Learn how to make a crochet pencil backpack with this easy-to-follow and free crochet pattern with full video tutorial. You’ll have a blast creating this super cute and fun accessory using the step-by-step instructions. Get ready to show of your back-to-school style!
If you like this crochet pencil backpack, make sure to check out all of the other free crochet backpack options here on the blog!
Here is the full video tutorial for my visual learning friends.
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Materials
Worsted weight yarn (Pink, Light Gray, Yellow, Linen, Dark Gray)
4.5mm Crochet hook
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Stitch markers or scrap yarn
Puff Paint (to make # 2)
Strap Options– Choose One
Tulip i-cord knitting machine
4mm Cotton Rope
Crochet i-Cord
Click the pic to shop!
Stitch Key (US Terms)
CH= Chain
SC= Single Crochet
INC= Increase (put two stitches in the same space. In this case, single crochet stitches)
SL ST= Slip Stitch
JAYG= Join as you go
SPECIAL STITCHES
Join as you go (JAYG): This is a joining technique I learned from Cypress Textiles while making her Trellis and Chevron baby blanket and I have used it ever since! I love joining this way because it’s faster, there are fewer tails to weave in and it makes a pretty join.
This is used when you are taking two crochet pieces and joining them together.
*Insert your hook into piece A and SC. Remove your hook from the loop.
Insert your hook into the same stitch but on piece, B. Grab the loop still attached to piece A and pull it through piece B’s stitch. Repeat from *.
If you’re still confused, watching the video should clear it up for you!
Back Bump: This is where you flip your starting chain over and insert your hook into the “back bump” of the chain and place your stitch there.
SC in the Camel Hump: This stitch is just a regular single crochet stitch, the only difference is the placement of the stitch. Each stitch is placed in the back bar of the SC instead of the top. This is explained best in the video that goes with this post.
Finished Dimensions: 10″ tall – 10″ wide (my tension was weird so mine turned out a little small)
Chart
Crochet Pencil Backpack Pattern
Strap Tunnel
With your 4.5mm crochet hook and your Dark Gray yarn
Make a slip knot and CH 43.
Row 1: Skip the back bump closest to your hook, SC 42 in each back bump. CH 1, turn. (42)
Rows 2-9: SC 42. CH 1, turn. (42)
Tie off.
Using your Dark Gray Yarn repeat Rows 1-9 to create a second panel (do not tie off)
Now we are going to turn our work into a little tunnel for the drawstrings to go through. This will be Row 1 of the body.
Row 1: Fold your panel in half, hot dog style, so that row 9 and row 1 are touching.
Making sure your stitches are lined up, SC row 9 and row 1 together with 42 SC. (do not tie off)
Folding the second panel, continue working 42 SC in each stitch across in the tops of row 9 and row 1 of the second panel, connecting the two panels together.
Join your two tubes together (making sure they are not twisted), join with a sl st to the first SC of the first tube. CH 1 and turn. This is the first row of the body of your pencil backpack and the first row after the tunnel in the chart.
Body
The first row of the body was completed by connecting the gray tubes together.
Attach Linen Yarn
Rows 2-8: SC 84. Sl st to beginning SC. CH 1, turn. (84)
Row 9: Using Linen Yarn, SC 2. Using Yellow Yarn, SC 1. * Using Linen Yarn, SC 5. Using Yellow Yarn, SC 1. * Repeat * * around. Using Linen Yarn, SC in the last 3 sts. Sl st to beginning SC. CH 1, turn. (84)
Row 10: Using Linen Yarn, SC 3. Using Yellow Yarn, SC 1. * Using Linen Yarn, SC 5. Using Yellow Yarn, SC 1. * Repeat * * around. Using Linen Yarn, SC in the last 2 sts. Sl st to beginning SC. CH 1, turn. (84)
Row 11: Using Linen Yarn, SC 1. Using Yellow Yarn, SC 3. * Using Linen Yarn, SC 3. Using Yellow Yarn, SC 3. * Repeat * * around. Using Linen Yarn, SC in the last 2 sts. Sl st to beginning SC. CH 1, turn. (84)
Row 12: Using Linen Yarn, SC 2. Using Yellow Yarn, SC 3. * Using Linen Yarn, SC 3. Using Yellow Yarn, SC 3 * Repeat * * around. Using Linen Yarn, SC in the last st. sl st to beginning SC. CH 1, turn. (84)
Row 13: * Using Yellow Yarn, SC 5. Using Line Yarn, SC 1. * Repeat * * around. Sl st to beginning SC. CH 1, turn. (84)
Row 14: Using Linen Yarn, SC 1. * Using Yellow Yarn, SC 5. Using Linen Yarn, SC 1. * Repeat * * around. Using Yellow Yarn, SC in the last 5 sts. sl st to beginning SC. CH 1, turn. Fasten off Linen Yarn. (84)
Rows 15-36: Using Yellow Yarn, SC 84. sl st to beginning SC. CH 1, turn. (84)
Attach Light Gray Yarn
Row 37: SC 84. sl st to beginning SC. CH 1, turn. (84)
Row 38: SC in the Camel Hump in each st around. (84)
Row 39: SC 84. sl st to beginning SC. CH 1, turn. (84)
Row 40: SC in the Camel Hump in each st around. (84)
Row 41: SC 84. sl st to beginning SC. CH 1, turn. (84)
Row 42: SC in the Camel Hump in each st around. (84)
Attach Pink Yarn
Rows 43-49: SC 84. sl st to beginning SC. CH 1, turn. (84)
Tie off.
Closing
Turn your pencil backpack inside out and flatten your bag so the opening of the two tunnels are on the sides.
Insert your hook into your working yarn. We will be closing up the bottom of our Pencil backpack with the Join As You Go method.
Tip: If you do not like the JAYG method you can SC your two ends together if you prefer.
Place a SC in the first stitch next to your ch 1.
Remove your hook from your working yarn. Insert your hook into the stitch directly across from where you just placed your SC. Grab your working yarn and pull through.
Insert your hook into the next stitch (next to your first SC). Remove your hook and insert it into the stitch directly across from the SC you just made.
If you haven’t noticed yet we are pairing up the front 42 stitches with the back 42 stitches.
Grab your working yarn and pull it through the stitch. Continue down until you have 42 JAYG stitches completed. Tie off and sew in your tails.
Flip your backpack right-side out.
I-Cord Drawstring Assembly
Here is how to make your Pencil backpack strap using the Tulip I-cord maker. I show this in the USA Backpack video tutorial if you need to see it step-by-step.
Grab your Tulip I-cord maker and yarn. I used Pink for my straps.
Cast on by catching the yarn on every other hook of the I-cord maker.
Crank until your cord is about 60 inches long.
Tie off.
Repeat for your second cord.
If you are looking at your backpack, right side up, your first strap will go into the left side of the front tunnel and out the right side. Wrap it around and go into the right side of the back tunnel and out the left side.
Your second strap will be the opposite. Go into the right side of the front tunnel and out the left. Wrap it around to the back tunnel and go into the left side and out the right.
After you have both straps going through the strap tunnels we need to secure them to the bottom of the backpack.
Line up where you want the bottom of the straps to be attached so they are symmetrical. Pull the ends of the straps to the inside of your backpack with your large crochet hook.
Once they’re on the inside of your backpack, knot the ends together. Repeat for your second strap.
Sew in all of your tails
Use your puff paint to add the number two to your crochet Pencil Backpack.
Be sure to let it fully dry before using your new bag!
For more information on using Puff Paint with your crochet makes, check out my Puff Paint How To Video.
I hope you had a blast making your own Crochet Pencil Backpack! Now, rock the back-to-school season, or any arts and crafts event with your unique backpack. As always, you are more than welcome to sell the finished pieces you make using my crochet patterns. Let your creativity shine and make this school year extra special for your customers.
If you make a crochet Pencil backpack and post any pics, I would love to see them! Tag me @ACraftyConcept on social media if you’d like to share.
Happy Crocheting
🩷 Ashley
