Easy FREE Modern Hobo Crochet Tote Bag Pattern

So funny story, I have been calling this free crochet pattern an Overnight Sleep Sack because it’s huge and would be great for travel. However, in doing some research for my blog post I came across hobo bags. I had no idea that was even a type of bag! Well, this beautiful bag fits the description of hobo bag and I’m wishing I would have discovered that sooner!

My favorite feature of this cute pattern is that it has an adjustable tie shoulder strap. That means you can wear it as a shoulder bag, cross body bag, a purse or anywhere in between. I think that makes this a perfect bag to be your next project!

I also love this beautiful crochet stitch, called the waistcoat crochet stitch. The waistcoat or center single crochet is explained in detail below. This gorgeous stitch is a wonderful faux knit look crochet technique!

PATTERN UPDATE: I have included a section below giving you some tips on how to make this boho bag free pattern in a smaller size so that it is just the right size for you to use as you please.

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Make a Perfect Accessory 

This finished bag will be your new favorite to use for everyday life, especially now that you can customize it to be the perfect size using the comprehensive guide below.

The crochet stitch used for this bag is very dense and you shouldn’t have to worry about loosing anything through the stitches like double crochet. You may still want to add a fabric lining to this bag.

Can a Beginner Crochet a Bag?

A Beginner Skill Level Crocheter can definitely crochet a bag using an easy crochet pattern like this one that uses basic crochet stitches. This bulk of this simple bag is made using a modified single crochet stitch called a center single crochet also known as the waistcoat stitch which can be put in the category of special stitches but it’s really not.

If this is your first bag then this is a perfect pattern to try and also gain some crochet experience with different crochet techniques.

What is a Crochet Waistcoat Stitch?

The Waistcoat Stitch is noted in this pattern as a Center Single Crochet – csc – To create a Waistcoat Stitch (csc), you will work your stitch under the front and back loop between the two posts, (or legs) of the stitch.

Generally, this stitch is worked in the round going through the two posts on the front of the stitch. However, when working in rows, the csc will be worked through the legs on the back of the stitch and then through the posts on the front. This means that both sides are the right sides and there is little difference between the parts of the bag where we work in rows versus rounds. 

A center single crochet, or waistcoat stitch, is a great way to create a knit like look in crochet. You can use this crochet knit look stitch in the round or in backend forth rows.

For this easy pattern the bag base uses turns while the bag body does not. If you would like, you may choose to not turn in the bag base rows. You would need to use stitch markers so that you know when you begins a new round to make sure you increase properly.

How Do You Make a Crochet Bag Stiff?

A great way to make a crochet bag stiff is to use a smaller crochet hook or use a dense stitch like the waistcoat stitch. Part of why I used a center single crochet was to make this hobo bag sturdy to reduce stretch.

If the bag you are making is slouchy and you would like to make it more stiff you can try reducing the recommended hook size to tighten up the stitches.

Another way to stiffen a crochet bag is to add a fabric liner. Lining a crochet bag is a popular choice and good idea if you plan to use your crochet bag frequently. This is a perfect way to protect the yarn in the inside of the bag so that nothing gets snagged and pulls your stitches. 

How Do You Make a Crochet Bag Base?

There are many different ways to make a bag base. For this bag I am crocheting a flat oval which creates the most functional tote bag base. This adds some structure so the bag can sit flat on a surface and is even good for slouchy bag patterns.

Using a flat oval creates the most functional round shape that is best for everyday use. You can watch my video tutorial on how to make a flat oval that I have used many times for some of my other free crochet bags.

The Yarn 

I designed this bag using Re-Spun Thick and Quick from Lion Brand. This type of yarn is part of their sustainable stitching line designed to reduce waste! This is a recycled polyester yarn that comes in a CYC 6 Super Bulky and a CYC 4 Worsted!

Lion Brand has some of the best yarns for crochet projects and the best part is they always have great sales! Check the banner at the top of the page for current codes!

Re-Spun Thick and Quick comes in stunning vibrant colors! For this pattern I chose a solid color called Sepia Rose, which is my favorite color pink and was perfect for this stylish accessory! This is a super bulky weight yarn but if you want do some stash busting this is a great pattern to do so by doubling some strands of yarn. 

I love crocheting all different types of crochet bags, like a beach bag, crochet handbags, crossbody bags, farmers market totes and drawstring sacks! Be sure to check out my collection of free crochet bag patterns!

Make This Great Bag Any Size

Do you love this hobo bag but maybe it’s just a tad too big? Maybe you want to use it for something other than travel like going to the farmer’s market?

Making this bag in just the right size can be done a few ways. The most simple way is to reduce the number of rounds you create for the base. By reducing your bag base rounds, the body of the bag will be smaller. 

Depending on how much you reduce by you will have to do some adjusting for the straps. As long as you are a confident crocheter and read ahead in the pattern you should have no issues adjusting your straps.

Another way to adjust the size of this bag is by following the pattern as it is but reducing the yarn and hook combo. You will need to create a gauge swatch to find the right tension so that your stitches lay nicely and to create a sturdy stitch.

To get an idea of the size you will have to measure you gauge swatch, figure out your stitches and rows per inch and then apply that to the stitch counts in the bag pattern below. Then just follow the pattern as it is to make a smaller bag!

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Materials

• 8.00 mm Crochet Hook
• 3 Skeins of Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick in Sepia Rose [843-101BA]
  Grab and All-in-One-Kit
• #6 Super Bulky Weight Yarn – 669 yards
• Minimum 5 Stitch Markers

Gauge

• 9 sts x 12 rows is 4”x4” in continuous rounds of csc.

Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations

• Chain Stitch – ch 
• Slip Stitch – sl st 
• Stitch(es) – st(s)
• Skip – sk
• Stitch Marker – SM
• Single Crochet – sc
• Center Single Crochet – csc – To create a csc, you will work your stitch under the front and back loop between the two posts of the stitch, this can be done of the right and wrong side of the stitch. (Also known as the waistcoat stitch)
• Foundation Single Crochet – Fsc – Chain 2, insert hook into 2nd chain from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through 1 loop, (2 loops on hook with 1 ch created), yarn over, draw through all loops (1 loop on hook, 1 foundation single crochet with chain at the bottom). *Insert hook to the bottom of the stitch you just made, it will look like the top or “V” of a stitch, yarn over, pull up 1 loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through 1 loop (2 loops on hook with 1 ch created), yarn over, draw through all loops;* repeat from * to * for desired amount of stitches.

Pattern Notes

• One Size – 21” wide x  16” deep with (2) 34” straps to be tied together.
• * Designates a repeat.
• If you do NOT want adjustable tie straps, you may crochet your straps to a comfortable length and the seam together.
• “sc 1” means to single crochet in the next stitch.
• “sc 2” means to single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches.
• “2 sc” means to single crochet twice in the next stitch to create an increase.
• There are no ch 1’s at the beginning of rounds, using the csc makes a very short stitch and a ch 1 will create a sloppy transition.
• Reach Round in the Tote Base will increase by 6 sts, reaching a final st count of 92 sts.

Modern Hobo Crochet Tote Bag Pattern

Round 1 – Fsc 10, place SM in first and last st, 4 sc in base of last Fsc, place SM in 4th sc st, sc 9 by working in every base of Fsc across, place SM in last sc, 3sc in same st as last st, sl st to first Fsc.[26 total stitches]

• There should be 10 sts from SM to SM on both sides and 3 sc between both sets of SM’s to create a half circle at each end.
• Move SM up to first and last stitch on both sides when completing rounds to mark your place before and after the half circles.

Round 2 – Turn, 2 csc in each of next 3 sts, csc 10, 2 csc in each of next 3 sts, csc 10, sl st to first stitch in round.  [32 total stitches]
Round 3 – Turn, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 1) over next 6 sts, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 1) over next 6 sts, sl st to first stitch in round. [38 total stitches]
Round 4 – Turn, (2 csc, csc 2) over next 9 sts, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 2) over next 9 sts, csc 10, sl st to first stitch in round. [44 total stitches]
Round 5 – Turn, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 3) over next 12 sts, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 3) over next 12 sts, sl st to first stitch in round. [50 total stitches]
Round 6 – Turn, (2 csc, csc 4) over next 15 sts, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 4) over next 15 sts, csc 10, sl st to first stitch in round. [56 total stitches]
Round 7 – Turn, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 5) over next 18 sts, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 5) over next 18 sts, sl st to first stitch in round. [62 total stitches]
Round 8 – Turn, (2 csc, csc 6) over next 21 sts, sc 10, (2 csc, csc 6) over next 21 sts, csc 10, sl st to first stitch in round. [68 total stitches]
Round 9 – Turn, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 7) over next 24 sts, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 7) over next 24 sts, sl st to first stitch in round. [74 total stitches]
Round 10 – Turn, (2 csc, csc 8) over next 27 sts, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 8) over next 27 sts, csc 10, sl st to first stitch in round. [80 total stitches.
Round 11 – Turn, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 9) over next 30 sts, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 9) over next 30 sts, sl st to first stitch in round. [86 total stitches]
Round 12 – Turn, (2 csc, csc 10) over next 33 sts, csc 10, (2 csc, csc 10) over next 33 sts, csc 10, sl st to first stitch in round, turn.[92 total stitches]

Hobo Tote Bag Body

Next 33 Rounds – Csc 92, and work in continuous rounds. [92 total stitches]

Hobo Tote Bag Straps

1. Lay your Overnight Bag flat so that the Round 1 Fsc is at the bottom and centered.
2. Mark your two furthest stitches in the final round of the Tote Body. You should have 46 Stitches on the front and back for a total of 92. 
3. Continue to csc forward or frog back to one of the marked stitches at the furthest point on your bag. This will now become the beginning of “Row 1” for the Tote Strap section.

Row 1- Csc 15.
Row 2 – Turn, csc 30.
Row 3 – Turn, sk first st, csc to end. [29 sts]
Rows 4 to 26 – Repeat Row 3 with each row reducing by 1 st until 6 sts are reached.
Next 65 Rows– Turn, csc 6.
Next Row – Turn, sk first st, csc to end. [5 sts]
Next Row – Turn, sk first st, csc to end, finish off.[4 sts]

Count over 16 sts from your completed bag strap, attach your yarn and continue from “Row 2” omitting the first turn. Weave in all ends and enjoy your next trip!

More Stylish Crochet Bags

Check my Modern Crochet Bags Category and find your next project to make! I have so many bag patterns I am sure there will be one to suit your needs whether for you want something to take on your next shopping trip, beach day or strolling through the farmers market!