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The velvet backpack’s story:)

Hello It is NJ here Today I would like to share a little bit for the design process of these bags as they were made very unexpectedly. My sister (TJ) was staying at home for a few days and she had to make 3 bags for her friend’s graduation project. She is a bag and accessory lover and enjoys making them. I am more into baby/kids stuff as you may know from my posts. We decided what design to use but TJ is having troubles with hdc stitch so I made the bag (hope to show it and post the pattern here soon). When I went to my mom house I looked in Tj stash and saw these gorgeous velvet cakes which we have bought a few months ago. I took the yarn therefore I had no clue what I will make. These cakes are a bit sturdy when are used with smaller hook like 5mm and I am not a fan of big hooks such as 7mm. So I discard the blanket idea and then suddenly thought that I could use it to make a colorful backpack for my daughter and I gave it a try( I think they turned out pretty good). I like bags to stay shaped even when they are in use and full with stuff. So this yarn was perfect for the project. There are so many color combination you can check them HERE. If you are going to use this yarn for baby clothing or blanket use bigger hook so the item will turn more squishy and soft.

This post contains affiliate links.It means we will be commissioned small amount if you use it. You can find the PDF file with lots of photos in our etsy shop HERE:

You can check our other backpack pattern – it is made from t-shirt yarn. CHECK IT HERE

Materials used for the backpack and the animals:

Yarn—- Worsted/ Aran weight yarn – I used Hobfy brand Cicibebe blanket yarn- 150gr- 150metre, 100% acrylic .

Ice yarn has just released the same yarn – velvet cake yarn which is self-striped and is easier to work with as there are less ends to weave in. You can see the different shades here – http://www.iceyarns.com/git/304/cakes-chenille-baby-yellow-shades-grey-shades

Velvet yarn in white, black, brown, beige color (depends which animal backpack you are going to make)

Magnetic bag closure button.

Crochet hook size – 5mm

Tapestry needle with bigger hole as the yarn is thick.

Safety eyes 14mm or 16mm for panda and bear. Unicorn has crochet eyes.

Thin black yarn to make face expressions and small amount of pink for unicorn nose.

Abbreviations:

sc-single crochet dc- double crochet sl.st- slip stitch ch(s)-chains(s)
repeat the stitches in the * indicated times
MR- magic ring/circle rem- remaining BLO- back loops only hdc- half double crochet
tr- triple crochet sc2tog- single crochet 2 together- make 2 single crochet together ( decrease)

Backpack pattern:

Always work the 1^st st in the base of initial ch 1.

Rnd 1: Start with foundation ch 19, sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in next 16 sts, 3 sc in last st, continue on opposite side, sc in next 16 sts, 2 sc in last st, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st. (38)

Rnd 2: ch 1, 2 sc in 1^st st, sc in next 16 sts, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next 16 sts, 2 sc in each of next 2 sts, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st. (44)

Rnd 3: ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st*rep 3 times, sc in next 16 sts, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st*rep 2 times, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st. (50)

Rnd 4: ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st*rep 3 times, sc in next 16 sts, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st*rep 2 times, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st. (56)

Rnd 5: ch 1, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st*rep 3 times, sc in next 16 sts, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st*rep 2 times, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st. (62)

Rnd 6: ch 1, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st*rep 3 times, sc in next 16 sts, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st*rep 2 times, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st. (68)

Rnd 7: ch 1, sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts, *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st*rep 3 times, sc in next 16 sts, *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st*rep 2 times, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st. (74)

Rnd 8: ch 1, sc in next 34 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 37 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in last st, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st. Work in BLO. (76)

Rnd 9: ch 1, sc in next 35 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 38 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in last st, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st. Work in BLO. (78)

Rnd 10-31:ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st. (78)

Flap :

Row 1: Start with foundation ch 20, dc in 3^rd ch from hook, dc in next 16 chs, 5 dc in last st, continue on opposite side, dc in next 17 sts, ch 1, turn

Row 2: dc in next 17 sts, 2 dc in each of next 5 sts, dc in next 17 sts, ch 1, turn

Row 3: dc in next 17 sts, * 2 dc in next st, dc in next st * rep 5 times, dc in next 17 sts, ch 1, turn

Row 4: dc in next 17 sts, * dc 1 in next st, 2 dc in next st * rep 7 times, dc in next 18 sts, ch 1, turn

Row 5: dc in next 16 sts, * dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st * rep 7 times, dc in next 19 sts, ch 1, turn

Row 6: dc in next 31 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 31 sts. FO.

Long strap : make 2

Ch 73, dc in 4^th ch from hook, dc in rem chs. FO. (70)

Short strap:

Ch 20, sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in rem chs. FO. (19)

Animal heads- same for all. Just use different colors for each animal. – white for panda and unicorn and brown for bear.

Work in continues rounds.

Rnd 1: Start with MR and make 5 sc into it. (5)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (10)

Rnd 3: 2sc in each st around (20)

Rnd 4: * sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st* rep 5 times (25)

Rnd 5: *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st * rep 5 times (30)

Rnd 6: *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st * rep 10 times (40)

Rnd 7: *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st * rep 10 times (50)

Rnd8: *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st * rep 10 times (60)

Rnd 9: *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st * rep 10 times (70)

Rnd 10: sc in each st around. Finish with perfect finish or sl.st in 1^st st. FO.

BEAR AND PANDA BACKPACK:

Muzzles:

With beige color yarn. Use white color yarn for panda bear.

Rnd 1: Start with MR and make 6 sc into it. (6)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st *rep 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st *rep 6 times. (24)

Rnd 5: *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st *rep 6 times .(30)

Rnd 6-7 : sc in each st around . (30)

BEAR EARS:

Start with beige color yarn

Rnd 1: Start with MR and make 5 sc into it. (5)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (10)

Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st *rep 5 times. (15)

Switch to brown color yarn

Rnd 4: *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st *rep 5 times. Work in BLO. (20)

PANDA EARS – with black color yarn .

Rnd 1: Start with MR and make 5 sc into it. (5)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (10)

Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st *rep 5 times. (15)

Rnd 4: *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st *rep 5 times. (20)

BEAR NOSE HEART:

Ch 4, sl.st in 4^th ch from hook to form a ring, ch 1, sc 1, hdc 1, dc 2, tr 1, dc 1, sc 1, dc 1, tr 1, dc 2, hdc 1, sc 1, ch 1, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st.

BEAR EYES:

Rnd 1: Start with MR, secure with slip knot, ch 2, make 11dc into th erring, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st.

Insert the safety eye in the magic ring and then pull to tighten.

PANDA EYES- WITH BLACK COLOR YARN

Row 1: ch 7, sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next st, 5 dc in last st, continue on opposite side, dc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st.

UNICORN BACKPACK HEAD:

Head is same as others.

Unicorn muzzle :

With white yarn

Rnd 1: ch 9, sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in next 6 sts, 3 sc in last st, continue on opposite side, sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in last st, join with sl.st on top of 1^st s.

Row 2: ch 1, 2 sc in 1^st st, sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in each of next 2 sts, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st.

Rnd 3: ch 1, sc in very 1^st st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st* rep 3 times, sc in next 6 sts, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st *rep 2 times, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st.

Rnd 4: ch 1, sc in very 1^st st,sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st* rep 3 times, sc in next 6 sts, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st *rep 2 times, join with sl.st on top of 1^st st.

Ears:

With white yarn

Rnd 1: Start with MR and make 5 sc into it (5)

Rnd 2: sc in each st around (5)

Rnd 3: 2 sc in each st around (10)

Rnd 4: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts *rep 2 times (12)

Rnd 5: *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts* rep 2 times (14)

Rnd 6: sc in each st around (14)

Rnd 7: sc in next st, sc2tog, sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts (12)

Rnd 8: sc in next st, sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sl.st in next st. (10)

HORN:

With yellow yarn

Rnd 1: Start with MR and make 5 sc into it (5)

Rnd 2: sc in each st around (5)

Rnd 3: 2 sc in each st around (10)

Rnd 4-8: sc in each st around (10)

Rnd 4: *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st *rep 5 times (15)

EYES:

With thin black color yarn:

Rnd 1: Start with MR and make 6 sc into it. (6)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (12)

Rnd 3: *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st* rep 6 times (18)

FO.

Joining all parts of the backpack:

Joining all the piece together and making face expression:

Sew muzzle on bottom of face. Take pink yarn and tapestry needle and using basic chain stitch of embroidery make the nostrils of unicorn.

Then take black yarn and tapestry needle and make a line for mouth. You can use the same chain stitch.

Take white color string or thin yarn and make straight lines from center to outer of eye and form mini triangle. This is the sparkle of eye.

Sew eyes above the muzzle leave 4-5 stitches between them. Take different color yarn and make mane of unicorn.

Insert your hook in any stitch of last round of head . should be in the middle where we will sew the horn and pull a loop, then make sc but while you yarn over leave a long piece of yarn and then yarn over and finish the regular single crochet stitch. If you are using velvet yarn it will curl up and will look as mane of unicorn. Take black string and make eyebrows.

Sew ears of unicorn in front of head not behind the head. Right ear must be sewn in front of the mane. Then sew the horn in the middle of both ears and mane.

Now sew the head on the flap. Sew straps on backpack and you will have your unicorn backpack done.

IF YOU PUT A MAGNETIC CLOSURE BUTTON DON’T FORGET TO PUT IT FIRST THEN SEW HEAD ON FLAP.

Using darker yellow and tapestry needle make lines around the horn. Stuff it with poly fiber fill before sewing.

Bear – JOINING ALL THE PIECES TOGETHER AND MAKING FACE EXPRESSION :

Sew muzzle on the head. On bottom part. Fill the muzzle with small amount of poly fiber fill.
Put safety eyes above muzzle and sew the white part so it will be more durable.
Sew heart as nose on top of muzzle and make straight line downwards.
Use black string and tapestry needle and make mouth.
Sew ears on back of head.

PANDA BEAR JOINING ALL THE PIECES TOGETHER:

Sew muzzle on the head. On bottom part. Fill the muzzle with small amount of poly fiber fill.
Take black color yarn and tapestry needle and make black triangle as a nose.
Use black string and tapestry needle and make mouth.
Insert the safety eyes in the middle of the black part of eye and sew the eye patch on both sides of muzzle.
Sew ears on back of head.

SEWING THE STRIPES, FLAP AND ANIMAL HEAD ON BACKPACK.

PUT THE MAGNETIC BAG CLOSURE. Insert it the end of the flap and corresponding spot on the body of bag. See pic.1
SEW THE ANIMAL HEAD ON THE FLAP. THERE ARE TWO WAYS. If you wish you can sew it a bit down and make the head to look as flap. Or sew it just right onto the flap. I sewn panda 2^nd way and unicorn and bear 1^st See pic. 2
Sew short strap in 6^th st of row 1. See pic. 3
Take long strap and the flap. Sew the flap and the strap at the same time. Insert the strap under the flap and sew them together. Insert only the beginning of the strap. See pic.3
Sew bottom ends of strap 1 in right corner and 1 in left corner.

We will be really happy to see pics of your backpack (s) . You can share them on Instagram with the hashtag #passionatecrafterr or in our Facebook page.