The Smokestack Vest’s floaty drape and simple shape offer lots of ways to wear it: on or off the shoulders as a closed vest. Pull some of it over the head for a hood. Tumble it over the shoulders capelet style. Collapse it for an instant ring scarf, cowl, or head wrap.

Not only does the featured stitch conserve yarn, it’s simple, fast, and easy to remember (my vest took less than ten hours to crochet). You also don’t need a long Tunisian hook.

Best of all, the stitch is perfect for enjoying steeking. Smokestack’s armholes are created only after you’re done crocheting. Snip one loop and comfortably unravel a few stitches at your own pace. Each steek-friendly stitch is a painless (exciting!) beginner-level steeking experience.

Skill Level: Easy. Smokestack is designed to be a great first experience with steeking an extended Tunisian net. Both the stitch pattern and the steeking method are valuable crochet skills. See this recent newsletter about it.

You’ll have the opportunity to learn these skills:

• How to crochet a versatile, convertible tube vest with Tunisian crochet net stitches.
• How to easily customize the fit.
• How to add an armhole by cutting one stitch loop.

Finished Measurements for US Size Small (Medium, Large, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X):

1. Finished Bust and Hip circumference: 41 (46, 50, 54, 59, 62, 65, 69)“ {104.1 (116.8, 127.0, 137.2, 149.9, 157.5, 165.1, 175.3) cm}.
2. Finished Back Length worn cropped (waist length): 17 (17, 17.5, 18, 18.5, 18.5, 19, 19)“ {43.2 (43.2, 44.5, 45.7, 47.0, 47.0, 48.3, 48.3) cm}.
3. Finished Back Length worn full length (hip length): 23 (23, 23.5, 24, 24.5, 24.5, 25, 25)“ {58.4 (58.4, 59.7, 61.0, 62.2, 62.2, 63.5, 63.5) cm}.

The finished dimensions have 6”-8” {15.2-20.3 cm} wearing ease built in so that it’s a floaty, drapey layer over clothing. Choose the size that is 6”-8” {15.2-20.3 cm} wider than your actual widest body circumference, whether it be your bust or hip measurement. If you can’t decide between two sizes, choose the larger one.

Materials

• Tunisian Crochet Hook: Size US I/9 {5.5 mm}, 13” {33 cm} long.
• Regular crochet hook, used for finishing: Size US F/5 {3.75 mm}.
• Yarn substitution advice: choose a #0 Lace Weight yarn with a recommended hook size range of up to US B/1 {2.25 mm}.
• Notions: Four stitch markers to mark sleeves. Scissors. Yarn needle.

Thank you to model Tiffany Yurgionas and to photographers Lorraine McAndrews and Deb Seda, all members of the Steeking Tunisian Crochet class in July 2016 at the CGOA national conference, Charleston SC.