BACK PACK- CROCHET- EASY!!!

Materials

Worsted weight cotton yarn: 500g (18 oz) of main color (Lammy Yarns Florida, color #552) and a small amount of contrasting color for edging and cords

4mm (US G/6) and 7mm (US K/10½) crochet hooks

plastic side release buckle

Gauge: 11 sc and 13 rnds = 10 cm / 4 in, yarn held double

Used Abbreviations

sc = single crochet
rnd = round
ch = chain stitch
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
rep = repeat
sk = skip
inc = increase
dec = decrease
tog = together
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet

Bottom

Beginning round: 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 from * around (= 21 sc).
Rnd 4: *1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around (= 28 sc).
Rnd 5: *1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around (= 35 sc). For the rest of the rounds continue adding sc:s in between the increases (for rnd 6: 4 sc; for rnd 7: 5 sc, etc).
(If the bottom doesn’t lay flat, leave out the increases for some of the rounds.)

Edge

When there are 91 sc in the rnd (approx 14 rnds, bottom diameter 24 cm / 9½ in), start the edge. Work 91 sc around until the edge measures 35 cm / 14 in. You can fasten off and join a new yarn or work with sl sts to the middle of the back for the drawstring hole round.

Drawstring holes

Start at the middle of the back:
14 sc, (ch 1, sk 1 sc, 2 sc) 21 times, ch 1, sk 1 sc, 13 sc (= 91 sc). You should now have 22 drawstring holes in the round (see a picture of the holes).
Next rnd: Work 91 sc around.
Next rnd: Again, start at the middle of the back. 13 sc, 66 sl sts, 12 sc (= 91 sts). Fasten off.
Work one round of sl sts between the last bottom rnd and the first edge rnd.

Flap

Work a flap out of the 25 sc:s in the back. Starting from the edge, work 4 rnds of sc around, 25 sc each round.
Increases: Inc 1 st at both ends (1 sc before/after the edge st) every 4th rnd 3 times (= 31 sc).
Decreases: When the flap measures 13 cm / 5 in, dec 1 st at both ends every 2nd rnd 3 times (= 25 sc). Then work the last two rnds of the flap:
2 sc tog, 2 sc tog, 5 hdc, 7 dc, 5 hdc, 2 sc tog, 2 sc tog (= 21 sts).
2 sc tog, 5 hdc, 7 dc, 5 hdc, 2 sc tog (= 19 sts). Fasten and end off.
Edging: With one yarn of contrasting color and the smaller hook, work one rnd of sc:s around the edge of the flap. Fasten and end off.

Shoulder straps

Make two. With double strands of yarn ch — for example — 55 (50 cm / 20 in). Work 4—5 rnds of sc:s and bind off. With contrasting color, work edges as with the flap.
Note: The straps are not adjustable after they’re sewn on, so make sure to measure the length carefully! Or, you can use D-rings and make the straps longer. 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 in apart. At the bottom, sew the straps approx 23—25 cm / 9—10 in (or 25 sts) apart.

NB: Twist the straps once outwards at the bottom. This way the backpack will fit better on your back. Try it on if you’re not sure which way to twist!

Cords

Make two cords (or use a store bought cord). With contrasting color and the smaller hook, chain until the cord measures 60—65 cm / 23½—25½ in length. 2nd rnd: sl st around.

Thread the cords in the drawstring holes, one on each side bringing them out at the front middle. Attach at one end, make a knot on the other.

For the plastic buckle, make two straps in main color using only one strand of yarn (or you can use store bought straps). [Note: the width of the strap depends on the width of the buckle you are using!] The longer strap should be approx 13 cm / 5 in long. Attach one buckle end and sew this strap in the middle of the flap underneath it (i.e. on the wrong side). The shorter one is approx 8 cm / 3 in long. Attach the other buckle end and sew this strap in the front middle approx 8 cm / 3 in from the bottom edge (the slip stitch round).