Crochet Lace Vest Pattern PDF: Floral Open Front Boho Summer Cardigan Tutorial

There is something deeply satisfying about wearing something you made yourself, especially when it drapes beautifully, catches the light in all the right ways, and earns you compliments every time you step outside. A crochet lace vest is exactly that kind of project. It combines the meditative rhythm of working with yarn with a finished result that looks genuinely stunning — delicate, feminine, and effortlessly bohemian. This tutorial is your complete guide to creating a floral open front boho summer cardigan that you can wear layered over a sundress, paired with high-waisted denim, or thrown over a swimsuit at the beach.

Whether you are a seasoned crocheter looking for a project that challenges your lace-making skills or an intermediate maker ready to level up, this pattern is designed to be thorough, approachable, and beautifully rewarding. By the end of this post, you will have everything you need to create your own crochet lace vest from start to finish.

Why You Will Love This Crochet Lace Vest Pattern

Lace crochet has a reputation for being intimidating, but this pattern is built around a repeating floral motif that, once you get the hang of it in the first few rounds, becomes almost rhythmic. The beauty of a motif-based design is that you work in manageable pieces — individual flowers or hexagons — and then join them together into a larger fabric. This means you can take the project anywhere, tuck it into a bag, and work on it in small increments without losing your place.

The open front style is one of the most versatile cardigan silhouettes. It hangs gracefully without buttons or closures, which also means less finishing work for you. The boho aesthetic suits this construction perfectly because the slight asymmetry and flowing nature of crochet lace only add to the relaxed, artistic feel of the garment.

The pattern is sized to be adaptable, and we will walk through how to adjust the stitch count for different body sizes. You will not need to hunt down an obscure specialty yarn — this pattern works beautifully with a simple cotton or cotton-blend fingering or sport weight yarn, which makes it breathable and ideal for summer wear.

Materials You Will Need

Before you begin, gather everything together so your workflow stays smooth from start to finish.

Yarn: You will need approximately 600 to 900 yards of fingering or sport weight yarn depending on your size. A 100% cotton yarn works wonderfully because it has good stitch definition and drapes softly. Popular choices include Paintbox Cotton 4 Ply, Drops Safran, or Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton. For a slightly drapier, more luxurious feel, a cotton-linen blend is a gorgeous option. Choose a light or neutral color — white, cream, sage green, dusty rose, or sand — to make the floral lace pattern really stand out visually.

Hook: A 3.5mm or 4.0mm crochet hook works well for most fingering and sport weight yarns respectively. Check your gauge before starting and adjust your hook size as needed.

Notions: You will need a yarn needle for weaving in ends and joining motifs, scissors, and a few stitch markers to help keep track of your rounds. Blocking mats and rust-proof pins are highly recommended because blocking transforms lace crochet from something nice into something genuinely breathtaking.

Gauge: One floral motif, blocked, should measure approximately 4 inches across from flat edge to flat edge if you are working hexagonal motifs. Adjust your hook size to match this gauge, as it will affect the overall sizing of the finished vest.

Understanding the Floral Motif

The heart of this pattern is the floral hexagonal motif. Each one is worked in the round from the center outward, creating a small, lacy flower shape. When these motifs are joined together, they form a fabric that looks intricate but is actually composed of a simple, repeating structure.

Here is how to make one motif. This uses US crochet terminology.

Foundation ring: Chain 6, join with a slip stitch to form a ring.

Round 1 (Center): Chain 3 (counts as first double crochet), work 11 more double crochets into the ring, join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3. You will have 12 double crochets total.

Round 2 (Petals): Chain 5, skip the next stitch, slip stitch into the following stitch. Repeat this sequence around until you have 6 chain-5 loops. Join with a slip stitch to the base of the first chain.

Round 3 (Petal Fill): Into each chain-5 loop, work 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 3 double crochets, 1 half double crochet, 1 single crochet. This creates the rounded petal shape. You will have 6 petals when the round is complete.

Round 4 (Outer Lace Ring): Working behind the petals, slip stitch into the stitch between two petals at the base, chain 7, and slip stitch into the next between-petal space. Repeat this around all 6 spaces. You will have 6 chain-7 loops sitting behind the petal layer.

Round 5 (Hexagonal Edge): Into each chain-7 loop, work 3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets. These cluster-and-chain combinations at each corner form the six flat sides of the hexagon and give you the joining points for assembling the vest. Join with a slip stitch and fasten off.

Block each motif gently before joining. Pin it out to its full 4-inch measurement and mist it with water, or steam it lightly if your yarn tolerates heat. Let it dry completely. This step is non-negotiable for lace — it truly makes an enormous difference.

How to Join Motifs (The Join-As-You-Go Method)

There are several ways to join crochet motifs, and for this vest pattern, the join-as-you-go method is recommended because it reduces finishing time and creates a seamless, continuous fabric with great structural integrity.

When you work the final round of a new motif, instead of working a plain chain-2 at each corner, you will join to the neighboring motif. Here is how: work your 3 double crochets into the chain-7 loop, chain 1, then insert your hook into the corresponding chain-2 corner space of the already-finished adjacent motif and slip stitch, then chain 1, and continue with your 3 double crochets to complete the side. Along the shared edge, you can also join midway through the sides using a slip stitch into the center of the 3-double-crochet cluster on the neighboring motif.

Plan your motif layout before you begin joining. Sketch or map out how many motifs you need across the back, how many form the front panels, and where the armholes will fall. This planning step saves a lot of frustration later.

Vest Construction Overview

This vest is constructed in a flat layout. The back panel is a rectangle of joined motifs. Each front panel is a smaller rectangle. The shoulders are seamed, the side edges are left open or worked with a minimal join, and the overall shape is an open front cardigan with no closures.

For a size small to medium (approximately 36-inch finished bust):

The back panel is 5 motifs wide and 7 motifs tall, giving a piece approximately 20 inches wide and 28 inches long before the shoulder shaping.

Each front panel is 2.5 motifs wide (you can use half motifs along the center front edge for a straight edge, or leave the natural scalloped edge of the motifs for a boho fringe effect) and 7 motifs tall.

The shoulder join connects the back to the fronts across approximately 2 motifs on each side, leaving a center back neck opening and armhole spaces of approximately 4 motifs wide on each side.

For a size medium to large (approximately 40-inch finished bust):

The back panel becomes 6 motifs wide and 7 motifs tall. Each front panel is 3 motifs wide and 7 motifs tall. The shoulder joins and armhole spacing adjust proportionally.

For a size large to extra large (approximately 44-inch finished bust):

The back panel is 7 motifs wide and 7 to 8 motifs tall. Each front panel is 3.5 motifs wide. If you prefer not to work half motifs, simply add an extra motif and allow a little more ease in the finished garment.

Finishing the Edges

Once your motifs are all joined and the panels are seamed at the shoulders and sides, the vest needs a finishing border to pull everything together and give it a polished look.

For the front edges and hem, work a single round of single crochet evenly around the entire perimeter, then work a second round of shell stitch or a simple picot edging for a delicate, lacy finish. A shell stitch edging is 5 double crochets worked into a single stitch or space, skipping 2 stitches on either side. This creates graceful fan shapes along the edge that echo the petal motif of the main fabric.

For the armholes, join your yarn at the underarm and work 2 to 3 rounds of single crochet or reverse single crochet around the opening. If you prefer a more decorative armhole, a small shell stitch border works beautifully here as well.

Weave in all ends meticulously using your yarn needle. Lace garments can unravel if ends are not secured properly, so weave each tail in at least two directions before trimming.

Blocking Your Finished Vest

Do not skip this step. Blocking is what makes the motifs open up, the lace patterns bloom, and the entire garment look intentional and professional rather than bunchy and uneven.

Soak the completed vest in cool water with a small amount of gentle wool wash or hair conditioner for 15 to 20 minutes. Gently squeeze out the excess water by pressing the garment against the side of the sink or bathtub — never wring or twist. Roll it in a clean towel to absorb more moisture.

Lay your blocking mats on a flat surface and pin the vest out to your target measurements, pinning along each motif’s outer edge points to open them fully. Use rust-proof pins and take your time positioning the piece symmetrically.

Let it dry completely, which may take 12 to 24 hours depending on your environment. Once it is dry and you remove the pins, the transformation is remarkable. The motifs will be open and even, the fabric will drape fluidly, and the vest will look like something from a boutique rather than a craft project.

Styling Your Crochet Lace Vest

One of the most joyful parts of finishing a wearable project is discovering all the ways you can wear it. This boho lace vest is genuinely one of the most versatile pieces you can add to your wardrobe.

For a classic summer look, layer it open over a simple white or cream slip dress or a flowy maxi. The openwork lace adds dimension and texture without adding warmth, making it perfect for warm evenings.

For a more casual daytime outfit, wear it over a fitted tank top and high-waisted shorts. The long open front creates a lean vertical line and adds visual interest to an otherwise simple ensemble.

At the beach or pool, throw the vest over a swimsuit as a cover-up. The open lace allows for airflow and quick drying while still giving you a pulled-together look.

In cooler months, layer the vest over a lightweight turtleneck or fitted long-sleeve top. The lace becomes a textural statement piece rather than just a summer item.

Tips for Success

Working with fine yarns and small hooks requires a little adjustment if you are used to bulky yarn projects, but these tips will make the process much smoother.

Work in good lighting. Lace stitches are small and intricate, and it is easy to miss a chain space or accidentally split your yarn under poor lighting conditions. Natural daylight or a good craft lamp makes a real difference.

Count your stitches at the end of every round when you are learning the motif. Once you have made three or four motifs and the pattern feels intuitive in your hands, counting becomes less critical.

Keep consistent tension. Lace crochet benefits from even, relaxed tension. If you tend to crochet tightly, consciously try to loosen your grip and allow the yarn to flow freely through your fingers.

Make a few extra motifs as practice pieces before you start joining your actual vest. This allows you to get comfortable with the pattern repeat and your join technique without any pressure.

Downloading and Using the PDF Pattern

This tutorial gives you all the foundational information you need to create this vest, and a printable PDF version of the full pattern is available for download. The PDF includes a written row-by-row pattern with stitch counts, a visual diagram of the floral motif, a sizing chart for four sizes from small through extra large, a full materials list with yarn yardage breakdown, and a blocking and finishing guide.

Having the pattern in PDF format means you can print it out and work directly from paper, annotate it as you go, and refer back to it without needing to scroll through a screen. Many crocheters find that a printed pattern becomes something they can truly own — covered in notes, stitch markers tucked into the pages, and folded to the section they are currently working on.

If you are working from a digital device, the PDF is formatted for easy reading on tablets and phones as well.

Final Thoughts

A crochet lace vest is one of those projects that gives back more than you put into it. The process of making each small motif is satisfying and meditative. The act of joining them and watching the fabric grow is genuinely exciting. And wearing the finished piece — light, airy, intricately beautiful, and made entirely by your own hands — is something that never loses its magic.

This floral open front boho summer cardigan is a garment you will reach for season after season. It is the kind of thing that gets admired, that prompts the question “where did you get that?” and lets you answer with a quiet, pleased smile: “I made it.”

Take your time with this one. Enjoy the process. Block carefully. And wear your finished vest with every bit of the pride you have earned.