I’m surrounded by boys but sometimes I get a chance to make something that is more geared towards girls. Boys can like unicorns, too, of course, but mine are more into fire trucks and super heroes. Only one of my boys is interested in any type of animal and he’s only 18 months old! When I got the chance to design a backpack for a sweet friend’s daughter I jumped at it! I did have to bribe my oldest to model it for me… but then his younger brother volunteered and agreed to actually smile for the camera. 😉
I like this basic square backpack because it is really easy to make, can hold a lot of different items and turns out cute! Plus, using two strands held together for the body makes it a very quick project. I’m already planning some other animals using this style of backpack and I can’t wait – the possibilities really are endless. If you find the straps getting loose (which can happen with crocheted straps), just weave in a pretty ribbon on the edges of the straps and tack in place. The strap length is a general guide – you can easily make them longer or shorter. If you find they are too long, just fold them over and sew them together and adjust as the child grows. Super easy!
This entire project is constructed of single crochet and chain spaces, so if you are pretty new to crochet, do not be intimidated – this is a very easy project! If you can single crochet, chain, and sc2tog (single crochet 2 together to decrease) you CAN make this bag. The straps are basic single crochet and so is the colorful border. It’s a very beginner-friendly project that anyone can make.
I think the next animal I’m going to make will be something one of my boys would enjoy. This was just too feminine for their tastes, so maybe a fox or a lion would be a good choice. What do you think? Let me know in the comments what animal you would like to see!
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Unicorn Backpack
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Red Heart Baby Hugs Medium (MC), 2 skeins Frosting; Red Heart Soft Baby Steps (CC) 1 skein Tickle
Hooks: US size N (9.00mm) for the backpack and size J (6.0mm) for the horn and border
Notions: Two 5/8″ buttons, yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker, unicorn-shaped button (for charm – optional)
Skill Level: Easy (this project is very beginner-friendly, see text above for skills needed)
Finished Measurements: Approximately 13 x 11 1/2 inches
Gauge: 14 sts and 13 rows = 4 1/2″/10cm in pattern st.
Notes: Hold two strands MC together for front, back and strap construction
Pattern Stitch:
Row 1: Ch 1. Sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp. Repeat from * to last two sts, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in last sc.
BACK
With larger hook, ch 41. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across – 40 sts.
Set up row: Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next sc. Repeat from * to last two sts, sc in last two sts.
Work even in pattern stitch until piece measures 11 ½ inches from beginning.
Shape Front Flap
Row 1: Work even in pattern stitch.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog in first two sts, sc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp. Repeat from * to last three sts, ch 1, sk next sc, sc2tog in last two sts – 38 sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, sc in ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp. Repeat from * to last two sts, ch 1, sk next sc, sc in last sc.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc2tog in first two sts, *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp. Repeat from * to last two sts, sc2tog in last two sts – 36 sts.
Rows 5-16: Repeat rows 1-4 until 24 sts remain.
Row 17: Repeat row 2 – 22 sts.
Row 18: Repeat row 4 – 20 sts.
Row 19: Repeat row 2 – 18 sts.
Row 20: Repeat row 4 – 16 sts.
Fasten off.
FRONT
Work as back until piece measures 11 ½ inches from beginning. Fasten off.
STRAPS (Make 2)
With larger hook, ch7.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across – 6 sts.
Work even in sc until strap measures 18 inches from beg. Fasten off.
HORN
Create a magic ring. Use a stitch marker to mark first st of each round.
Round 1: 3 sc in ring – 3 sts.
Round 2: 2 sc in each st – 6 sts.
Round 3: Work even in sc.
Round 4: *Sc, 2 sc in next st – 9 sts.
Round 5: Work even in sc.
Round 6: *Sc 2, 2 sc in next st – 12 sts.
Round 7: Work even in sc.
Round 8: *Sc 3, 3 sc in next st – 15 sc.
Rounds 9-15: Work even in sc.
Fasten off.
FINISHING
Sew front to back along sides and bottom. Sew straps in place using photos as guide.
Use a surface slip st to embroider eyes. I used the CC and just cut lengths the same color to make them the same.
Stuff horn lightly with fiberfill and sew in place using photos as guide.
To create mane, cut lengths of yarn approximately 16″ long. Attach as fringe to left of horn.
Buttons should slip into a ch-1 space. Position buttons as desired and sew in place.
Edging
With smaller hook and RS facing, join CC to left edge of flap – be sure to only use one strand.
Ch 1, sc evenly along left edge, bottom edge and right edge. Fasten off.
If you wish to have the unicorn charm, cut lengths of CC the same length (I chose 3 of the colors), braid and attach one end to the unicorn button and one end to the top corner of the backpack.
That’s it!! I’m so, so happy with how this turned out and I hope the recipient loves it as much as I do!
Be sure to check out all of my other free crochet patterns here.
Happy crocheting!
Amanda
Teresa
I would definitely be interested in more back packs, especially if you did decide to do a fire truck or dump truck one. My son is a fire fighter and I know that his kids would LOVE to have a “truck like Dad’s”. Just mentioning it. They are also interested in cows, horses, pigs, and puppies.
amanda
I love these ideas!! I hadn’t thought beyond animals but I’m not sure why – my boys adore fire trucks, police cars, construction, etc! Thanks for the inspiration – I’m definitely going to make some more with these ideas. 😀 I like the animal ideas, too! Thanks so much!
Patricia Hutchison
Yes I’m trying to make this but I’m having some trouble with the pattern is the turning chain counted as a stitch? Or when I turn do I skip that one and sc in the next for row two? Thank you
amanda
Hi Patricia! The turning chain does not count as a stitch in this pattern. You will sc into the very first stitch, then ch 1, skip the second sc of the row below and work into the next chain space. This is an easy pattern repeat once you get it going because you always end with two sc and begin with a sc, ch-1. 🙂
Karen
I would love to see a panda , lion, raccoon , a fox those would be so adorable I have 5 grandkids 2 girls 3 boys and they would make nice birthday gifts iam now making the unicorn for my granddaughter who birthday is this Friday April 11 th she is turning 7 and she is into ponies , unicorns , horses so this she will love 🙂