Drawstring Crochet Mini Backpack

If you’ve popped into a clothing store within the past several months, you’ve likely seen cute mini backpacks in their accessory aisle. Mini backpacks are the perfect size bags to take on short adventures when all you’ll need are a few small items. They’re also a great way to “complete” the outfit while keeping your hands free to take on the activities of the day.

The combination of cotton yarn and simple crochet stitches give this crochet backpack its classic appeal. And it’s functional because of its strong base and crocheted ropes which work great for the straps because they do not stretch out like other handmade yarn straps.

Related: If you want to make another cute backpack, the Striped Mini-Backpack should be next on your list.

How to Crochet a Mini Backpack

There are a few parts to this crochet mini backpack so be sure to go through all of the notes before you start. You’ll crochet two pieces for the base and seam them together for added sturdiness. Then you’ll work the body of the bag onto the base, adding stripes or keeping it solid.

Next, you’ll crochet a hanging loop and attach it to the body. You’ll then work the straps and drawstring and attach those securely to the backpack too. Lastly, you’ll crochet the drawstring slide so that you can easily open and close the backpack.

Best Yarn for Crochet Backpacks

I typically recommend using 100% cotton yarn for a crochet backpack for several reasons:

• Cotton yarns are soft and durable.
• Cotton yarns don’t pill easily.
• They hold up well to several washes in a washing machine.
• They show crochet stitch definition really well.
• They keep their shape.
• They don’t snag easily.
• They’re fairly inexpensive.

My second favorite yarn to crochet a bag with is 100% worsted weight wool, but keep in mind that animal fibers have a tendency to felt. And my third choice is double stranded acrylic yarn with a smaller hook than what’s recommended on the yarn label (because acrylic is stretchier).

If you’re going to line a crochet mini backpack with fabric, you can use any yarn you’d like because the fabric will bear the weight of the items you place in the bag.

Related: If you want to keep your sunglasses from getting scratched up when you store them in your backpack, you can make yourself a Hexagon Eyeglass Case.

Yarn

Since I love to use cotton for crochet bags, for the Drawstring Crochet Mini Backpack, I chose Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton which is 100% mercerized cotton.

For the bag shown in the photos, I chose the shade White as the main color and Aqua as the secondary color for stripes. This collection is known for both its sheen and structure which remain no matter how much you wash and wear out your project. Since it’s machine washable, your handmade backpack can easily get a lot of use before you clean it.

The weight of this yarn give it a firmness and density that help the backpack hold its shape better compared to lighter yarns.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch(s): chain(s)
• sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sc: single crochet
• Rnd(s): round(s)
• RS / WS: right side / wrong side
• SM: stitch marker
• Rep: repeat

Experience Level

• Easy / Intermediate

Gauge

• In sc: 13 sts + 15.75 rows = 3″

Special Stitches

• Join with a standing single crochet: Begin with a slip knot on your hook, insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo and draw thru both loops on hook.

Pattern Notes

• I tend to crochet on the tighter side. You may need to go down a hook size (or two) to meet gauge if you crochet on the looser side.
• The first stitch of every row is worked into the same stitch as the turning chain, unless stated otherwise.
• Yarn Notes: Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton (3.5oz / 100 g / 186 yards / 170 meters / 100% mercerized cotton) was used for the sample. Another comparable worsted weight yarn may be substituted.
• Yardage & Color:
  • MC: White #761-100 (2 Balls / 260 yards)
  • CA: Aqua #761-102A (1 Ball / 100 yards)
  • If you prefer to make your mini backpack in a solid color, you’ll need 2 balls or approx. 360 yards.
• Construction Notes: Crochet the 2 pieces of the base and seam together with plastic canvas (optional) in between. Work the body of the backpack and separately crochet the hanging loop, drawstring, and straps. Then attach the hanging loop and straps, insert the drawstring through the top of the backpack and add the drawstring slide.

Drawstring Crochet Mini Backpack – Written Pattern

Base (Make 2)

Row 1: With Aqua & a 4.00 mm crochet hook, ch 17, working into the back hump of the chain, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across. Turn. (16 sts)

Rows 2 – 30: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.

• Base #1: Fasten off. Weave in ends.
• Base #2: Do not fasten off. Continue below to Base Assembly.

Base Assembly

Note: Whether or not you choose to add plastic canvas between the two base layers, the assembly of the bases is the same. I added plastic canvas to mine. 

Step 1: (skip Step 1 and go to Step 2 if you’re not adding plastic canvas) Cut 2 rectangles of plastic canvas that are 1/4″ to 3/8″ less in width and length of your base, then slightly snip the corners off.

Step 2: Line up the last rows of each base and lay one on top of the other. If you’re using plastic canvas, make sure to put both pieces between the two bases.

Step 3: Use stitch markers to hold the bases together (make sure you secure them thru both bases). I prefer to place stitch markers in the 1st and last sts of Rows 1 & 30. If it helps, you can also add one near the middle of each long side.

Step 4: Working through both layers of fabric at once, continue on to Seaming the Bases. Note the green stitch marker. This is where you’ll join to begin the Body of Backpack later.

Seaming the Bases

Rnd 1: Working around the perimeter of the base & beginning with a short edge, sc in each st along both short edges (16 sts along each short edge), sc in the side of each row along both long edges (30 sts along each long edge), and add 1 extra sc in each corner (1 st in each corner). Join w/ a sl st to the 1st st. (96 sts)

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Body of Backpack. 

Body of Backpack

Note: Several rounds tell you not to join. These are worked in continuous rounds (a spiral). Do not join at the end of each of those rounds, instead use a scrap piece of yarn or a stitch marker to keep track of the beginning of each round. Move your marker up as you complete each round.

Look at Photo C above. The corner stitch where the green stitch marker is placed is where you’ll join your yarn in Rnd 1.

Rnd 1 (RS): With aqua, join yarn w/ a sc in stitch indicated in photo C above, sc in each st around. Do not join. (96 sts)

Rnds 2 – 3: Do not ch, sc in each st around. Do not join.

Rnd 4: Do not ch, sc in each st around. Join w/ a sl st to the 1st st. *Change colors to White. 

Rnd 5 (White): Do not ch, sc in each st around. Do not join.

Rnd 6: Do not ch, sc in each st around. Join w/ a sl st to the 1st st. *Change colors to Aqua. 

Rnd 7 (Aqua): Do not ch, sc in each st around. Join w/ a sl st to the 1st st. *Change colors to White. 

Rnd 8 (White): Do not ch, sc in each st around. Join w/ a sl st to the 1st st. *Change colors to Aqua. 

Rnd 9 (Aqua): Do not ch, sc in each st around. Join w/ a sl st to the 1st st. *Change colors to White. Fasten off Aqua.

Rnds 10 – 33 (White): Do not ch, sc in each st around. Do not join.

Rnd 34: Do not ch, sc in each st around. Join w/ a sl st to the 1st st. *Change colors to Aqua. 

Rnd 35 (Aqua): Do not ch, sc in each st around. Join w/ a sl st to the 1st st. *Change colors to White. 

Rnd 36 (White): Do not ch, sc in each st around. Join w/ a sl st to the 1st st. 

Highlighting in Rnd 37: If for some reason your stitches got thrown off a little, make sure that the highlighted parts in Rnd 37 are in the proper places. The portions that are highlighted light aqua should be centered along each short end of the backpack. The portion that is highlighted yellow should be centered along the front and back of the backpack. These holes create the openings for the drawstring. 

Rnd 37: Do not ch, sc in each of the next 10 sts, ch 3, skip each of the next 3 sts, sc in each of the next 5 sts, ch 3, skip each of the next 3 sts, sc in each of the next 14 sts, ch 3, skip each of the next 3 sts, sc in each of the next 2 sts, ch 3, skip each of the  next 3 sts, sc in each of the next 15 sts, ch 3, skip each of the next 3 sts, sc in each of the next 5 sts, ch 3, skip each of the next 3 sts, sc in each of the next 11 sts, ch 3, skip each of the next 3 sts, sc in each of the next 9 sts, ch 3, skip each of the next 3 sts, sc in the last st. Join w/ a sl st to the 1st st. 

Rnd 38: Do not ch, sc in each st and ch around. Join w/ a sl st to the 1st st. *Change colors to Aqua. 

Rnds 39 – 40 (Aqua): Do not ch, sc in each st around. Join w/ a sl st to the 1st st.

Rnd 41: Do not ch, sl st in each st around. Join with Special Join Technique.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Hanging Loop.

Hanging Loop

Row 1: With white yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 25, working into the back hump of the ch, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across. Turn. (24 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across.

Fasten off leaving a 10″ piece of yarn for sewing. Continue on to Attaching the Hanging Loop.

Attaching the Hanging Loop

Fold the hanging loop in half. With the back of the backpack facing you, pin the short edges of the hanging loop to the upper center of the backpack (I pinned mine just above the single aqua line). Using a yarn needle and tail of yarn, sew the hanging loop onto the backpack.

Weave in ends. Continue on to Strap Instructions.

Strap Instructions (Make 2)

Use the Crochet Rope Instructions to make 2 crochet rope straps for your mini backpack.

Rep Rnd 3 of the crochet rope instructions until your crocheted rope measures 17″ – 18″ long, or desired length. 

Fasten off leaving a 12″ tail of yarn for sewing. Repeat for the 2nd crocheted rope strap then continue on to Drawstring Instructions.

Drawstring Instructions

Modify the Crochet Rope Instructions to make a crochet drawstring for your mini backpack.

For Rnd 1, work 4 sc instead of 5.

Rep Rnd 3 of the crochet rope instructions until your crocheted drawstring measures 24″ long. 

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Attaching the Straps.

Attaching the Straps

• With the back side of the backpack facing you, use a yarn needle and tail of yarn to sew one end of each strap, onto the back of the backpack, just under the hanging loop.
• With a yarn needle and tail of yarn, sew the opposite ends of the straps to the bottom left or right corners of the bag.

Weave in ends. Continue on to Inserting Drawstring.

Inserting Drawstring

• I prefer to begin inserting the drawstring through the front left hole. 
• Weave the drawstring in and out through all of the openings around the top edge of the backpack. 
• Tie a knot in each end of the drawstring. 

Continue on to Drawstring Slide.

Drawstring Slide

Row 1: With white yarn and a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 4, working in the back hump of the chain, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across. Turn. (3 sts)

Rows 2 – 15: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.

Fasten off leaving an 8″ tail for sewing. Wrap the slide around both ends of the drawstring. Whipstitch the first and last rows of the slide together. Tack stitch the center between the two ends of the drawstring. Weave in ends.