How to Crochet a Hobo Bag: Materials, Steps & a Free Oval Base

The hobo bag is the relaxed, slouchy shoulder bag that goes with everything. Crocheted in cotton, it is soft, sturdy and surprisingly quick to make. In this guide you'll learn what you need, how a crochet hobo bag is built, and you can start right away with our free oval base.

Materials

• Worsted weight (No. 4) cotton or cotton-linen yarn: holds its shape and is easy to wash
• 4 mm crochet hook (or the size you need for your gauge)
• Locking stitch markers, yarn needle, scissors and a measuring tape

Stitches you need (US terms)

• Chain (ch), single crochet (sc) and half double crochet (hdc)
• Increases (inc) and decreases (dec)
• Back loop only (BLO): working sc in the back loop creates the ribbed texture typical of a crochet hobo bag
• Continuous rounds

How a crochet hobo bag is built

1. Oval base: worked around a foundation chain so the bag gets a flat bottom.
2. Body: worked in rounds on top of the base, usually in sc BLO for texture.
3. Shaping: the top is shaped so the sides slope toward the strap.
4. Integrated strap: the wide shoulder strap grows out of the body, so there are no weak seams.
5. Edging: a neat round around the opening and strap gives a clean finish.

Free pattern: the oval base

This base is about 13–15 cm long with a 4 mm hook. Place a marker in the first stitch of each round.

• Chain 21.
• Round 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the next 18 ch, 3 sc in the last ch. Turn to work along the other side of the chain: sc in the next 18 ch, 2 sc in the last ch (42).
• Round 2: sc in the next 18 stitches, inc in the next 4, sc in the next 18, inc in the last 2 (48).

Keep increasing at both curved ends in every round until the base is the size you want. Then stop increasing and start working the body straight up.

Tips

• Check your gauge: a loose base makes a floppy bag.
• Cotton-linen blends give a lovely drape for a slouchy look.
• Use stitch markers at both ends of the oval so your increases stay in line.

The complete hobo bag pattern in 3 sizes

Want the full pattern with exact stitch counts? Our Crochet Hobo Bag Pattern includes three sizes (Small, Medium and Oversize), the oval base, body, integrated strap and finishing, with measurements for every size, all as an instant PDF download.