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Happy Granny Square Day 2023! I hope you enjoy this backpack pattern to use up all your granny squares. I first posted photos of this backpack many years ago, but it has taken me forever to actually finish it, enjoy!!
This bag uses seven crochet squares which you may have made already, or you can make them from the granny square pattern below.
The backpack has an optional fabric lining which is sewed into the bag, four straps , a drawstring and a magnetic closure on the top flap of the backpack make it a fully functional and useful bag which is a great size for everyday use..
You can use up some stash yarn as you could use all different colours for all the different parts if you want, or make it in one colour only.
I have used granny squares and depending on the thickness of your yarn and the size of the hook you use, the bag dimensions may turn out a bit differently to mine. You can vary the amount of squares used to make different sizes, for example, four small squares would make a child sized version, 8 squares in the centre part would be roomier and suitable for a student.
The AD FREE PDF pattern with photos for every step is available from
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My pattern shop HERE buying directly from me supports me the most, so I don’t have to pay fees!
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From Ravelry HERE
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From etsy HERE
The construction is a tube to minimise sewing. You first make the squares into a ring by either sewing or crocheting them together, then add the top and lower sections to the middle in rounds, then sew a separate bottom to complete the basic pattern.
Before attaching the bottom section, a fabric lining is highly recommended in this bag as items may poke through the mesh holes without a lining, plus the bag will probably stretch without a lining. It also just looks so much better and is more functional. Whilst it is easier to use a sewing machine, you can also hand sew the lining, it’s not as difficult as you think.
If you want to avid sewing a lining you can make all the body rows in double crochet so there are no holes, however I just liked the look of those better than just double crochet, but please interpret this guide anyway you like!
PART 1 : MAKING THE BACK PACK
PART 2 : PUTTING THE BACK PACK TOGETHER
SKILL LEVEL
Upper Beginner crocheter (preferably with sewing skills, if you don’t sew I recommend a solid double crochet body so less need for a lining or give it a try and watch the video!)
WHAT YOU NEED
Seven granny squares : six squares for the middle section, plus one square for the top flap. Basic pattern given below and in video, however any type of granny squares can be used.
3.5 mm crochet hook
Approximately 6 balls of 50g x 8ply /DK cotton in the main colour and 1-2 balls each of contrasting colours. I used Hobbii Acacia cotton acrylic yarn for the body and scraps of different cotton DK ( category 3) / 8 ply cotton for the squares
1 metre of fabric in a contrasting or matching colour for lining, sewing needle, pins, cotton, sewing machine if choosing to sew a lining ( optional )
4 pieces of bag strap webbing, each 20 inches/ 51 cm long for the bag straps ( instructions for crochet bag straps are given in the PDF pattern only)
2 quick release back pack buckles
Scissors
Tapestry needle
GAUGE
This is not a gauge sensitive project, however I recommend quite tight crochet as it is for a bag and will make it more durable.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Squares : 14 cm x 14 cm (5.5 in x 5.5 in)
Bottom of bag circle diameter : 7.25 inches / 19 cm
Drawstring : approx 64 inches / 162 cm long
Body of bag in total : 16 inches / 41 cm wide 13 inches/ 33.5 cm long
Top flap : 14 cm x 14 cm (5.5 in x 5.5 in)
My finished backpack is 16 inches / 40 cm wide and 13.5 inches / 34 cm long
ABBREVIATIONS (US CROCHET TERMS)
st = stitch
ch= chain
C = color
hdc = half double crochet
dc= double crochet
sc= single crochet
sp = space
sl st = slip stitch
The AD FREE PDF pattern with photos for every step is available from
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My pattern shop HERE buying directly from me supports me the most, so I don’t have to pay fees!
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From Ravelry HERE
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From etsy HERE
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PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS
YouTube tutorial is HERE
1. MIDDLE SECTION- SQUARES
Use squares you already have or make seven crochet squares using the pattern below, Put one square aside to use for the top flap later, then sew or slip stitch crochet the sides of all the squares together so the squares form a ring as below.
TIP: when sewing squares together make sure you sew right to the very edge or each corner so the line across the squares is very straight, if it seems to dip down between the squares, you need to sew even closer to the corner or right in the corner.
This is the pattern I used for the squares of the backpack in these photos
Granny Squares ( or use squares you already have!)
Using C1, ch 4, sl st to join into a circle pulling through C2 in final st
Round 1 : * dc 1 into centre of circle, ch 1* repeat from * to * sl st to join, pulling through next color.
Round 2 : Using C2, ch 2, dc 1 into first ch 1 in round 1, * ch 1, dc 2 into ch 1 sp from R1* repeat till end, sl st to join.
Round 3 : Using C3, (V-stitch) Ch 3, dc 1 into first ch 1 sp from previous row, *dc 1into next ch 1 sp, ch 1, dc 1 into same sp again* (V-stitch) repeat into each ch 1 sp till end, sl st to join.
Round 4 : Using C4, *tr 3,ch 1, tr 3 into same sp to form square corner, dc 3 into next sp twice* repeat till end of round, sl st to join round, change color
Rounds 5 & 6 : Work as for a typical granny square, Ch 2, dc 2 into same sp to start, then *dc 3 into each sp, dc 3, ch 1, dc 3 at corners* till end, fasten off leaving a 2o cm tail for sewing the squares together.
Complete one row of sc around both top and bottom edges to make sure the row is straight before you add the top and bottom sections.
2. LOWER SECTION BODY (14 rows)
Fold ring of squares flat so you have three squares facing up and starting from the outside of the ring
Round 1: Ch 3, dc 1, ch1, sk1 and repeat *dc 1, ch 1 sk 1 dc 1* until you reach the place where you started, ss to join the round
Round 2: Ch 2, hdc into the ch1 space and hdc into next dc, repeat until end, ss to close round.
Rounds 3-14 Repeat rounds (1 and 2) 6 more times, so 14 rows in total, then fasten off.
NOTE: You could also use DC rows only instead of this pattern to have less holes and make the bottom and top sections more solid and durable if you don’t want to sew a lining.
3. TOP SECTION BODY( 8 rows)
Do the same as steps 4-6, but on the other side of the squares.
4. BOTTOM OF BACKPACK (9 Rounds)
An alternative to this crochet bottom of the bag is to buy a bag bottom made of strong waterproof material which would make the bag more hardwearing such as this one available from Hobbii ( not a sponsored or affiliate link, just a suggestion )
https://hobbii.com/handbag-bag-base-pu-leather-round
To make the circular bottom section 4ch and join with a slip stitch to make a ring.
Round 1 : Ch 2 (and in every following round) then 11 dc into ring and join with a slip stitch at top of first 2ch (12 dc, starting 2ch not included in stitch count)
Round 2 : 2 dc into each stitch, repeat until end of round and join (24 sts)
Round 3 : 1 dc, 2 dc into the next stitch, repeat until end of round and join ( 36 sts)
Round 4 : 2 dc, 2 dc into the next stitch, repeat until end of round and join (48 sts)
Round 5 : 3 dc, 2 dc into the next stitch, repeat until end of round and join (60 sts)
Round 6 : 4 dc, 2 dc into the next stitch, repeat until end of round and join (72 sts)
Round 7 : 5 dc, 2 dc into the next stitch, repeat until end of round and join (84sts)
Round 8 : 6 dc, 2 dc into the next stitch, repeat until end of round and join (96 sts)
Round 9 : 7 dc, 2 dc into the next stitch, repeat until end of round and join (108 sts)
5. DRAWSTRING (make 1)
Make drawstring strap by making a chain approximately 80 cm ( approx 350 ch) long, then sl st back into each st along the chain to the start of the chain to form a narrow cord.
Alternatively you could just use a chain but it won’t be as strong, or use ani cord ( there are many instructions for making these online) or a commercial strong cord that you buy in a craft store.
6. TOP FLAP COVER (make 1)
This is the remaining square you made at the start.
ASSEMBLY OF BACKPACK
PLEASE WATCH PART 2 OF THE YOUTUBE TUTORIAL HERE
1. Thread drawstring through top of bag
Thread drawstring through every third ch1 space in the second row from the top and pull it tight leaving enough of the drawstring to tie the ends in a bow later. I used a safety pin to thread through to make it easier, but you can do it without one.
2. Cut out a rectangle which folds in half to make the bag body lining.
Cut out a square with a 1 inch / 2 cm seam allowance around your extra square for the top bag flap.
Cut out a circle for the bottom of the lining with a 1 inch / 2 cm seam allowance around the crochet bottom circle.
Sew around the edges of each piece of fabric with a zig zag stitch to prevent fraying.
Sew lining for inside
Measure your bag and cut a folded rectangle of fabric to fit the size of the bag plus 2cm for seam allowances.
Seam lining on the side leaving the top and bottom of the bag open, turn over 1-2 cm at the top and sew top edge hem.
Sew fabric circle onto the bottom unseen edge of the bag lining to make a tubular bag with a round bottom.
3. Sew lining on top flap ( add one half of a magnetic closure first) and turn inside out.
Before sewing the 7th square and fabric together, attach one half of the magnetic closure to the position that will be the bottom middle of the top flap.
Put right side of fabric with magnetic closure and right side fo granny square together and sew around three sides, then turn inside out so the flap edge is sewn and the magnetic closure is on the outside.
6. Add magnetic closure other half to front top middle of bag below drawstring.
7. Sew on top flap and two straps on either side of the top flap straps to bag on the top back the bag body piece.
8. Sew on bottom straps to bag on the bottom back left and right
9. Hand or machine sew lining into crochet bag
Put lining into bag with wrong sides of lining and wrong side of bag both on the inside of the bag, pin lining to bag, then hand or machine sew the top seam of the lining into the bag ( as in below video, although the bag in the video is a rectangle so slightly different, instructions are also in the main video for this pattern)
10. Sew on bottom crochet circle to backpack using whipstitch.
11. Attach rainbow tassels see the YouTube video tutorial HERE to make them and attach as in the Part 2 backpack video.
12. Thread straps through buckle slider or backpack piece to make them adjustable
Well done! Enjoy using or gifting your backpack!!
The AD FREE PDF pattern with photos for every step is available from
-
My pattern shop HERE buying directly from me supports me the most, so I don’t have to pay fees!
-
From Ravelry HERE
-
-
From etsy HERE
-