Crocheted Backpack

Instructions

Bottom

​Beginning rnd: With yarn held double and using the larger 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 around; 21 sc.

Rnd 4: (1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc), rep around; 28 sc.

Rnd 5: (1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc), rep around; 35 sc.

 

Continue adding sc:s in between the increases (4 sc on Rnd 6, 5 sc on Rnd 7, etc) until there are 91 sc in the rnd (approx. 14 rnds, bottom diameter approx. 24 cm / 9½") . If the bottom doesn’t lay flat, you can leave out the increases on some of the rounds.

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Edge

Work 91 sc around until the edge measures approx. 35 cm / 14". Fasten off and join a new yarn at the middle of the back, or work with sl sts to the middle of the back for the drawstring hole round. This is now the new beginning of rnd.

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Drawstring holes

Drawstring hole rnd: 14 sc, (ch 1, sk 1 sc, 2 sc) 21 times, ch 1, sk 1 sc, 13 sc; 91 sc; 22 drawstring holes.

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Next rnd: Work 91 sc around.

Next rnd: 13 sc, 66 sl sts, 12 sc. Fasten off.

 

For decoration, work one round of sl sts between the last bottom rnd and the first edge rnd.

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Flap

Work the flap with the 25 sc:s in the back. Starting from one edge, work 4 rows of sc:s, 25 sc on each row.

 

Increases

To work a rounded shape to the flap, inc 1 st at each end of the row (1 sc before/after the edge st) every 4th row 3 times; 31 sc.
 

Decreases

Work even until the flap measures approx. 13 cm / 5". Then dec 1 st at each end of the row every 2nd row 3 times ; 25 sc.

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Next row: 2 sc tog twice, 5 hdc, 7 dc, 5 hdc, 2 sc tog twice; 21 sts.

Next row: 2 sc tog, 5 hdc, 7 dc, 5 hdc, 2 sc tog; 19 sts. Fasten off.

 

Edging

With one thread of contrasting color and the smaller hook, work one rnd of sc:s around the edge of the flap. Fasten off.

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Shoulder straps

With yarn held double ch 55 (strap measures approx. 50 cm / 20"). Work 4—5 rnds of sc:s and fasten off. With contrasting color, work edgings as for the flap. Make the other strap the same way.

Note: The straps are not adjustable after they are sewn on, so make sure to measure the length carefully. You can also use D-rings to make the straps adjustable. In that case, make the straps longer to leave room for adjusting. The width of the straps can also be varied according to your liking.

Sew on the straps at the top of the back approx. 10 cm / 4" apart. At the bottom, twist the straps once outwards and sew them approx. 25 sts apart.

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Cords

With contrasting color and the smaller hook, chain until the cord measures approx. 60–65 cm / 23½–25½" in length.

 

Next rnd: Sl st around and fasten off.

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Make the other cord the same way. Thread the cords in the drawstring holes, one on each side bringing them out at the mid front. Attach to the inside of the backpack at the mid back; make a knot on the outside end.

 

Buckle Closure

For the plastic buckle, make two straps in the main color using only one strand of yarn.

 

Note: the width of the strap depends on the width of the buckle you are using.

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Longer strap

With main color and the smaller hook, chain a strap that will fit into the buckle. Work in sc until the strap measures approx. 13 cm / 5". Fasten off. Attach the male buckle-end and sew the strap in the middle of the flap underneath it on the inside.

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Shorter strap

With main color and the smaller hook, chain a strap that will fit into the buckle. Work in sc until the strap measures approx. 8 cm / 3". Attach the female buckle-end and sew the strap to the mid front approx. 8 cm / 3" from the bottom edge (the slip stitch round).