Malvasia: the handmade crochet bag perfect for autumn 2025 (hobo model with clasps)

Some creations start from an idea and end up becoming a small manifesto of style. That’s exactly what happened after finishing this project, born out of pure fun. In a few days, I’ll attend a special ceremony as the godmother of a confirmation, and while thinking about the bags I own, I thought I’d wear a little piece of myself. What better idea than to create a special bag just for this occasion? Thus was born MALVASIA: soft, compact, and irresistibly chic, it’s the accessory that tells the story of autumn like a glass of red wine in your hands and a feminine look.

Its color, a shade of deep BORDEAUX tending toward WINE with warm reflections, recalls the hues of wine, of leaves turning red, and of seasonal sunsets. It’s one of those tones that goes with everything, capable of brightening a royal blue coat or adding intrigue to an all-black look.

The idea behind the name: a glass of wine and a shade of style

The name Malvasia came about almost by chance — or perhaps not.

As I looked at the color of the newly finished bag, with its lighter veins and the depth of the bordeaux, it felt natural to think of a glass of red wine, full-bodied and enveloping, to enjoy on the first autumn evenings.

From there, the association was immediate: Malvasia, like the wine that combines intensity and sweetness, elegance and warmth.

A name that tells a story, that evokes conviviality and refinement, just like this bag — designed for those who love the charm of handmade creations and the pleasure of wearing their own creativity.

Malvasia, with its short handle and golden details, fits perfectly into the trend of compact hobo bags, a must-have that has taken over the catwalks and autumn shop windows.

The contrast between the softness of the yarn and the metallic shine of the clasps creates the perfect balance: a meeting between comfort and glamour, between the cozy and the urban worlds.

How to make a crochet hobo bag.

Required materials

• 1 spool of FREDDY PLUM cord
• 1 ball of GLORIA PLUM
• 2 SQUARE GOLD clasps
• Crochet hook no. 6
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers
• WOOL BLEND CORD GLORIA CLASPS

Stitches used

Chain (ch)

Single crochet (sc)

Stitch point (V stitch worked into the heart of the stitch)

Slip stitch (sl st)

Increases and decreases

Instructions

1. Starting the oval base

Start with 10 chains.

Insert a stitch marker into the tenth chain.

Turn the chain and work as follows:

• 2 single crochets in the second ch from the hook → start of increases on the first side.
• 7 single crochets, one in each following ch.
• 3 single crochets in the last ch → corner.

Insert stitch markers in the first and last of the 3 stitches to mark the second side of increases.

Continue on the other side of the chain working 7 single crochets.

Close the round with an invisible join (passing the loop behind the work and creating a new ch).

Insert the stitch marker in the first ch of the next round.

2. Formation of the oval base

Work in the round following this sequence of increases in the marked stitches:

1st round: 3 stitches in the same stitch

2nd round: 2 stitches in each of the 3 corner stitches

3rd round: Alternating increases (1 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc...)

4th round: 1-1-2 sequence on each side

5th round: 1-1-1-2 sequence on each side

3. Base border

Close the 5th round with an invisible join.

Work 1 round of slip stitches along the entire edge to define the bottom of the bag.

4. Bag body

From the next round, work only in the stitch point (inserting the hook into the heart of the V).

Work 10 rounds in total.

→ Height: about 10 cm.

5. Finishing the bottom

With the needle and thread left at the beginning, close any central holes at the bottom by passing between stitches to make the work compact.

Handle formation

Long handle (13 rounds)

Count one stitch before the start of the round and insert a stitch marker.

From that point, count 14 stitches and insert a second marker: this will be the opening for the handle.

Work 4 stitch points and then 2 stitches together (decrease).

Continue in stitch point until the next marker.

Keep working in the round without closing the rounds.

Alternate one round with a decrease and one without, making a total of 5 decreases (every two rounds).

After the last decrease, work 5 rounds without tapering.

At the end, you’ll have 9 stitches on the upper part of the handle and 13 rounds in total.

Sewing the long handle:

Insert the clasp or ring into the handle.

Flatten the edge well and sew with a needle (or with sl st if you prefer).

Hide the thread inside the stitches.

Short handle (5 rounds)

Count 9 stitches on one side and 9 on the other: between the markers, there will be 12 stitches left.

Work in stitch point for 11 stitches (from marker to marker).

Proceed as for the long handle: work in the round, tapering gradually 3 times, then 2 rounds without decreases.

Insert the ring and sew the handle as on the previous side.

Final finishes

Check that the handles are symmetrical and not twisted.

You can add a magnetic or snap button inside for closure.

Cut and hide all threads.

Final tips

Keep the yarn tension soft, especially in the first rounds.

Use stitch markers to identify increase and decrease areas: they make the shape more precise.

If you want a larger bag, increase the starting chains and add 1–2 base rounds.

Final result

An elegant and modern crochet hobo bag with an asymmetrical handle and soft closure — ideal for casual or urban chic looks.

Average making time: about 2 hours for experienced crocheters, 3–4 hours for beginners.

A versatile accessory for day and night

It’s the bag you imagine resting on a table while sipping a glass of wine with your friends on a Friday night in the city.

The short handle, the reigning trend of 2025, makes it sophisticated and contemporary, perfect to carry on your arm or attach to a large shoulder strap for a more practical twist.

Crochet Therapy: the relaxing power of creating

Making a crochet bag is an almost therapeutic act: your hands move, your mind clears, and the rhythm of the yarn becomes music.

The crochet Hobo Bag with asymmetrical closure is a project that combines elegance and practicality, perfect for those who love handmade creations with a contemporary character.

In this version, the combination of Freddy Plum wool-blend cord and Gloria Plum yarn creates a refined, textured effect with tone-on-tone shades that enhance the curved design and soft structure of the bag.

Freddy, compact yet flexible, gives structure and definition to the base and handles; Gloria, more luminous and silky to the touch, softens the overall look, adding a fashionable touch perfect for the season.

Two different yarns, yet perfectly complementary, that together turn a simple pattern into a trendy accessory ready to be personalized.

Whether you choose to make it in plum tones or experiment with new color palettes, this bag will always symbolize a unique style: yours.

Rosaria Tessiland®