Wow! Can you believe it’s time to go back to school already? Where did the summer go?
With my oldest starting school this time I thought I’d make him a special back pack for the occasion.
He loves bright colors, cars, trucks, building, running, jumping, all the typical boy things so I came up with this bright orange Construction back pack design for him.
I made it big enough to fit a folder and everything else so he can use it for years to come. This bag is even big enough for a big kid or adult to use!
The ideas for this back pack build on my previous designs – the slanted stitch panel from my COLOR SPLASH SUN HAT, using 2 colors in the panel and also the base from my FAST-FORWARD CHEVRON PURSE design.
Then, since I love to learn new techniques and put them to good use, this design uses crochet cord for the hanging loop and drawstring. It also uses the thermal / double thick crochet stitch to make some comfy straps.
This bag can be made in any colors you like. Get some color inspiration by heading over to the RAVELRY PATTERN PAGE then click through to projects for more to see photos of this bag by my pattern testers and others who’ve made it. Don’t forget to add your own project photos to the collection too!
Scroll down for the free pattern to make your very own Construction Back Pack or GO HERE if you prefer to purchase the printer friendly, ad-free PDF version.
When you are done crocheting your back pack, check out my HOW TO LINE A BAG photo tutorial if you want to line it. You will just need to skip the zipper part – fold and iron a crease into the fabric instead.
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Happy Making!
Construction Back Pack Free Crochet Pattern
Head back to school or off on an adventure with this roomy back pack made from 100% cotton.
This back pack is fun to make and includes a few crochet techniques you may not have discovered yet. Challenge yourself with diagonal stripes, crochet cord and comfy double thick straps. Make it in any colors. Finish it off with a lining and pockets inside to keep everything organized on that big adventure!
You are welcome to sell the items you make with this pattern, but please give me, Krazy Kabbage, a mention in your sales listing and provide a link to my website www.krazykabbage.com.
Lily Sugar’n Cream (medium weight; 100% cotton) 400 yards Hot Orange (MC), 200 yards Black (CC1), 30 yards Yellow (CC2)
You will need crochet hook size H/8 – 5mm, a yarn needle to weave in ends, 1 stitch marker and 8 large eyelets.
This pattern uses US terminology.
Stitches and Terms Used: Single crochet (sc), back post single crochet (BPSC), single crochet two together (sc2tog), back loop only (BLO), slip stitch (sl st), main color (MC), contrasting color (CC), Wrong Side (WS)
Using CC1, Start by chaining 21.
Rnd 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in each of next 18. 3 sc in last chain. Working on opposite side of foundation chain, sc in each of next 18. Sl st to join in top of first sc. (42)
Rnd 2: Ch 1. 2 sc in same and each of next 2. Sc in each of next 18. 2 sc in each of next 3. Sc in each of next 18. Sl st to join. (48)
Rnd 3: Ch 1. *[1 sc, 2 sc] 3 times. Sc in each of next 18. Rep from *. Sl st to join. (54)
Place first sc of each round in same stitch as sl st of previous round (ch 1 does not count as a stitch).
Rnd 4: Ch 1. *[sc in next 2, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 18. Rep from *. Sl st to join. (60)
Rnd 5: Ch 1. *[sc in next 3, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 18. Rep from *. Sl st to join. (66)
Rnd 6: Ch 1. *[sc in next 4, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 18. Rep from *. Sl st to join. (72)
Rnd 7: Ch 1. *[sc in next 5, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 18. Rep from *. Sl st to join. (78)
Rnd 8: Ch 1. *[sc in next 6, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 18. Rep from *. Sl st to join. (84)
Rnd 9: Ch 1. *[sc in next 7, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 18. Rep from *. Sl st to join. (90)
Rnd 10: Ch 1. *[sc in next 8, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 18. Rep from *. Changing to MC, sl st to join. (96)
Rnd 11: Ch 1. BPSC around. Sl st to join.
Rnds 12-14: Ch 1. Sc in each around. Sl st to join. Change to CC1 on sl st at end of rnd 14. Fasten off and cut MC.
Rnd 15: Ch1. Sc in each around. Sl st to join.
Rnd 16: Ch 1. BPSC around. Sl st to join. Do not fasten off.
PANEL
Continue with CC1. Ch 9 (place stitch marker on last chain). Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each of next 7. (8)
Working in both loops, sl st in next 2 stitches of bag base and turn.
Row 2: Skip sl sts. Working in the BLO, 2 sc in 1st, 1 sc in each of next 5. sc2tog. Change to CC2 or CC1 (change on last loop of last sc. Drop and pick up later, don’t cut). (8sc)
Row 3: Ch 1 and turn. Working in the BLO, sc in each across (8sc). Working in both loops, sl st in the next 2 stitches along bag base and turn.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 around the base of the bag.
For last stripe stop at the end of row 2. Ch 1 and turn bag inside out. Slip stitch starting chain and BLO of last row together along inside to close side of panel. Fasten off both colors. Turn bag right way out.
Rnd 17: Join CC1 in marked stitch. Ch 1, sc in same. Sc into end of each row around, sl st to join. (96)
Rnd 18: Ch 1. BPSC around. Changing to MC, sl st to join.
Rnds 19– 58: Ch 1. Sc in each around. Sl st to join.
Rnd 59: Ch 1, sc in each of first 2, ch 1 and skip next. [Sc in each next 11, ch 1 and skip next] 7 times. Sc in remaining 9 stitches and sl st to join.
Rnds 60- 62: Ch 1. Sc in each around. Sl st to join. Change to CC1 on sl st at end of last round.
Rnd 63: Ch 1. Sc in each around. Sl st to join (or use invisible finish). Fasten off both colors.
COVER FLAP
Using MC, Start by chaining 21.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in each of next 18. Catching the tail, 3 sc in last chain. Working on opposite side of foundation chain, sc in each of next 19. Do not join. (41)
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. 2 sc in each of next 3. Sc in each of next 19. (44)
Row 3: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (47)
Row 4 (WS): Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 2, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (50)
Row 5: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 3, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (53)
Row 6 (WS): Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 4, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (56)
Row 7: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 5, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (59)
Row 8 (WS): Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 6, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (62)
Row 9: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 7, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (65)
Row 10 (WS): Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 8, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (68)
Row 11: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 9, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (71)
Row 12 (WS): Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 10, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (74)
Row 13: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 11, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (77)
Row 14 (WS): Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 12, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (80)
Row 15: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 13, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (83)
Row 16 (WS): Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 14, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (86)
Row 17: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 15, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (89)
Row 18 (WS): Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 16, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (92)
Row 19: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 17, 2 sc in next] 3 times. Sc in each of next 19. (95)
Row 20 (WS): Ch 1 and turn. Sc in each of next 19. [sc in next 18,
2 sc in next] 3 times.
Sc in each of next 19
changing to CC1 on last loop
of last sc. (98)
Row 21: With CC1, ch 1 and turn. Sc in each across. Fasten off.
STRAPS – Make 2
Using CC1, leave long tail for sewing, ch 9.
Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each across (8)
Row 2: Ch 1 and lay piece flat. Thermal Stitch: *Insert hook through back loop of stitch and through loop of foundation chain directly below, pull up a loop and make a single crochet. Repeat from * across. (8)
Rows 3-80: Ch 1 and turn. Insert hook through back loop of stitch and remaining loop of stitch directly below, pull up a loop and make a single crochet. Repeat from * across.
Row 81: Do not ch 1. Turn. Working in both loops and remaining loop of stitch below, sc in each across. Turn.
Do not chain 1 at the beginning of rows for the remainder of strap. Work stitches into both loops (regular sc).
Row 82: Sc in same and each of next 7. Skip last and turn.
Row 83: Sc in same and each of next 6. Skip last and turn.
Row 84: Sc in same and each of next 5. Skip last and turn.
Row 85: Sc in same and each of next 4. Skip last and turn.
Row 86 – end: Sc back and forth at least 6 times or until strap is desired length. This fits a 5 year old so make it longer if the recipient is older. You could also make it adjustable if you prefer. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
CROCHET CORD
Make 30” cord for drawstring with short tails.
Make 12” cord for hanger loop with long tails at each end for sewing.
Using CC1, ch 2. Sc in 2nd ch from hook.
See how the top of the stitch forms a V. Work the next sc into the loop the V points at. Roll your cord backwards a little to access it.
*The new V points at 2 loops. Work an sc through both loops. Repeat from * until cord is correct length. Fasten off.
For the 30” drawstring: use yarn needle to weave tails inside the cord.
ASSEMBLY
Lay bag flat with seam (bag of bag) face up. Locate holes on round 59.
Lay straps down with thick end at the top of the bag. Line centre of straps up with each of the two centre holes. Skip 4 rows down from holes and sew top edge of straps securely to bag.
Take 12” cord. Fold into a U shape with 2” at either end running horizontal. Sew in place just above straps through the 2” at either side so it is secure.
Take cover flap and lay it on top of bag with WS face up (wide open position). Line the straight edge up with top of straps. Corners should line up with outer drawstring holes. Sew cover flap securely in place along the top edge.
Sew bottom of straps in place at edge of base about 2” from side of bag.
Put eyelets in drawstring holes. Thread drawstring through (start by going in to a front centre hole). Tie knots in ends of cord.
Optional: add a firm base and lining to the inside of your bag. How to line a bag photo tutorial available at: https://krazykabbage.com/how-to-line-crochet-bag/
Really cute design, Kat!
So cute, and I love it with the matching hat!