Easy Monochrome Crochet Vest Pattern: DIY Burgundy Side-Tie Waistcoat Tutorial

There is something quietly satisfying about a garment that looks complicated but is actually built on simple, repetitive stitches. A crochet vest is exactly that kind of project. It sits over a blouse, layers beneath a jacket, or stands on its own as a statement piece, and the best part is that you can finish it in a weekend without advanced skills. This tutorial walks you through a beautiful burgundy side-tie waistcoat that is fully monochrome, meaning the yarn, ties, and finishing are all worked in the same rich, deep red. The result is a polished, boutique-worthy piece that you made yourself.

Whether you are a beginner who has mastered the basics or an intermediate crocheter looking for a satisfying quick make, this pattern is designed to be accessible. Every step is explained in plain language, and the construction is intentionally straightforward so you can focus on enjoying the process rather than untangling complicated shaping.

Why a Crochet Vest Is the Perfect First Garment Project

Before jumping into yarn weights and hook sizes, it is worth talking about why vests are such a smart starting point for anyone who wants to move from making accessories into making actual wearable garments.

First, a vest has no sleeves. That alone eliminates a significant portion of the difficulty that comes with sweaters and cardigans. There is no sleeve cap shaping, no setting in armholes after the fact, and no trying to match two pieces that should be identical but somehow never quite are. You work two flat panels, or in some cases a single flat piece, and you seam the shoulders. That is genuinely it.

Second, a vest is forgiving when it comes to fit. Because it does not cling to your arms, a small difference in gauge or tension is much less likely to result in a garment that does not fit. The side-tie construction of this particular pattern makes it even more flexible, because the ties allow you to adjust the fit at the waist to suit your body on any given day.

Third, the monochrome color scheme means you never have to weave in yarn ends from color changes. Every new skein is the same shade of burgundy, so the piece maintains visual continuity and the finishing work is minimal.

Materials and Tools You Will Need

Getting the right materials together before you begin is one of those habits that makes the whole project run more smoothly. Here is everything you need for this burgundy side-tie waistcoat.

Yarn: You will need approximately 600 to 800 yards of a worsted weight yarn in burgundy, depending on your size. Look for a yarn with a slight sheen or a touch of alpaca in the blend if you want a slightly elevated, luxurious drape. A 100% merino wool or a merino-alpaca blend both work beautifully. Acrylic blends are also fine if you prefer easy-care fiber. The key is choosing something in that deep, true burgundy rather than a wine that leans too purple or a cranberry that leans too red.

Hook: A 5.0mm (US size H/8) crochet hook is the standard recommendation for worsted weight yarn, and this is the hook used throughout this pattern. If your gauge is consistently tighter than average, size up to 5.5mm. If it tends to be looser, try 4.5mm. Always swatch before committing to a full project.

Notions: A yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming, scissors, stitch markers, a measuring tape, and blocking pins if you plan to wet block the finished piece.

Gauge and Sizing

Gauge: 14 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in half double crochet using a 5.0mm hook.

Take the time to make a gauge swatch at least 6 inches square. Wash and block your swatch the same way you intend to care for the finished vest, because yarn can shift in size after washing. Getting your gauge right before you begin will save you from the heartbreak of finishing a vest that does not fit.

Sizing: This pattern is written for sizes Small through 2XL. The finished measurements below refer to the bust measurement of the completed garment, with a few inches of ease built in for comfortable wearing.

Small: 34 to 36 inches bust, finished garment approximately 38 inches. Medium: 38 to 40 inches bust, finished garment approximately 42 inches. Large: 42 to 44 inches bust, finished garment approximately 46 inches. XL: 46 to 48 inches bust, finished garment approximately 50 inches. 2XL: 50 to 52 inches bust, finished garment approximately 54 inches.

If you fall between sizes or prefer a closer or roomier fit, it is easy to adjust by adding or subtracting foundation chains in increments of two.

Understanding the Construction

This vest is worked in two identical flat panels, a front and a back, that are then seamed at the shoulders. The sides are intentionally left open, and long crocheted ties are added at each open side seam. When you put the vest on, you pull the ties through to the front or the back and tie them in a knot or bow at your natural waist. This creates a gathered, tailored silhouette without any waist shaping built into the panels themselves, which is what keeps the pattern simple.

The stitch used throughout the body is half double crochet, which strikes the ideal balance between the openness of single crochet and the height of double crochet. It creates a dense but not stiff fabric, and it grows faster than single crochet, meaning you will see real progress quickly.

Pattern Abbreviations

ch — chain
st — stitch
hdc — half double crochet
sl st — slip stitch
sk — skip
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
rep — repeat
sp — space

The Pattern: Burgundy Side-Tie Waistcoat

Foundation and Body Panels (Make Two)

The front and back panels are identical, which keeps things wonderfully simple. You will make this piece twice.

Row 1 (Foundation): Begin by chaining the number of stitches that corresponds to your size. For Small, chain 68. For Medium, chain 76. For Large, chain 84. For XL, chain 92. For 2XL, chain 100. Turn.

Row 2: Hdc in the third chain from the hook (the skipped chains count as your first hdc), then hdc in each chain across. Turn. You should have the following stitch counts: Small 66 hdc, Medium 74 hdc, Large 82 hdc, XL 90 hdc, 2XL 98 hdc.

Rows 3 onward: Chain 2 (this turning chain does not count as a stitch in this pattern), hdc in the first stitch and in each stitch across. Turn. Repeat this row continuously until your panel measures 14 inches from the foundation chain for a standard length, or 12 inches for a cropped version, or 16 inches for a longer tunic-style vest. All three lengths work beautifully with the side-tie design.

At this point you will pause the body and work the armhole and neckline shaping.

Armhole Shaping

The armhole shaping is where the single piece of difference between sizes becomes most relevant, so read through this section once before you begin working it.

Place your work with the last row you completed at the top. This will become the shoulder and upper chest area. You are going to work decreases on each side to create the armhole openings.

Row 1 of armhole shaping: Sl st across the first 8 stitches for Small and Medium, or the first 10 stitches for Large through 2XL. Chain 2, hdc across until 8 (or 10) stitches remain at the end of the row. Do not work those final stitches. Turn. You have now reduced the width of the active working area on both sides.

Rows 2 through 4 of armhole shaping: Chain 2, hdc2tog over the first two stitches, hdc across until 2 stitches remain, hdc2tog over the last two stitches. Turn. Repeat this decrease row for a total of 3 decrease rows. After these decreases, your stitch count should be: Small 44 hdc, Medium 52 hdc, Large 58 hdc, XL 64 hdc, 2XL 70 hdc.

Continue working even in hdc, with no further decreases, until the armhole measures 8 inches for Small and Medium, 8.5 inches for Large and XL, or 9 inches for 2XL.

Shoulder and Neckline Shaping

Now you will separate the remaining stitches into two shoulder sections and create the neckline opening.

Count your remaining stitches and divide them into thirds. The center third will become your neckline opening, and the outer two thirds will become your shoulder sections. The exact counts will vary slightly depending on whether your stitch count divides evenly, in which case adjust the center section by one stitch in either direction.

Left shoulder: Working only over the stitches of the left shoulder section, work even in hdc for 4 more rows. Fasten off and weave in the end. This creates the left shoulder strap.

Right shoulder: Rejoin your yarn at the right shoulder section, leaving the center neckline stitches unworked (these will simply be left open). Work even in hdc for 4 more rows over the right shoulder stitches. Fasten off and weave in the end.

Because this is a vest, the neckline has a relaxed, scooped appearance that sits comfortably without any ribbing or edging required, though you can add a simple single crochet border around the neckline if you prefer a cleaner finish.

Seaming the Panels

Lay your two completed panels side by side with the wrong sides facing inward. Line up the shoulder sections carefully. Using your yarn needle and a length of burgundy yarn, use a whipstitch or a mattress stitch to seam the shoulders together on each side. The seam should be neat and lie flat.

Leave the sides completely open. Do not seam the side edges. The open sides are a feature of this design, not a mistake.

Making the Ties

The ties are what give this waistcoat its defining character, and they are also one of the easiest parts of the entire project to make. Each tie is simply a long crocheted chain with a row of slip stitches worked back across it for stability and a bit of body.

For each tie, chain 60 stitches. Sl st back across all 60 chains to the beginning. Fasten off, leaving a 10-inch tail for attaching.

You will make four ties in total, one for each open side seam at the front and one for each open side seam at the back.

To attach each tie, use the long tail and your yarn needle to sew the tie securely to the open side edge of the vest. Place the front ties approximately at the natural waist level, which is typically about 8 to 10 inches up from the bottom hem of the vest. Place the back ties at the same height on the back panels. Make sure the front ties on the right side align with the back ties on the right side, and same for the left. This way, when you loop the front tie and the back tie together and knot them, they sit evenly at your waist.

Optional Finishing Touches

Edging: For a more polished look, work a single round of single crochet around the entire outer edge of the vest, including the neckline, the armholes, the bottom hem, and the open side edges. This helps the edges lie flat and gives the piece a more finished, tailored appearance. Use the same burgundy yarn to keep the monochrome look intact.

Blocking: Wet blocking is highly recommended for this vest. Submerge the finished piece in cool water, gently squeeze out the excess without wringing, then lay it flat on a blocking mat and pin it to the measurements specified for your size. Let it dry completely, ideally overnight. Blocking evens out the stitches, softens the fabric, and dramatically improves the overall appearance of the finished garment.

Fringe on the ties: If you want a boho-inspired variation, you can add short fringe to the ends of each tie by cutting several short lengths of yarn, folding them in half, and pulling them through the end of the tie with a crochet hook. Trim the fringe to an even length. This gives the vest a slightly free-spirited look while still keeping it in the same burgundy monochrome palette.

Styling Your Burgundy Crochet Vest

One of the great pleasures of a monochrome piece is that it works as both a statement on its own and as a sophisticated layering component. Here are a few ways to style this vest once it is finished.

For an elevated everyday look, wear it over a crisp white linen blouse with straight-leg jeans and leather slides. The deep burgundy against white is a classic combination that never feels overdone.

For cooler weather, layer the vest over a fitted black turtleneck. The crochet texture creates an interesting contrast against the smooth knit of the turtleneck, and the whole outfit feels intentional and put together without much effort.

For a more relaxed, bohemian vibe, try it over a floral midi dress in dusty rose or cream. The tie detail at the waist reads as intentionally styled rather than improvised.

For autumn and transitional dressing, the burgundy pairs naturally with earthy tones like camel, rust, forest green, and warm brown. You can layer the vest under a camel coat for a sophisticated, editorial look that will earn you compliments on the street.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

What if my vest is too wide or too narrow? The easiest fix for future makes is to adjust your foundation chain count in increments of two stitches. If the vest came out too wide, reduce by four stitches. If too narrow, add four. Always make a new gauge swatch when you switch yarn or hooks.

My edges are curling. What do I do? Curling is common in half double crochet fabric and usually resolves completely with blocking. If blocking does not solve it, adding a single crochet border around all edges will stabilize them.

The shoulder seams do not look even. This usually comes down to the way the panels are oriented when seaming. Make sure you have both right sides facing the same direction before you begin. Using stitch markers to pin the seam before sewing also helps enormously.

Can I make this in a different color? Absolutely. The pattern works in any color, and the monochrome approach translates beautifully to forest green, mustard yellow, cream, or classic black. The key to making any single-color vest feel sophisticated rather than plain is choosing a yarn with a beautiful texture or a slight sheen that adds visual interest without introducing a second color.

Final Thoughts

There is real joy in finishing a handmade garment and actually wearing it out into the world. A crochet vest, especially one as wearable and versatile as this burgundy side-tie waistcoat, is the kind of project that reminds you why you picked up a crochet hook in the first place. It is achievable, it is beautiful, and it is genuinely yours in a way that nothing you could pull off a rack can ever be.

Take your time with the gauge swatch. Enjoy the rhythm of the half double crochet rows. And when you slip the finished vest on for the first time and tie those burgundy ties at your waist, know that every stitch was worth it.