Pattern Description:

The Florence Backpack is a carefree and lightweight crochet pattern. It’s designed to be roomy and versatile for daily use or trips.

Crocheted holding two strands of yarn together for stability, its simple shape is suitable as an all-year accessory. The pattern is rated as intermediate level.

Materials Needed & Measurements:

Yarn: The pattern specifically uses Lion Brand ‘Rewind Yarn’ (242yds/100g).
- Color A: “Greige/123” (4 skeins).
- Color B: “Moto Jacket/150” (2 skeins).
- The total yarn needed is 1270yds.
- The yarn is super soft and non-stretchy tape yarn because it creates a sturdy bag that is structured while being softer than wicker/rattan/raffia inspirations.
Yarn Weight: Bulk Yarn (12ply).
Hook: 7mm (2) Crochet Hook.
Notions: Tapestry Needle, Stitch Markers.
Measurements:
- Backpack Height: 12.5″ (32cm).
- Backpack Width: 15.5” (39cm).
- Strap Length: 31” (79cm).
Gauge: 10 stitches + 12 rows = 4″/10cm in single crochet.

Stitches & Abbreviations Used

blsc: back loop single crochet
sc2tog: single crochet 2 together.

Stitching Instructions for Making the Florence Backpack Crochet Pattern

The pattern is broken down into several main parts: the Base, the Body, the Flap, the Strap, the Drawstring Cord, and Assembly.

Base:

The base is worked in the round, from bottom to top.
Using a 7mm hook and two strands of Color B held together, chain 18.
Rounds 1 through 8 involve working single crochet stitches around the foundation chain, increasing stitches in specific locations in each round to create an oval base.
For Rounds 1-7, you do not slip stitch in the first single crochet of the round.
Round 8 ends with a slip stitch in the first single crochet.
After completing Round 8, fasten off and weave in loose ends. The base should have 78 stitches.

Body:

The body is worked in the round, from bottom to top.
Attach Color B yarn (still double stranded) at the back and towards the middle of the base, working from the outside.
Round 1 involves working back loop single crochet (blsc) in all 78 stitches along the border of the base.
Rounds 2 through 46 involve working in the round, primarily using the fair isle stitch (fi).
When working with two colors (Colors A and B), carry the yarn not being worked with at the back. A stitch chart is available to help with the design and color changes.
Rounds 2 through 8 incorporate color changes using the fair isle stitch in specified sequences of Colors A and B.
Rounds 9 through 41 are worked entirely in fair isle stitch using Color A.
Round 42 is worked in fair isle stitch across all 78 stitches, with a specific instruction to work 1 fi in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd stitch again to center the start of the next round.
Round 43 creates the drawstring opening by working fair isle stitches, chaining 1, and skipping a stitch, repeated around, ending with fair isle stitches. This round reduces the stitch count to 66.
Rounds 44 and 45 are worked in fair isle stitch in all 78 stitches, working into the chain-1 spaces created in the previous round.
Round 46 is worked in fair isle stitch across all 78 stitches and ends with a slip stitch in the first stitch.
For Rounds 1-15 (except Rnd 46), you do not slip stitch in the first stitch of the round.
After completing Round 46, fasten off and weave in loose ends. The body should have 78 stitches at the end of Rnd 46.

Flap:

The flap is worked in rows.
Using a 7mm hook and two strands of Color A held together, chain 24.
Row 1 is worked in single crochet, starting in the 2nd chain from the hook.
Rows 2 through 18 are worked in single crochet, turning the work at the end of each row. Each of these rows starts with a chain 1 and single crochet in the same stitch.
Rows 19 through 26 involve working decreases using the single crochet 2 together (sc2tog) stitch at the beginning and end of the rows to shape the flap. The number of single crochet stitches between the decreases decreases in subsequent rows.
After completing Row 26, fasten off and weave in loose ends. The flap should have 9 stitches at the end of Row 26.
A flap border is added by attaching Color A yarn to the side of the last stitch of Row 1 and working single crochet stitches around the edge.

Strap:

Using a 7mm hook and two strands of Color B held together, chain 146.
Row 1 is worked in single crochet, starting in the 2nd chain from the hook. It should have 145 stitches.
Row 2 starts with a chain 1 and single crochet in the same stitch, followed by long single crochet (lsc) stitches across most of the row, ending with a single crochet stitch. It should have 145 stitches.
Fasten off and weave in loose ends.

Drawstring Cord:

Cut 6 strands of yarn, each 174”/442cm in length.
Tie a knot at each end of the strands.
Secure one end to a stable point (like a door handle) and slip a crochet hook through the other end.
Pull the strands taut and start twisting clockwise. Continue twisting until the cord begins to twist on itself when slack is introduced.
Pinch the middle of the twisted cord with one hand, bring the twisted end to the secured end, and tie the ends together.
Run your thumb and forefinger along the cord a few times to smooth and neaten it.
Place two knots in the cord, 52”/132cm apart.
Trim the yarn ends approximately 2”/5cm below the knots.
Weave the finished cord through the drawstring openings created in Round 43 of the Body.

Free Florence Backpack Crochet Pattern

Pattern Description:

Materials Needed & Measurements:

Stitches & Abbreviations Used