Crochet Pattern: Hug for a Long Commute

I’m so excited to share my new favorite cold weather accessory with you! The Hug for a Long Commute crochet pattern makes a cozy but visually interesting accessory you can wear on your next adventure (or on your next commute to work or school). You can style this project as a triangular scarf or as a shawl.

Free crochet pattern: Hug for a Long Commute scarf or shawl in Universal Yarn Classic Shades Frenzy by Underground Crafter

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Yarn for the sample was generously provided by Universal Yarn.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen this sneak peek of the Hug for a Long Commute back in September.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I was on a hat #crocheting spree for a few weeks and now it seems to be shawls. I am trying out a new-to-me #yarn, @universal_yarn Classic Shades Frenzy in Urban Transit. As someone who’s business is pretty much named after urban transit (that’s where I’m crafting underground, after all), I had to try this colorway. I am loving the greens, purples, and even (dare I say) the yellows. I have purposely arranged this WIP so that you can’t tell how the finished shawl is shaped. I like a little mystery, after all. #igotitfree #undergroundcrafter #universalyarn #universalclassicshadesfrenzy #crochetblogers #crochetersgonnacrochet #crochetersofig #crochetersofinstagram #crocheted #crochet #instacrochet #hookedoncrochet2018 #makersgonnamake

A post shared by Marie @ Underground Crafter (@ucrafter) on

Let me tell you a bit about my inspiration! Earlier this year, I connected with Universal Yarn and they sent me some Universal Classic Shades Frenzy yarn to try out. When I was looking through the colorways, I saw this one called Urban Transit and as a Native New Yorker who has been riding the subways since I was a wee one, I knew I had to try it. At first, the colors didn’t really seem like “me” (where’s my pink? where’s my Caribbean sea blue?), but the yarn quickly grew on me.

It’s a bulky yarn, but on the thinner side of bulky. The colors are a wonderful blend! Originally, I planned to design a crochet version of Martina Behm’s Hitchhiker shawl, which has an asymmetrical shape. As I got deeper and deeper into the project, I knew it had to have more of a triangular shape. Because that’s my favorite shawl shape, and I was definitely going to be keeping this!

Free crochet pattern: Hug for a Long Commute scarf or shawl in Universal Yarn Classic Shades Frenzy by Underground Crafter | smiling woman wearing scarf

The weather has recently gotten very cold here, so this weekend, I washed the Hug for a Long Commute for the first time. It emerged from the dryer super soft and I’ve been wearing it everyday.

Free crochet pattern: Hug for a Long Commute scarf or shawl in Universal Yarn Classic Shades Frenzy by Underground Crafter | shawl flat lay detail

I’ve received quite a few compliments, especially from my friends who are more into yellows and greens.

Free crochet pattern: Hug for a Long Commute scarf or shawl in Universal Yarn Classic Shades Frenzy by Underground Crafter | flat lay of folded scarf

I love that this can be worn as a triangular scarf, or pinned in place like a shawl. Maybe I’ll try that once the weather warms up again! Now, I’m glad I ventured outside of my color comfort zone.

If you make your own Hug for a Long Commute, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter or Instagram as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

Add the Hug for a Long Commute to your favorites or queue, or buy an ad-free PDF on Ravelry.

Underground Crafter on Ravelry

Hug for a Long Commute

Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

This pattern was updated 1/10/2019 to correct an error in the decrease section.
Free crochet pattern: Hug for a Long Commute scarf or shawl in Universal Yarn Classic Shades Frenzy by Underground Crafter

Wrap yourself in a cozy but visually interesting hug before your next adventure. Style it as a scarf or as a shawl.

Finished Size

  • Adult: 62” (157.5 cm) wingspan x 12.75” (32.5 cm) spine.

Materials

  • Universal Classic Shades Frenzy yarn (70% acrylic/30% wool, 3.5 oz/100 g, 159 yd/145 m) – 3 skeins in 907 Urban Transit, or approximately 370 yd (338.5 m) in any bulky weight yarn.
  • US K-10.5/6.5 mm crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain correct gauge.
  • Yarn needle.
  • Stitch marker (optional).

Gauge

  • 16 hdc = 4” (10 cm) across. Exact gauge is not critical for this project.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

  • BL – back (third) loop only Moogly has a helpful video tutorial for identifying the third loop in half double crochet here.
  • chchain
  • dec – decrease – [Yo, insert hook in third loop of next st, yo and draw up a loop] twice, yo and draw through all 5 loops on hook. This decrease is a variation on the hdc2tog with the hook inserted in the third loop. A helpful video tutorial for the hdc2tog is shown below.
  • If you can’t see the tutorial for the hdc2tog above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
  • ea – each
  • hdchalf double crochet
  • reprepeat
  • skskip
  • st(s)stitch(es)
  • yoyarn over
  • *Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.
  • [] Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated.

Pattern Notes

  • Ch 1 at beginning of Rows does not count as a stitch.
  • Some crocheters find it helpful to place stitch marker at the end of Row 2, to indicate the side
    of the project that has increases and decreases.

Pattern Instructions

Increase to midpoint

  • Ch 3.
  • Row 1: Turn, sk 2 ch (counts as hdc), 2 hdc in next ch. (3 sts)
  • Row 2: Turn, ch 1, hdcBL in first 2 sts, 2 hdcBL in next st. (4 sts)
  • Row 3: Turn, ch 1, 2 hdcBL in first st, hdcBL in ea st across. (5 sts)
  • Row 4: Turn, ch 1, hdcBL in first st and ea st across to last st, 2 hdcBL in last st. (6 sts)
  • Row 5: Rep Row 3. (7 sts)
  • Row 6: Rep Row 4. (8 sts)
  • Row 7: Turn, ch 1, hdcBL in first 3 sts, 2 hdcBL, sk 4 sts. (5 sts)
  • Row 8: Turn, ch 1, 2 hdcBL in first st, hdcBL in ea st across. (Increases by 1 st)
  • Row 9: Turn, ch 1, hdcBL in first st and in ea st across to last st, 2 hdcBL in last st. (Increases by 1 st)
  • Rows 10-13: Rep Row 8-9 twice.
  • Row 14: Turn, ch 1, 2 hdcBL in first st, hdcBL in ea st to last st, 2 hdcBL in last st. (Increases by 2 sts)
  • Row 15: Turn, ch 1, hdcBL in first st and in ea st across to last 5 sts, 2 hdcBL in next st, sk 4 sts. (Decreases by 3 sts)
  • Rep Rows 8-15, ending last rep after Row 13, until project measures approximately 30”/76 cm, or approximately half of desired finished wingspan/length.

Decrease to endpoint

  • Row 16: Turn, ch 1, dec in first 2 sts, hdcBL in ea st across. (Decreases by 1 st)
  • Row 17: Turn, ch 1, hdcBL in first st and in ea st across to last 2 sts, dec in last 2 sts. (Decreases by 1 st)
  • Row 18-21: Rep Rows 16-17 twice.
  • Row 22: Turn, ch 1, dec in first 2 sts, hdcBL in ea st across to last 2 sts, dec in last 2 sts. (Decreases by 2 sts)
  • Row 23: Turn, ch 1, hdcBL in ea st across.
  • Row 24: Turn, ch 5, turn, sk first ch, hdc in next 4 ch, hdcBL across row. (Increases by 4 sts)
  • Row 25: Rep Row 17.
  • Rows 26-29: Rep Rows 16-17 twice.
  • Row 30: Rep Row 16.
  • Row 31: Rep Rows 22.
  • Row 32: Rep Row 24.
  • Rep Rows 25-32, ending after Row 30 when 3 sts remain. Fasten off.

Finishing

  • With yarn needle, weave in ends.
© 2018, 2019 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: https://undergroundcrafter.com/2018/11/29/crochet-pattern-hug-for-a-long-commute-scarf-shawl. Thanks for supporting indie designers!

Leave a Comment

Subscribe to the newsletter to get my secrets and access to the subscriber vault!

5 Secrets for Improving Your Crochet Skills