Ready for a bag that looks store-bought but comes straight from your hook? This monochrome gray sunburst hobo bag delivers bold style without the drama. Two simple panels, a basic gusset, and some leather hardware turn into a sleek everyday bag that holds its shape and turns heads. Grab your yarn and let’s make one that feels like it belongs in your closet right now.
Why This Sunburst Hobo Bag Steals the Show
Picture a bag that works with jeans, dresses, or work outfits. Dark charcoal and light silver gray create clean wedges that radiate from the center like a modern pinwheel. The look stays sophisticated instead of loud.
You build two identical circular panels with tapestry single crochet. A thin gusset strip turns them into a structured hobo shape. Black leather handles and an adjustable crossbody strap let you switch styles in seconds.
The best part? The colorwork looks advanced, yet the technique stays forgiving once you find the rhythm. IMO, this project teaches tapestry skills better than any swatch ever could.
Finished size sits around 14 inches wide and 12 inches tall (not counting the handle). The 3-inch gusset gives just enough depth for your phone, wallet, keys, and a small notebook.
What Skill Level Fits This Project?
Call this advanced beginner to intermediate. You need comfort with a magic ring, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet. Color changes mid-round and carrying yarn behind the work matter most.
Never tried tapestry colorwork? No stress. Practice a quick 20-stitch by 10-row swatch first. The pattern walks you through every switch.
Plan on 18 to 26 hours total. Each panel takes 6 to 8 hours. Assembly and finishing add another 3 to 4 hours. This is not a weekend dash, but the finished bag rewards the time.
Materials You Actually Need
Grab bulky weight yarn (weight 5) in two colors.
Color A (Dark Charcoal): about 350 yards / 320 meters
Color B (Light Silver Gray): about 350 yards / 320 meters
Good options include Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Charcoal and Silver Heather, Paintbox Yarns Simply Super Chunky in Slate Grey and Light Grey, or Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash in Charcoal and Silver. Skip fuzzy yarns. You want clear stitch definition so the wedges pop.
Hook: US K-10.5 / 6.5 mm, or whatever size hits gauge.
Notions:
- Yarn needle
- 6 to 8 locking stitch markers
- Scissors
- Black leather bag handles with D-ring attachments (12 to 14 inch drop)
- Adjustable crossbody strap with swivel clips (about 48 inches long)
- 4 swivel lobster clasps (if handles lack them)
- 4 D-rings, 3/4 inch
- 4 Chicago screws or rivets
- Small leather or metal tag (optional)
Optional extras: half a yard of cotton or canvas for a lining, sewing needle and thread, and foam interfacing for extra structure.
Gauge: 12 stitches by 14 rows = 4 inches in single crochet with the K hook. Your finished 10-round panel should measure about 10 inches across before more rounds. Swatch and block it. Gauge decides the final bag size.
Abbreviations and Special Techniques
Here is every abbreviation you will see:
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
st / sts: stitch / stitches
sp: space
RS: right side
WS: wrong side
CA: Color A (dark charcoal)
CB: Color B (light silver gray)
MR: magic ring
pm: place marker
inc: increase (2 stitches in one stitch)
sc2tog: single crochet decrease
rep: repeat
approx: approximately
TSC: tapestry single crochet
How Tapestry Single Crochet Works
Carry the unused color along the back of your work and hide it inside the stitches. Both colors stay active the whole round.
- Start the stitch with the active color as usual.
- Lay the unused yarn along the top of the previous round so your hook catches it.
- Work the stitch over the carried yarn so it sits inside the stitch.
- To change colors, finish the stitch up to the last yarn-over with the old color, then pull the new color through.
- Keep carrying the old color until you need it again.
Keep the carry tension firm but not tight enough to pucker the fabric. Practice on your swatch until it feels natural.
Magic Ring Refresher
Wrap yarn twice around your index finger, crossing the tail over the working yarn. Insert the hook into the center, pull up a loop, chain as needed, work the stitches into the ring, then pull the tail tight and join with a slip stitch.
Pattern Notes Before You Start
The bag needs two identical sunburst panels, one rectangular gusset strip, and a simple top border.
The sunburst has 10 wedges: 5 in CA and 5 in CB, alternating. Odd wedges (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) use Color A. Even wedges use Color B.
Work every round on the right side. Do not turn. Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch.
Color changes happen at the start of each new wedge. Carry the unused color the whole way with TSC.
Stitch counts grow by 10 increases per round (one per wedge) so the panel stays flat.
Weave in ends as you go. With colorwork you can bury tails inside stitches for a few inches before cutting.
Sunburst Panel Instructions (Make 2)
Set up your wedge markers first. Place a marker in every other stitch of Round 1 to mark the CA starts.
Round 1
With CA, make a MR. Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch). Work 10 sc into the MR. Pull the ring closed. Join with sl st to first sc. (10 sc)
Place markers in stitches 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. These mark CA wedge starts. The stitches between them start the CB wedges.
Round 2
Join CB at any CB-start marker. Working in TSC throughout, work 2 sc into each stitch around, keeping colors correct: 2 sts in CB into each CB stitch, 2 sts in CA into each CA stitch. (20 sc: 10 CA, 10 CB)
Round 3
Working in TSC, for each 2-stitch group from Round 2, sc in the first stitch and 2 sc (inc) in the second stitch. Keep color boundaries clean. (30 sc: 15 CA, 15 CB)
Each wedge now has 3 stitches.
Round 4
Working in TSC, sc in first 2 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st of each wedge. (40 sc: 20 CA, 20 CB)
Each wedge: 4 stitches.
Round 5
Working in TSC, sc in first 3 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st of each wedge. (50 sc: 25 CA, 25 CB)
Each wedge: 5 stitches.
Round 6
Working in TSC, sc in first 4 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st of each wedge. (60 sc: 30 CA, 30 CB)
Each wedge: 6 stitches.
Round 7
Working in TSC, sc in first 5 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st of each wedge. (70 sc: 35 CA, 35 CB)
Each wedge: 7 stitches.
Round 8
Working in TSC, sc in first 6 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st of each wedge. (80 sc: 40 CA, 40 CB)
Each wedge: 8 stitches.
Round 9
Working in TSC, sc in first 7 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st of each wedge. (90 sc: 45 CA, 45 CB)
Each wedge: 9 stitches.
Round 10
Working in TSC, sc in first 8 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st of each wedge. (100 sc: 50 CA, 50 CB)
Each wedge: 10 stitches.
Checkpoint: Panel should measure about 7 to 7.5 inches across. Adjust hook size if you are way off and start over.
Continue the same pattern:
Round 11: sc in first 9 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st. (110 sc)
Round 12: sc in first 10 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st. (120 sc)
Round 13: sc in first 11 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st. (130 sc)
Round 14: sc in first 12 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st. (140 sc)
Round 15: sc in first 13 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st. (150 sc)
Round 16: sc in first 14 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st. (160 sc)
Round 17: sc in first 15 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st. (170 sc)
Round 18: sc in first 16 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st. (180 sc)
Round 19: sc in first 17 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st. (190 sc)
Round 20: sc in first 18 sts of each wedge, 2 sc in last st. (200 sc)
Fasten off both colors. Weave in ends securely.
Final checkpoint: Each panel should measure about 13.5 to 14 inches across. Both panels must match exactly.
Gusset Strip and Assembly
The gusset forms the base and sides. It is a simple 5-stitch rectangle.
With CA and the K hook, ch 6.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (5 sc)
Rows 2 through about 116: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (5 sc per row)
Keep going until the strip measures about 34 inches. This length runs from one top edge, down around the bottom, and up the other side.
Fasten off, leaving a 36-inch tail for seaming.
Block both panels first. Position them with wrong sides facing out so seams hide inside. Mark a 12-inch top opening on each panel.
Pin the gusset to one panel starting at one top marker, working around the bottom, and ending at the opposite marker. Whip stitch or single crochet seam it with the long tail. Attach the second panel the same way. Ease any extra fabric at the corners with tiny gathering stitches. Turn the bag right side out.
Top Border and Hardware
With RS facing, join CA at one top marker with a slip stitch.
Round 1: Sc evenly around the top opening. Aim for 60 to 70 sc. Join.
Round 2: Sc in each st around. Join.
Round 3: Sc in each st around. Join. Fasten off and weave in the end.
If the top gaps, add a few decreases in Round 2. If it pulls in, add increases.
Position D-ring tabs about 1.5 inches from each top corner on front and back (four tabs total). Secure them with Chicago screws or rivets through the border. Clip the handle to the front D-rings and the crossbody strap to the side ones. Sew a small tag at the lower center front if you like.
Wet block the panels before assembly if needed. For wool, hand wash cool and lay flat. For acrylic, gentle machine wash in a mesh bag and reshape while damp. Stuff the finished bag with tissue paper so it keeps its shape in storage.
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Final Thoughts
This monochrome gray sunburst hobo bag looks polished yet teaches real skills. You master tapestry colorwork, circular increases that stay flat, and clean hardware attachment. The finished piece feels sturdy enough for daily use and stylish enough for weekend plans.
Make one for yourself first. Then make another for a friend who keeps asking where you got that cool bag. Share your version and tag it with Sumara Patterns so other makers can find the free pattern too. Happy crocheting—your next go-to bag is waiting on the hook.
