Why does my back loop only single crochet look different from the photos?

The BLO texture only shows up clearly when you consistently work into just the back loop, never both loops, of every stitch. Double-check your hook placement on a few test rounds if your ridges look flat or uneven.

Is wet blocking really necessary, or can I skip it?

Wet blocking is essential for this pattern — it's what shapes each panel into a flat, true 14.5-inch circle that lies smoothly instead of cupping or ruffling. Skipping this step will make assembly difficult and the finished bag look uneven.

How do I keep my three colors from tangling while working the sunburst rounds?

Carry each unused color loosely along the wrong side and twist it around the working yarn every 3 to 4 stitches to secure it without creating long floats. Working with small yarn bobbins or butterflies for each color also helps prevent tangling.

Do I have to add the lining fabric?

No, the cotton canvas lining is optional but recommended for extra structure and to hide the wrong-side color carries and seams. If you skip it, just make sure your color changes are neat since the wrong side may be more visible.

Berry Blush Sunburst Hobo Bag Crochet Pattern

LevelIntermediate
Time8-10 Hours
Hook6.5 mm
YarnBulky

About This Pattern

The Berry Blush Sunburst Hobo Bag is a two-panel crochet purse built entirely from single crochet worked in the back loop only, which transforms the simplest stitch into a deeply ridged, corduroy-like texture radiating outward like sun rays. Worked in a rich trio of Deep Burgundy, Blush Rose, and Cream Blush, the color changes create a bold sunburst that looks far more intricate than it actually is. This one is perfect for crocheters who love a project that photographs beautifully and gets compliments the moment it's slung over a shoulder.

You'll be working two identical circular panels from a magic ring outward through 20 rounds, managing three colors with clean color changes and carrying strands along the wrong side to avoid long floats. The back loop only technique is the star here, giving the finished piece its signature ridged texture, so patience with consistent tension matters more than complicated stitchwork. Expect somewhere between 8 and 10 hours total, including the crucial wet blocking stage that shapes each panel into a perfect 14.5-inch circle before assembly.

Once blocked flat and seamed together with the hardware, you get a substantial round hobo bag with a soft, structured drape and a satisfying tactile ridged surface you'll want to keep touching. Finished with a tan crossbody strap, gold-tone D-rings, and swivel hooks, it reads as a polished, boutique-quality accessory rather than a homemade project. It makes a wonderful gift for the fashion-forward friend in your life, or a rewarding centerpiece to add to your own handmade wardrobe.

Start each panel with a magic ring and build outward in back loop only single crochet through 20 rounds.
Change colors between Deep Burgundy, Blush Rose, and Cream Blush at the two-loop stage to form the radiating sunburst bands.
Carry unused colors along the wrong side, twisting them every few stitches to keep the back neat and float-free.
Repeat the entire process to crochet a second identical panel so you have a matching pair.
Wet block both panels, pinning each into a true circle and letting them dry fully before handling them further.
Confirm both blocked panels lie flat without cupping before moving into assembly.
Seam the two panels together following the assembly steps, leaving the top open to form the bag body.
Attach the gold-tone D-rings and connect the adjustable crossbody strap to complete the finished hobo bag.

Materials

Yarn (Bulky Weight, Category 5)

Color A (Deep Burgundy): approximately 220 yards / 201 meters
Color B (Blush Rose): approximately 140 yards / 128 meters
Color C (Cream Blush): approximately 140 yards / 128 meters
Look for a tightly spun, smooth cotton or cotton-blend bulky yarn for the clearest stitch definition. Avoid fuzzy or bouclé yarns as they will obscure your beautiful sunburst pattern.

Yarn Suggestions

Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Fisherman (C), Dusty Pink (B), and Cranberry (A)
Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky in Soft White (C), Dusty Rose (B), and Wine Red (A)
We Are Knitters The Chunky in Natural (C), Rose (B), and Bordeaux (A)

Hook

US size K / 6.5 mm crochet hook (or size needed to meet gauge)

Notions

Stitch markers (at least 6)
Yarn needle / tapestry needle
Scissors
1 tan or camel leather-look top handle, approximately 12 inches long with gold-tone D-rings or swivel snaps
1 adjustable tan or camel crossbody strap, approximately 48 inches long with gold-tone buckle and swivel snap hooks
2 gold-tone D-rings or rectangular rings (1 inch width)
1 small gold-tone rectangular label plate (optional), approximately 1.5 by 0.5 inches
Strong upholstery thread or waxed linen thread in tan
Hand-sewing needle
Lining fabric (optional but recommended): approximately 0.5 yard of cotton canvas

Crochet Abbreviations

BLO: back loop only (insert hook into only the back loop of the stitch)
ch: chain
Color A: deep burgundy yarn
Color B: blush rose yarn
Color C: cream blush yarn
inc: increase (2 sc in same stitch)
MC: magic ring
rnd: round
sc: single crochet (insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)