Wander the orchard with a stylish backpack that showcases the best of crochet! The Peach Grove Backpack features a gorgeous array of techniques inspiring crocheters to stretch their skills. Mini bobbles adorn the center panel to create a charming texture. Tunisian crochet shoulder straps introduce newbies to this technique with a standard crochet hook. Last, a faux I-cord drawstring with cheerful tassels combine for a boho finish. The diversity of stitches and techniques combine to create a seamless work of art.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 12” tall x 9” diameter
Gauge: 7 sts and 9 rows = 2” [5 cm] in sc.
Materials
Yarn: Universal Yarn Clean Cotton (4 medium worsted weight, 100% reclaimed cotton; 131 yards [120 meters]/75 grams): #108 Peach Rose 5 balls
Hook/Needles: US size H/8 (5 mm), J/10 (6 mm)
Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle; eight ½” metal grommets, four 1.5” metal D rings, 9”x9” ultra firm stabilizer (optional)
Special Stitches
Mini bobble (mb): insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, draw loop through stitch, yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over, draw loop through stitch, yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked in the round from the bottom up.
Bottom of bag will be worked in continuous rounds.
Middle of bag will be worked in joined turned rounds.
Straps will be worked in Tunisian crochet in modified simple stitch (instructions in pattern) in rows.
Faux i-cord will be crocheted in rows.
Weave in ends as you go unless otherwise stated.
Chain 1 does not count as a stitch unless otherwise stated.
Pattern
Bag
With smaller hook, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 7 sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join. (7 sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in in each st around. (14 sc)
Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (21 sc)
Rnd 4: *Sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (28 sc)
Rnd 5: *Sc in each of next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (35 sc)
Rnd 6: *Sc in each of next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (42 sc)
Rnd 7: *Sc in each of next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (49 sc)
Rnd 8: *Sc in each of next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (56 sc)
Rnd 9: *Sc in each of next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (63 sc)
Rnd 10: *Sc in each of next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (70 sc)
Rnd 11: *Sc in each of next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (77 sc)
Rnd 12: *Sc in each of next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (84 sc)
Rnd 13: *Sc in each of next 11 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (91 sc)
Rnd 14: *Sc in each of next 12 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (98 sc)
Rnd 15: *Sc in each of next 13 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (105 sc)
Rnd 16: *Sc in each of next 14 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around. (112 sc)
Rnd 17: *Sc in each of next 15 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around to last 2 st, work dc and sl st in next st, sl st in last st. (116 sc, 1 dc, 2 sl st)
Rnd 18: Ch 1, sl st in each st around, join with sl st. (119 sl st)
Rnd 19: Ch 1, pull sl sts from rnd 18 forward and work in both loops from rnd 17, sl st in 1st st, *sc in each of next 6 sts, sc2tog, rep from * around to last 6 sts, sc in each of next 4 sts, sc2tog, join with sl st. (1 sl st, 88 sc, 15 sc2tog)
Rnd 20: Ch 1, sc in each st around, do not join. (104 sc)
Rnds 21-25: Sc in each st around.
Rnd 26: Sc in each st around to last st, sl st in last st, turn.
Rnd 27: *Sc in next st, mb (see Special Stitches) in next st, rep from * around, join with sl st, turn. (52 sc, 52 mb)
Rnd 28: Sc in each st around, join with sl st, turn. (104 sc)
Rnds 29-56: Rep rnds 27 & 28 alternately
Rnds 57-61: Sc in each st around.
Rnd 62: Sc in each of next of next 7 sts, *ch 3, sk 2 sts, sc in each of next 10 sts**, rep from * to ** 2x, ch 3, sk 2 sts, sc in each of next 14 sts, rep from * to ** 3x, ch 3, sk 2 sts, sc in each of next 7 sts. (88 sc, 16 sk sts, 8 ch-3)
Rnd 63: Sc in each st around working 2 sc in each ch-3 sp. (104 sc)
Rnds 64-68: Sc in each st around.
Sl st, fasten off.
Finishing
- Set grommets per manufacturer instruction in each ch-3 sp of rnd 62.
Drawstring / Faux I-Cord
With smaller hook, ch 100.
Row 1: Working in back bump of ch, sc in each ch across, turn. (100 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, working through 2 loops (bl of sc just made and fl of foundation ch), sl st in each st/ch across. (100 sl st)
Fasten off.
Shoulder Straps (make 2)
With larger hook, ch 9.
Row 1 (pick up row): Work in back bump, *insert hook in next ch, yo and draw loop through, rep from * across. (10 loops on hook)
Row 2 (work off row): YO, draw through 1st loop on hook, *YO, draw through 2 loops on hook, rep from * across. (9 sts)
Row 3 (pick up row): *Insert hook under next vertical bar and top loop behind it, YO and draw loop through, rep from * across. (10 loops on hook)
Row 4 (work off row): Rep row 2.
Next Rows: Repeat rows 3 & 4 alternately until strap measures 25” for kids and 35” for adults.
Finishing
Slip stitch evenly around entire strap making a chain 1 when turning from one side to another.
Shoulder Strap Base (make 2)
With smaller hook, ch 7.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each across, turn. (6 sc)
Rows 2-10: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
Bag Handle
With smaller hook, work as for drawstring / faux I-cord above with a ch of 21 instead of 100.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
Tassel (make 2)
- Cut 25 strands of yarn to 14” lengths. Align strands side by side.
- Cut 1 strand of yarn to 40” length.
- Cut 1 strand of yarn to 12” length.
- With 12” strand, tie a knot around middle of 25 strands. Bring tie to one side and fold all other 25 strands down so ends meet creating 50 strands total.
- Find middle of 40” strand, wrap it around the 50 strands about 1” away from the tie strand. Wrap it around 4 or 5 times, tie a knot, weave ends around and down center of tassel to join other ends.
- Trim tassel.
Assembly
- Fold bag so grommets align: 4 grommets on left side, 4 on right side; the side of the bag at the grommets will form a kind of zig zag pattern to get the grommets to align. Grommets that are on either side of joined rounds are back of bag (the section with 14 stitches between grommets is the front).
- Weave drawstring through bag as follows: From back of bag, *push drawstring through grommet from outside of bag to inside, then push drawstring through next grommet from inside of bag to outside the bag, rep from * 1x. Repeat for other end of drawstring through other grommets beginning at back of bag. Both ends of drawstring should now be outside front of bag, middle of drawstring will be outside the bag on backside of bag.
- Secure tassel to each end of drawstring.
- Secure handle to center of back of bag with whip stitch with about 10 sts between.
- Secure one end of shoulder strap to top of bag next to handle as follows: Fold 1” of tip of one end of strap under; end of strap will now have an almost trapezoid looking end. Hold strap to inside of bag (with point of strap tucked in) to the right of the handle. It should just about touch the grommet on the inside of the bag. Secure it with whip stitch around (this will trap the folded end inside). Repeat for other strap on left side of handle.
- Thread 2 D-rings on one shoulder strap base. Fold it in half and whip stitch to unused slip stitches in rnd 18 directly below shoulder strap. Repeat for other shoulder strap base.
- Weave strap through D-rings and adjust length as desired.
- Optional: for a firm round base, cut piece of ultra firm stabilizer to diameter of inside of bag, approximately 8.5” across.