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The Bumps – a free crochet pocket shawl pattern

ByDora Does Released Updated
A woman wears a textured dark blue crochet pocket shawl with thin cream stripes. The model’s hands rest in the pockets placed on either end of the shawl.

The Bumps is a crochet pocket shawl pattern full of texture, which is created by the crochet post stitches used in its construction.

If you’re familiar with front and back post stitches, this is a mindful, relaxing crochet project with a simple 4 row repeat and the opportunity to make it your own with colour choices.

For those of you who are newer to post stitches, this is a great project for learning something new and practicing your back and front post stitches (which can be used in so many other projects).

The Bumps is one of those patterns which I think looks way more complex and intricate than it actually is.

Read on for the free crochet pattern or purchase an ad-free printable PDF version from Love Crafts, Ravelry or Etsy.

A crochet pocket shawl made in a textured crochet stitch is worn by a woman who rests her hands in the pockets.

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click a link to a product and go on to make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. You can read my full affiliate disclosure here. 

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About the Bumps Crochet Pocket Shawl

I’ve called the pattern for this pocket shawl ’The Bumps’ after the traditional rowing race held twice a year on the River Cam, near where I live. There are some odd rules involving bumping up in the race order and wearing pieces of willow in your hair, which I have never fully understood!

Living close to the river, what I do know is that there’s a lot of noise, cheering and the river is never still for a moment, echoing the texture of the fabric of this shawl.

On top of that, the ribbon like stripes over the blue colour block also looks like a bit like finish lines. (maybe I’m pushing the analogy there?)

The colourwork on the pockets, which are designed only to keep your hands warm, largely reflects that of the main shawl on a smaller scale.

The shawl intended to be worn over the shoulders, not wrapped around the neck.

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All the texture

I am having a love affair with post stitches (UK raised stitches) at the moment and the textures they create, whether it’s cable patterns or rippled undulations.

This pattern uses what I’ve called a ‘reversible alpine stitch.’ Essentially you replace the double crochets in a traditional alpine stitch with back post trebles. But I’ll get into the detail of that in the pattern.

I can’t get enough of the texture this creates. When looked at from an angle, it almost looks like a diamond lattice, whereas it looks quite different seen straight on.

It ticks all my boxes of variety and interest in a stitch pattern.

Okay, without further ado, let’s get to the pattern.

A woman stands side on to a pink wall wearing a crochet pocket shawl with her hands resting in the pockets.

Pattern Notes

General Notes

  • Please read through the pattern and all associated notes before starting your project
  • This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology (UK equivalents are given in brackets in the abbreviations list)
  • Turning chains do not count as stitches
  • The first stitch of each row should be worked into the top of the last stitch from the previous row
  • Instructions written after *asterisks should be repeated as indicated 
  • Instructions written between [square brackets] should be worked the specific number of times instructed (these are only used in the stitch descriptions for this pattern)
  • The stitch count for each separate piece does not change, so the stitch count is only given at the end of the first row for each section
  • The pocket shawl made from this pattern is only intended for use and/or wear by adults
  • The pockets are only designed to keep your hands cosy – they are not intended to carry or hold the weight of other items. 
  • The shawl is designed to be worn draped over the shoulders, not wrapped around the neck

Construction

  • The shawl is worked in rows with the number of stitches making up its width and the number of rows making up its length
  • The patch pockets are also made in rows from the bottom up, and are sewn onto the main shawl at suitable positions
  • A schematic is included in the measurements section of the notes

Skills Used

  • Knowledge of basic crochet stitches, techniques and terminology is assumed
  • Chainless foundation rows – see special stitches
  • Front and back post stitches – see special stitches
  • Working in stitches 2 rows below / skipping rows
  • Changing colours
  • Sewing on pockets
A bumpy textured blue crochet pocket shawl is seen from the front, with one of the wearer’s hands in the pocket and the other out of the frame.

Materials

Crochet Hook

7mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

I used my 7mm plastic clover amour.

Yarn

This pattern is a bit of a yarn eater. You’ll need approximately 550g / 850m / 935yds aran weight wool yarn.

The sample pictured used the following yarns from my stash:

  • Yarn A: Wooly Knit British Aran wool 400g cone, shade denim, 100% British wool, 400g = 616m / 678yds – I used Approx 510g / 785m / 865yds.
  • Yarn B: We are Knitters, Meripaca (shade discontinued), 80% Superwash Merino Wool, 10% Baby Alpaca. 100g = 143m / 156yds. This was a part ball I had left in my stash and I used approx 35g / 50m / 55 yds.

Substitution Options: 

A similar weight and fibre wool yarn which matches gauge should achieve similar results.

The pattern should still work with other types of wool or acrylic yarn, but different fibres, plies and twists will produce a different result to that pictured.

You may find this post useful when choosing yarn.

Other Materials

  • Yarn needle & scissors
  • Blocking mat and pins
The shoulder of a blue crochet pocket shawl seen in close up from behind.

Stitches & Abbreviations: US terms 

(UK Equivalent in Brackets)

  • BLO = back loop only
  • bptr = back post treble crochet (UK Raised double treble Back) – see special stitches
  • ch = chain
  • fdc = foundation double crochet (UK foundation treble) – chainless foundation row tutorial
  • FLO = front loop only
  • fptr = front post treble crochet (UK Raised double treble Front) – see special stitches
  • hdc = half double crochet (UK half treble crochet)
  • rep = repeat
  • RS = right side
  • sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)
  • ss = slip stitch
  • st(s) = stitch(es)
  • WS = wrong side
  • yo = yarn over

Special Stitches 

This pattern uses back and front post trebles (UK raised double treble front and back).

If post stitches are new to you, you can learn more about how they work in this front and back post double crochet tutorial (the principle is the same for trebles as it is for doubles).

Front Post Treble Crochet (fptr)

Yo twice, then, working from the front of the fabric, insert the hook behind the post of the indicated stitch (from front to back to front, so the post is in front of the hook), yo pull up a loop, [yo, pull through two loops] three times to complete the stitch. 

The post will pull towards you as you work.

Back Post Double Crochet (bptr)

Yo twice, then, working from the back of the fabric, insert hook in front of the post of the indicated stitch (from back to front to back, so the post is at the back of the hook), yo pull up a loop, [yo, pull through two loops] three times to complete the stitch.

The post will pull away from you as you work.

Measurements & Finished Size

This shawl is designed in one adult size. The finished, blocked sample pictured measures approximately 35cm wide by 155cm long. 

The pockets each measure around 20cm wide by 17cm deep. Each pocket used approximately 50m of yarn, which excludes the yarn used to sew them on to the shawl.

I have given blocked and unblocked gauge measurements below because the stitch pattern stretches with blocking, especially across the rows; i.e., your shawl will get longer with blocking (and probably with wear too). 

The finished length of the shawl is important to consider, given it will impact the placement of the pockets. If your shawl is too long then, your hands won’t reach the pockets when the shawl is draped around your shoulders – which ruins the whole point of the design!

It may help you to know that I am wearing the shawl in the pictures and measure 153cm / 5’1” tall, with an arm span (wrist to wrist) of about 150cm / 60 inches

Schematic

Below is a schematic (not to scale) of the pattern.

A schematic showing the length and depth of the crochet pocket shawl and its pockets

Pattern Repeat

The main pattern repeat involves rows of post stitches (right side rows), alternating with rows of single crochet (wrong side rows). The post stitches are worked into the corresponding post stitches from 2 rows down. Back post trebles are worked into front post trebles, and vice versa, to create the texture. 

Each post row starts and finishes with a half double crochet to create a neat edge.

The 4 row pattern repeat is represented by Rows 4-7 of the pattern.

The stitch pattern is similar to the alpine stitch, which you can learn about here. The main difference with this stitch pattern is that the double crochets of alpine stitch are replaced with back post trebles.

This means that you get texture on both sides of the fabric.

Gauge

Unblocked Gauge: 10.5 sts and 11.5 rows in 10cm of the pattern repeat using a 7mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

Blocked Gauge: 10 sts and 10.5 rows in 10cm of the pattern repeat using a 7mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

You may wish to make the pockets first as swatches. This will help you get used to the stitch pattern and allow you to check your gauge.

Learn how to make and measure a gauge swatch here.

A textured crochet pocket shawl in dark blue with cream stripes is seen worn from a back side angle.

How to purchase a Dora Does crochet pattern:

I sell my PDF crochet patterns in my Etsy, Ravelry and Love Crafts stores. You can purchase this pattern on any of these platforms, depending on your preference. Simply click the relevant links throughout this pattern page to be taken to the listing, or visit the store homepages in the links at the start of this paragraph.

Colourwork

I have written out the colour work used in the sample pictured. However you can easily make your own colourwork choices with this pattern.  

Each of the thin stripes are achieved by working one single crochet row (Row 2 repeat) in a contrast colour.

I fastened off with each colour change rather than carrying yarn through.

A woman standing in front of a dusky pink wall wears a dark blue textured crochet pocket shawl over a light blue top and dark blue jeans. Her hands rest in the pockets.

You can purchase an ad-free print optimised PDF version of this pattern from Etsy, Ravelry or Love Crafts.

The Bumps Pocket Shawl Crochet Pattern

Main Shawl

Using Yarn A

Row 1 (RS): Make 37fdc. 37 sts

Row 2 (WS): Ch1 (does not count as a st here or throughout), 1sc in each st to end, turn.

Row 3: Ch1, 1hdc in first st, 1fptr in corresponding fdc 2 rows below, *1bptr in corresponding fdc 2 rows below, 1fptr in corresponding fdc 2 rows below; rep from * to last st, 1hdc in last st, turn.

Row 4: As Row 2.

Row 5: Ch1, 1hdc in first st, 1bptr in fptr 2 rows below, *1fptr in bptr 2 rows below, 1bptr in fptr 2 rows below; rep from * to last st, 1hdc in last st, turn.

Row 6: As Row 2.

Row 7: Ch1, 1hdc in first st, 1fptr in bptr 2 rows below, *1bptr in fptr 2 rows below, 1fptr in bptr 2 rows below; rep from * to last st, 1hdc in last st, turn.

Rows 8-31: Rep Rows 4-7. Change to Yarn B

Row 32: As Row 2. Change to Yarn A

Rows 33-35: Rep Rows 5-7.

Rows 36-47: Rep Rows 4-7. Change to Yarn B

Row 48: As Row 2. Change to Yarn A

Rows 49-128: Rep Rows 33-48 five times (6 repeats in total).

Rows 129-131: Rep Rows 5-7.

Rows 132-159: Rep Rows 4-7.

Row 160: Ch1, ss into FLO of each st to end.

Fasten off and block the shawl 

The shoulder section of a blue textured crochet pocket shawl with cream stripes, worn by a woman in a lighter blue jersey.

The Pockets

Make 2 the same;

Using Yarn A

Row 1 (RS): Make 21fdc. 21 sts

Row 2 (WS): Ch1 (does not count as a st here or throughout), 1sc in each st to end, turn.

Row 3: Ch1, 1hdc in first st, 1fptr in corresponding fdc 2 rows below, *1bptr in corresponding fdc 2 rows below, 1fptr in corresponding fdc 2 rows below; rep from * to last st, 1hdc in last st, turn.

Row 4: As Row 2.

Row 5: Ch1, 1hdc in first st, 1bptr in fptr 2 rows below, *1fptr in bptr 2 rows below, 1bptr in fptr 2 rows below; rep from * to last st, 1hdc in last st, turn.

Row 6: As Row 2.

Row 7: Ch1, 1hdc in first st, 1fptr in bptr 2 rows below, *1bptr in fptr 2 rows below, 1fptr in bptr 2 rows below; rep from * to last st, 1hdc in last st, turn. Change to Yarn B

Row 8: As Row 2. Change to Yarn A

Rows 9-11: Rep Rows 5-7.

Rows 12-15: Rep Rows 4-7. Change to Yarn B

Row 16: As Row 2.

Row 17: Ch1, ss into BLO of each st to end.

Fasten off, and block pockets

Putting it together

Decide on the placement of your pockets on either end of the shawl. Pin them in place on the RS of the shawl with RS of the pockets facing out. Before sewing them on, you may wish to check that you’re happy with the placement of the pockets by trying on your shawl. 

Securely sew pockets to RS of each end of the shawl, leaving the top openings facing into the centre of the shawl. 

Weave in ends and you’re finished!

A woman stands in front of a dusky pink wall with her hands in the pockets of the textured crochet pocket shawl she is wearing.

Sharing your finished makes

I love seeing your finished makes – it gives me all the happy feels!

Here’s how you can share them on social media, if that’s your cup of tea!

  • On Instagram, you can use the hashtag #DoraDoes or just tag me @doraexplored
  • You can share your photos on my Facebook page
  • If you have the bug for creating garments, why not join my dedicated facebook group “My Crochet Wardrobe” and share them there?
  • If Pinterest is your happy place, you can add them there too – check out my Pinterest account for lots more crochet inspiration from makers across the web.

Happy Hooking 

Dx

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