Fold the strap end over the ring and sew securely. Do this with the other end of the strap making sure you don't twist it.
Tab closure (optional):
Pick up 7 sts in the middle of the top back edge. Rows 1-8: Knit 8 rows. Row 9: K1, kf&b across to last st. k1. Row 10: K 1 row. Row 11 (buttonhole row): K4, k2tog, yo 2x ssk, k4. Row 12: K6, p1, k5. Row 13: K2, ssk, k4, k2tog, k2. Row 14: K1 row. Row 15: K2, ssk, k2, k2tog, k2. (8 sts) Row 16: Ssk twice, k2tog twice. Bind off all sts. Pull yarn out of last stitch. Sew button on front of bag under buttonhole. Sew in all yarn tails.
Lining the bag: (optional):
Lay bag flat on a piece of newspaper. Trace around bag body, adding a seam allowance. Cut 2 pieces out of fabric using this pattern. (Cut out a pocket if you like. Stitch it in before adding the lining to the bag.) Stitch a seam along the curved edge. Turn top edge under and sew along it. Place lining inside the bag and stitch in place under the top edge.
Hobo Bag
A Simple Knits design
A slouchy bag knit in one piece using short rows for shaping. A tutorial for preventing holes in short rows is included. You'll need about 350 yards of worsted weight yarn and a pair of size 7 (4.5 mm) needles. Cast on at the strap and work your way around to form the body of the bag. This large bag was knit in I Love This Yarn in Hot Stripes. The multi color yarn lets you see how the bag grows. Instructions for a smaller version are included. Knit it with any worsted weight yarn. Felt it if you make it with wool or a feltable fiber. Add the optional tab and button closure and line the bag if you desire.
Materials:
350 yards of worsted weight yarn 24" circular knitting needles size 7 (4.5 mm) Yarnneedle 1" metal ring or keyring Gauge: 4 sts & 9 rows = 1" Size: Large bag: 17" wide x 10" deep (not including strap)
Key:
pf&b&f- purl in front, back, and front of stitch (2 st increase) kf&b/pf&b - knit/purl in front and back of stitch (1 st increase) k2tog/p2tog - knit/purl 2 sts together (1 st decrease) ssk - slip, slip, knit (1 st decrease) psp - purl 1 st, return to the left needle and pass the next st over it; move st to right needle (1 st decrease) close gap - on slipped stitch, lift the stitch hugging it onto left needle and knit (or purl) it together with the original stitch to close short row gap (pictures and a tutorial are on the last page) Slip the first stitch of every row purlwise and take yarn to back after slipping it for a neat chain stitch along the edge. CO 6 sts leaving a 6-8" tail for sewing the strap.
Strap:
Row 1: k6. Repeat this row for 2", about 18 rows.
Increase Section:
Row 2: K2, kf&b, k3. (7 sts) Row 3: K3, pf&b&f, K3. (9 sts) Row 4: K3, kf&b, k1, kf&b, k3. (11 sts) Row 5: K3, pf&b, purl to last 4 sts, pf&b, k3. (13 sts) Row 6: K3, kf&b, k to last 4 sts, kf&b, k3 (15 sts) Rows 7-36: Repeat Rows 5 & 6 fifteen times. (75 sts) (For a smaller bag increase to 61 sts.) Row 37: K3, purl across to last 3 sts, K3. Row 38: Knit 72 st (leaving 3 sts unworked at end of row). Row 39: Turn, slip 1st st (snug it up); purl 68 sts (leaving 3 sts unworked at end of row). Row 40: Turn, slip 1st st; knit 66 sts (5 sts unworked). Row 41: Turn, slip 1st st; purl 64 sts (5 sts unworked). Rows 42-69: Repeat Rows 40 & 41 fourteen times leaving 2 more stitches unworked each time through until you have 9 sts still in service on the last purl row (slip 1st st, purl 8). Tip! See the gap by the last slipped st? You'll stop knitting on the next short row 2 stitches before that gap. Row 70: Turn, slip 1st st, knit 7, close gap, repeat (k1, close gap) to the last 3 sts, K3. (All sts on this end back in service). Row 71: K3, purl to 1 st before gap, close gap and repeat (p1, close gap) to the last 3 sts, K3. (75 sts) Row 72: Knit (75 sts). Row 73: K3, purl across, k3. Rows 74-179: Repeat Rows 38-73 twice and Rows 38-71 once.
Decrease Section:
Row 180: K3, k2tog, knit across to last 5 sts, ssk, k3. (73 sts) Row 181: K3, psp, purl across to last 5 sts, p2tog, k3. (71 sts) Rows 182-212: Repeat Rows 180 & 181 fifteen times and Row 180 once. (9 sts) Row 213: K4, k2t0g, k3. (8 sts) Row 214: K3, k2t0g, k3. (7 sts) Row 215: K2, k2t0g, k3 (6 sts)
Strap:
Knit even for 16" (or as short/long as you like). Bind off all sts. Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Go to back page →
How to close the gap and prevent holes from the short rows:
You'll notice that the stitches cluster in pairs as you do the short rows. The first stitch of each pair is knit (or purled). The second one will be used to close the gap on Rows 40 & 41. #1 The second stitch of a pair is in green. Do you see the yellow stitch below it hugging the green stitch? This is the stitch you need to lift onto your knitting needle. #2 Take your right needle tip and lift the yellow stitch onto your left knitting needle next to the original stitch. #3 The original (green) stitch and the lifted (yellow) stitch are now on the left needle. K2tog these two stitches to close the gap. (On a purl row, you'll p2tog these two stitches.)
