Ever wanted a purse from The Sak? Ever thought you could crochet one that was just as beautiful? Well, you can! And all using only single crochet plus a new, very quick, technique for the strap that you’ll love.
I have been dying to try Lionbrand Yarn’s new Truboo yarn, a gorgeous, shiny yarn that was perfect for this project. A small hook, tight stitches, and a super soft yarn make this bag packable, stylish, and so comfortable to wear – and make sure you’re using a good, ergonomic hook for a project like this, it will save you from hand pain and allow you to crochet longer and faster.
I found everything I needed for this design from my local JOANN’s – even the accessories; see my supplies list below for links.
This Truboo yarn is so shiny and soft I ended up double wrapping it around my left pointer finger to keep the tension high!
- Purchase the ad-free, large print PDF.
- PIN this pattern to your Pinterest boards.
- SAVE on your Ravelry queue.
Ready for more summery crochet patterns? Check out my favorites below!
- Frances Skirt Pattern 2. Mellow Yellow Crop Top Pattern 3. Watermelon Beach Bag Pattern 4. Escalante Lace Wrap Pattern
This post may contain affiliate links; view the Hook Yarn Carabiner disclosure policy for details. Affiliate links provide me with a small commission for every purchase you make at no cost to you. These donations allow me to continue to produce free patterns and content on my blog. I am so appreciative of any support you give to me and my small business. Purchasing yarn or products through the links on this page is one way to do that.
DESCRIPTION
A simple, but oh-so classy accessory. The mini-backpack is 7.5″ tall x 6″ W; the perfect size to carry your phone and wallet comfortably day or night. The drawstring and magnetic closure keep your essentials in place and the cord straps slip on easily. Pack it down flat for a trip and wow everyone with your but-it-doesn’t-even-look-handmade backpack!
MATERIALS
- Lion Brand Truboo Yarn (Weight: 2/fine – 241 yds, 3.5 oz) – 2 skeins needed
- Size D (3.25 mm) Crochet Hook
- Magnetic Purse Snap
- Suede Tassel Pendants
- Yarn Needle
- Spool Knitter (needed if you are not crocheting your cord)
ABBREVIATIONS
- ch: chain
- st: stitch
- sp: space
- sc: single crochet
GAUGE
4″ by 4″ square (in the round) = 28 st by 34 rows of sc with size D (3.25 mm) crochet hook. Achieving gauge is not necessary if you follow the sizing directions below.
DIRECTIONS
The mini-backpack is worked in the round in one piece. The straps are a cord that is threaded through holes of the upper section of the pack and then secured to the base. The magnetic closure is added on during assembly and kept in place by a small crocheted disc on each side of the pack’s opening.
This piece is worked in the round with joining and no turning. To achieve an invisible and straight seam, work your first stitch of the next round into the same stitch as your chain and end the round slip stitching into the first stitch of the previous round.
Begin with a magic circle.
(Wondering what the checkboxes are for? Check out this tutorial and make online patterns easier to follow!)
The round base should be ~5.5 inches across; once you finish the entire main bag the base will be ~6 inches across. If your base is not lying flat you will need to change your hook; size up if the edges are curling in and size down if the base is buckling.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
ASSEMBLY
CORD
Ok, I have to be real with you, friends. I hate crocheting icords and in order to avoid them at all costs, I recently purchased a little spool knitter and am in love! It took about half an hour to create my cord, versus the hours I would have spent crocheting an icord. If you have a favorite icord technique and enjoy that, then by all means crochet one. But if you are like me, then getting your hands on a cheap and easy spool knitter will save you lots of time and anguish – especially with this thin, silky yarn. Note: the cord created from the spool knitter is much stretchier and softer than a standard icord. Your length should be measured at full stretch to avoid a sagging backpack. The icord is fairly rigid and has much less stretch to it so it can be measured without stretching too much.
Start with a foot-long tail of yarn, then crochet or knit your cord to a length of ~54″, leaving another foot-long tail for sewing. This is a general measurement and may not fit your body or your backpack needs. You can measure the straps of a backpack that fits you well and then add four inches to the total length, or start with a longer cord than you think you’ll need, pin it to your pack, and try it on!
Once your cord is finished, thread it in and out of the eight holes in the upper section of the pack. If you are having trouble weaving your cord you can put a safety pin on the end or a yarn needle. Pin the ends to the base of your pack four inches apart and try it on for size – once it fits perfectly, securely sew the ends of your cord to the pack.
Never want to miss another pattern?
MAGNETIC PURSE CLOSURE
You will crochet two discs to hold each side of the round magnetic closures and then sew these discs with the clasps to each side of the interior of the pack.
DISCS (MAKE 2)
This piece is worked in the round with joining and no turning.
Begin with a magic circle
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Take the back plate off of one half of your magnetic closure and push the metal arms of the main section through the front of your disc. Put the back plate back on and bend the metal arms so it is secured to your crocheted disc. Repeat with the other half of your magnetic closure and sew each disc to the interior of your pack, just below the drawstring.
TASSELS
Take a length of yarn, thread it through the eye of your tassels, and secure it to the side of your backpack near the top.
Your Beachcomber mini-backpack is all done! Throw it on and stroll down the beach and out to dinner afterward.
Follow me on Pinterest for easy to follow, fun crochet patterns for the outdoors!
Follow me on Pinterest @hookyarncarabinerpins
One thought on “BEACHCOMBER MINI-BACKPACK PATTERN”