Aurora Borealis Slouchy Hobo Bag Free Pattern – Crochet a Shifting Sky Tote
Aurora Borealis Slouchy Hobo Bag Free Pattern – Crochet a Shifting Sky Tote
Imagine carrying a piece of the northern lights with you wherever you go. This slouchy, textured hobo bag is crocheted in shifting shades of teal, violet, magenta, soft pink, and cream, creating a stunning gradient that mimics the aurora borealis dancing across a night sky. The dense, squishy stitch pattern—created with alternating front and back post double crochets—gives the bag a soft, cloud-like feel that's as cozy as it is eye-catching. Whether you're heading to the farmer's market, the beach, or just want a stylish everyday tote, this free crochet pattern is perfect for intermediate beginners ready to try something new.
This pattern is worked in continuous rounds from the bottom up, starting with a simple magic ring and increasing evenly to form a rounded base. Then, you'll switch to a beautiful ribbed texture using post stitches, working through a carefully planned color sequence. Finally, you'll shape the top with decreases and add two sturdy handles. The result is a plush, crescent-shaped bag that's both functional and a true work of art.
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following supplies:
- Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton or cotton-blend yarn in 5 colors:
- Color A: Teal (approximately 60g)
- Color B: Deep Violet (approximately 50g)
- Color C: Magenta (approximately 50g)
- Color D: Soft Pink (approximately 50g)
- Color E: Cream (approximately 40g)
- Hook: 5.5 mm (I-9) crochet hook
- Other: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch marker (optional but helpful)
Gauge: 14 sc x 16 rows = 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm) in single crochet. Matching gauge is important for the correct size, but since this is a slouchy bag, a slight variation won't ruin the project.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Bag Body (worked in continuous rounds)
Important: Do not join rounds unless instructed. Work in a spiral, using a stitch marker to keep track of the beginning of each round.
Base Increases (Rounds 1–12)
Round 1: With color A, make a magic ring, work 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (18 sts)
Round 4: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (24 sts)
Round 5: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (30 sts)
Round 6: *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (36 sts)
Round 7: *Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (42 sts)
Round 8: *Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (48 sts)
Round 9: *Sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (54 sts)
Round 10: *Sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (60 sts)
Round 11: *Sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (66 sts)
Round 12: *Sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (72 sts)
Your base should now be a flat circle. If it's ruffling, your tension may be too loose; if it's cupping, your tension may be too tight. Adjust accordingly.
Textured Body and Color Blocks (Rounds 13–32)
Now you'll begin the beautiful ribbed texture. The pattern is simple: alternate front post double crochet (fpdc) and back post double crochet (bpdc) around. This creates a stretchy, waffle-like fabric.
How to work fpdc: Yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, complete the double crochet as normal.
How to work bpdc: Yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back around the post of the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, complete the double crochet as normal.
Round 13: With color A, *fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st* repeat around. (72 sts)
Round 14: With color A, repeat the fpdc/bpdc pattern as set. This means you'll work fpdc into the fpdc stitches and bpdc into the bpdc stitches from the previous round.
Round 15: Switch to color B. Repeat the fpdc/bpdc pattern.
Round 16: With color B, repeat the pattern.
Round 17: Switch to color C. Repeat the pattern.
Round 18: With color C, repeat the pattern.
Round 19: Switch to color D. Repeat the pattern.
Round 20: With color D, repeat the pattern.
Round 21: Switch to color E. Repeat the pattern.
Round 22: With color E, repeat the pattern.
Round 23: Switch back to color A. Repeat the pattern.
Round 24: With color A, repeat the pattern.
Round 25: Switch to color B. Repeat the pattern.
Round 26: With color B, repeat the pattern.
Round 27: Switch to color C. Repeat the pattern.
Round 28: With color C, repeat the pattern.
Round 29: Switch to color D. Repeat the pattern.
Round 30: With color D, repeat the pattern.
Round 31: Switch to color E. Repeat the pattern.
Round 32: With color E, repeat the pattern.
Tip: When changing colors, work the last yarn over of the final stitch of the old color with the new color to create a clean transition. Leave a 6-inch tail to weave in later.
Shaping the Top (Decrease Rounds 33–43)
Now you'll shape the gathered top of the bag by decreasing. The sc2tog (single crochet two together) is worked as follows: insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
Round 33: With color A, *sc in next 10 sts, sc2tog* repeat around. (66 sts)
Round 34: With color A, *sc in next 9 sts, sc2tog* repeat around. (60 sts)
Round 35: With color B, *sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog* repeat around. (54 sts)
Round 36: With color B, *sc in next 7 sts, sc2tog* repeat around. (48 sts)
Round 37: With color C, *sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog* repeat around. (42 sts)
Round 38: With color C, *sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog* repeat around. (36 sts)
Round 39: With color D, *sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog* repeat around. (30 sts)
Round 40: With color D, *sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog* repeat around. (24 sts)
Round 41: With color E, *sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog* repeat around. (18 sts)
Round 42: With color E, *sc in next 1 st, sc2tog* repeat around. (12 sts)
Round 43: With color E, sc2tog around. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail (at least 12 inches). Thread the tail through a yarn needle and weave it through the remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close the top completely. Secure with a knot and weave in the end.
Handles (Make 2)
With color E (cream), chain 80.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (79 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (79 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
For a thicker, more comfortable handle, you can fold the strip in half lengthwise and sew the edges together before attaching to the bag.
Assembly
Position the handles on opposite sides of the bag opening. Space them about 4 inches apart from each other (meaning the handle attachment points on each side are 4 inches apart). Using the yarn needle and the long tail, sew each handle securely to the inside or outside of the bag. Make sure to sew through both layers of the handle and the bag fabric for strength. Weave in all remaining ends.
Finishing Touches
Your Aurora Borealis Slouchy Hobo Bag is complete! Gently block the bag if desired to even out the stitches. To block, wet the bag, gently squeeze out excess water, and lay it flat to dry in the desired shape.
This bag is perfect for carrying books, groceries, or everyday essentials. The dense post-stitch texture makes it sturdy yet soft, and the gradient colors are sure to turn heads. Enjoy your handmade piece of the northern lights!
Happy crocheting!
