About This Pattern
This vest is a quiet evening project that turns into a wardrobe piece. The bobble stitch panels take patience, row by row, but they build texture I like. Caramel carries the body, oatmeal makes the bow. It needs two colors of worsted yarn, a steady hook, and a swatch checked before the first panel starts.
In the basket
Yarn
Hook
Notions
Abbreviations
- ch
- chain
- st
- stitch
- sts
- stitches
- sc
- single crochet
- dc
- double crochet
- blo
- back loops only
- rep
- repeat
- bobble
- bobble stitch
Caramel bobble stitch vest with an oatmeal bow
Foundation Row
- Round 1(RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (72 sts)
- Round 2Ch 1, sc in first st, *bob in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across. Turn. (72 sts, 35 bobbles)
- Round 3Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (72 sts)
- Round 4Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, *bob in next st, sc in next st; rep from * to last 2 sts, sc in last 2 sts. Turn. (72 sts, 34 bobbles)
- Round 5Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (72 sts)Rows 6-45: Repeat Rows 2-5 ten more times. You should have a piece measuring approximately 15 inches from the beginning.
Foundation Row
- Round 1(RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (36 sts)
- Round 245 Work in bobble stitch pattern as established for back panel.
With Color A
- Round 1Ch 21. Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (18 dc)
- Rounds 2–3Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across. Turn. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise, then pinch the center and wrap yarn around several times to create the bow shape. Secure with a few stitches.
With Color A
- Round 1Magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6 sts)
- Round 22 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
- Round 3*Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (18 sts)
- Round 4Sc in BLO around. (18 sts) Fasten off. Insert wooden bead and stitch closed. Attach acorn to center of each bow. Position three bows along the right front neckline, spaced evenly. Sew securely in place.
Hook
Size H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook for main body Size G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook for ribbing (optional, for tighter ribbing)
Notions
Tapestry needle for weaving ends Stitch markers Scissors Measuring tape Small wooden or plastic beads for acorn embellishments (approximately 6)
Neck Shaping
Work even until front measures same length as back to shoulder.
For Left Front, reverse all shaping.
More pictures
Before the first stitch
- Check both yarn amounts against your skein labels before winding.
- Work the 5-inch swatch first and measure the center 4 inches.
- Read through Row 2 of the Foundation Row so the bobble placement is clear before you begin.
Minutes per piece
- Foundation Row panels (back and front) about 2-3 hours because each panel runs many rows of bobble stitch
- Bow strip and assembly about 30-45 minutes because the folding and wrapping take a careful hand
Other yarns that work
- Wool blend, worsted weight Adds warmth and a firmer bobble definition; may need a slightly larger hook for the same gauge.
- Cotton blend, worsted weight Gives a cooler drape and crisper stitch edges; expect less stretch in the ribbing.
Where it ends up
- Layer it over a long-sleeve shirt for a walk outside.
- Wear it at the kitchen table with jeans and boots.
- Pair it with a plain dress for an office day.
Small notes
- Bobble stitch pulls in your gauge, so check tension against the swatch, not by eye.
- The bow is fastened with a long tail wrap, so leave enough length when you finish off.
Little questions
Can I skip the acorn beads?
Yes, they are decorative only. The vest holds its shape without them.
Do I need both hook sizes?
No, the G/6 is optional for tighter ribbing. The H/8 works the main body throughout.
Why does my bobble row count differ?
Row 2 and Row 4 alternate bobble placement, so counts shift by one bobble. Check the stitch count in parentheses after each row.
How do I keep the bow from slipping?
Wrap the yarn tail around the center several times before securing. A few extra stitches through the wraps hold it firm.
Original pattern: https://crochetwithmia.com/caramel-autumn-bow-crochet-vest-free-crochet-pattern/
About the Author
Tamsin Okoro Who writes the patterns at Yarn Gallery, how a pattern gets from the hook to the page, and what this site will never do.
