Star Stitch Backpack Pattern
I used Lime Burst, Bernat Cotton Candy yarn for the base, edges & straps of the bag. This particular yarn seems to have less "give" or stretch to it!!
(http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/bernat-handicrafter-cotton-candy-collection)
The star stripes were made using Loops & Threads Impeccable (my yarn of choice), using scraps that I had in my collection.
(http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/loops--threads-impeccable-solids)
I used a Boye H hook (5.0 mm)
I bought a nice 1.5" button that complemented my color scheme for finishing!
You will need a tapestry/yarn needle for the finishing touches!
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BACKPACK PORTION
(I started the bag at the base, using a single crochet (sc) in the round, without joining rows)
Using a sturdier yarn - chain 21
Row 1 (Circle 1), Crochet SC along one side of the chain - in the first ch make 2 SC, then 1 SC in each of the following 19 ch. In the last ch, make 4 SC - put a marker in the center of the 4 SC (the side). Then, 1 SC in each of the 19 ch on the other side. Finish with 2 SC in the first ch (there are 4 SC in this CH - put a marker in center of these 4 SC - the side.) 44 on SC on this row. Do not join, as this is completed in continuous rounds.
Row 2 - 6 (or however wide/long you want the base to be), work 1 SC in each SC from previous row, but in 1 SC at each side of markers, crochet 2 SC - increasing the round by 4 SC per row. (Row 2 - 48 SC, Row 3 - 52 SC, Row 4 - 56 SC, Row 5 - 60 SC, Row 6 - 64 SC)
Row 7, SC in FLO (front loop only) of each SC in round before (64 FLO SC if using 6 rows)
Row 8-10 (3 rounds), SC in each SC of previous round (64 SC per round)
**Here is where you will begin the star stitch found in this YouTube Tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?vDLFuiVy-Obg
***I made my backpack as tall as I wanted to fit my pattern & the color scheme I was looking for, so feel free to adjust!! ***
Row 11 (this row will create the bottom of each star), Change color if you wish, CH2 to start, insert hook in 2nd CH from hook, pull up a loop; insert hook in next CH from hook, pull up a loop, repeat until there are 6 loops on your hook, yarn over hook, and pull through all 6 loops (this makes the bottom "spokes" of the star); ch 1 to finish stitch & create the "eye" of the star. Insert hook in the "eye" you just made, pull up a loop; insert hook in the last "spoke" of previous star, pull up a loop, insert hook in the SAME foundation CH that the last "spoke" of previous star is in, pull up a loop; pull loops through next 2 CH (you should now have 6 loops on your hook again); yarn over hook & pull through all 6 loops; ch 1 to finish stitch & make the eye of the star. Continue to the end of your round. If you have a spare stitch, do a HDC (half-double-crochet) to finish. To finish the stars, you have to TURN the work (I actually turned the bag inside out each round).
Rows 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 (etc, to desired height), To join (and close up the back of the backpack), SL ST into the FIRST Star of the row you just completed. CH 2, counts as a HDC; make 2 HDC in each "eye" of previous row across, then HDC in the last st. (you should have an even number of HDCs on this row, counting the beginning CH2), SL ST to join the last star to the first on the row, TURN the work.
Rows 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 (etc, to desired height), (this starts the new rows of stars, so change colors in the first star if you wish) To join (and close up the back of the backpack), SL ST through the first star of the round. CH 3, insert hook in 2nd CH from hook and draw up a loop, draw up a loop from next CH, draw up a loop from first, second & third stitches (so you have 6 loops total on your hook); yarn over hook and draw through all 6 loops, ch 1 to finish stitch and make the "eye" of the star. Continue making star stitches as in Row 11.
Row 33-35 (3 rounds, top edge of the bag), SC in each ST around the top of the bag (64 SC), do not join, just make continuous rows. Finish off & weave in ends (this completes the bag itself!)
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FLAP PORTION
Fold the bag in half to find the width. You'll want to count the SC to make sure you have a number that is a multiple of 2, then find the center, so you'll be sure to center the flap.
Again, you are going to make the number of rows that you want to fit your pattern/size!
Row 1, (Create Star Stitches as you did in rows 11-32) Attach your yarn at desired starting point, and CH 2 to start, insert hook in 2nd CH from hook, pull up a loop; insert hook in next CH from hook, pull up a loop, repeat until there are 6 loops on your hook, yarn over hook, and pull through all 6 loops (this makes the bottom "spokes" of the star); ch 1 to finish stitch & create the "eye" of the star. Insert hook in the "eye" you just made, pull up a loop; insert hook in the last "spoke" of previous star, pull up a loop, insert hook in the SAME foundation CH that the last "spoke" of previous star is in, pull up a loop; pull loops through next 2 CH (you should now have 6 loops on your hook again); yarn over hook & pull through all 6 loops; ch 1 to finish stitch & make the eye of the star. Continue to the end of your row. HDC to finish row.
Row 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 (etc. to desired size/length), CH 2, counts as a HDC; make 2 HDC in each "eye" of previous row across, then HDC in the last st. (you should have an even number of HDCs on this row, counting the beginning CH2), TURN the work.
Row 3, 5, 7, 9 (etc. to desired size/length), CH 3, insert hook in 2nd CH from hook and draw up a loop, draw up a loop from next CH, draw up a loop from first, second & third stitches (so you have 6 loops total on your hook); yarn over hook and draw through all 6 loops, ch 1 to finish stitch and make the "eye" of the star. Continue making star stitches as in Row 1., Finish off & weave in ends.
EDGE: Using Bernat Cotton Candy Yarn (or your stronger yarn), SC around the edge of the work, attaching to the bag with SL ST at the end of both sides. I did TWO rows of SC, but at the middle of the FIRST row, I left a "button hole" by doing 5 CH, skipping 5 SC and resuming on the other side to finish, then did a full row of SC to strengthen the button hole.
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STRAPS
***Each strap is simply a row of Star Stitches, made from the Bernat Cotton Candy Yarn (so it has a little less give, but I suspect it could still stretch, so I may go back & back it with fabric that I'll simply embroider onto the back of each strap)***
MAKE 2
CH to the length you want the straps to be (mine were like 60), then add 1 - you just want it to be divisible by 2, with one spare stitch!
Row 1, Insert hook in 2nd CH from hook, pull up a loop; insert hook in next CH from hook, pull up a loop, repeat until there are 6 loops on your hook, yarn over hook, and pull through all 6 loops (this makes the bottom "spokes" of the star); ch 1 to finish stitch & create the "eye" of the star. Insert hook in the "eye" you just made, pull up a loop; insert hook in the last "spoke" of previous star, pull up a loop, insert hook in the SAME foundation CH that the last "spoke" of previous star is in, pull up a loop; pull loops through next 2 CH (you should now have 6 loops on your hook again); yarn over hook & pull through all 6 loops; ch 1 to finish stitch & make the eye of the star. Continue to the end of your round. HDC at the end and turn.
Row 2, CH 2, counts as a HDC; make 2 HDC in each "eye" of previous row across, then HDC in the last st, finish off & leave a tail for sewing.
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FINISHING TOUCHES
Because the joins on my bag are not perfectly symmetrical, that is what I considered the BACK of the bag (where the bag sits against my daughter's back), so I attached the Flap and straps to THAT side!!
Using tapestry/yarn needle, attach your straps to the loops of the FLO row at the bottom row of the bag, and top of the top edge SC rows of the bag.
If you left space for a button, decide where you want the flap to close on the front of the bag, and stitch a fun button on the front!
VOILA!! You are finished!!
I would LOVE to see YOUR finished works, and would appreciate it very much if you'd refer back to my pattern/blog if sharing.
Of course, if you'd like to purchase a completed bag, I will be making them available in my Etsy shop as well!! (https://www.etsy.com/listing/176648729/unique-star-stitch-crochet-backpack)
