10 Free Crochet Vest Patterns for Men

Finding a good men’s crochet vest pattern is harder than it should be. Most free vests are cut for women, and many “unisex” patterns are not. So we went looking for vests that are clearly made for men, or listed for men and women, and checked every page.

This list has 10 free patterns. You will find classic V-neck sweater vests, a button-front vest, a vintage argyle waistcoat, and a cabled fisherman vest. They make great gifts for a husband, dad, brother, or son.

Men’s Crochet Vest Free Patterns

This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What You’ll Need

• Worsted (#4) yarn in a solid, neutral color
• Crochet hooks, 4 mm to 6 mm
• Locking stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Soft measuring tape
• Buttons, for button-front styles
• Blocking mats and pins

1. Alfonso Men’s Vest

Photo: Crystal Marin / ChristaCoDesign
A classic men’s sweater vest with a V-neck, ribbed hem, and a clean fit. The main stitch is extended single crochet, which makes a smooth fabric, and front post double crochet forms the ribbing. The V is deep enough to wear over a collared shirt. Sizes run S to 5X.

• Designer: Crystal Marin / ChristaCoDesign
• Skill level: Intermediate
• Yarn: Worsted (#4)
• Hook: 5.5 mm (I-9)
• Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
• Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →

2. Summit Men’s Crochet Vest

Photo: Jennifer Renaud / A Crocheted Simplicity
This V-neck vest has a textured panel down the front and ribbing at the hem, armholes, and neck. It is worked flat in one piece from the bottom up, then split for the front and back. The designer suggests acrylic yarn for easy care and good stitch definition.

• Designer: Jennifer Renaud / A Crocheted Simplicity
• Skill level: Intermediate
• Yarn: Worsted (#4)
• Hook: 5 mm (H/8) and 4 mm (G/6)
• Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
• Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →

3. Swish Men’s Vest

Photo: Kim Guzman / CrochetKim
A lightly textured button-front vest made with single crochet, front loop stitches, and long single crochet. It has a V-neck and a five-button band. Kim Guzman suggests choosing a size 4 to 6 inches bigger than the chest, and measuring the belly too. Sizes run S to 3X.

• Designer: Kim Guzman / CrochetKim
• Skill level: see pattern
• Yarn: see pattern (Knit Picks Swish Worsted used)
• Hook: 6 mm (J) and 5 mm (H)
• Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
• Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →

4. Men’s Argyle Crochet Waistcoat

Photo: Ruth Maddock / Simply Crochet
A vintage-style waistcoat with an argyle look. The colorwork is worked in, and the diagonal lines are embroidered on at the end. It is made in one piece up to the armholes, has a buttonhole band, and comes in S to XL. The pattern uses UK crochet terms.

• Designer: Ruth Maddock / Simply Crochet
• Skill level: see pattern
• Yarn: Aran
• Hook: 4 mm (G/6) and 3.5 mm (E/4)
• Price: Free
• Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →

5. Sharp Dressed Man Vest

Photo: Nadia Fuad / YARNutopia
A two-tone, semi-formal vest that looks great with a shirt and tie. It uses post stitches for texture plus simple single, half double, and double crochet. The sample is about 44 inches around. Some readers say the front panel notes differ from the video, so follow along with the video.

• Designer: Nadia Fuad / YARNutopia
• Skill level: see pattern
• Yarn: see pattern (Red Heart Soft used)
• Hook: 4.25 mm (G)
• Price: Free
• Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →

6. Alpine Stitch Men’s Sweater Vest

Photo: Crochet Crosia Home
This V-neck vest uses the Alpine stitch, a mix of double crochet and post stitches that gives a rich, nubby texture. It is worked bottom up in front and back panels with a neck band. The full rows are written for the small size, with starting chains for other chest sizes and video help.

• Designer: Crochet Crosia Home
• Skill level: see pattern
• Yarn: Medium (per designer)
• Hook: 4 mm (G/6)
• Price: Free
• Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →

7. Fisherman Crochet Aran Vest

Photo: Lion Brand Yarn
If you love cables, this is the one. Lion Brand lists this fisherman-style vest for men and rates it for experienced crocheters. It is made in a wool and acrylic yarn in a medium weight, with finished chest sizes of 41, 46, 50, and 55 inches.

• Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
• Skill level: Advanced (listed as Experienced)
• Yarn: Medium / worsted (#4)
• Hook: see pattern
• Price: Free PDF download
• Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →

8. Adult Crochet V-Neck Vest

Photo: Caron / Yarnspirations
A simple V-neck vest to dress up a shirt. Yarnspirations lists it under easy crochet vests for men, and it comes in six size groups from XS/S to 4/5XL. It is made in Caron Simply Soft, which has a nice drape and is easy to wash.

• Designer: Caron / Yarnspirations
• Skill level: Easy
• Yarn: see pattern (Caron Simply Soft)
• Hook: see pattern
• Price: Free PDF download
• Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →

9. Checkered Vest

Photo: Lion Brand Yarn
Lion Brand lists this vest for men, women, and unisex. It alternates rows of single and double crochet for a simple texture, with back loop ribbing at the edges. It is rated easy, made in cotton worsted yarn, and sized S to 3X, with chest sizes from about 41 to 59 inches.

• Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
• Skill level: Easy
• Yarn: Medium / worsted (#4)
• Hook: see pattern
• Price: Free PDF download
• Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →

10. Crochet Vest Coat for Men and Women

Photo: Crochet Everything
An open vest made from two front panels and one back panel in double crochet, then finished with a single crochet border. You can add buttonholes in the border if you like. The page does not give a size chart, so it suits makers who are happy to measure and adjust with the video.

• Designer: Crochet Everything
• Skill level: see pattern
• Yarn: Medium (#4)
• Hook: 4.5 mm
• Price: Free
• Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →

Which One Should You Make?

• First vest for a man? Start with #9 (Checkered) or #8 (V-Neck Vest). Both are rated easy.
• Want a classic sweater vest to wear to work? Try #1 (Alfonso) or #2 (Summit).
• Prefer buttons? #3 (Swish) has a five-button front, and #4 (Argyle) has a button band.
• Love texture? #6 uses the Alpine stitch, and #7 has fisherman-style cables.
• Making a gift for a big guy? #1 goes up to 5X, and #9 and #3 go to 3X.

FAQ

How do I size a crochet vest for a man?
Measure his chest at the widest point, then add ease. A vest worn over a shirt usually needs 2 to 6 inches more than the chest. Kim Guzman also suggests measuring the belly. Compare those numbers with the finished measurements in the pattern, not just the size letter.

What yarn is best for a men’s crochet vest?
Worsted weight yarn in wool, a wool blend, or soft acrylic is a safe choice. Wool is warm and holds its shape. Acrylic is easy to machine wash and shows ribbing well. Most men prefer solid, darker colors like gray, navy, or brown.

Can I make a women’s vest pattern for a man?
Sometimes. Choose a simple shape with no bust shaping and pick the size by chest measurement. You may need to make it longer, since men usually need more length. Patterns listed as unisex, like the Checkered Vest, are the easiest to adapt.

Pick a pattern, measure twice, and you will have a vest he will actually wear.