Wednesday Checkered Vest
What’s that? You’re a fan of the Netflix Wednesday series? And you’re looking for a fun and easy pattern to crochet the Wednesday checkered vest? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Okay, I’ll be honest, I’ve never been much of an Addams family fan. HOWEVER. When I see the names Tim burton and Danny Elfman together, I feel compelled to see more. I was hooked after the first 5 minutes of the series and didn’t think it could get any cooler until the vest appeared on screen.
A google search tells me the original design for the vest worn in the series was created by Alice Morel Evans who designed the vest for John Skelton. I have so much appreciation for this design and I couldn’t resist making my own version.
I think what I love most is that the checkered pattern is interrupted by the two black columns in the front and back so it’s not just black and white blocks all the way through. It adds such a great flow to the design. I think the original design uses light weight yarn, possibly cotton or wool. I’ve decided to use worsted weight acrylic yarn for my vest.
Wednesday Addams
Crochet Vest
Skill
Intermediate
Size
The finished size of my crochet vest is about 40”/101.5cm around the hips and about 23”/58.5cm from shoulder to bottom.
Materials
5.00mm crochet hook
Bernat Super Value in Black and White
Yarn needle for sewing seams and to weave in ends
Abbreviations (US terms)
ch - chain
st(s) - stitch(es)
hdc - half double crochet
dec - decrease (ie. hdc2tog)
sc - single crochet
sk - skip
WS - Wrong side
RS - Right side
Gauge
One block is 2.5”/6.5cm = 6 rows x 8 hdc
4”/10cm square worked in pattern = 13 sts x 11 rows
Pattern Notes
The vest is made up of two pieces; front and back. The two pieces are worked in rows using half double crochet stitches throughout. There are no increases or decreases to shape the waist but there are decreases to shape the front and back necklines.
To get the checkered look, alternate between black and white every 6 rows, ie. complete 6 rows in white and in the next row switch to black for another 6 rows. Within the rows, switch between black and white every 8 stitches as specified - remember there are two black columns so there are parts where you don’t switch colors.
I thought it would be different and fun to give the middle black columns a mesh look. You don’t have to do this and can work the entire vest in regular half double crochet stitches.
Notes on Sizing
To determine what size I needed the foundation stitches to be, I calculated the size of each black and white block (2.5” per square) and the number of rows and stitches (6 rows x 8 hdc sts per square).
I divided my desired hip size (40”) by the size of each block (2.5”) and got a total of 16 blocks or 8 blocks each for front and back pieces. There are 8 stitches per block and there are 8 blocks for each piece, which means I need a foundation of 64 stitches (plus 2 for the foundation chain). So, if you are making this in a different size, you’ll need to measure yourself and calculate how many blocks and stitches you’ll need to start with.
For the armhole and neck I took the vest in by one block (2.5”) on each side but this might be different for you so you’ll want to measure and try on as you go.
Once finished, each piece has 60 rows from shoulder to bottom and 64 stitches across the bottom.
Wednesday Vest - pattern notes and sketches
Front Piece
With Black yarn ch 66
Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and the next 7 ch, *switch to White, hdc in the next 8 ch, switch to Black, (option to work in regular hdc or create mesh as follows:) [ch 1, sk ch, hdc in next ch] x 4, still using Black hdc in next 8 ch, repeat from * ending with White, turn
Row 2: ch 2, hdc in the next 8 sts, *switch to Black, hdc in next 8 sts, still using Black work mesh stitches [ch 1, sk st, hdc in next st] x 4, switch to White, hdc in next 8 sts, repeat from * ending with Black, turn
Repeat rows 1 and 2 switching between Black and White every 6 rows until you have 39 rows in total or you reach your desired length. Cut yarn at the end of Row 39 and turn.
Armhole
Row 40: skip first block (8 sts), pick up a stitch in the next st and continue pattern leaving the last block (8 sts) unworked, turn (56 sts)
Row 41: ch 2, dec in first two sts, continue pattern, dec in last two sts, turn (54 sts)
Right Front Shaping
Row 42: Use a stitch marker or scrap yarn to mark the center for the neck, ch 2, continue pattern, dec in the 2 sts before the marker, leave remaining sts unworked, turn
In remaining rows dec every odd row until there are 11 sts left
Left Front Shaping
Facing WS, pick up stitch in the center and continue pattern toward armhole. Complete as Right Front working decreases on even rows this time until there are 11 sts left.
Cut yarn and weave in ends.
Back Piece
Repeat Front Piece rows 1-40
Rows 41-53: Continue pattern
Neck Shaping
Row 54: Use a stitch marker and place 16 stitches (2 blocks) away from the armhole edge on left and right sides leaving 16 sts in the center between the stitch markers. Continue pattern, dec in the 2 sts before the marker, turn leaving remaining sts unworked.
In remaining rows dec every other row until there are 11 sts left.
Pick up a stitch on the other side and repeat, making decreases in the neckline edge.
Cut yarn and weave in ends.
Assembly
Align the shoulder edges together and sew with a yarn needle. Option to sew the side seams as is or crochet a trim before sewing. To crochet a trim:
Join black yarn in any stitch or space, I joined my yarn in the bottom corner of a piece. Evenly sc in the row edges along the side and up along and around the armhole, continue along second piece down to the bottom. Cut yarn and repeat with the other side. Align the sides together and sew the seams.
To add a trim to the neckline join yarn in any space and evenly sc in the row edges along the side. Join with slip stitch. Cut yarn and weave in ends.
Wednesday Vest - view of the back piece after completing the right back.
Wednesday Vest - view of front and back pieces shoulder seams attached.
Wednesday Vest - after working single crochet stitches around neck and armholes.
Wednesday Vest - front
Wednesday Vest - back
If you make this crochet vest I'd love to see your creation, just tag me on Instagram @popsdemilk_crochet and use the hashtag #popsdemilk
Looking for more crochet patterns? Then you might like these:
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This pattern is for personal use only. The pattern and its photos may not be reproduced, distributed or resold, translated, published, altered, shared or posted in any way over the internet or offline.
You may sell finished items made from this pattern as long as it is handmade by you, not mass produced, giving the credit to Pops de Milk / Patricia Castillo as the designer. If you have any questions, you can email me at patricia@popsdemilk.com
