We designed the Bijou backpack because we know you have places to go. Sometimes, you want to be hands-free, but purses get in the way. Store everything you need in this fun-size, elegant backpack.
You’ll be working with the lemon peel stitch to get that nice, tight texture of a strong bag. Choose your colors and your button to match with one another, and you’re in business.
We can see this backpack working just great for a trip to the beach, a day spent strolling around a museum, our getting touted around as you explore somewhere new. There’s no handles or straps to get in your way, so you can go wherever you want to go.
Bijou is a word borrowed from the French which means a small piece of jewelry or something small and valuable. That’s what we think of this backpack, too.
You’ve always got a bunch of stuff you’re bringing with you. Now you’ll actually want to bring it.
Bijou Backpack Crochet Pattern
Supplies:
400 yds of Sol Degrade Aran weight yarn
5.5mm hook
Yarn needle
Sewing Needle
Grey Thread
Button
Scissors
Special stitches
Lemon peel stitch
Make one sc into the first st, and a dc into the next, repeat around. On next round, make a dc into the previous rows sc, and a sc into the previous rows dc.
I cord
Ch 3. In the second loop from hook, pull a loop through, giving you two loops on hook. Keeping the second loop, pull another loop up through the last ch. keeping a hold of the first two loops, pull them off the hook. Yo and pull through remaining loop. Pick up the middle loop, yo and pull through, repeat for the last loop. Repeat until the desired length is reached.
Abbreviations:
Begin with a magic circle or ch 3 and sl st to first ch to create a loop, and make 12 dc. Sl st to join, ch 2.
Row 1: Make one dc in the same sp as ch, then two dc in each st around.
Row 2: Make one dc into the same sp as ch, then one into the next st. 2 dc in the next st, then one into the next st. Repeat around.
Row 3: Make one dc into the same so as the ch, then one into each of the next two st. 2 dc into the next st, then one into the next two st. Repeat around.
Row 4-6: Make one dc into the same sp as the ch, then one in the next 3 st. Two dc into the next st, then one into the next 3. Repeat around.
Row 7: dc around.
Row 8-30: Lemon peel st. Sc into first st, dc into next round, always working the sc into the previous rounds dc, and working the dc into the previous rounds sc.
Row 31 & 32: sc around
Row 33: make 5 sc, ch 1 sk 1, 5 sc ch 1 sk 1 around
Row 34: sc around
Row 35: make 20 sc, turn work. This begins the flap portion of the bag, so we are no longer working in the round.
Row 36-46: Lemon peel st, breaking yarn after the last row
Sl st to join yarn at the base of the flap, making one sc into each st up the side of the flap. Make 3 sc into the corner, and sc across. Make 3 sc into the next corners, and sc down the other side of the flap and around the top of the bag. Sl st to join.
Work one sc into each st to the corner of the flap. Make 10 sc across, ch 3, sk 1, then make 10 more sc along the top. Finish round with one sc in each st. Break yarn.
Straps (make two):
Make 65 fdhdc, ch 1, 1 hdc in each st. Break yarn leaving a long tail. Line up the strap with ethe dge of the flap, leaving about 3 rows of gap. Pull tail thru and sl st or whip st in place. If using the whip st, go over each st twice to ensure a secure attachment. Weave in ends securely.
To attach the bottom of the strap, use a 18-20 inch piece of yarn. Pull the first whip st through from the back, leaving a tail. Whip st strap on, ending where you began, knot the ends together then weave in separately.
Ch a 30 inch long strap, break yarn and weave through ch 1 spaces.
Find the center of the bag, sew the button on to the last row of Lemon peel.
Optional I cord hanging loop:
Make a 10 row I cord, leaving long tails on each end. Mark center stitch between backpack straps and pull each tail two stitches away from the center stitch. Pull enough that the base of the I cord pokes through, and whip st in place.
What adventures did your bag go on? We want to see! Take a picture of you and your stylish self-wearing your newly made bag. And once you’ve made that bag, we’ve got another one for you. This lilac roped bag is cute and dainty and will make a great addition to your purse collection.