Sunflower granny square backpack crochet pattern

• LevelIntermediate
• Time4-6 hours
• Hook5 mm
• YarnDK/Worsted

About This Pattern

On the desk

Stitch shorthand

• dc — double crochet

Sunflower granny square backpack crochet pattern

Granny Square Motif

Change color before beginning Round 2 to work the petals.

Repeat the granny square process to make multiple squares for the front, back, side panels, and bottom of the backpack, adjusting the number of squares per side for your desired size.

1. Round 1

   Make a slip knot and chain 4, join to the first chain with a slip stitch to form a circle; chain 3 (counts as first double crochet), then make 11 double crochets into the circle; join with a slip stitch to the top of the initial chain 3. (12 dc)

2. Round 2(12)

   Petals Attach new color yarn with a knot and pull up a loop, chain 4; in each stitch around, work a cluster of triple crochets summed one into the other to form petals; complete 12 petals; close each petal round with a slip stitch. (12 petals)

3. Round 3

   In each gap between petals, work 3 triple crochets; for square corners, in every fourth gap, chain 3 between sets of triple crochets instead of 2; close the round with a slip stitch.

More shots

Where it goes

• A everyday carry-all for a farmers market run, paired with a simple cotton dress or jeans.
• A kids' or teens' school bag, since the strap length adjusts to fit smaller shoulders.
• A craft-fair or park-day bag that pairs well with denim and canvas sneakers.
• A decorative hanging piece on a hook by the door when it is not out being used.

Color ideas

• Classic sunflower Golden yellow for the petal round, deep brown for the center ring, soft green or cream for the squaring-off round.
• Garden mix Vary the petal color square by square across warm oranges and yellows, keeping the center rounds and corner rounds in one matching neutral so the panels still read as a set.

Care

Hand wash the finished backpack in cool water since DK and worsted yarn can felt or shrink under heat and agitation.

Lay it flat on a towel to dry and gently reshape the panels and petals while damp so the squares keep their form.

Store it stuffed lightly with tissue paper on a shelf rather than folded, so the dimensional petals do not get crushed flat.

Assembly

1. Step 1 Repeat the granny square process to make multiple squares (front, back, side panels, and the bottom of the backpack); each side of the backpack will consist of a specific number of squares depending on your desired size.
2. Step 2 Sew or crochet the squares together to form the body of the backpack (front, back, sides, and bottom).
3. Step 3 Crochet straps by chaining to the desired length and working half double crochets in each chain; these can be adjusted for size to fit children or teenagers.
4. Step 4 Attach the straps securely to the backpack.
5. Step 5 Work a single crochet stitch around the top of the backpack to finish the edges neatly.
6. Step 6 If you prefer a lined backpack, consider sewing a fabric liner inside for durability and to prevent stretching.
7. Step 7 Crochet additional rounds on one of the granny squares to enlarge it for a flap over the top of the backpack.
8. Step 8 Sew this flap to the back panel of the backpack.
9. Step 9 Add buttons, snaps, or velcro to secure the flap.

Easy to get wrong

Between the songs

• What I love about this one is the petal round. You are not just chaining and single crocheting through a circle, you are stacking triple crochets into clusters so each petal actually stands up off the surface, giving the whole square dimension you can feel with your fingers. Squaring off the corners in round three, with that extra chain-3 space at each corner, is a small satisfying puzzle every single time. Then there is the joining stage, where flat sunflower motifs suddenly become the front, back, sides, and bottom of an actual bag. Add straps worked in simple half double crochet rows and you go from a pile of pretty squares to something structural and wearable, which is a genuinely good feeling.

Listener questions

• How many squares do I actually need?

  That depends on your desired backpack size, since the pattern has you make as many motifs as needed for the front, back, side panels, and bottom. I recommend laying out your planned panels before you start joining so you can count squares as you go.

• Do the straps work for both kids and adults?

  Yes, the strap length is meant to be adjusted, working half double crochet rows to whatever chain length fits the wearer. Try the strap against a shoulder before finishing off the ends.

• Why does my petal round look different from the photo?

  Petal shape depends a lot on tension when you cluster the triple crochets together. Keep your loops even and snug so each cluster forms a distinct bump rather than a loose loop.

• What is the best way to join all the squares together?

  You can either sew the squares with a yarn needle or crochet them together, both work fine for this pattern. Whichever method you choose, stay consistent across all panels so the seams look uniform.

Original pattern: https://crocheteverything.com/beautiful-crochet-backpack-tutorial-with-sunflower-ideal-to-keeping-things-in-style/

About the Author

Marisol QuinteroWho runs Crochet Obsessed, why a stitch count sits at the end of every round, how a pattern gets written here, and the things this site will never do.