Boho Mesh Crochet Vest Pattern PDF | Tie Front Summer Vest | Easy Crochet Cardigan | DIY Festival
There is something undeniably magical about a handmade crochet vest. It carries the kind of charm that no fast-fashion piece can replicate — the slight imperfections that make it yours, the hours of mindful stitching, the satisfaction of pulling it over your shoulders and knowing you created it from scratch. If you have been searching for the perfect boho crochet project to carry you through summer festivals, beach days, farmer’s markets, and laid-back evenings with friends, this tie front mesh crochet vest is exactly what you need.
This pattern is designed for crocheters who are comfortable with the basics but do not want to wrestle with complicated shaping or confusing stitch sequences. It leans into the open, airy mesh style that has become a hallmark of boho fashion, and the tie front detail adds that effortlessly free-spirited energy that makes this piece so wearable. You can layer it over a flowy tank top, a fitted crop top, a bralette, or even a simple swimsuit coverup. It works for nearly every body type because the open drape is forgiving and flattering, and the tie front lets you customize the fit every single time you put it on.
Whether you are brand new to making garments or you have a whole collection of handmade pieces hanging in your closet, this vest is a project worth adding to your queue. Let’s walk through everything you need to know to make it from start to finish.
Why You Will Love This Pattern
Before we get into the stitches, let’s talk about why this particular design is worth your time and yarn stash.
The mesh construction means this vest works up quickly. Unlike dense stitch patterns that require you to count every single stitch with laser focus, mesh crochet has a flowing, rhythmic quality. Once you complete a few rows and get into your groove, the pattern becomes almost meditative. You will find yourself flying through rows in a fraction of the time it would take with a solid fabric.
The open mesh also makes this vest perfect for warm weather. There is enough fabric to feel styled and put together, but the gaps in the stitching allow air to circulate, which means you will actually want to wear this thing in July and August without melting. It is genuinely functional warm-weather fashion, not just something that looks cute on a hanger.
The tie front is another reason this design stands out. Instead of buttons, zippers, or a complex closure system, you simply tie the two front panels together at the waist. It is effortless to put on, easy to adjust, and gives the vest an instantly boho, festival-ready look. You can tie it high for a crop effect or lower for a more relaxed drape, depending on your mood and your outfit.
Finally, this vest is genuinely beginner-friendly for garment making. The body is worked in two flat panels that are seamed together at the shoulders, with simple edging worked around the neck and armholes afterward. There is no working in the round for the main body, no complicated yoke construction, and very little shaping. If you can chain, single crochet, and make a chain space, you can make this vest.
Materials You Will Need
Getting your materials together before you start makes the whole process smoother. Here is what you will need for a standard adult size.
Yarn: You will need approximately 400 to 600 yards of a lightweight yarn, depending on your size. A sport or DK weight cotton yarn is the absolute best choice for this pattern. Cotton has a beautiful drape, holds its structure in the mesh stitch without going limp, and washes easily — which matters a lot for a summer garment you will be wearing to festivals and outdoor events. Look for 100% cotton or a cotton-linen blend for the most breathable finish. Colors that tend to look stunning in this pattern include natural cream, warm terracotta, sage green, dusty rose, and sand. If you want a more maximalist boho vibe, a variegated yarn in earthy tones is a gorgeous choice.
Hook: A 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm crochet hook works well for most sport to DK weight yarns in this pattern. Your specific hook size will depend on your personal tension. Check your gauge before starting the main panels, and do not skip this step — getting gauge right on a garment matters far more than it does on a dishcloth or a hat.
Notions: You will need a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming the shoulder panels, a pair of sharp scissors, and a few stitch markers to help you keep track of your stitch counts at the beginning.
Optional: If you want to add fringe along the bottom hem, pick up an extra 50 to 100 yards of matching or contrasting yarn. Fringe is entirely optional, but it takes this vest from pretty to absolutely spectacular for a festival look.
Gauge
Gauge: 14 chain spaces x 8 rows = 4 inches in the mesh stitch pattern using the recommended hook and yarn weight.
To check your gauge, chain 32 and work the mesh stitch pattern for at least 10 rows. Block the swatch gently with steam or a damp cloth, allow it to dry completely, and then measure. If your swatch is coming up larger than gauge, go down a hook size. If it is smaller, go up a hook size. This small step at the beginning will save you from ending up with a vest that is four sizes off.
Sizing
This pattern is written to be sized as follows. You can adjust by adding or subtracting foundation chain stitches in multiples of two to customize the fit.
Small: Fits a 32 to 34 inch bust, finished garment measures approximately 30 inches across the two panels laid flat.
Medium: Fits a 35 to 37 inch bust, finished garment measures approximately 34 inches across both panels.
Large: Fits a 38 to 41 inch bust, finished garment measures approximately 38 inches across both panels.
Extra Large: Fits a 42 to 45 inch bust, finished garment measures approximately 42 inches across both panels.
Because this is an open, drapey vest with a tie front, there is a good amount of ease built into the design. The vest is meant to be worn with positive ease — meaning it should feel loose and breezy, not fitted against the body.
Abbreviations and Special Stitches
If you are working from this pattern for the first time, here is a quick reference for the abbreviations used throughout.
Ch means chain. Sc means single crochet. Dc means double crochet. Ch-sp means chain space. Sl st means slip stitch. Rep means repeat. RS means right side. WS means wrong side. Beg means beginning. Rem means remaining. Sk means skip.
The main stitch pattern used throughout this vest is a simple mesh, worked as follows: chain 3, skip 2 stitches or a chain-2 space, single crochet into the next stitch or space. This creates the open lattice mesh look that defines the entire garment.
The Pattern: Back Panel
The back panel is worked flat from the bottom hem up to the shoulder.
Begin by chaining 82 (90, 98, 106) for your chosen size. This includes your foundation chain plus 2 turning chains.
Row 1 (WS): Single crochet into the 6th chain from your hook (this creates your first chain-2 space and first sc), then work (ch 2, skip 2 ch, sc into next ch) across until you reach the end of the foundation chain. Turn.
Row 2 (RS): Chain 3, sc into the first chain-2 space, then (ch 2, sc into next ch-2 space) across to the last chain-2 space, sc into the turning chain space, ch 2, sc into the top of the turning chain from the previous row. Turn.
Repeat Row 2 until the back panel measures approximately 14 inches from the foundation chain for a standard length, or 16 inches if you prefer a longer vest. Do not fasten off at the end of the final row — you will return to this edge when you seam the shoulders.
Place a stitch marker at the far left and far right edges of the final row on the back panel to mark the shoulder seam points. Then set this panel aside.
The Pattern: Front Panels
The front of this vest is worked in two separate panels, which creates the opening for the tie front closure.
Left Front Panel
Chain 42 (46, 50, 54).
Work Row 1 exactly as you did for the back panel.
Repeat Row 2 until this front panel matches the length of the back panel exactly. Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Right Front Panel
Work the right front panel identically to the left front panel. The two front panels are mirror images of each other due to the symmetrical nature of the mesh pattern, so no special adjustments are needed.
Fasten off and weave in your ends when you reach the same length as the left front panel.
Seaming the Shoulder
Place your back panel right side up on a flat surface. Align the top edge of your left front panel with the top left corner of the back panel, right sides facing each other. Using your yarn needle and a length of matching yarn, seam the shoulder using a whip stitch or a mattress stitch, connecting approximately 4 to 5 inches from each outer edge. This shoulder seam is what holds the vest together at the top, while leaving the central area open for the neckline.
Repeat the same process on the right side, joining the right front panel to the right shoulder of the back panel.
When you flip the vest right side out, you will see the neckline opening in the center of the top edge, and both front panels will hang freely below the shoulder seams, creating the natural tie front opening.
Edging the Armholes
Working a simple edging around the armhole openings gives the vest a polished finish and keeps the edges from curling or looking unfinished.
Join your yarn at the bottom of one armhole opening. Work a row of single crochet evenly around the entire armhole opening, placing a sc into every chain space and every sc along the edge. When you reach the starting point, slip stitch to join.
For a slightly more decorative edging, work a second round in a simple shell stitch or a reverse single crochet (also called crab stitch) for a lovely, twisted cord edge.
Repeat on the opposite armhole.
Edging the Neckline
Join your yarn at the top right corner of the right front panel (where the shoulder seam meets the front edge). Work single crochet evenly down the entire right front edge, across the bottom hem, and back up the left front edge, ending at the top left corner. Slip stitch to join if you prefer a continuous band, or fasten off at the end for a simpler edging.
For a more bohemian finish, add a row of picot edging along the neckline and front opening. A picot stitch is simply a small decorative loop created by chaining 3 and slip stitching back into the base stitch. Place a picot every 4 to 5 stitches along the edging for a delicate, lacy look.
Adding the Ties
The tie front detail is the star of this design. Here is how to create them.
Work a foundation chain of approximately 60 chains on each front panel at the center point where you want the tie to sit — typically at about the natural waist, which is usually somewhere in the middle third of the vest height. Attach this chain securely to one side of the center front opening with a few slip stitches, then fasten off and weave in ends.
Alternatively, you can crochet a thin tie cord by working a slip stitch chain for about 20 inches and attaching it to both front panels at the waist point. This creates a slightly more substantial, rope-like tie that holds well and looks beautiful.
A third option is to thread a ribbon or a length of braided leather cord through the mesh at the waist point. This gives the vest a slightly different aesthetic — more structured and deliberate — while still keeping the boho spirit alive.
Optional Fringe
If you want to add fringe along the bottom hem of the vest, cut pieces of yarn approximately 8 to 10 inches long. Fold each piece in half, insert your hook through a stitch on the bottom edge, pull the folded loop through, then pull the loose ends through the loop and tighten. Space fringe every two or three stitches across the entire bottom edge for a full, flowing fringe effect.
Once all the fringe is attached, lay the vest flat and trim the ends evenly with a sharp pair of scissors. For a wilder, more festival-inspired look, leave the fringe untrimmed for a naturally uneven, textural finish.
Blocking and Finishing
Blocking is one of those finishing steps that many crocheters skip, but it makes a noticeable difference on an open mesh garment like this one. Fill a basin with cool water and a small amount of wool wash or gentle dish soap, then gently submerge the vest. Allow it to soak for about 15 minutes without agitating. Squeeze out the excess water carefully without wringing, then lay the vest flat on a blocking mat or a clean dry towel.
Gently stretch the vest to its finished measurements and pin it in place along the edges using blocking pins. Allow it to dry completely, which typically takes 24 hours. Once dry, the mesh will open up beautifully, the drape will improve dramatically, and any uneven tension in the stitches will even itself out across the fabric.
How to Style Your Crochet Vest
This vest was made for summer, and there are so many ways to wear it.
For a classic boho festival look, pair it with high-waisted denim cutoffs, a simple white bralette underneath, and leather sandals. Add a wide-brimmed hat and some layered necklaces and you are ready for any outdoor concert.
For a beach day, wear it over a swimsuit as a coverup. The open mesh lets the sun through while still giving you a styled, intentional look rather than a basic coverup. Tie it at the waist and let it flutter as you walk — it is genuinely one of the prettiest coverup styles you can create.
For a more casual everyday look, layer it over a fitted tank or turtleneck in a coordinating color. Worn open without the tie, it functions almost like a lightweight summer jacket, and it transitions beautifully into cooler evenings when you need just one more layer.
Tips for Customizing This Pattern
One of the best things about a simple mesh pattern is how endlessly adaptable it is. You can change the yarn weight to make a heavier or lighter version, use a variegated yarn for a psychedelic color effect, or add pockets by working small rectangular panels and seaming them to the front panels before finishing. You can also lengthen the vest significantly to create a duster-length coverup, or shorten it to a true crop vest by reducing the row count.
If you want to add a color block effect, simply change colors at any row break. The clean horizontal lines of the mesh pattern make color transitions look sharp and intentional.
Final Thoughts
This boho mesh crochet vest is the kind of pattern that becomes a staple in your handmade wardrobe. It is the piece you reach for when you want to look effortlessly put together without spending hours getting dressed. It is the project you gift to your sister or your best friend because you know they will actually wear it. And it is the design that reminds you why you picked up a crochet hook in the first place — because making something beautiful with your own hands is one of the most satisfying feelings in the world.
Whether you are heading to a music festival, spending a weekend at the farmers market, or just sitting on your back porch with a glass of iced tea, this vest will go with you. Save this pattern, pin it to your project board, and grab your favorite cotton yarn. Summer is calling, and you have the perfect thing to wear.
