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Carefree and lightweight, the Florence Backpack taps right into all the excitement of an impending trip… With every stitch, how can you not imagine all the spur-of-the-moment places this carryall bag will travel!
Crocheted holding two strands of yarn together for extra shape and stability, this roomy bag is the ideal size to fit all your daily essentials. Perfect for daily use or a trip to the local farmers market, the simple and classic shape makes this bag super versatile and an all year round accessory… Making this little number a great place to store your WIP while on the go.
Whether you’re enjoying a picnic in a field or out for the weekend, the backpack’s drawstring closure will keep your valuables secure whilst the sturdy shoulder straps will ensure it’s super comfortable to carry… Giving this easy-going bag its effortlessly relaxed feel.
Super soft and non-stretchy, Lion Brand’s Rewind tape yarn is the perfect fit when crocheting sturdy, everyday bags. Inspired by the renewed popularity of wicker, rattan and raffia bags, I was excited to work with this tape yarn as it allows you to create a sturdy bag that is much softer to the touch, but still structured enough to keep its shape.
This intermediate level crochet pattern is sure to become an all-year favourite, whether you’re reaching for it on the way to the farmers market, or on your daily commute to work packed full of your everyday essentials. Scroll down to find the free pattern, purchase an ad-free printable version here, or head to Lion Brand to snag the yarn kit here.
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Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF pattern here.
Purchase the yarn kit from Lion Brand here.
Finished Size
Backpack Height: 12.5″ (32cm)
Backpack Width: 15.5” (39cm)
Strap Length: 31” (79cm)
Gauge
10 stitches + 12 rows = 4″/10cm in single crochet
Stitches & Abbreviations
st(s) – stitch(es)
ch – chain stitch
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
blsc – back loop single crochet
sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
fi – fair isle stitch
lsc – long single crochet
Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)
Insert hook in the next st. YO, draw up a loop (2 loops on hook). Insert hook in the next st. YO, draw up a loop (3 loops on hook). YO, and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
Fair Isle Stitch (fi)
Insert hook between the 2 lines that make up the “V” of the next single crochet (the hook must go underneath both loops AND the horizontal bar at the back of your work). YO, draw up a loop (2 loops on hook). YO, draw through all 2 loops on hook.
Long Single Crochet (lsc)
Insert hook below the sc from 1 row below. YO, draw up a loop (2 loops on hook). YO, draw through 2 loops on hook.
Skill Level
This is an “Intermediate” level crochet pattern (includes “How-To” photos). You must be familiar with basic crochet stitches and techniques. Directions written so that they are easy to read and follow. All patterns are in English, and written in standard US terms.
+ PATTERN
Note: The base and the body of the backpack is worked in the round, from bottom to top. The flap is worked in the row, and is seamed to the back of the bag to create the final backpack. It is imperative to check gauge and maintain an even tension throughout . The design uses a stitch chart, available below.
+ BASE
With 7mm hook and two strands of color B held together, ch18.
Rnd 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next 15 sts, 3 sc in next st. (Note: You are now going to be working on the opposite side of foundation chain.) 1 sc in next 15 sts. 2 sc in last st. Do not sl st in 1st sc of this rnd. (36 sts)
Rnd 2: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. 2 sc in next st. 1 sc in next 15 sts. 2 sc in next 3 sts. 1 sc in next 15 sts. 2 sc in next 2 sts. Do not sl st in 1st sc of this rnd. (42 sts)
Rnd 3: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. 2 sc in next st. 1 sc in next 16 sts. *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st. Repeat from the * 2 more times. 1 sc in next 15 sts. *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st. Do not sl st in 1st sc of this rnd. (48 sts)
Rnd 4: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. 1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st. 1 sc in next 15 sts, *1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from the * 2 more times. 1 sc in next 15 sts, *1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from the * 1 more time. Do not sl st in 1st sc of this rnd. (54 sts)
Rnd 5: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 18 sts, *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sts. Repeat from the * 2 more times. 1 sc in next 15 sts, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sts. Do not sl st in 1st sc of this rnd. (60 sts)
Rnd 6: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. 1 sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 15 sts, *1 sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from the * 2 more times. 1 sc in next 15 sts, *1 sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from the * 1 more time. Do not sl st in 1st sc of this rnd. (66 sts)
Rnd 7: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. 1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 20 sts, *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 5 sts. Repeat from the * 2 more times. 1 sc in next 15 sts, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 5 sts. 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sts. Do not sl st in 1st sc of this rnd. (72 sts)
Rnd 8: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. 1 sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 15 sts, *1 sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from the * 2 more times. 1 sc in next 15 sts, *1 sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st. Repeat from the * 1 more time. Sl st in 1st sc of this rnd. (78 sts)
Fasten off, and weave in loose ends.
+ BODY
Note: When crocheting with two colors, carry the yarn that you’re not working with at the back of your work. You can follow the chart below to help with understanding the design and color changes.
Rnd 1: Attach B yarn (still double stranded) right in the back, and towards the middle of the base – working from the outside of the backpack. Ch 1, blsc in the same st. Blsc in next 77 sts along border of “Base”. Do not sl st in 1st st of this rnd. (78 sts)
Rnd 2: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. 1 fi in next 78 sts in “A”. Do not sl st in 1st st of this rnd. (78 sts)
Rnd 3: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. *1 fi in next 2 sts in “B”. 1 fi in next st in “A”. Repeat from the * 25 more times. Do not sl st in 1st st of this rnd. (78 sts)
Rnd 4: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. *1 fi in next st in “A”. 1 fi in next 3 sts in “B”. 1 fi in next 2 sts in “A”. Repeat from the * 12 more times. Do not sl st in 1st st of this rnd. (78 sts)
Rnd 5: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. *1 fi in next 2 sts in “A”. 1 fi in next st in “B”. Repeat from the * 25 more times. Do not sl st in 1st st of this rnd. (78 sts)
Rnd 6: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. *1 fi in next st in “B”. 1 fi in next 3 sts in “A”. 1 fi in next st in “B”. 1 fi in next st in “A”. Repeat from the * 12 more times. Do not sl st in 1st st of this rnd. (78 sts)
Rnd 7: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. *1 fi in next st in “A”. 1 fi in next st in “B”. 1 fi in next st in “A”. 1 fi in next st in “B”. 1 fi in next 2 sts in “A”. Repeat from the * 12 more times. Do not sl st in 1st st of this rnd. (78 sts)
Rnd 8: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. *1 fi in next 2 sts in “A”. 1 fi in next st in “B”. Repeat from the * 25 more times. Do not sl st in 1st st of this rnd. (78 sts)
Rnd 9 – 41: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. 1 fi in next 78 sts in “A”. Do not sl st in 1st st of this rnd. (78 sts)
Rnd 42: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. 1 fi in next 78 sts. Work 1 fi in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd st of this rnd (this will centre the start of your next rnd towards the middle of the back of the ‘Body’). Do not sl st in 1st st of this rnd. (78 sts)
Rnd 43: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. *1 fi in next 5 sts, ch1, skip 1 st (creates opening for the drawstring). Repeat from the * 11 more times. 1 fi in the next 6 sts. Do not sl st in 1st st of this rnd. (66 sts)
Rnd 44 – 45: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. 1 fi in next 78 sts (working into ‘ch1’ spaces made in previous rnd). Do not sl st in 1st st of this rnd. (78 sts)
Rnd 46: Start crocheting in 1st st from the previous rnd. 1 fi in next 78 sts. Sl st in 1st st of this rnd. (78 sts)
Fasten off, and weave in loose ends.
+ FLAP
With 7mm hook and two strands of color A held together, ch24.
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next 22 sts. Turn your work. (23 sts)
Row 2 – 18: Ch1, 1 sc in same st. 1 sc in next 22 sts. Turn your work. (23 sts)
Row 19: Ch1, 1 sc2tog. 1 sc in next 19 sts, 1 sc2tog. Turn your work. (21 sts)
Row 20: Ch1, 1 sc in same st. 1 sc in next 20 sts. Turn your work. (21 sts)
Row 21: Ch1, 1 sc2tog. 1 sc in next 17 sts, 1 sc2tog. Turn your work. (19 sts)
Row 22: Ch1, 1 sc2tog. 1 sc in next 15 sts, 1 sc2tog. Turn your work. (17 sts)
Row 23: Ch1, 1 sc2tog. 1 sc in next 13 sts, 1 sc2tog. Turn your work. (15 sts)
Row 24: Ch1, 1 sc2tog. 1 sc in next 11 sts, 1 sc2tog. Turn your work. (13 sts)
Row 25: Ch1, 1 sc2tog. 1 sc in next 9 sts, 1 sc2tog. Turn your work. (11 sts)
Row 26: Ch1, 1 sc2tog. 1 sc in next 7 sts, 1 sc2tog. Turn your work. (9 sts)
Fasten off, and weave in loose ends.
Flap Border
Attach A yarn in the side of the last st of “Row 1” of the “Flap”.
Rnd 1: Ch1, 1 sc in same st, 55 sc along the border of the top/front of the flap, 2 sc in corner st, 1 sc in next 21 sts along the bottom of the flap, 1 sc in the same corner st as the 1st st of rnd, sl st in 1st sc of rnd. (80 sts)
Fasten of, and weave in loose ends.
+ STRAP
With 7mm hook and two strands of color B held together, ch146.
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next 144 sts. Turn your work. (145 sts)
Row 2: Ch1, 1 sc in same st. 1 lsc in next 143 sts, 1 sc in next st. (145 sts)
Fasten of, and weave in loose ends.
+ DRAWSTRING CORD
Cut 6 strands of yarn (174”/442cm in length), then tie a knot at each end of your strands. Secure one end to a door handle, and slip your crochet hook through the other end. Pull the strands till they are taught, and start twisting clockwise. When the cord starts to twist on itself when you step a little bit forward, you’ll know you’ve twisted enough. Pinch the middle of your twist with one hand, as you bring the twisted end of strands to the secured end, before tying the ends together.
The cord will be a bit messy at first, but just run your thumb and forefinger up and down the cord a few times, until smooth and neat.
Place 2 knots in the cord, 52”/132cm apart, and trim the either end of the cord 2”/5cm below the knots just made.
Weave the cord through the drawstring openings of ‘Rnd 43’ of the ‘Body’ of the backpack.
+ ASSEMBLY
Follow “Assembly Diagram” on page 6.
Flap
Block the finished flap, before seaming the end of ‘Row 1’ of the flap along the back of the backpack, across ‘Rnd 42’ of the ‘Body’.
Fasten off, and weave in loose ends.
Strap
Block the finished strap, before seaming the ends to the back of the backpack, along ‘Rnd 1’ of the ‘Body’ – seaming one end of the strap to either side of the back of the bag.
To create the handle, pinch the middle of your strap, and place one stitch marker on either side, 5”/13cm from the middle. Create a loop with the sectioned piece, and seam onto the back of the backpack, right beneath the flap.
Fasten off, and weave in loose ends.
Hope you all enjoy this pattern for a backpack, perfect for trips to the farmers market.
Be sure to use the tag #hopefulhoneyhive on Instagram to show me your version of my design!
Have a lovely day crocheting…
