The Betty Backpack Crochet Pattern

Have you tried out the new For The Home Cording by Lion Brand? I saw it and immediately knew I had to create some sort of bag with it. The Betty Backpack was the perfect outcome!

The Betty Backpack is worked flat and all in one piece! If you’ve made my Aspen Loop Bag, then you will be familiar with this construction. Once you get the main body of the backpack done, you fold it together and join on both sides. After that, you will add the upper trim in the round (don’t forget to join and turn!) and add the flap! Finally, the straps, drawstring and handle are added last.

The stitches used in this backpack are so simple but they create such a beautiful texture! You will use a combination of Hdc stitches throughout and alternating Tr/Sc stitches! Doesn’t it look like tiny puffs or bobbles? Well they aren’t! It’s just the Tr St being pushed to the front of your work! So simple and so cute.

I highly recommend using the yarn I used for this pattern or something similar. This is a cording yarn so it is very sturdy and has no stretch. It might feel a little strange and stiff to work with at first but I promise it’s worth it! If you don’t want to use a cording yarn then make sure you get a sturdy cotton or something with no stretch. The cording helps keep the shape of the backpack and is more secure for heavier weight.

Let’s talk about the straps before we get started! You can easily adjust the length of the straps before settling on the fit. I wanted my backpack to sit a little lower on my back but I know some people like their bag to sit higher! Just remove some of the foundation stitches and test it out before you sew the 2 ends together. Easy peasy! I haven’t had any stretch issues with mine but if you are using a stretchier yarn you will most likely need to make your straps shorter. Once you have your straps made, they are thread through the backpack and sewn end to end on the inside, creating a loop. Part of this loop rests on the inside of your bag, making it more secure. If you don’t want your loops moving through the holes of the backpack then you can secure it at the entrance with a simple sewing of a knot.

If you like this pattern then be sure to check out some of my other bags!

Links:

Description: Get ready to take on the world with The Betty Backpack! This backpack uses a sturdy cording yarn to create the perfect mini backpack for all your adventures. The main body of the backpack is worked flat all in one piece for easy stitching. The front and back uses a beautiful stitch combo for amazing texture!

Materials:

  • Worsted Weight (4) Yarn, Lion Brand For The Home Cording in “Willow”, 5 skeins or 310 yards

  • H/5.00mm Crochet Hook

  • Needle

  • Scissors

Gauge:

14 Hdc by 11 Rows= 4×4” square

Finished Measurements:

9.5” W, 10” H, 3.5” D

Notes:

  • This bag is worked in rows, in one piece.

  • The Ch 1 does not count as a St.

  • The trim section is worked in turned rounds.

  • Be sure to check out the video tutorial below if you need extra guidance anywhere throughout the pattern.

Video Link:

Check out the full video tutorial for extra help!

Stitches and Abbreviations (US Terms):

Fhdc- Foundation Half Double Crochet

Hdc- Half Double Crochet

Ch- Chain

Sc- Single Crochet

St- Stitch

Tr- Treble Crochet

FLO- Front Loop Only

BLO- Back Loop Only

Fpdc- Front Post Double Crochet

Bpdc- Back Post Double Crochet

Sk- Skip

Sl St- Slip Stitch

Pattern:

Back of bag-

Row 1: 33 Fhdc, turn. (33 Hdc)

Row 2: Ch 1, *1 Sc in next St, 1 Tr in following* repeat from * to * across row, 1 Sc in final St, turn. (33 Sc/Tr)

Row 3: Ch 1, 1 Hdc in each St across, turn. (33 Hdc)

Rows 4-25: Repeat Rows 2 & 3. You will be ending on a Row 3 repeat.

Bottom of bag-

Row 26: Ch 1, 1 Hdc in first, 1 Hdc (FLO) across until 1 St remains, 1 Hdc in last, turn. (33 Hdc)

Rows 27-34: Ch 1, 1 Hdc in each St across, turn.

Don’t forget to turn after your last row, fasten off. We will be rejoining our yarn in the next row, right where you fastened off.

Front and side panels of bag-

Row 35: Ch 12, join yarn to the last St made at Row 34 with a Hdc, 1 Hdc (BLO) in each St across until 1 St remains, 1 Hdc in last St, Ch 13, turn. (33 Hdc, 25 Ch)

Row 36: 1 Hdc in 2nd Ch from hook and in 11 remaining Chs across until you reach Row 35, *1 Sc in next St, 1 Tr in following* repeat from *to * across row, 1 Sc in final St, continue with 1 Hdc in each Ch, turn. (24 Hdc, 33 Sc/Tr)

Row 37: Ch 1, 11 Hdc, 1 Fpdc, 33 Hdc, 1 Fpdc, 11 Hdc, turn. (55 Hdc, 2 Fpdc)

Row 38: Ch 1, 11 Hdc, 1 Bpdc, *1 Sc in next St, 1 Tr in following* repeat from * to * until 12 Hdc remain, 1 Bpdc, 11 Hdc, turn. (22 Hdc, 2 Bpdc, 33 Sc/Tr)

Rows 39-59: Repeat Rows 37 & 38, you will be ending on a Row 37 repeat. Do not fasten off.

Seaming Together-

Place your work RS facing up with Row 59 at the top. Fold the back of the bag up, so that its lined up with the front of the bag, the right sides of your work are facing each other. Sl St the ends of the rows of the back panel with the ends of the rows of the side panel. Because you are working into the ends of rows, there is not an actual stitch to work into. Sl St down the side. When you reach the corner of the side panel, continue joining the bottom of the side panel to the ends of the rows of the bottom panel. The joining is in an L shape. View the diagram below for a sewing guide. The blue lines are seamed together and the red lines are seamed together. Fasten off and repeat on opposite side. Turn your bag RS out.

betty backpack crochet pattern

Trim-

With your backpack RS out and RS facing up, join yarn with a Sl St to the St just to the left of the joining seam on the right side of the bag.

Round 1: Ch 1, 1 Hdc in same St and each St around, join with a Sl St and TURN. (90 Hdc)

Round 2: Ch 1, 1 Hdc in each St around, join and TURN.

Round 3: Ch 1, 11 Hdc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 16 Hdc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 16 Hdc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 11 Hdc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 7 Hdc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 15 Hdc, Ch 1, Sk 1, 7 Hdc, Ch 1, Sk 1, Join to the first Hdc with a Sl St, TURN. (83 Hdc, 7 Ch)

Round 4: Ch 1, 1 Hdc in each St and Ch Sp around, join and TURN. (90 Hdc)

Round 5: Ch 1, 1 Hdc in each St around, join and TURN.

Don’t forget to turn after your last round. Do not fasten off, go directly to front flap.

Front Flap-

Row 1: Ch 1, 33 Hdc, turn. (33 Hdc)

Rows 2-13: Repeat Row 1.

Row 14: Ch 1, 1 Hdc, Hdc2tog, 1 Hdc in each St across until 3 remain, Hdc2tog, 1 Hdc in last, turn. (31 Hdc)

Rows 15-18: Repeat Row 14. (You will end with 23 Hdc.)

Row 19: Ch 1, 1 Sc in each St across. (23 Sc)

Fasten off.

Straps(make 2)-

Row 1: 100 Fsc, turn. (100 Sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, 1 Sl St in each St across.

Fasten off, leaving a 12” tail for sewing.

Note- For a tighter or higher fit, you can remove as many Sts as you would like on the straps. You can test it out by threading it through your backpack following the directions below and tying the ends together into a loose knot. Try on your backpack to check the fit before doing the final sewing. Don’t forget the straps are joined together in a loop, with part of the loop running down the inside length of the backpack.

Drawstring Cord-

Ch 125, 1 Sl St in second Ch from hook and each Ch across. Fasten off. (124 Sl St)

Handle-

Ch 4 (leave a 12” tail)

Row 1: 1 Sc in second Ch from hook and each Ch across, turn. (3 Sc)

Rows 2-20: Ch 1, 1 Sc in each St across, turn.

Fasten off, leave a second 12” tail for sewing.

Assembly-

First, we need to add the drawstring. Take one end and thread it from the outside to the inside, starting in the center Ch Sp in the front of the backpack. Weave it in and out of each of the Ch Sp. You should end up back into the middle Ch Sp so both ends are coming out of the same spot. View the drawstring guide below.

betty backpack crochet pattern

Next, we need to thread the straps in and sew the 2 ends together. Thread one end of the strap through the Ch Sp that is lined up above the side seam on the back. Thread the other end down at the bottom corner of the backpack at the corner of the L shaped seam right next to the corner Tr stitch. You should be able to thread it through right next to the Tr, it might be a bit snug but that’s how we want it. Make sure you don’t twist the strap. Now, we need to sew both ends together. You can turn your backpack inside out, use your needle and sew the 2 ends together securely, creating a loop. The strap will lay flat against the back of the inside of the bag, running down the length of it and out through both holes. Repeat the same process on the other side. Note- to make the straps even more sturdy and secure, you can add a quick knot/stitch at the entry points of the straps.

Finally, we need to add the handle. Using your needle, sew both ends of the handle to the top of the bag, just in front and centered between the 2 back Ch Sps where the drawstring is thread through. Sew 2 rows on both ends of the handle down using the long tails and needle. Make sure to thread it through multiple times to keep it secure.

Fasten off and weave in all remaining ends.

Betty Backpack Crochet Pattern

betty backpack crochet pattern

CODE: BETTY

About The Author

Rachel Misner