Carry everything you need for back to school in this adorable strawberry backpack. A zipper opening gives you full access to the roomy interior while two side pockets hold all your small items.
Skill Level: Easy
Size: Approximately 14” tall, 11” wide, and 4” deep
Gauge: 22 sts and 28 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st, after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn:
Red Heart Soft (100% Acrylic; 256 yards [234 meters]/141 grams): 5142 Cherry Red (MC), 2 balls; 4420 Guacamole (CC1), 1 ball; 4601 Off-White (CC2), 1 ball.
Needles: US size 6 (4.0 mm): straight needles
Notions: One 12” zipper; tapestry needle
Pattern Notes
All pieces are worked in St st unless otherwise noted.
Pattern
Back
With MC, CO 56 sts.
Rows 1-2: Work even in St st.
Row 3: Inc 1 st each side – 58 sts.
Row 4: Work even.
Row 5: Repeat Row 3 – 60 sts.
Rows 6-94: Work even.
Row 95: Dec 1 st each side – 58 sts.
Row 96: Work even.
Row 97: Repeat Row 95 – 56 sts.
Row 98: Work even.
Bind off.
Front
With MC, CO 56 sts.
Work same as Back to Row 52.
Rows 53-57: Work chart.
Rows 58-75: Work even in CC1.
Bind off knitwise.
Top
With CC1, CO 56 sts.
Work same as Back for 17 rows.
Bind off knitwise.
Side Panel
With MC, CO 22 sts.
Work in St st for 268 rows.
Base
With MC, CO 22 sts.
Work in St st for 72 rows.
Side Pocket (make 2)
With MC, CO 22 sts.
Work in St st for 35 rows.
Work in Garter st for 4 rows.
Bind off knitwise.
Hanger
With CC1, CO 30 sts.
Work in Garter st for 7 rows.
Bind off.
Strap (make 2)
With CC1, CO 13 sts.
Row 1: K1, *wyib sl 1 purlwise, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 2: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Repeat Rows 1-2 until Strap measures 18” from beginning or to desired length.
Finishing
Block all pieces.
Sew zipper in place between front and top.
Stitch seed details in duplicate stitch on Front.
Sew Side Pockets to Side Panel at each end. Sew Side Panel from left bottom corner to right bottom corner of front and back. Sew Base in place at bottom.
Center Hanger at top and stitch in place.
Sew on Straps in desired locations.
Weave in ends.