A hobo stick, or bindle, is useful for carrying a small amount of goods.
A so-called hobo stick is actually nothing more than a stick, and has little use without a a bindle tied to the end of it. The bindle hobo stick is as much a symbol of early 20th century vagabond subculture as patched clothing and railroads. A bindle is comprised of a square piece of fabric, usually a handkerchief, and a stick. Hobos used these sticks to carry what little belongings they owned as they traveled from town to town. Making a hobo stick is essential to any hobo costume, but they can also be used to carry belongings just as they were originally intended. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Find or cut a straight stick that is about 3 1/2 feet long. Any stick from a tree will do, but it should be sturdy enough to support the weight of the load it is expected to carry.
2. Pull off any branches or twigs or use a knife to cut them away.
3. Lay the handkerchief on a flat surface and arrange the contents to be carried on top of it. There should be enough room left around the edges to tie the corners.
4. Place one end of the stick over the contents of the bindle so that the end slightly protrudes from the handkerchief.
5. Gather two opposite corners of the handkerchief around the stick and tie them in a knot.
6. Gather the other two corners around the stick and tie another knot. The hobo stick is now ready to be carried over the shoulder.
Tags: hobo stick, around stick