Pattern Description:
The Caron Check Me Out Crochet Set brings bold style and easy construction together in a matching vest and skirt duo.
Worked with striking two-tone checks using simple intarsia colorwork, the set uses hdc stitches for a smooth, modern texture.
The vest features clean ribbing and a flattering V-neck, while the skirt includes a stretchy ribbed waistband for comfortable everyday wear.
Materials Needed & Measurements:
Materials Needed
| Item | Details |
| Yarn | Caron® Simply Soft® Speckle® (5 oz/141 g; 228 yds/250 m). |
| Colors Used | Contrast A: Abyss (61013). Contrast B: Snapdragon (61015). |
| Crochet Hooks | U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) and U.S. H/8 (5 mm) crochet hooks or size needed to obtain gauge. |
| Notions | Yarn needle, and a length of 5/8″ [1.5 cm] wide elastic for the Skirt. |
Yarn Quantity by Size (in balls)
| Sizes | Vest Contrast A (Abyss) | Vest Contrast B (Snapdragon) | Skirt Contrast A (Abyss) | Skirt Contrast B (Snapdragon) |
| XS/S | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| M | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| L | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| XL | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 2/3XL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 4/5XL | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Gauge
The required gauge is 13 hdc and 11 rows = 4″ [10 cm] with the larger hook in pattern.
Measurements
VEST Measurements
| Size | To Fit Chest Measurement | Finished Chest Measurement |
| XS/S | 28-34″ [71-86.5 cm] | 38″ [96.5 cm] |
| M | 36-38″ [91.5-96.5 cm] | 42″ [106.5 cm] |
| L | 40-42″ [101.5-106.5 cm] | 46½” [118 cm] |
| XL | 44-46″ [112-117 cm] | 51″ [129.5 cm] |
| 2/3XL | 48-54″ [122-137 cm] | 57″ [144.5 cm] |
| 4/5XL | 56-62″ [142-157.5 cm] | 61½” [157.5 cm] |
SKIRT Measurements
The Skirt is designed to fit the hip measurement with approximately 2 to 4″ [5 to 10 cm] ease.
| Size | To Fit Hip Measurement |
| XS/S | 34-36″ [86.5-91.5 cm] |
| M | 38-40″ [96.5-101.5 cm] |
| L | 42-44″ [106.5-112 cm] |
| XL | 46-48″ [117-122 cm] |
| 2/3XL | 50-54″ [127-137 cm] |
| 4/5XL | 56-62″ [142-157.5 cm] |
Abbreviations Used:
- Ch – Chain
- Sc – Single Crochet
- Scbl – Single Crochet in Back Loop
- Sl St – Slip Stitch
- Hdc – Half Double Crochet
- Hdc2tog – Half Double Crochet Two Together (decrease)
- Pat – Pattern
- Rep – Repeat
- RS – Right Side
- WS – Wrong Side
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
- Sp(s) – Space(s)
- Tog – Together
- Cont – Continue
- Inc – Increase
- Dec – Decrease
- Rem – Remaining
Instructions for Making the Caron Crochet Check Me Out Vest & Skirt Pattern:
VEST INSTRUCTIONS
VEST BACK
- Ribbing: With A and the smaller hook, Ch 11. 1st row: 1 Sc in 2nd Ch from hook. 1 Sc in each Ch to end. Turn. (10 Sc). 2nd row: Ch 1. 1 Scbl in each Sc to end of row. Turn. Rep the last row until Ribbing measures 19 (21-23-25-29-31)” [48 (53.5-58.5-63.5-73.5-78.5) cm], when slightly stretched. Do not fasten off. Change to the larger hook. Next row (RS): Ch 1. Work 62 (67-76-83-93-100) Sc evenly across the long edge of Ribbing. Turn.
- Check Pat: The Foundation row (WS) starts with A, followed by sections of B and A. The 1st row (RS) and subsequent rows are worked using Hdc in the sp(s) between the hdc Sts. Rows 1 to 10 use the initial color placement, and Rows 11 to 20 shift the color placement (Rep 11th row 9 times more, joining A at the end of the last row). These 20 rows establish the Check Pat. Rep 1st row 4 (4-4-6-8-10) times more. Fasten off.
- Shape Armholes: Skip the first 3 (3-6-8-9-11) hdc. Join the appropriate color with a Sl St to the next hdc. Ch 2. Pat to the last 3 (3-6-8-9-11) hdc. Turn. Next row: Ch 2. Hdc2tog over the next 2 sps between hdc. Pat to the last 3 Sts. Hdc2tog over the next 2 sps between hdc. 1 hdc in the last hdc. Turn. (54 (55-60-63-71-74) Sts). Rep the last row 4 (4-4-4-6-6) times more. (46 (47-52-55-59-62) Sts Rem). Cont even in Check Pat until the armhole measures 8 (8½-9-9½-10-10½)” [20.5 (21.5-23-24-25.5-26.5) cm], ending on a WS row. Fasten off.
VEST FRONT
Work Ribbing as given for the Back. The Foundation row (WS) uses B as the starting color, switching the color placement compared to the Back. Work armhole shaping as given for the Back.
- Divide for Left V-neck shaping: 1st row (RS): Ch 2. Hdc2tog over the next 2 sps between hdc. Pat across the next 22 (22-25-26-30-32) Sts. Hdc2tog over the next 2 sps between hdc. 1 hdc in the next hdc. Turn. (25 (25-28-29-33-35) Sts). Next rows Dec 1 St at the neck edge (using Hdc2tog) every row, then Cont even until the armhole reaches the required length.
- Right V-neck shaping: Join the appropriate color with a Sl St to the first unworked hdc. Ch 2. Hdc2tog over the next 2 sps between hdc. Pat to the last 3 Sts. Hdc2tog over the next 2 sps between hdc. 1 hdc in the last hdc. Turn. Next rows Dec 1 St at the neck edge, then Cont even until the armhole reaches the required length. Fasten off.
- Finishing (Vest): Sew side and shoulder seams. Create Armbands and the Neckband using A and the smaller hook, working Scbl ribbing. Rep 2nd row (Scbl) until Armband measures the length to fit around the armhole (stretching slightly). Sew the Armbands and Neckband in position.
SKIRT INSTRUCTIONS
Skirt pieces are worked from the waist down.
SKIRT FRONT
- Waistband: With A and the smaller hook, Ch 7. 1st row: 1 Sc in 2nd Ch from hook, 1 Sc in each Ch to end. Turn. (6 Sc). Rep 2nd row (Scbl) until Waistband measures 18 (19-21-23-26-29)” [45.5 (48-53.5-58.5-66-73.5) cm], slightly stretched. Next row (RS): Ch 1. Work 62 (69-76-83-93-100) Sc evenly across the long edge. Turn.
- Skirt Body: For sizes XS/S, M, and 2/3XL, the Foundation row (WS) starts with A. Rep 1st row 7 times more (Rows 2-8). 9th row (inc row-RS): Increase by placing 2 hdc in the sp between hdc multiple times across the row. Rows 10 and 11 shift the Check Pat colors. Cont the Check Pat for a total of 50 rows. Fasten off.
SKIRT BACK
Work the Waistband as given for the Skirt Front. For sizes XS/S, M, and 2/3XL, the Foundation row (WS) starts with B. Rep 1st row 7 times more (Rows 2-8). 9th row (inc row-RS): This increase row starts with B. Cont the Check Pat for a total of 50 rows. Fasten off.
Finishing (Skirt)
Sew side seams, matching the check Pat. Fold the Waistband in half to the WS and sew loosely to form a casing, leaving a Sp to insert the elastic. Cut the length of 5/8″ [1.5 cm] wide elastic to fit the waist measurement. Insert the elastic through the casing and sew the ends Tog securely. Sew the opening in the waistband closed.
