This is a bolero style multicolored granny square sleeveless vest with tie fronts constructed from cotton yarn using a join-as-you-go technique. Instructions include layout map, resizing information, advice on yarn selection and hook size, and options for alternative designs.

As someone new to crochet, one of my early “must” makes straight after learning how to make a granny square was a vest in lots of colours. I spent quite a while looking at all the different available patterns and was overwhelmed. So after an early attempt, I created out what seems to be the ideal granny vest layout. This is the set of instructions I wish I had when I first started!

This pattern does not cover the basic granny square construction because there are so many wonderful patterns already out there, but what it does contain is the maths on getting the size right for you, the best way to layout the squares, what I learnt about joining the squares and my suggestions for yarns, closures and even a couple of alternative versions. The bolero vest I worked is a loose to comfortable Australian dress size 12 – 14. I will guide you through instructions to make the vest you create to your required size.