Crochet Pattern: Perfect Fit Hobo Bag
By Claire Ortega-Reyes – 91 Comments| Tired of purses that slide down your arms as you move? This classic hobo bag drapes over your shoulder perfectly–the strap won’t slip from your shoulder because of the bag’s shape and construction. It is also sturdy because the bag is made in one go (yes, no separate pieces to sew together!). Using worsted weight yarn makes it a fast project, too. |  |
| Skill Level: |  |
Finished Size:
Purse: 9″ tall x 12″ wide (when laid flat, not including straps)
Strap: 18″ long x 2″ wide
| Materials: 280 yards (250 m) Medium Weight Yarn Crochet Hook H (5.00 mm) 1″-diameter Button (for closure) |
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Gauge: 7 dc stitches & 4 dc rows = 2 inches
Need help understanding the abbreviations and symbols? Check out the crochet abbreviation chart!
Crochet Pattern: Perfect Fit Hobo Bag
Front:
Ch 3, sl st in first ch to make a loop,
Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 9 dc in ring, turn: 10 dc
Row 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in each of next 8 dc, dc in last dc, turn: 18 dc
Row 3: Ch 3, (dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 26 dc
Row 4: Ch 3, (dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 34 dc
Row 5: Ch 3, (dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 42 dc
Row 6: Ch 3, (dc in next 4 dc, 2 dc in next dc) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 50 dc
Row 7: Ch 3, (dc in next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 58 dc
Row 8: Ch 3, (dc in next 6 dc, 2 dc in next dc) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 66 dc
Row 9: Ch 3, (dc in next 7 dc, 2 dc in next dc) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 74 dc
Row 10: Ch 3, (dc in next 8 dc, 2 dc in next dc) 8 times, dc in last dc, do not turn, do not fasten off: 82 dc
Strap and Base:
Chain 50, sl st in first dc of row 10, making sure to not twist the chain,
(Work proceeds in rounds for this part of the hobo bag.)
Round 1: Ch 1 (doesn’t count as a stitch and throughout), sc in each stitch around, sl st in first sc: 132 sc
Rounds 2-4: Â Ch 3, dc in next stitch and in each stitch around, sl st in top of first dc: 132 dc
Round 5: Repeat row 1: 132 sc
Back:
(Work proceeds in rows from this point on.)
Row 1: Ch 3, (dc in next 8 sc, dc2tog) 8 times, dc in next sc, turn: 74 dc
Row 2: Ch 3, (dc in next 7 dc, dc2tog) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 66 dc
Row 3: Ch 3, (dc in next 6 dc, dc2tog) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 58 dc
Row 4: Ch 3, (dc in next 5 dc, dc2tog) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 50 dc
Row 5: Ch 3, (dc in next 4 dc, dc2tog) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 42 dc
Row 6: Ch 3, (dc in next 3 dc, dc2tog) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 34 dc
Row 7: Ch 3, (dc in next 2 dc, dc2tog) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 26 dc
Row 8: Ch 3, (dc in next dc, dc2tog) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 18 dc
Row 9: Ch 3, dc2tog 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: 10 dc
Row 10: Ch 3, dc8tog, dc: 3 dc
Loop:
Ch 11, sl st in first dc of row 10 to make loop, finish off.
Finishing:
Sew button to center front of hobo bag, making sure to match the location of the loop in order to close hobo bag properly. Weave in ends and enjoy!
If you need any help, just let me know by leaving comments below.
That’s so cute… Thank you for sharing the pattern 🙂
Love it! Can’t wait to make one!
this is really cute, can’t wait to make this. thanks for the pattern
I finished this in one night and love it. The only part that confused me was the parts after chaining for the loop. I decided to SC around the chain and finish it off. Other than that it was easy and beautiful.
Hi, Rachel and the gang! I love this pattern and started working on it this morning. But there was a problem. On Row 1, (the very first round 1) you should only dc 9 times. I put in 10, but for the next row, I got very, very confused. Can you change it, please, so the newbies won’t get messed up? I’ve crocheted for over a year now, and I’ve never run across anything like this in ya’lls patterns. Thank you for a wonderful website!
Good eye Squirrely Girly! Thanks for catching that, it’s much appreciated!
You are just amazing! Thank you so much for generously sharing your creativity and lovely patterns with all of us. I’m looking forward to trying this beautiful design!
Is there a way to get this pattern in a PDF download? I love the store where I can do this. With this type of pattern I have to open up word and copy and paste. Much easier in PDF format. I looked and it wasn’t offered in the store that way.
Thanks! Love your patterns!
Jana
So adorable, Rachel. Can’t wait to make one!
I love this. I would like to make it for my nieces; one is 9 and the other is 7. How would I adjust it to make it smaller for them?
This is a cute purse. I especially love that it’s crocheted all in one piece. Definitely gonna give it a go soon! Thanks for the free pattern.
Thanks to everyone who liked the pattern (and let us know that they did!).
Thanks Sandie, for that helpful link.
@themitzz: You can use a thinner yarn and smaller hook and follow the pattern as is (doing this will make the purse’s dimensions smaller, too, not just the strap). Or, you could make less chain stitches for the strap if you just want to alter the strap length.
And, Rachel, thank you for the free pattern. Please pardon my lack of manners.
How generous to share such a lovely pattern for free. I will be making this to help with my stash resolution!! 🙂 This would also be great felted, I bet.
Hey I was wondering how much yarn this will probably need. Please and thank you.
By the way I love it and can’t wait to make one
Hi Coral, I used less than 255 meters or 280 yards (I’ll be adding that into the post now). Good luck on your project!
Are you ever gong to have a video for hobo bag or any other project? I do better watching then tryingto read instruction. Thank you
This pattern was GREAT!!! I worked on it last night and it worked up quickly. The only thing I did different was line it with some fabric… I didn’t want any little things making their way through the stitches.
Rachel, I am stuck. The second sentence under Loop: It says
Row: Ch 3, (dc in next dc, dc2tog) 8 times, dc in last dc, turn: dc
What does this go to? Is it part of the Loop? Thank you
Hello marcia, that’s a typo! Thanks for catching it. I’m editing it out now. After you’ve made the loop for your button, you’re done with the crocheting. 🙂
Cute!! Can’t wait to make it!!! 🙂
I just found the cute bag I’ve been finding! Crocheting it is really simple!!! YAY! 😛 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this cute bag pattern.
I think on Row 10, it should be ch3, dc8tog 1 dc -so it has the same amount as in row 1 in the beg.of the other side.
I also did a row of sc evenly around both sides of the bag. It gives it a nice finished look.
Hi Deb! Thanks so much for the tips–they would make the bag look neater. I’m editing the post now. Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I love the look of this bag. I’d like to make it in wool and felt it. I think felting shrinks it by ~25%, so I should be able to add -25% to the diameter (maybe 2 extra rows), and to the length of the strap and make it deeper?
Is there any sort of formula for felting?
Hello Valorie, I guess the formula for felting (if it does exist) depends on the yarn and hook you use. Some yarns will have information on how much that particular yarn felts using a particular hook size. But if you do want the bag to have the same dimensions, you do have to make it slightly bigger–better to err on the safe side and end up with a bigger bag, I think.
That is such a cute bag! Just today I was thinking how I had to make me a new bag. This one is so practical. Perfect to go shopping which is what I want it for! Thanks for sharing!
I love this pattern! I just finished this purse in gray. For a photo, click my name – I just posted about it on my blog. Thanks for making this a free one!!!
Hey Liv, great job on the bag! So happy you like it. 🙂
Thanks, Claire! Started a second one last night in burgundy!
So excited to see this free!!!!!! Thank you for sharing! Will be making one for myself in the near future! I hear spring colors calling… 🙂
Thank you very much for this free pattern, I love my new bag. Even my husband likes it and he usually just shakes his head in bewilderment when I make a new bag!
Thank you so much for this free pattern! This is my first completed project from a pattern besides really easy hats and a couple of scarves. This bag turned out so well now I have the confidence to try harder patterns! Thank you 🙂
Hello, I am having trouble with the second part of the bag, the part worked in rows. I do not understand this part. Please help me, I really want to finish this part. Thanks.
Hello karmen, I’m not sure where you are in the pattern; can you be more specific so I can help you out? 🙂 Claire
Hello,
Thank you very much for this inspiring pattern… I must be doing something wrong… I followed all the instructions and counted all the stitches but my bag has not the right shape. Instead of a V (the middle being the button), my bag stays flat ___. In part two, it even finishes slightly like a triangle /\. Another problem is the strap that seems to short for my bag, because the strap + bag is not in the lovely round cirkel form as on the picture.
What should I try to do differently? Any tips? Thank you very much for any help!
Mirjam.
Hello Mirjam, I’m not exactly sure why your bag is turning out that way.. But I think the problem is with turning (or not turning) your work. We turn the work after each row for the first part of the bag, and then stop working back in forth starting from row 10. The strap and base are worked in the round. After that, we go back to working back and forth for the other side of the bag. Let me know if you’re still having problems.. I hope I was able to help.
I just made this bag for the second time – this time, I felted it! I absolutely love how it turned out. For photos, click my name – I just posted on my blog about it. Thanks for the great pattern!
Hello Claire,
Thank you for your suggestion. I believe I turn and stop turning at the right times, but this night I suddenly had an idea: is it possible that when it says — turn: 74 — Row 10: Ch 3, — I actually have to turn AND START AGAIN AT row 10 with Ch 3???
I actually turned, crocheted 74 dc’s, and returned, and started row 10 with Ch 3….
Ow, maybe it’s that?
Please tell me if it’s this!!! I’m so excited, I could try again than :-)! I hope it’s that…
Thanks very much for your help and support,
Mirjam
Mirjam! I understand the problem completely. The “74” at the end of Row 9 means that there should be 74 stitches in that row; it doesn’t mean you have to crochet 74 more stitches. Just turn, and continue on to row 10. … Will edit the post now. I am SO sorry.
hye claire! this bag is awesome and i’m in the middle of making one for myself. but i got confused on the back part in row 1. when you said ch 3, TURN, (dc in next 8sc, ……….), if i follow that ‘turn’ i’ll be working the following dc on the strap again. is it correct? btw, thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi mai, you’re absolutely right, you’re going to work the stitches into the strap. 🙂
Hi Claire,
Good news, it works!!! Thank you so much for the pattern and for helping me understand what I did wrong :-). I’ve learned a valuable lesson!
Thank you so much,
Mirjam
ok, i did turn and followed exactly row1 but now the strap is larger than 2″ and i didn’t reach the other end of the sc before it said turn again to start row2. in fact i didn’t even reach half the bag yet. help 🙁
Hello mai, Are you working on the strap part right now? After completing rows 1-10, make sure that you make 50 chain stitches and sl st into first dc of row 10, before proceeding to row 1 of the strap. If I’m mistaken as to where you are in the pattern, please let me know.
Hi. Thanks for replying. I’m working on the back part already. I had no problem for the front and strap. The strap are worked in round right? So after that for the ‘back’ part in row 1, starts with ch 3 and turn. But turning means going back to work in the strap. I thought the strap is done. Thanks again.
Hello mai, Yes, you’ll be working into the strap. The bag is made in one piece.. The back is made like a mirror image of the front; the first row is indeed worked into part of the strap.
Hi. I’m a beginner and I tried this patter. The strap and base came out fine but the front came out in a triangle shape. I think I messed up from the very beginning with the 9 dc in the ring. Help.
Hello Julia, can you provide more details on how you did the rows? Make sure that you have the right stitch count–check the number of stitches at the end of each row and see if the stitch counts on your project is right. Please note that the ch 3 at the beginning of the rows is counted as a dc stitch. For example, by the end of row 1 you should have 10 dc.
I chained 3 and slip stiched into the first chain to make a loop. I chained 3 and then I did 9 dc into the ring. The 9 dc didn’t make a round around the ring but a half circle. My first 3 rows have 10 dc. My 4th row has 18 dc. Now I see my mistake but how did I do 3 rows of 10 dc?
Hello Julia, Glad to hear (read? :)) that you’ve found which part to fix. Good luck with your project! Hope you have fun making it.
I love this purse! I made a practice one out of left over yarn and it turned out fabulous! I am now going to make two- one for each of my daughters! Thank you for the pattern.
Hello! I am very very close to finish the project (absolutely love the pattern, by the way!), but I don’t know how to do Row 10, specifically “dc8tog”. I have searched Youtube, asked friends, and now I am stuck. Could someone give me a step-by-step on how to do that? I know how to dc2tog, but am clueless when it becomes 8. Help? Pretty please?
Hell Maggs, it’s just like dc2tog, only you repeat the first two steps for the eight stitches, instead of just the two stitches, before closing it off. dc8tog: (yo, insert in next stitch, yo and pull up loop, yo and pull through two loops) 8 times, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook. Hope that helps!
That’s awesome, Claire!! So ultimately you will have a lot of stitches gathered on your crochet hook at the end when you do the final yarn over and pull through. Wow, you are totally my hero for today!
This pattern is perfect for sure, thank you so much for sharing this pattern. I created a poncho and made this pattern to go along with it from the same yarn. You can see it on my blog. Love it, Birdie Gee
is it possible to make it bigger. how can you make the bag bigger? it is an awesome pattern. thanks
Hello tina! You can add more increase rows to the body to increase the bag size. For the straps, you can make them both longer and wider by making more initial chains, and making more rows. Good luck with your project and happy crocheting!
gr8 pattern, I made one today in orange :))))
I am a little confused is this pattern in three pieces? I am not sure what to do at the end of the front part of the purse and then start the Strap and Base! I love the pattern! Just want to understand it more before i attempt it. thanks
Melissa, the bag is made in one continuous piece. After you do the instructions for the front of the bag, you’re going to continue by making the strap with the “Chain 50, sl st in first dc of row 10”. The strap instructions basically will have you crocheting around the strap and the edges of the bag to make the strap wider and the bag deeper. When you get to the back of the bag, you are basically closing the back and making the same shape as the front of the bag, but in reverse.
Claire thanks so so much for sharing this pattern. I’ve always wanted to try to make a purse and love that its a continuous pattern. -_^ I’m always trying to find another way to combine my sewing and crochet together and I think lining this in a coordinating print will be lovely. I want to enlarge it and make a diaper bag as part of the layette for my new granddaughter due in June. Will post on my blog when its finished; I’m so excited! : )
Hello, I’m a newbie and I’m getting confused where we start making the handle. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, I’ll finish the 50 chain then work my round but when i count the stitches i do not get a count of 132
Hi Kay, when you work in the first round of the strap/base you’re going to make a double crochet into each of the 50 chains you made and also the 82 stitches from the last row (row 10) of the front of the bag. So that’s 50 + 82 = 132 stitches.
ive tried making tis bag same needle size, count was dead on but strap was too short and bag came out small love the pattern but i needed adult size bag what to do
Hi Jeannie, try to double check the gauge. Even if you use the same crochet hook, it doesn’t mean that the item will turn out the same size since everyone crochets with a different tension. The gauge will ensure that you crochet with the same tension that the designer intended so that the item will turn out to be the correct size. Also, feel free to use a larger crochet hook if you’d like to make the bag even bigger than the finished size.
I love this bag!!!! Easy Quick and beautiful. Just was wondering if you have anything on lining a bag .. Will post pics !!!
Hello! I have just begun working on the back of my bag. I don’t know if I must have lost count along the way because when I got to 74 on row 1 of the back, it was several stitches below the base of the strap (unless I didn’t do the dc2tog correctly). Also, once you start working on the back aren’t you supposed to stop working all the way around the strap? If that’s not the case, I feel like my strap will be way too wide. I’m sorry, I’ve only been crocheting a couple weeks now and maybe this was too much for me to take on so early.
Thanks again, Rachel for your patterns and tutorials. I look forward to receiving your newsletters and your site is so interesting I spend much time just looking around. I am definitely going to make the Kiss Me Bag. I’ll send a photo of all the projects I complete from your patterns.
G