Crocheted Backpack

Crocheted backpack

Materials

NB: In Finland the weight of the yarn is expressed in terms of the needle / hook best suited for the yarn in question. Therefore, I am not familiar with the American expressions "worsted weight", "sport weight" etc. This is not that big of an issue as long as you get the gauge right. Otherwise this pattern is written using metric and US terms in parallel.

• Cotton yarn suited for 3½—4mm (US #4—6) knitting needles / 4mm (US G/6) plastic crochet hook
  • 500g (18oz.) of main color (mine was variegated lavender/lilac/pearl gray Lammy Yarns Florida, color #552)
  • small amount of contrasting color for edging and cords
• 4mm (US G/6) and 7mm (US K/10½) plastic crochet hooks
• plastic side release buckle

• Gauge: 11 sc and 13 rnds = 10 cm / 4 in using double strands of yarn

Bottom

• Beginning round: With double strands of yarn and 7mm (US K/10½) hook, ch 4, sl st in first ch to form a ring.
• Rnd 1: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), work 6 sc in ring, sl st into top of beg ch (= 7 sc). From now on, replace the first sc in the rnd with 1 ch and, in the end of the rnd, join with a sl st to the first ch.
• Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around (= 14 sc).
• Rnd 3: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around (= 21 sc).
• Rnd 4: *1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around (= 28 sc).
• Rnd 5: *1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around (= 35 sc). For the rest of the rounds continue adding sc:s in between the increases (for rnd 6: 4 sc; for rnd 7: 5 sc, etc).

If the bottom gets all squiggly and squirmy, you can try leaving out the increases for some of the rounds.

Edge

When there is 91 sc in the rnd (approx 14 rnds, bottom diameter 24 cm / 9½ in), start the edge. Work 91 sc around until the edge measures 35 cm / 14 in. You can fasten off and join a new yarn or work with sl sts to the middle of the back for the drawstring hole round.

Drawstring holes: Start at the middle of the back:

• 14 sc, (ch 1, sk 1 sc, 2 sc) 21 times, ch 1, sk 1 sc, 13 sc (= 91 sc). You should now have 22 drawstring holes in the round (see a picture of the holes).
• Next rnd: Work 91 sc around.
• Next rnd: Again, start at the middle of the back. 13 sc, 66 sl sts, 12 sc (= 91 sts). Fasten off.

Work one round of sl sts between the last bottom rnd and the first edge rnd (see a picture of the bottom).

Bottom

Edge

Flap

Work a flap out of the 25 sc:s in the back. Starting from the edge, work 4 rnds of sc around, 25 sc each round. Increasing: Inc 1 st at both ends (1 sc before/after the edge st) every 4th rnd 3 times (= 31 sc). Decreasing: When the flap measures 13 cm / 5 in, dec 1 st at both ends every 2nd rnd 3 times (= 25 sc). Then work the last two rnds of the flap:

• 2 sc tog, 2 sc tog, 5 hdc, 7 dc, 5 hdc, 2 sc tog, 2 sc tog (= 21 sts).
• 2 sc tog, 5 hdc, 7 dc, 5 hdc, 2 sc tog (= 19 sts). Fasten and end off.

Edging: With one yarn of contrasting color and 4mm (US G/6) hook, work one rnd of sc:s around the edge of the flap. Fasten and end off.

Flap

Shoulder straps

Make two. With double strands of yarn ch — for example — 55 (50 cm / 20 in). Work 4—5 rnds of sc:s. [Note: The straps are not adjustable after they're sewn on, so make sure to measure the length carefully. Or, you can use D-rings and make the straps longer. The width of the straps can also be varied according to your liking.] Fasten and end off. With contrasting color work edges as with the flap.

Sew on the straps at the top of the back approx 10 cm / 4 in apart (see a picture of the top edge). At the bottom sew the straps approx 23—25 cm / 9—10 in (or 25 sts) apart. NB: Twist the straps once outwards at the bottom (see a picture of the bottom edge). This way the backpack will fit better on your back. Try it on if you're not sure which way to twist!

Shoulder straps

Twist the straps at the bottom

Cords

Make two cords (or use a store bought cord). With contrasting color and 4mm (US G/6) hook chain until the cord is 60—65 cm / 23½—25½ in long. 2nd rnd: sl st around. Thread the cords in the drawstring holes, one on each side bringing them out at the front middle. Attach at one end, make a knot on the other.

Drawstrings

Attaching the buckle

For the plastic buckle, make two straps in main color using only one strand of yarn (or you can use store bought straps). [Note: the width of the strap depends on the width of the buckle you are using.] The longer strap should be approx 13 cm / 5 in long. Attach one buckle end and sew this strap in the middle of the flap underneath it (i.e. on the wrong side). The shorter one is approx 8 cm / 3 in long. Attach the other buckle end and sew this strap in the front middle approx 8 cm / 3 in from the bottom edge (the slip stitch round).

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