BLUE SKIES BACKPACK

FREE PATTERN WITH VIDEO TUTORIAL

I love backpacks, because they are a comfortable type of bag. Easy to carry, allowing our arms to be free, to come and go as you please. And this is a nice time of the year to share the Blue Skies Backpack with you. Ideal for Spring time and sunny days out.

Constructed of a small size bag, with a zipper to open and close easily to keep our belongings safe. And long handles to carry over the shoulders.

Made with a variety of stitches, like split single crochet, to make the body of the bag and popcorn stitch, for the textured feel of the lid. With separate pieces to be worked in the round and back and forth, seamed together by the end. So, this is more of an intermediate skill level type of pattern. Not difficult at all, but maybe more suitable for the ones with a little more experience with crochet.

SPECIAL STITCHES

Split single crochet: Single crochet, made right in the center of stitches of last round, to create a thicker fabric. To make it easier, crochet loosely in every round. Insert hook in between the “V” of next stitch, yarn over and draw through the stitch, yarn over and draw through the two loops on the hook. 

Popcorn stitch (of 4 double crochets): Four double crochets made in one stitch, then, join first double crochet and loop of last double crochet to shape the popcorn. Make 4 double crochets in next stitch, drop the hook from last double crochet, insert the hook, front to back in the first double crochet, take the loop from last double crochet and pull through the first double crochet. 

Back loop slip stitch: Slip stitch, made in back loop of stitches from last round. Insert the hook in back loop of next stitch, yarn over, pull through the stitch and loop on the hook. 

These stitches make the backpack special and a nice opportunity to practice more skills. I’ve made the video tutorial for you, including all steps for every stitch, part and finishing stage of the design. Also, find the detailed written instructions, chart for the lid and additional photos of the process below.

If you want the formatted, ad free, 8 page PDF document (with written instructions, chart and more than 40 images in photo tutorials) of the Blue Skies Backpack, this is available in my pattern stores (Ravelry, Etsy, Lovecrochet) for USD $2.50.

The whole project is made of yarn, including the handles. Worsted weight was my choice, to make a sturdy weave, and cotton, because you know I love the clean look it gives to stitches. And you will also need regular sewing thread, sewing needle, pins and zipper for the finishing. Steps for adding the zipper are also included in the pattern.

SUGGESTED MATERIALS

• 4.5 mm (G7) crochet hook 
• Three 70.9 gr/ 2.5 oz (109 m/ 120 yd) skeins of worsted weight Lily Sugar N’Cream yarn (100% cotton) in ROBIN’S EGG 
• One 8.7”/ 22 cm long zipper in same color as yarn 
• Regular sewing thread in same color as yarn 
• Regular sewing thread in contrasting color 
• Stitch marker 
• Pins 
• Tapestry needle 
• Sewing needle 
• Measuring tape 
• Scissors 

FINISHED SIZE:  9.1” x 8.5”/ 23 cm x 21.5 cm 

GAUGE (split single crochet): 12 sts x 18 rnds= 4”/ 10 cm 

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate: This design includes basic and intermediate crochet stitches, easy shaping and finishing techniques.

STITCH GUIDE

• R: row 
• Rnd: round 
• St(s): stitch(es) 
• Ch: chain 
• Sl st: slip stitch 
• Sc: single crochet 
• Dc: double crochet
• Ssc: split single crochet 
• Pc: popcorn 
• Bl: back loop
• Rep: repeat
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side

 NOTES 

• When crocheting in the round, in a spiral, place a marker in first st of the rnd and move up as work progresses.
• When crocheting back and forth, with sc, ch 1 to begin every R, this ch does not count as a st.
• When crocheting back and forth, with dc, ch 3 to begin every R, this 3 ch replace the first dc.

BLUE SKIES BACKPACK
BODY
Crocheted in the round, in a spiral, starting from the bottom. Ch 16.
Rnd 1: Starting in 2nd ch from the hook and crocheting loosely, sc 14, 3 sc in next ch, continue on the opposite side of the ch, sc 13, 2 sc in next ch= 32 sts **Continue crocheting loosely in following rnds to make ssc easily**
Rnd 2: 2 ssc in first st, ssc 13, (2 ssc in next st) rep ( ) 3 times, ssc 13, (2 ssc in next st) twice= 38 sts.
Rnd 3: Ssc 1, 2 ssc in next st, ssc 14, (2 ssc in next st, ssc 1) twice, 2 ssc in next st, ssc 14, 2 ssc in next st, ssc 1, 2 ssc in next st= 44 sts.
Rnd 4: Ssc 2, 2 ssc in next st, ssc 15, (2 ssc in next st, ssc 2) twice, 2 ssc in next st, ssc 15, 2 ssc in next st, ssc 2, 2 ssc in next st= 50 sts.
Rnd 5: Ssc 3, 2 ssc in next st, ssc 16, (2 ssc in next st,ssc 3) twice, 2 ssc in next st, ssc 16, 2 ssc in next st, ssc 3, 2 ssc in next st= 56 sts.

Rnd 6-40: Ssc 56=56 sts

Rnd 41 (short rnd): Make necessary ssc to reach the side of the bag (20 sts approximately). Sl st in next st.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

LID
Crocheted back and forth, starting from the center. Follow written instructions below and/or chart below R8, for R1-8 of lid. Ch 8.
R1: Starting in 5th ch from hook, dc 3, 5 dc in next ch, continue on opposite side of the ch, dc 4, turn= 13 sts
R2: Ch 3, dc 3, (2 dc in next st) twice, 3 dc in next st, (2 dc in next st) twice, dc 4, turn= 19 sts

R3 (RS): Ch 1, sc 2, pc 1, sc 1, pc 1, (2 sc in next st, pc 1) twice, 3 sc in next st, (pc 1, 2 sc in next st) twice, (pc 1, sc 1) twice, sc 1, turn= 25 sts

R4: Ch 3, dc 5, (2 dc in next st, dc 2) twice, 3 dc in next st, (dc 2, 2 dc in next st) twice, dc 6, turn= 31 sts
R5: Ch 1, sc 2, (pc 1, sc 1) twice, pc 1, (2 sc in next st, pc 1, sc 1, pc 1) twice, 3 sc in next st, (pc 1, sc 1, pc 1, 2 sc in next st) twice, (pc 1, sc 1) rep ( ) 3 times, sc 1, turn= 37 sts
R6: Ch 3, dc 7, (2 dc in next st, dc 4) twice, 3 dc in next st, (dc 4, 2 dc in next st) twice, dc 8, turn= 43 sts
R7: Ch 1, sc 2, (pc 1, sc 1) rep ( ) 3 times, pc 1, [2 sc in next st, (pc 1, sc 1) twice, pc 1] twice, 3 sc in next st, [(pc 1, sc 1) twice, pc 1, 2 sc in next st] twice, (pc 1, sc 1) rep ( ) 4 times, sc 1, turn= 49 sts
R8: Ch 3, dc 9, (2 dc in next st, dc 6) twice, 3 dc in next st, (dc 6, 2 dc in next st) twice, dc 10= 55 sts.

Don’t fasten off, continue with the lid edge.

LID EDGE
Turn the work, continue crocheting all around the edge of the lid.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, bl sl st 55 (over the curved edge of the lid), then, over the straight edge of the lid, 3 sc in next dc, (sc 1 in next sc, 2 sc in next dc) rep ( ) 3 times, (2 sc in next dc) rep ( ) 3 times, (sc 1 in next sc, 2 sc in next dc) twice, sc 1 in next sc, 3 sc in next dc= 83 sts.

Sl st in next st.

Turn the work, continue crocheting over the straight edge of the lid only.
R2: Ch 1, sc 28= 28 sts

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

ZIPPER BACKINGS (MAKE 2)
Crocheted in one row only, starting from the inner edge. Loosely, ch 29.
R1: Starting in 2nd ch from the hook, sc 28= 28 sts
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Weave in the beginning tail.

ZIPPER ENDS (MAKE 2)
Crocheted back and forth, starting from one end. Ch 4.
R1: Starting in 2nd ch from the hook, sc 3, turn= 3 sts
R2-6: Ch 1, sc 3, turn= 3 sts
Fasten off and weave in all ends.

SHORT HANDLE
Crocheted in the round, in a spiral, starting from one end. Ch 26, leaving a long tail at the beginning, to sew afterwards.
Rnd 1: Starting in 2nd ch from the hook, sc 24, 3 sc in next ch, continue on the opposite side of the ch, sc 23, 2 sc in next ch= 52 sts
Rnd 2: Bl sl st 52= 52 sts
Sl st in next st.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

LONG HANDLE
Crocheted in the round, in a spiral, starting from one end. Ch 196, leaving a long tail at the beginning, to sew afterwards.
Rnd 1: Starting in 2nd ch from the hook, sc 194, 3 sc in next ch, continue on the opposite side of the ch, sc 193, 2 sc in next ch= 392 sts
Rnd 2: Bl sl st 392= 392 sts
Sl st in next st.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

FINISHING
ZIPPER TAPE SEAMING
Pin each backing to the zipper tape (each backing should cover the 8.7”/ 22 cm length of the zipper, leaving top and bottom tape ends free). Baste with contrasting thread to keep in place. Then, make the final seam with thread in same color as yarn, over the edge of the ch. Remove baste thread.

JOINING ZIPPER TO THE BAG
With tapestry needle, join sc edge of one zipper backing, to the edge of one side of the bag. Fasten off and weave in all ends. Rep for the other backing with the other side of the bag. Fasten off and weave in all ends. Cover top and bottom tape ends with the zipper ends, by folding in half. With regular thread to close the sides and hold to the tape ends.

JOINING THE LID TO THE BAG
Sew the straight edge of the lid, to the edge of one side of the bag. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

JOINING THE HANDLES TO THE BAG
Fold the long handle in half and sew 1.6”/ 4 cm of the center of the handle, to the edge of the back side of the bag, centered, covering 4 rnds from the edge of the bag down. Sew 1”/ 2.5 cm of each end to each side of the back of the bag, to the bottom, from rnd 6 to rnd 10 of the bag, and 3 sts away from the sides.

Sew 1”/ 2.5 cm of each end of the short handle to the edge of the back of the bag, to each side of the long handle upper seam, covering 4 rnds from the edge of the bag down.

And the backpack is done! Enjoy the outdoors and lovely weather, with your new DIY favorite accessory. Wouldn’t it be a beautiful gift?

Make it in different colors, and surprise yourself with the lovely effect of the textured stitches. Have you made yours already or are you in the process of the making? Share with the hashtag #blueskiesbackpack or tag me on my Instagram profile @chabepatterns, I’ll be happy to see you there!

All written instructions, chart and images in this pattern are protected by Copyright. This pattern is for personal use and not to be copied or reproduced, partially or totally, for any purpose. It may not be redistributed or shared anywhere, either online or offline. Finished items made from this pattern may be sold, in small quantity. But they cannot be promoted using the images contained in this pattern. Proper credit for the original design must be given to Chabepatterns and link back to this post and/or designer’s pattern shop.