DenimBag by MadeinRox: The perfect crochet backpack for travelling, going to a concert, carrying your projects…

22 May, 2019

My name is Rocío, but everyone calls me Rox (@MadeinRox). I’m from Madrid and I’m a maths teacher. I enjoy both numbers and balls of yarn equally: actually, they are two passions with a lot in common. I love to innovate, keep learning, and above all, create. Therefore, as a consequence, I am going to share this DenimBag pattern, which is one of my most recent creations, with you. In the step by step pattern instructions I show you how to make a crochet backpack with 6 balls of Love Denim. Although I do have various bags, I always use a backpack on a daily basis thanks to its versatility. There’s no doubt that this backpack is a comfortable accessory, and that it carries a lot more than might appear. Furthermore, when made with the recycled Love Denim yarn, its weight and consistency make it perfect for carrying your projects, travelling, going to concerts and to the gym, etc.

crochet backpack

Crochet backpack

I’ve been crocheting since I was small, in fact my grandmother used to help me make a crochet top every summer. It seems to me that there is always room to learn new things, and as a result I am also a loyal friend to knitting needles and the craft of macramé. There’s no doubt that creating something yourself definitely makes you feel very special. For this reason, I encourage you to make the DenimBag with your own hands, it’s a very comprehensive crochet backpack! Especially as you can put everything you need in it no matter where you are going. Additionally, the little pocket is a practical feature that also introduces a touch of contrast colour. Obviously, the colour combination can be as original as you wish. And furthermore, it’s made with Katia Love Denim, an environmentally sustainable cotton yarn.

crochet backpack

DenimBag By @madeinrox

Level: Intermediate.

Materials. Katia Love Denim: 4 balls denim (col. 102) and 2 balls beige (col. 104); Crochet hook: size H8 (U.S.)/(5mm); 1 zip: 21 5/8” (55 cm) long (minimum), 1 zip: 7 1/8” (18 cm) long (minimum); 2 metres of nylon tape for the straps, sewing needle, scissors and thread.

Measurements. Width: 9 7/8” (25 cm) / Height: 11 3/4″ (30 cm) / Depth: 5 7/8” (15 cm)

Stitches

  • CH ST = Chain St
  • SC = Single Crochet
  • SS = Slip St
  • R = Row
  • St = Stitch
  • Intertwined St:
    • Chain an even number of sts.
    • R1: 1 SC in the 2nd CH ST from the hook, * 1 CH ST, skip 1 CH ST, 1 SC in the following CH ST *, repeat from * to * until the end of the row, turn the work.
    • R2: 1 CH ST, skip the first sc * 1 SC in the space, 1 CH ST, skip 1 SC *, repeat from * to * until the end of the row, 1 SC in the last CH ST, turn the work.
    • R3 and all following rows: Repeat R2.  See GRAPH A.

GRAPH A

DenimBag

Gauge. Sample square in intertwined st. Using the size H8 crochet hook, 15 sts & 15 rows = 4×4”

crochet backpack

How to follow the pattern

  • The backpack is made up of various pieces which are made using the size H8 crochet hook. Each piece has a border which is worked as explained in the pattern. Make up the backpack with the straps and the zips, which are sewn by hand or using a sewing machine.
  • Work all the rows of the backpack going back and forth, except for the part of the pocket which is specified in the pattern.

Front

Using Katia Love Denim (col. 102) chain 40 CH STS.

R1-R40: work in intertwined st.

R41: 2 CH STS, skip the first 3 sts (work in the second free space on the previous row), * 1 SC, 1 CH ST, skip 1 SC *, repeat from * to * until the end of the row, 1 SC in the last CH ST and turn the work.

R42: 2 CH STS, skip the first 3 stitches, * 1 SC, 1 CH ST, skip 1 SC *, repeat from * to * until the end of the row, 1 SC in the space between the first two chain stitches on the previous row.

R43R49: repeat R42.

Using Katia Love Denim (col. 104) work 161 SC around the piece to form a border that finishes with 1 SS. (= 39 sts along the lower edge, 40 sts along each side, 10 sts along each upper slanted edge and 22 sts along the upper edge).

Back

Work the same as the front of the backpack. Adjust the nylon straps to the required length on the back and sew in place so that the remaining ends of the tape are on the inside of the piece.

DenimBag

Lower part

Using Katia Love Denim (col. 102) chain 40 CH STS.

R1-R12: work in intertwined st.

Using Katia Love Denim (col. 104) work 102 SC around the piece to form a border that finishes with 1 SS. (= 39 sts along the upper and lower edges, and 12 sts at each side).

Side

Using Katia Love Denim (col. 102) chain 12 CH STS.

R1-R18: work in intertwined st.

Using Katia Love Denim (col. 104) work 58 SC around the piece to form a border that finishes with 1 SS. (= 11 sts along the upper and lower edges, and 18 sts at each side).

Make two pieces the same.

DenimBag

Upper part

Using Katia Love Denim (col. 102) chain 80 CH STS.

R1–R4: work in intertwined st.

Make two equal pieces. Sew the longer zip between the two pieces to join them together.

Using Katia Love Denim (col. 104) work 182 SC around the piece to form a border that finishes with 1 SS. (= 79 sts along the upper and lower edges, and 12 sts at each side).

Backpack pocket

Using Katia Love Denim (col. 104) chain 32 CH STS.

R1-R22: work in intertwined st.

Work 106 SC around the piece to form a border that finishes with 1 SS. (= 31 sts along the upper and lower edges, and 22 sts at each side). Then work the following rounds (= in circular) on top of the border:

R1: 1 CH ST, then continue working in SC picking up the loop at the back only, and finish with 1 SS.

R2: 1 CH ST, then continue working in SC except for the upper part of the piece which is worked as follows: 2 SC, 27 CH STS, 2 SC. Finish with 1 SS.

R3: 1 CH ST, then continue working in SC, and finish with 1 SS.

Sew the small zip in the gap made by the 27 CH STS on R2 of the border.

Position the pocket onto the backpack front, at the desired height, and sew in place using a wool sewing needle.

DenimBag

Making up the backpack

Sew the lower part of the backpack to the front, back and side pieces. Whilst sewing the pieces together, take care to ensure that the back straps remain on the outside of the backpack.

DenimBag

Sew the front and back of the backpack to the side pieces. Lastly, sew the upper backpack piece with the zip to the front, back and side backpack pieces.

crochet backpack