Free Crochet Lace Vest Pattern | Boho Summer Style with Flowers
There is something deeply satisfying about wearing something you made with your own hands, especially when it draws compliments from strangers on the street. A lacy crochet vest is one of those wardrobe pieces that looks like it came from a boutique but costs almost nothing to make, works up faster than you might expect, and can be styled so many different ways that you will reach for it all summer long. This free crochet lace vest pattern combines open lacework with delicate floral details to give you that effortless bohemian look that pairs beautifully with a flowy sundress, high-waisted denim shorts, or even a simple swimsuit cover-up at the beach.
Whether you are an intermediate crocheter ready for your next wearable project or a confident beginner looking to stretch your skills, this pattern walks you through every step. By the time you finish, you will have a lightweight, breathable vest that drapes beautifully and feels like summer in textile form.
Materials You Will Need
Before you cast on (or, more accurately, chain up), gather everything so your project flows without interruption.
Yarn: Approximately 400–600 yards of fingering weight or sport weight yarn in a natural fiber like cotton or linen. Cotton is especially ideal for summer garments because it is breathable, holds its shape after blocking, and has a lovely drape. A neutral tone like ivory, ecru, or soft white gives the most romantic boho feel, but dusty sage, terracotta, or lavender work just as beautifully. For a two-tone effect, you can pick up a smaller skein in a coordinating color for the floral appliqués.
Hook: US size E/3.5mm or F/3.75mm hook, depending on your tension. Always swatch first.
Notions: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, a measuring tape, blocking mats and pins (very important for lace), and a handful of stitch markers to keep your place in the pattern.
Gauge: 18 stitches and 10 rows = 4 inches in double crochet. Gauge matters more for garments than for home décor projects, so please take the ten minutes to swatch. A vest that is even half an inch off in gauge can end up significantly too large or too small once it is finished.
Sizing: This pattern is written for sizes S/M (bust 34–38 inches) and M/L (bust 38–44 inches). Notes for adjustments are included throughout.
Abbreviations and Stitch Guide
Understanding the stitches before you begin will make the pattern feel much more intuitive as you work through it.
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
tr — treble crochet
sk — skip
sp — space
ch-sp — chain space
rep — repeat
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
BLO — back loop only
Shell stitch: Work 5 dc into the same stitch or space.
V-stitch: Work (dc, ch 2, dc) into the same stitch or space.
Picot: Ch 3, sl st into the first chain made.
Pattern Notes
This vest is worked in two flat panels — a front and a back — which are then seamed at the shoulders and sides, leaving armhole openings. The floral appliqués are made separately and sewn on at the end, so you can place them wherever looks best on your finished vest. The lace body uses a combination of shell stitches and chain spaces to create that open, airy texture that makes this piece so breathable and summer-appropriate.
The vest has no closures, which keeps it relaxed and easy to wear. It simply hangs open at the front for that classic boho silhouette. If you prefer a closed front, you can add a simple ribbon tie or a button at the center after finishing.
If you are working the larger size, add one full pattern repeat (which is 12 stitches wide) to your starting chain.
The Pattern: Crochet Lace Vest
Front Panel
Foundation Chain: Chain 97 (109 for M/L). Your foundation chain should measure approximately 18 (20) inches. If it is measuring short or long, adjust your hook size rather than adding or subtracting chains, since the pattern repeat requires a specific multiple.
Row 1 (WS): Dc in the 4th ch from the hook (skipped chains count as dc), dc in each ch across. Turn. You will have 95 (107) dc.
Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 5, sk 4 sts, sc in next st; rep from across to last st, sc in last st. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as tr), 5 dc in ch-5 sp (shell made), ch 1; rep from across, ending tr in last sc. Turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first tr, ch 5, sc in center dc of shell; rep from across, ending sc in top of ch-4. Turn.
Row 5: Rep Row 3.
Row 6: Rep Row 4.
Continue repeating Rows 3 and 4 until the panel measures 14 (15) inches from the foundation chain, ending on a Row 4 (a wrong side row will be facing you). At this point you will begin the armhole shaping.
Armhole Shaping
Row 1 of Armhole Shaping: Sl st across the first 2 shells and into the next sc, ch 4, continue in pattern across until 2 shells remain at the end of the row. Leave those last 2 shells unworked. Turn.
You are essentially skipping the outermost shells on each side to create the armhole openings.
Continue working even in the established lace pattern on the remaining stitches for an additional 7 (8) inches. This section forms the upper body of the vest, between the armholes and the shoulders.
Neckline Shaping
After the armhole section, you will divide the work for the left shoulder, right shoulder, and neckline.
Count your shells and find the center. The center 4 shells will become the neckline opening, and you will work each shoulder separately.
Right Shoulder: Work across to the center, stop, and turn. Continue working only on the right shoulder stitches for 2 more inches. Fasten off.
Left Shoulder: Rejoin yarn at the inner edge of the left shoulder and work to match the right. Fasten off.
Back Panel
Work the back panel exactly as the front panel through the armhole shaping. For the back, you will not shape the neckline — simply continue working all stitches straight across until the back panel matches the front panel in total length. The back neckline will be a simple straight edge, which gives a clean finish and is easier to seam.
Assembly
Lay both panels flat and block them before seaming. This step makes a bigger difference than almost anything else in the process. Wet blocking cotton will even out any tension inconsistencies, open up the lace pattern so it looks intentional and beautiful rather than closed and confused, and help both panels lie perfectly flat so seaming is easy.
To wet block, soak your panels in cool water for about 20 minutes, gently press out (do not wring) the excess water, lay them on your blocking mats, pin them to the finished measurements, and allow them to dry completely. This can take 12–24 hours depending on humidity.
Once dry, hold the front and back panels with right sides together and seam the shoulders using a yarn needle and mattress stitch or whip stitch, joining about 4 inches at each shoulder edge (adjust this measurement based on your preferred shoulder width). Then seam the sides, beginning about 2 inches below the armhole shaping and continuing to the bottom hem edge. This leaves a clean armhole opening of about 7–9 inches, which is generous and comfortable.
Finishing the Edges
A clean edge makes a lace vest look polished rather than homemade.
Bottom Hem and Front Opening: Starting at the bottom right corner, join yarn and work 1 round of sc evenly around the entire outer edge of the vest — down the right front, across the bottom, and up the left front. For a decorative touch, work a second round of reverse single crochet (also called crab stitch) over the first, or add a simple picot edging by working sc in next st, ch 3, sl st in first ch of ch-3, sc in next st; rep from all the way around.
Armhole Edges: Join yarn at the bottom of each armhole and work 1 round of sc around the opening, then a round of picot or reverse sc if desired. The armholes tend to be a natural fit-checker — if the opening feels tight, you can skip the second edging round or work it in a larger hook size.
The Flower Appliqués
This is where the vest goes from beautiful to truly special. These small crochet flowers take only a few minutes each to make, and you can add as many or as few as you like. A cluster of three or five flowers at the neckline or cascading down one front edge is a classic boho styling choice.
Small Flower (make as many as desired):
Ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, work 8 sc into the ring, join with sl st to first sc.
Round 2: Ch 3, tr in same st, ch 3, sl st in next sc; rep from around — you will have 8 petals. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
If you want a slightly larger flower with more dimension, work a second layer of petals behind the first. Rejoin yarn in the back loop of any sc from Round 1 and repeat Round 2 for a second petal layer that sits slightly behind and between the petals of the first layer.
Leaf (optional, make 2–3 per flower cluster):
Ch 10.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next, dc in next 3, hdc in next, sc in next 2, ch 1, rotate piece and work back along the opposite side of the foundation chain — sc in 2, hdc in 1, dc in 3, hdc in 1, sc in 1. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Pin your flowers and leaves onto the blocked vest before sewing them down, stepping back and looking from a distance to make sure you are happy with the arrangement. Once satisfied, use the yarn tails to sew each flower and leaf securely in place, knotting on the wrong side.
Styling Your Boho Lace Vest
The beauty of a lace vest is its versatility, and this one works across a wider range of occasions than you might initially imagine.
For a classic festival look, layer it over a simple white peasant blouse or a crochet bralette with high-waisted wide-leg trousers in a neutral linen. Add a wide-brimmed straw hat, some layered gold jewelry, and sandals, and you have a complete outfit that looks like it required very little effort even though it absolutely did not.
For a beachside look, wear it directly over a swimsuit or bikini top as a cover-up. The open lace is sheer enough to feel effortless at the beach but put-together enough for walking into a seaside café afterward. Pair with linen pants or a wrap skirt.
For something more dressed up, layer the vest over a solid fitted slip dress in silk or satin. The contrast between the structured slip and the airy lace on top creates a romantic, editorial kind of look that works beautifully for garden parties, outdoor weddings as a guest, or summer date nights.
In early autumn when the temperature starts to drop in the evenings, layer the vest over a lightweight turtleneck or a fitted long-sleeve top. It extends the wearability of the piece well beyond summer.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
Tension is the single most important thing when working lace. If your tension is too tight, the lace pattern closes up and loses its openness. Try to keep a relaxed grip on your hook and let the yarn flow freely. If you are consistently working too tightly, go up half a hook size.
Pay attention to your chain spaces. In lace crochet, the chains are part of the stitch pattern, and chain spaces that are too tight will pull the whole fabric in. It can help to work your chains over a slightly larger hook if tightness is an issue, then switch back to your project hook for the remaining stitches in the row.
When you fasten off each yarn end, leave a tail of at least six inches so you have enough to weave in securely. In a wearable garment that will be washed and worn regularly, you want your ends well secured. Weave in at least two directions to prevent them from working loose.
Wash your finished vest gently by hand in cool water with a mild soap. Lay flat to dry rather than hanging, since hanging a wet knit or crochet garment can cause it to stretch unevenly under its own weight.
Customizing This Pattern
One of the best things about making your own clothing is that you can adjust it to suit your taste perfectly. Here are a few ideas for customizing this vest.
Add fringe along the bottom hem for a festival-ready finish. Simply cut strands of yarn about 12 inches long, fold them in half, and use your hook to pull the folded end through a stitch along the hem, then pull the tails through the loop and tighten. Trim to a uniform length at the end.
Change the yarn fiber for a different look and feel. A plant-based rayon or bamboo yarn will give the finished vest a shinier, more fluid drape. A linen blend will be stiffer and more structured. All-cotton is the most forgiving and easiest to care for.
Add length to make a cardigan or duster. Simply continue working the panels for an additional 10–12 inches before beginning the armhole shaping, and adjust the side seam length accordingly. This makes a stunning statement piece for transitional weather.
Work the entire vest in one color and use a contrasting color for the flowers and edging, or reverse that and make the body in a rich jewel tone with ivory flowers.
A Few Final Words
Crocheting your own clothing is one of the most rewarding things you can do with a hook and some yarn. There is a certain pride in wearing something hand-crafted, and lace garments in particular have a way of looking far more complex than they actually are, which means you will be fielding questions about where you bought your vest all summer long.
This free crochet lace vest pattern is designed to be accessible without being simplistic — it has enough texture and detail to keep you engaged row by row, but it is built on a foundation of repeating, easy-to-memorize stitches that you will internalize quickly. The flowers at the end are a reward, a creative finishing touch that lets you make the piece truly your own.
Save this pattern, share it with your crochet friends, and come back to leave a comment once yours is finished. Seeing what different people create with the same pattern is one of the great joys of the crafting community — your color choices, your flower placement, your personal style will make your vest completely unique. Happy crocheting, and enjoy every sun-filled stitch.
