Hobonichi Cover Tragen: Bitter Plaid (A5)

The Hobonichi Cover Tragen – the name simply means "to carry" – is a three-panel nylon sleeve for the A5 Cousin Techo, which keeps the notebook and essential writing tools together. The Bitter Plaid design features a muted checked pattern in warm, dark tones that shifts between bitter brown and olive green – a fabric that evokes autumn light and library atmosphere. Leather details on the zip pull and magnetic clasp pad provide subtle accents against the soft nylon weave.

Features

• Three-panel fold with magnetic closure: The sleeve folds into three panels and locks securely with a concealed magnet padded with a leather backing – no accidental opening in your bag, but simple to open with one hand.
• Spacious front pocket with gusset: The zip compartment features a built-in fold strip that expands the pocket's depth – multiple pens, a mini ruler or eraser fit comfortably side by side. Leather zip pull.
• Interior card slots and leather pouch: On the left inside you'll find five flat card slots, on the right an open leather slip pocket – perfect for sticky notes, envelopes, receipts or business cards.
• Interior pen holder: A pen hook secures your pen by its clip – works especially reliably with slim fountain pens, mechanical pencils and fineliners with a pronounced clip.
• Rear quick-access pocket: The back exterior features an open slip pocket for tickets, sticky notes or your shopping list.
• Bitter Plaid nylon weave: The soft, lightly textured nylon fabric is woven in a checked pattern – in muted, warm dark tones that combine everyday practicality with subtle elegance. The weave is hard-wearing and resists fingerprints.
• Hand-stitched: Each Tragen sleeve is individually hand-sewn – minor manufacturing variations in stitching and lining are normal and inherent to the process.
• Not Cover-on-Cover compatible: The Tragen sleeve cannot be combined with the Hobonichi Cover on Cover.

Use & Tips

• Pen setup for the front pocket: The gusset pocket holds multiple pens simultaneously. If you use a fountain pen and ink liner together, both fit inside. Slim fountain pens (diameter up to approx. 12 mm) also fit in the interior hook.
• Fabric care: The nylon weave can be cleaned with a lint roller – avoid aggressive adhesive tape that could damage the fabric.
• Heat sensitivity: Nylon is sensitive to high heat – do not leave the sleeve in direct sunlight inside a closed car.
• Card slots as note archive: The five flat slots on the left work well for sticky note pads, page markers, washi tape samples or pre-inserted index tabs – less suitable for regular credit card storage, as the pockets are open at the top.
• Pairing with the Techo Cousin: The sleeve is designed for the A5 Hobonichi Techo Cousin – yearly, half-yearly and April-start versions all fit. The inner notebook is inserted laterally into the cover pockets, no elastic band or clip needed.
• On-the-go setup: Front pocket with pens, rear pocket with your travel ticket or receipt – the Tragen functions as a complete standalone writing station at the dining table or café, without needing to carry a separate pen case.

For Techo Enthusiasts

Each Tragen sleeve is individually hand-sewn in Vietnam – Hobonichi describes minor variations in stitch pattern and lining placement as inherent to the manufacturing process and perfectly normal. The nylon feels light in the hand, even though the three-panel construction stacks several layers: when fully opened, the sleeve lies flat to 180 degrees without tension. The Bitter Plaid weave belongs to the group of patterned fabrics that Hobonichi has deliberately developed for textile-conscious users – not a printed pattern, but one woven into the material itself, which retains its structure even with intensive use.

Technical Specifications