Mini Crochet Backpack
It’s back-to-school time and many students are packing their backpacks for classes and activities. Here is a fun little backpack-style bag that can be attached to your big backpack and filled with the essentials – money, credit cards, lip balm, hand sanitizer and/or keys.
This entire project uses mainly one stitch – single crochet!
Plus, I created 3 versions of this mini-backpack using Size 3 thread (blue), Size 3 yarn (pink) and Size 4 yarn (green) – see all the supply details below. They all come out the same size but the thicker the yarn, the quicker the project 🙂
Charms!
Don’t you just love these charms I found at my local craft store? There are so many options to make your mini-backpack unique.
(If you like these charms, check out some of my other patterns that use them:
Just click on the project name to see the FREE pattern –
The Heartfelt Prayer Square, The Basket Weave Mug Cozy, The Super Simple Cup Cozy and The Braided Stripes Coffee Cozy)
Let’s get started!
Skill Level: Easy
Measurements:
Finished project – 3 1/2″ tall x 3″ wide
Pieces: Front/Back = 3″ wide x 3 1/2″ tall; Zipper strips = 7 1/4″ long x 3/4″ wide; Bottom strip = 6″ long x 1 3/4″ wide
Supplies:
Small amount of yarn – Size 3 thread, Size 3 (DK weight) or Size 4
(For my mini-backpacks I used Lizbeth Thread (blue), Sinfonia (pink) and Red Heart Super Saver (green)
Hooks to go with yarn (2.75mm, 3.75mm or 5.5mm)
7″ zipper
Matching sewing thread and needle (or sewing machine)
10 -15 sewing pins
Keyring
Optional: Charm and plastic canvas
Notes:
5 pieces are crocheted with single crochet and minimal shaping
Then all pieces are blocked and the zipper is sewn on to the long thin strips
Then all pieces are crocheted together to form bag and the hanging loop, keyring and charm are added last
Get Access!
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**For the pink mini-backpack I put the single crochet stitches that join all the pieces on the inside of the bag so you don’t see them in the finished project – it’s a different look but works the same way as the other method except you just have to make sure all the pieces have the Wrong Side facing when you pin and put them together**
Abbreviations:
YO (yarn over)
Hk (hook)
Lp (loop)
Ch (chain)
St (stitch)
Sp (space)
Sc (single crochet)
Sl st (slip stitch)
Special Stitches:
Sc2tog (single crochet 2 together) = Insert hk into next st, YO, draw up a lp; insert hk into next st; YO, draw up a lp; YO, pull through all 3 lps on hk
Click here to watch a short video tutorial on my Youtube Channel about this technique
Back Bar of the Chain = When looking at the right side of a chain, you see many “V’s” and the chain looks like a braid. Turn the chain over and you see a series of bumps – it is in these bumps that you will work across the chain to produce a cord with even edges along both sides
Click here to watch a short video tutorial on my Youtube Channel about this technique
Instructions:
Special stitches are written in bold and italicized text and defined above
**The pattern below is for the Size 3 cotton crochet thread (blue) mini-backpack – instructions for the other 2 yarn types can be found as a PDF download in the Celtic Knot Crochet Resource Library – a FREE resource for all newsletter subscribers – sign-up here today!**
Front/Back – Make 2 (Pieces 1 in photo above):
Ch 19
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hk and in each ch across. Turn. (18 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
Rows 3- 19: Repeat Row 2
Row 20: Ch 1, sc2tog in first 2 sts, sc across to last 2 sts; sc2tog in last 2 sts. Turn. (16 sc)
Rows 21-23: Repeat Row 20. Fasten off (or complete optional edging listed below)
Edging: Ch 1, work sc evenly around entire piece; join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Bottom Strip (Piece 3 in photo above):
Ch 35
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hk and in each ch across. Turn. (34 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
Rows 3-13: Repeat Row 2 – Fasten off.
Zipper Strip – Make 2 (Pieces 2 in photo above):
Ch 40
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hk and in each ch across. Turn. (39 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
Rows 3 – 5: Repeat Row 2. Fasten off.
Hanging Tab:
Ch 15
Row 1: Working in the back bar of the chain, sc in 2nd ch from hk and in each ch across. Turn. (14 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off with long tail for assembly.
Finishing/Assembly:
Wet block all pieces and let dry completely
(Wet blocking is when you soak each piece in cold water and gently press out the excess. Then you lay each piece flat on a dry towel and can pin in place so they have a uniform and clean shape)
Pin zipper strips to zipper and sew along dotted line (on both sides) as shown in photo above
Sew across zipper several times to create a ‘stopper’ (see thick dash and arrow in photo above) – this allows you to cut zipper to a shorter length
With Right Sides facing, pin zipper pieces to front of backpack matching up centers of each piece
In the same way pin the bottom strip to front of backpack and tuck zipper strip ends under edge of bottom strip (see arrow in photo above)
Repeat the same process for the back of the backpack
With Right Side facing of Front center piece, single crochet all pieces together making sure to pass hook through all thicknesses; join with sl st to first sc of round – Repeat for Back Side with Right Side of back side facing
Thread keyring onto hanging tab and fold in half
Sew on to center back of bag
Sew charm on to front
Using template found in the Celtic Knot Crochet Resource Library here, cut out 3 pieces of plastic canvas and sew to inside of bag (This step is optional but gives the bag much more stability and helps it hold it’s shape – it’s well worth the extra few minutes to add these pieces – I just turned the bag inside out for this step)
Using yarn tails sew ends of bottom and zipper strips at sides so no gaps
And there you have it – your Mini Crochet Backpack is complete and ready to take on your adventures!
I hope you enjoyed making and/or gifting this project – I think it turned out so cute and practical!
Remember you can find all of my FREE patterns here and if you post a photo of this project on Instagram, please tag me by using @celticknotcrochet- I love to see your projects!
Happy crocheting!
Jennifer
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