Minimalist Crochet Drawstring Backpack Pattern

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• Crochet Drawstring Backpack Pattern
• Crochet Skills You’ll Practice
• Sturdy Cotton Backpack Yarn
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Complete beginner? Check out our guide on How to Crochet for Beginners

Skill Level

Advanced Beginner: In this crochet drawstring backpack pattern, we’ll practice single crochet stitches, working in the round, and a Romanian cord technique to create sturdy straps.

Overall Pattern Notes

• Pattern is worked in the round with the RS facing throughout. Rounds are spirals and therefore are not joined at the end of each. 

• Stitches are intended to be worked tightly. If in doubt, use a smaller hook to achieve tighter tension. Circle is measured several rounds in to ensure gauge. 

• Place marker in first stitch of round and move as each round is worked. This is critical in keeping track of the beginning/end of each round. 

• Similarly, markers are used beginning in Round 6 to keep track of where increases are placed. Move markers up as each round is worked. Use a different color marker for the first stitch of round and the increases to differentiate. 

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Backpack Bottom Circle

With one strand of Color A and one strand of Color B held together:

Preferred Foundation Round: Create a magic loop, ch 1 and work 6 sc within. (6) 

Alternative Foundation Round: Ch 4, sl st to join into a loop. Ch 1, work 6 sc within loop. (6) 

Continuing in spiral: 

Round 2: 2 sc in first st (PM in first sc made), 2 sc in each st. (12) 

Move marker to first st of each round from here forward. 

Main Bucket Bag

Notes: 

• This section is worked without increasing. Keep first marker in place and move up each round. 
  
• “Work even” means to single crochet in each stitch without increasing.

Working Even: 

Continuing in two colors: Work even for 11 rounds or until Color B is gone. Replace Color B with a second strand of Color A. 

TIP: It doesn’t matter if transition from Color B to Color A happens mid-round as this can be hidden in the back of the bag later on. 

Continue working even with two strands of Color A held together until there are 35 rounds in Bag Bucket section as counted from marker placed at the end of Bag Bottom. 

Place one additional marker of a different color anywhere in last round. Again, this marker is helpful for counting purposes because it indicates where working even ends and decreasing begins. 

Decreasing: 

Round 1 (dec): [Sc2tog (PM in sc made), sc in next 19 sts] 6 times. (120) 

Previous round should now have 6 marked stitches. These indicate the stitches to decrease in moving forward. Move markers up as each round is worked. 

Rounds 2-4: Sc in each sc. 

Round 5 (dec): Rep Round 1. (114) 

Round 6: Rep Round 2. (114) 

Round 7 (dec): Rep Round 1. (108) 

Creating Drawstring Strap Holes: 

Remove fourth marker and add four additional markers as shown in diagram on p9. These markers indicate where holes will be created for the straps. Important: Beginning/end stitch marker should remain in place, but note that a ch2 hole is not created in that position in Round 1. 

Round 1: [Sc in each sc to marker, ch 2, sk next 2 sc] 8 times, sc in each sc to end of round. (8 ch2sps created) 

Round 2: Sc in each sc around, placing 2 sc in each ch2sp. (108) 

Rounds 3-10: Sc in each sc. 

When final round is complete, slst into next two stitches to create a tapering off effect. Fasten off. 

Drawstring Straps

Notes: 

• Straps are quite sturdy and can be adjusted in length by tying the bag. For an even less stretchy strap, incorporate a strand of monofilament (fishing line) along with two strands of Color A. 
  
• This cord requires you to continually turn your crocheting clockwise (left-handed crocheters: counter-clockwise). It may feel awkward at first, but it becomes quite quick. Check out this circle bag pattern for a video tutorial on the Romanian cord technique.

Make 2. 

With two strands of Color A held together: 

Foundation Row: Ch 2. 

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook; rotate stitch clockwise (left-handed crocheters: counter-clockwise.) 

Row 2: Insert hook under loop at “back” of stitch where two “V”s point to. Work 1 sc under this loop; rotate stitch clockwise. 

Row 3 and beyond: Insert hook under two loops at “back” of stitch where two “V”s point to. Work 1 sc under these loops; rotate stitch clockwise. 

Rep Row 3 until strap measures 52” or as as long as you’d like. Strap is quite sturdy, but will stretch a bit once worn. 

Attaching Straps: 

Fasten off leaving a 12” tail at end of strap. Use tapestry needle to weave foundation tails. Leave fastening off tails out for now.

The two larger spans between strap holes will become the front and back of the bag. Choose which you’d prefer to be the back. 

TIP: This is where you can choose to hide the color transition toward the back if desired. 

In back of backpack, place two markers in last round of Bag Bottom in line with the strap holes above. Approximation is okay here. These markers should be between stitches and not in stitches, as straps will be inserted in the “space” between.

Insert end of strap with 12” fastening off tail into marked space. (Use a crochet hook to stretch out a space for the strap slightly, if necessary.) Repeat with second strap in second marked space. Flip bag inside out so both strap ends are accessible. 

Tie leftover yarn tails together in several sturdy knots. 

TIP: To avoid cord catching on items in backpack, use leftover yarn tails to tack cord down to bag with a few whip stitches during the process of weaving in the ends. 

Use tapestry needle to weave all yarn tails into cords for an extra secure join. 

Turn back RS out. Thread cords through remaining holes so they meet in the middle in backpack front.

If desired, personalize with wooden beads, tassels or other accessories. 

Optional Interior Pocket

If desired, use remainder of Color A yarn to crochet a small interior pocket to hold your essentials. 

Foundation: Ch 21. 

Row 1 (RS): Sk first ch, sc in each ch to end of row; turn. (20) 

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in each sc; turn. 

Rep Row 2 18 more times or until desired height is reached. Fasten off leaving a 24” tail. 

With backpack inside out, pin pocket in place. Using a tapestry needle and leftover yarn tail, whip stitch pocket to backpack. 

Load your new backpack with yarn, snacks or whatever fills your bucket (bag)!