possible way.

The vest also works beautifully as a beach cover-up over a swimsuit, especially if you’ve made it in bright, punchy colors. The open structure of the granny square lets air through, making it comfortable in warm weather.

Tips for Getting the Best Results

A few notes that will make your experience smoother from start to finish.

Block your squares individually before joining them. Even a light spritz of water and a gentle reshape while damp will make a huge difference in how uniform and professional your finished vest looks. Squares that aren’t blocked tend to curl at the edges and join unevenly.

Keep your tension consistent. Because you’ll be making many squares, any variation in your tension will show up in the finished piece. If you naturally tighten up toward the end of a long crocheting session, take breaks, or work a few extra squares at the beginning to use as test pieces.

Weave in ends as you go. It’s tempting to save all the end-weaving for the end, but with a granny square project, you’ll accumulate an enormous number of ends very quickly. Getting into the habit of weaving in after each square is completed saves you from a truly daunting finishing session.

Choose your color palette before you start making squares. You don’t have to stick to it rigidly, but having a rough plan — even just deciding on two contrast colors and one background color — will help the finished vest look cohesive rather than chaotic.

Video Tutorial

The full video tutorial for this pattern is available on YouTube. It covers the granny square from start to finish, including the magic ring, all four rounds, two different join methods, and a complete walkthrough of how to assemble the front and back panels into a finished vest. There are timestamps in the video description so you can jump directly to the section you need, whether you’re a total beginner starting with round one or an experienced crocheter who just needs a quick reference on the join.

If you have questions after watching, leave them in the comments section of the video — there’s a wonderful community there of crocheters at all skill levels who are generous with their knowledge.

Share Your Make

There is nothing more motivating for a pattern creator than seeing a finished version of their design in the wild. If you make this vest, please share a photo! Tag your finished object on Instagram with the hashtag #grannySquareVest and #70sVestCrochet so others can find your make and be inspired. Leave a comment below if you have any questions about the pattern, sizing, or yarn substitutions.

Whether you’re a first-time garment crocheter nervously joining your first squares together, or a seasoned maker who could whip up a granny square in your sleep, this vest is worth making. It’s a project that connects you to a long tradition of handcraft, gives you something genuinely wearable at the end, and — perhaps most importantly — is an absolute joy to work on from start to finish.

Happy crocheting.