You can never go wrong with a crochet bag.

Especially when it’s a backpack! I didn’t want just any backpack though. I really wanted it to have an old-fashioned leather satchel feel to it. Something that an adventure seeking academic type might carry. With that aesthetic in mind, I came up with the Woodland Backpack and I can’t wait to share the crochet pattern with you so you can make one too!

Created with just three pieces and some extra bits to attach the toggles, this backpack is a lot easier to make than it looks! The side pieces create both an appealing design element and structure to help create a sturdy bag.

The pattern is written for a checkered design but can easily be made with bigger squares of alternating colors for a patchwork look or of course in solid colors! Only needing about 400 yards for the bag means this is a great way to use up partial skeins and scrap yarn too.

Materials:

• Approximately 350-400 yds/320-365 m of worsted/medium weight yarn
• G/6/4 mm hook or size needed to obtain gauge
• Two 2″ Horn Toggle Buttons or other pair of closures
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle
• Measuring Tape
• Stitch Markers

Gauge:

Double Crochet: 18 sts by 9 rows= 4″ unblocked

**If you’re going to use a checkered pattern on your bag be sure to make your gauge square with color changes included as this may affect tension.

Gauge is important to your project so your finished piece will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. The hook size for the pattern is based on what I used, but gauge can vary from person to person and be affected by yarn. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make 4”, try using a smaller size hook; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook.

Stitches and Abbreviations (US Terms):

• ch(s) – chain(s)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet two together for decrease
• dc – double crochet
• dc2tog – double crochet two together for decrease
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• mc – main color
• cc – contrast color

Notes:

• Turning chains do not count as stitches.
• Stitches between brackets [ ] are to be repeated total number of times indicated.
• Pattern pieces are all worked flat and then sewn together.
• Measurements you want to match are provided at some steps of the pattern to help achieve correct size. This is important to follow so that the pieces fit together correctly when you move on to assemble them.
• Yarn Suggestions: Thick acrylic yarns are going to be best for this backpack so that it is sturdy and durable. Yarns such as Red Heart, Big Twist, I Love This Yarn would all work great for this pattern.
• Checkered print is achieved by combining two colors into a repeating pattern of blocks of color. Typically, this is achieved with a main color and a contrast color. (i.e. – green for a main color and then a white to contrast.)
• Pattern is written for a small, checkered pattern with boxes 6 sts by 3 rows. For a larger checkered pattern, use the same full stitch counts but with boxes 12 sts by 6 rows. Alternatively, if you wanted a solid color bag, you would simply follow the full stitch counts with no color changes.
• Color changes will be made on the last step of the stitch before new color begins.

Backpack Pattern

Side Panels

Make 2.

Ch 7.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (6)

Rows 2-39: Ch 1, turn, sc each st across. (6)

**Piece should measure approximately 1.5″ wide and 8.5″ long at this point. Add or remove stitches and rows as needed to meet measurements.

Row 40: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 2, sc2tog. (4)

Row 41: Ch 1, turn sc2tog, sc2tog. (2)

Row 42: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog. (1)

Row 43: Ch 1, turn, sc. (1)

Row 44: Ch 1, turn, sc. (1)

Fasten off.

Edge (RS): Attach yarn to the side of row 1, ch 1, work down the side of the piece placing a sc in each row, sc 43, 3 sc in sc of row 44, now work up opposite side of the piece into the rows, sc 43. The side facing you while applying the edge becomes the RS of your side panel.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Set aside.

Body of Bag:

With MC, ch 37.

Row 1: Sc 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (36)

Row 2: Ch 2, turn, begin to carry CC yarn, [dc 6 MC, dc 6 CC] 3 times. (36)

Row 3: Ch 2, turn, [dc 6 CC, dc 6 MC], 3 times. (36)

Row 4: Ch 2, turn, [dc 6 MC, dc 6 CC], 3 times, switch to MC on last st of row. (36)

Row 5: Ch 2, turn, [dc 6 MC, dc 6 CC], 3 times. (36)

Row 6: Ch 2, turn, [dc 6 CC, dc 6 MC], 3 times. (36)

Row 7: Ch 2, turn, [dc 6 MC, dc 6 CC] 3 times, switch to MC on last st of row. (36)

Rows 8-55: Repeat rows 5-7.

**If you want your bags flap to be one solid color, you will switch to just working in one color at row 50.

Row 56: Ch 2, turn, [dc 6 MC, dc 6 CC], 3 times. (36)

**Piece should measure approximately 24″ at row 56, add or remove rows as needed in multiples of three if possible.

Row 57: Ch 2, turn, in CC dc2tog, dc 4, [dc 6 MC, dc 6 CC] 2 times, in MC dc 4, dc2tog. (34)

Row 58: Ch 2, turn, in MC dc2tog, dc 3, [dc 6 CC, dc 6 MC] 2 times, in CC dc 3, dc2tog, switch to MC on last st of row. (32)

Row 59: Ch 2, turn, in MC dc2tog, dc 2, [dc 6 CC, dc 6 MC] 2 times, in CC dc 2, dc2tog. (30)

Row 60: Ch 2, turn, in CC dc2tog, dc, [dc 6 MC, dc 6 CC] 2 times, in MC dc, dc2tog. (28)

Row 61: Ch 2, turn, in MC dc2tog, in CC dc2tog, dc 4, dc 6 MC, dc 6 CC, dc 4 MC, dc2tog MC, dc2tog CC, switch to MC on last st of row. (24)

Row 62: Ch 2, turn, dc2tog MC, dc2tog CC, dc 2 CC, dc 6 MC, dc 6 CC, dc 2 MC, dc2tog MC, dc2tog CC. (20)

Row 63: Ch 2, turn, dc 4 MC, dc 6 CC, dc 6 MC, dc 4 CC. (20)

Row 64: Ch 2, turn, dc 4 CC, dc 6 MC, dc 6 CC, dc 4 MC. (20)

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Straps:

Make 2.

Ch 7, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (6)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc each st across. (6)

Rows 3-100: Ch 1, turn, sc each st across. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

**Straps are designed to be approximately 1.5″ by 22″. For a wider strap, add stitches. For a longer strap, add rows. For a shorter strap, remove rows.

Ties:

Top Loops: Ch 23. Make 2.

Bottom Loops: Ch 16. Make 2.

Assemble Bag:

Bag Flap Edge:

With back of bag and RS facing you, attach yarn to last st on the right-side panel before the bag flap begins.

Rnd. 1 (RS): Ch 1, working along the right-side of the flap, place 5 sc across each square of color or 3 rows of dc for 25 sts, 2 sc in corner st, sc 18, 2 sc in last st to create another corner, working down the left-side of the flap, place 5 sc across each square of color or 3 rows of dc to left-side panel for 25 sts, you’ll now work around the opening of the bag, sc 6 across side panel, sc 36 across row 1 of body, sc 6 across side panel, join with a sl st to first st.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, hdc 71 sts across just the flap, sl st to last st of flap.

Fasten off.

Straps and Ties:

You now have your very own backpack! I hope you enjoyed this pattern and remember if you ever want to have the ad free pdf that’s yours to access anytime and anywhere, you can purchase this pattern on Ravelry or Etsy.