Free pattern: Child’s Ombré Pullover Vest

Child's Ombré Pullover Vest, free crochet pattern in Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool by Underground Crafter | This oversized, boxy project is perfect for donation to Wool-Aid, a charity that helps children in the coldest parts of the world.In each month’s charity spotlight, I’ll be introducing a charity that accepts crochet or knitting projects for donation along with a free pattern, so read on for details.

This post contains affiliate links. Yarn for the sample was generously provided by Lion Brand.

June’s Featured Charity: Wool-Aid, Inc.

If you enjoy crocheting with wool AND crafting for charity, then this month’s charity just might be the perfect one for you to work with! Wool-Aid got its start as a Ravelry group and has grown into a non-profit organization. Wool-Aid crafters make crochet or knit blankets, accessories, and garments for children in some of the most frigid environments around the world, including Tibet, Alaska, and Mongolia. Wool-Aid also work with displaced children from Afghanistan, Syria, and other countries.

Child's Ombré Pullover Vest, free crochet pattern in Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool by Underground Crafter | This oversized, boxy project is perfect for donation to Wool-Aid, a charity that helps children in the coldest parts of the world.As the name suggests, Wool-Aid requires all projects collected and distributed through their organization to be at least 80% wool. Because wool stays warm and retains body heat when wet, it’s perfect for children who may encounter rain or snow. Although more expensive than synthetic fibers like acrylic (which get cold when wet), wool is usually affordable for making larger projects to donate. Wool is also very durable, so your donation can be passed along to younger children after it’s outgrown by the first recipient.

Wool-Aid accepts donations for hats, knitted socks, sweaters, vests, mittens, and blankets. Except for socks, all the other projects can be either crocheted or knit. You can find out about Wool-Aid’s current donation priorities here.

Other than the requirement that every project be at least 80% wool, Wool-Aid has few other requirements. They do ask crafters to avoid white and minmize light colors. They also note that 100% acrylic yarns and novelty yarns should not be used at all, even as an accent.

You can get more information about Wool-Aid on their website, including project guidelines and Wool-Aid tags, answers to frequently asked questions, how to donate, and more.


Tips for Making Great Wool-Aid Projects

For this month’s project, I decided to make a pullover vest. Wool-Aid has its own sweater sizing chart because oversized projects help to keep backsides warmer. Remember that your yarn should be at least 80% wool. Minimize light colors so garments look cleaner longer.

Here are two other Underground Crafter free crochet patterns that would make great projects for Wool-Aid:

Faux Mistake Rib Watchman's Cap, free #crochet pattern in 8 sizes (newborn through adult large) by Marie Segares @ucrafterTadley's Diagonal Blanket, free double-ended crochet pattern by Underground CrafterDon’t forget to share a picture on Ravelry or with my Facebook page if you make one!

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Create and Craft

Child’s Ombré Pullover Vest

Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

02-easy 50US terms 504-medium 50This oversized, boxy vest will keep a little one warm.

 

Finished Size

  • Child: Size 6: 28″ (71 cm) finished chest circumference x 18″ (46 cm) long.

Materials

  • Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool (8 oz/227 g/465 yd/425 m/100% pure virgin wool) – 1 skein ea in 126 Nature’s Brown (CA) and 123 Oatmeal (CB), or approximately 465 yd (425 m) in ea of 2 colors in any medium weight wool yarn.

Shop for Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool at your favorite retailer!

LeisureArts | Craftsy | Jo-Ann | Amazon

  • US Size K-10.5 (6.5 mm) crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain gauge.
  • Yarn needle.

Gauge

  • 11 hdc x 9 rows = 4” (10 cm). For best fit, always check your gauge.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

  • CA – Color A
  • CB – Color B
  • ch – chain
  • dc – double crochet
  • ea – each
  • rep – repeat
  • sc – single crochet
  • sk – skip
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • yo – yarn over
  • * Rep instructions after asterisks as indicated.

Pattern Notes

  • Entire vest is worked holding 2 strands of yarn together.
  • Ch 2 at beginning of rows do not count as stitches.
  • Drop shoulder vest is constructed from back and front panels which are crocheted flat in rows and then seamed together. Since pattern is reversible, choose your favorite side of ea piece as “right side.”

Pattern Instructions

Pullover Vest

Back Panel

  • Holding 2 strands of CA together, ch 39.
  • Row 1: Turn, sk 1 ch, hdc in next st and ea st across. (38 sts)
  • Row 2: Turn, ch 2, hdc in same st and ea st across.
  • Rows 3-6: Rep Row 2, 4 more times.
  • Row 7: Rep Row 2, changing to 1 strand ea of CA and CB in last yo of final hdc of row.
  • Rows 8-13: Rep Row 2, 6 more times.
  • Row 14: Rep Row 2, changing to 2 strands of CB in last yo of final hdc of row.
  • Rows 15-21: Rep Rows 2-7.
  • Rows 22-27: Rep Row 2, 6 more times.
  • Row 28: Rep Row 2, changing to 2 strands of CA in last yo of final hdc of row.
  • Rows 29-35: Rep Row 2-7.
  • Rows 36-42: Rep Row 2, 7 more times. Fasten off.

Front Panel

  • Follow instructions for Back Panel through Row 38.

Child's Ombré Pullover Vest, free crochet pattern in Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool by Underground Crafter | This oversized, boxy project is perfect for donation to Wool-Aid, a charity that helps children in the coldest parts of the world.Shape first side of neckline

  • Row 39: Turn, ch 2, hdc in same st and next 9 sts, sc in next 2 sts. (12 sts + 26 unworked sts)
  • Row 40: Turn, ch 1, sl st in same st and next st, hdc in next 10 sts.
  • Row 41: Turn, ch 2, hdc in same st and next 9 sts, sl st in next 2 sts.
  • Row 42: Rep Row 40 once. Fasten off.

Shape second side of neckline

  • Row 43: With 1 strand ea of CA and CB, turn, join with sl st to unworked side of Row 39, ch 2, hdc in same st and next 9 sts, sc in next 2 sts. (12 sts + 14 unworked sts in center + 12 sts on other side)
  • Rows 44-45: Rep Rows 40-41.
  • Row 46: Turn, ch 2, hdc in same st and next 9 sts, sl st in next 2 sts, work 2 sc evenly around sides of next 4 rows, sl st in next 14 skipped sts from Row 39, work 2 sc evenly around sides of next 4 rows, sl st in next 2 sts, hdc in next 10 sts. Fasten off. (42 sts)

Child's Ombré Pullover Vest, free crochet pattern in Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool by Underground Crafter | This oversized, boxy project is perfect for donation to Wool-Aid, a charity that helps children in the coldest parts of the world.Assemble front and back panels

  • Position pieces with wrong sides facing to seam on right sides.
  • Line up panels and join 2 strands of CB with sl st through both pieces at Row 1.
  • Working across long edge from Row 1 towards neckline, line up rows and work sc seam through both sides of rows of both pieces until 7″ (18 cm) remains unworked. (You can find a tutorial for working a single crochet seam here.) Fasten off.
  • Rep across other long edge, leaving top 7″ (18 cm) of long side of ea piece unseamed for arm opening.
  • Join 2 strands of CB with sl st at top shoulder.
  • Working across short edge across shoulders, line up sts and work sc seam through next 12 sts through both pieces.
  • Working only across back panel, sl st in ea of next 14 sts, leaving neck open.
  • Continue working sc seam through next 12 sts through both pieces. Fasten off.
  • With yarn needle, weave in ends.
© 2016 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: http://undergroundcrafter.com/2016/06/01/free-pattern-childs-ombre-pullover-vest. Thanks for supporting indie designers!

Don’t forget to share a picture on Ravelry or with my Facebook page if you make one!

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