Instructions on Crocheting a Hobo Bag

A hobo bag crochets up quickly and can be used to carry light objects or as a purse. There are many ways to do this. Crocheting in rounds, you can make a bag without needing to sew any pieces together. You can adjust the size of your bag by changing the size of your hook or the weight of the yarn. To make a smaller bag, use lighter-weight yarn and a smaller hook. To make a larger bag, use a larger hook.

Things You'll Need

• N-hook
• Three skeins Thick and Chunky yarn, rated 6 in weight
• Tapestry needle

Instructions

Main Body

1. Chain 2. Slip stitch in first chain. This creates a ring into which you'll make the first row of stitches.

2. Chain 3. Make 7 double crochets in the ring. Slip stitch between the chain and first stitch to join the round. Turn. This is row one.

3. Chain 3. Double crochet in the same space. Make 2 double crochets in the space between the next 2 stitches. Repeat, making 2 double crochets between each stitch. You should now have 16 double crochets (the first chain always counts as a stitch). Join the round by making a slip stitch in the space between the chain and the first double crochet. Turn. This is row two.

4. Chain 3 and then double crochet in the same space. Make 1 double crochet between the next two stitches. Make 2 double crochets between the next two stitches. Repeat this pattern (1 double crochet, 2 double crochets) around, ending with 1 double crochet. You should now have 24 double crochet stitches. Slip stitch between chain and first double crochet to join the round. Turn. This is row three.

5. Chain 3 and then double crochet in the same space. Make 1 double crochet in each of the next two spaces and then 2 double crochets in the third space. Repeat this pattern (double crochet, double crochet, 2 double crochets) around, ending with a double crochet then a double crochet. You should have 32 double crochets. Join the round and turn. This is row four.

6. Chain 3. Make 1 double crochet between each stitch all the way around. You should have 32 double crochet stitches. Join the round and turn. This is row five.

7. Chain 3 and make 1 double crochet in the same space. Make 1 double crochet in each of the next three spaces and then 2 double crochets in the fourth space. Repeat this pattern around, ending with the 3 double crochets in separate stitches. You should have 40 double crochet stitches. Join the round and turn. This is row six.

8. Chain 3 and make 1 double crochet in the same space. Make 1 double crochet in each of the next four spaces and then 2 double crochets in the fifth space. Repeat this pattern around, ending with the four double crochets. You should now have 48 stitches. Join the round and turn. This is row seven.

9. Chain 3 and make 1 double crochet in the same space. Make 1 double crochet in each of the next seven stitches and then 2 double crochets in the eighth space. Repeat this pattern around ending with the seven double crochets in their own spaces. You should now have 54 stitches. Join the round and turn. This is row eight.

10. Chain 3. Make 1 double crochet between each stitch. You should still have 54 double crochets. Join the round and turn. This is row nine.

11. Repeat row nine three times more.

12. Chain 3 and then double crochet in the same space. Make 1 double crochet in the next eight spaces. Insert your hook in the ninth space, yarn over then pull the hook back to the front. Insert your hook in the 10th space, yarn over and then pull your hook back to the front. You should now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull the hook through two loops. Yarn over and then pull your hook through the last two loops. This is a double crochet decrease. Repeat the pattern (1 double crochet in the next eight spaces, double crochet decrease in spaces nine and 10) four times. Make 1 double crochet in the next three spaces. You should now have 50 double crochet stitches. Join the round and turn. This is row 13.

13. Chain 3. Make 1 double crochet in each space. You should have a total of 50 stitches. Join and turn. This is row 14.

14. Chain 3 and make 1 double crochet in the same space. Double crochet in the next three spaces. Decrease over the next two spaces (as in Step 12). Repeat this pattern (3 double crochet, decrease) eight times. Double crochet in each of the remaining four spaces. You should have 42 stitches. Join the round and turn. This is row 15.

15. Chain 3 and make 1 double crochet in the same space. Double crochet in each space around. You should have 42 stitches. Join and turn. This is row 16.

Shoulder Strap

1. Chain 2. Decrease over the next two spaces. Double crochet in the next 10 spaces. Decrease in the next two spaces. Make one double crochet in the next space. You should have 14 stitches. Turn. This is row 17.

2. Chain 2. Decrease over the next two spaces. Make one double crochet in each of the next eight spaces. Decrease over the next two spaces. Make one double crochet in the last space. You should have 12 stitches. Turn. This is row 18.

3. Chain 2. Decrease over the next two spaces. Double crochet in each of the next six spaces. Decrease over the next two spaces. Make 1 double crochet in the last space. You should have 10 stitches. Turn. This is row 19.

4. Chain 2. Decrease over the next two spaces. Double crochet in each of the next four spaces. Decrease over the next two spaces. Double crochet in the last space. You should have eight stitches. Turn. This is row 20.

5. Chain 2. Decrease over the next two spaces. Double crochet in the next two spaces. Decrease over the next two spaces. Double crochet in the last space. You should have six stitches. Turn. This is row 21.

6. Chain 2. Make 1 double crochet in each of the four spaces. You should have five stitches. Turn. This is row 22.

7. Repeat row 22 until the strap is half as long as you want it to be. Fasten and tie the end.

8. Skip the six spaces following the last stitch you made in row 17. Attach yarn in seventh space and repeat steps one through seven (rows 17 through 22+). With wrong sides together, make five single crochet stitches along the edge of the strap (what will be the middle of the strap) through both layers at the same time, making a seam. Fasten and tie off.

9. Weave in ends.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use two strands of worsted weight yarn (size 4) in place of Thick and Chunky yarn.

• If you use wool yarn, do not machine wash or dry your bag. This will felt the yarn and shrink your bag considerably.

References

• Lion Brand Yarn: Free Crochet Pattern: Hobo Bag
• Red Heart; Crochet Hobo Bag Crochet Pattern; Mary Jane Protus

Resources

• Just One More Line; Crochet Hobo Bag; November 2006