Learn how to make a fun crochet daisy granny square backpack by following this free crochet pattern for beginners. Includes full video tutorial.

This crochet backpack pattern was inspired by my Daisy Granny Square Blanket pattern, which is also free right here on my blog! The blanket pattern is my best selling pattern PDF to date so I thought why not create a backpack version!

My daughter Ava’s birth flower is the daisy. The daisy represents purity and innocence. It is often associated with children and is a symbol of motherhood, new beginnings, and rebirth. Isn’t that beautiful?

This design is so versatile and useful! One of the great things about this pattern is you could easily make a sunflower granny square backpack just by changing up the colors.

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission, at NO ADDITIONAL cost to you, from purchases made using the links provided.

If you’re more of a printed pattern gal, like myself, here is a link to the paid ad-free PDF in my shop.

Crochet Daisy Granny Square Backpack

This pattern teaches you how to crochet a backpack using daisy granny squares. These are perfect for all your on the go spring and summer activities. This backpack is perfect for a beach day, as a library tote (hello, summer reading list) or as a daily grab and go bag!

Strap Options- Choose One

Tulip i-cord knitting machine
4mm Cotton Rope
Crochet i-Cord

For instructions on how to make the Tulip i-cord check out my USA Backpack Pattern under “I-Cord Drawstring Assembly.”

Stitch Key (US Terms)

Magic Circle
CH= Chain
SC= Single Crochet
DC= Double Crochet
HDC= Half Double Crochet
POP= Popcorn Stitch (explained below)
SL ST= Slip Stitch

Popcorn Stitch: DC 4 times in the space, remove your hook from your working yarn, insert your hook into the top of the first DC, grab your working yarn, and pull through. If you need more help please watch the free video that goes with this pattern. (Time Stamp: 3:50)

Magic Circle: We will be using the Magic Circle method in this pattern. If you are unfamiliar please watch the free video tutorial that goes with this pattern. (Time Stamp: 2:35)

Gauge

There is no gauge with this project because the finished pocket doesn’t have to be a specific size. My backpack is about 15″ tall – 14″ wide. My tension was wonky for this design so your backpack might be a different size but that’s ok.

Chart

Front Panel: For the front panel of your backpack, you’ll make 9 daisy granny squares. 5 of them will be made with body color A (as shown in the diagram with the green colored squares), and 4 will be made with body color B (as shown in the diagram with the white squares).

Back Panel: For the back panel you’ll make 9 granny squares without the daisy. 4 with color A, and 5 with color B. See the diagram above for a layout of each set of granny squares.

Here is the full video tutorial for my visual learning friends.

Daisy Granny Square Backpack Pattern

Closed Daisy Granny Square

Using your H (4.00mm) hook and Mustard color yarn, create a Magic Circle.

Row 1: CH 3 (does NOT count as stitch) DC 12 times into the center of the Magic Circle, pull Magic Circle tail tight to close the ring. Join into the top of the first DC, change color to Linen yarn, CH 3.

The CH 3 made with your Linen yarn DOES count as your first DC in your first POP petal.

Row 2: POP, CH 1 in each stitch around for a total of 12 POP stitches with chains. These are our daisy flower petals. (12 POP stitches)

Note: Your POP stitches should be popping out towards you. To see this in action reference the pattern video at Time Stamp 2:35.

Using square body color A join into the top of the CH 3.

Using square body color A join into the top of the CH 3.

Row 3: CH 2 (DOES count as a stitch), 3 HDC into the top of the next three stitches and chains.

Note: There are two different types of corners, type A and type B. I work both corners into the stitch instead of the chain space to avoid holes in the square.

Corner A: 2 DC, CH 1, 2 DC in the same stitch. *5 HDC, Corner A (2 DC, CH 1, 2 DC)* (repeat * 3 times)

1 HDC, join into the top of CH 2.

Row 4: CH 2, 5 HDC,

Corner B: Insert hook into Row 3 corner stitch, 2 HDC, CH 1, 2 HDC in that stitch.

*HDC 9, Corner B (2 HDC, CH 1, 2 HDC)* (repeat 3 times)

3 HDC, join Into the top of CH 2.

Row 5: CH 2, 8 HDC (the 8th stitch will go into the corner stitch from Row 4), Corner B (2 HDC, CH 1, 2 HDC) In the 9th stitch.

Note: When using HDC as the main stitch, the corners begin to shift slightly from the tension of the stitch. In order to keep the square a square, and keep it from looking like a ninja star, you’ll move your beginning corner stitches over by one stitch in Row 5. If you need more help please watch the free video that goes with this pattern. (Time Stamp: 13:05).

13 HDC, Corner B (2 HDC, CH 1, 2 HDC)* (repeat * 2 times)

4 HDC, join Into top of CH 2. Cut yarn here, leave a tail long enough to sew in.

All squares should have 17 stitches on each side and one corner stitch in each corner for a total of 19 stitches per side.

Weave in all the tails except the last one you made when competing the square. I leave this one out to help me line up all my squares during assembly.

You’re first instinct might be to tie some of your tails together to make sure it stays secure, don’t do this. If you tie the tails it will make the front of the square pucker.

For more tips sewing in your tails, please watch the free video that goes with this pattern (Time Stamp: 17:00).

Once you’ve sewn your tails In, block each square.

Closed Granny Square Pattern

If you’re following along with the video this part of the pattern starts at Time Stamp 18:32.

With one of the square body colors start a Magic Circle.

Row 1: CH 3 (does not count as a stitch) DC 12 times into the center of the magic circle, pull Magic Circle tail tight to close the ring. Join into the top of the first DC.

Row 2: CH 2 (does NOT count as a stitch), 2 HDC in each stitch around, join into top of first HDC. (24)

For Rows 3, 4, &5, the chain 2 DOES count as a stitch.

Row 3: CH 2, 3 HDC, Corner A (2 DC, CH 1, 2 DC in the same stitch),

*5 HDC, Corner A*, Repeat * 3 times for four corners, 1 HDC, join into top of CH 2.

Row 4: CH 2, 3 HDC, Corner A (2 DC, CH 1, 2 DC in the same stitch),

*5 HDC, Corner A*, Repeat * 3 times for four corners, 1 HDC, join into top of CH 2.

Row 5: CH 2, 8 HDC (the 8th stitch will go into the corner stitch from Row 4), Corner B (2 HDC, CH 1, 2 HDC) in the 9th stitch of Row 4.

*13 HDC, Corner B (2 HDC, CH 1, 2 HDC)*, (repeat * 3 times),

4 HDC, join into top of CH 2. Cut yarn here, leave a tail long enough to sew in.

All squares should have 17 stitches on each side and one corner stitch in each corner for a total of 19 stitches per side.

Sew in your tails, leaving that last tail out for placement during assembly.

Block squares. Each square should be about 4″.

Joining Granny Squares

If you’re following along with the video for this pattern this section begins at Time Stamp 26:00.

Pro Tip: I am much better at explaining this in the video. There’s a chart and everything.

To assemble our squares we will be using a Join As You Go method. (JAYG)

To start, grab one of the Daisy Granny Squares with the body color you made five of.

Insert hook into the bottom right corner stitch, SC in the same stitch and every stitch across (19).

Your 19th SC will be in the top-right corner stitch of your square.

Continuing along the top side, SC into the same corner stitch (this stitch now has 2 SC in it) and every stitch across, the 19th stitch should be in the top left corner (19).

This top side will be where you left your tail out, refer to the video, Time Stamp 29:26, for how to work around the tail if you need more help.

Grab your second square. (Using the tails we left out earlier make sure it’s facing the same way as your first square so that the squares start stacking vertically)

We are going to SC 19 across the bottom of your second square while connecting it to

our first square. This is our JAYG.

Make your first SC in the CH stitch in the bottom left corner of your second square.

Remove your hook from your working yarn. Insert your hook into the 19th SC of the

first square. (you’re working back into the SC you just placed in your first square)

Grab your working yarn and pull through.

SC into the next stitch of the second square, remove your hook from your working yarn, insert hook into the next stitch of the first square.

Repeat these steps for every stitch across.

(For more help with the JAYG method please watch the free video for this pattern starting at Time Stamp 30:30.)

Now you will SC 19 up the right side of the second square. The first SC will go in in the same corner chain so there are 2 SC in the bottom right corner chain. (19)

SC 19 along the top of the second square. (don’t forget to crochet around the tail)

Grab your third square.

The first SC will go into the bottom left corner. We are going to SC across the bottom of your third square while connecting it to our second square using the JAYG method. (Time Stamp 35:45)

SC in the bottom right of the third square corner chain so there are 2 SC in the corner, then SC up the right side of the square (19).

SC in the same corner, so there are 2 SC in the top right corner, then SC across the top for a total of 19 stitches.

Working along the left side of the joined Daisy Granny Squares, SC 19 per square. (57)

Note: The 19th stitch will look like it needs to go into an already used corner stitch. Instead of SC in each corner stitch, you’ll mimic a SC DEC to combine the corner stitches to keep your count correct. (time stamp 38:30)

Now we are going to start our second column. Grab the square that will be in the bottom center of the front of your backpack.

Place first SC into the added square. Using JAYG, join into the last stitch from the 57 stitches down the left-side of your first 3 squares.

Repeat these steps for the remaining squares, referring to the chart under “Joining Granny Squares” for guidance.

If you need help refer to the video that goes with this pattern. (Time Stamp 41:50)

Block the final rectangle of squares.

Daisy Granny Square Backpack Assembly – Time Stamp 47:26

Now we’ll join both short ends of the backpack.

With your work facing right side up, insert hook into the top left corner, flip your work over so the wrong side is facing you, then fold the rectangle so both short sides meet on top and the right side of your work is facing out.

SC into corner stitch of the side that doesn’t have any SC. SC and JAYG to connect the two sides (57).

Flip your bag inside out and fold it so that all the Daisy Granny Squares are on one side, SC both sides of the bag together, closing up the bottom. (57) (Time Stamp 50:00)

As you come to the corners of the squares you’ll SC DEC like you did before.

Tie off.

Turn right side out. Block once more so the bottom of the back pack sits nicer.

Daisy Granny Square Straps

Start by placing stitch markers at each corner of the opening of the backpack. You can double check the placement of the stitch markers by counting that there are 57 stitches including the stitches that are marked. This is where you will attach your strap tunnel.

Row 1: Ch 58, skip chain closest to the hook, SC in back bump of second stitch from the hook, SC in back bump of each stitch across. Ch 1, turn. (57)

Row 2: SC 57, Ch 1, turn. (57)

Row 3-10: Repeat row 2.

Now we’ll attach these rows to the body of the backpack by SC them to the front of the backpack. (Time Stamp 56:47)

Fold the strap tunnel in half long ways and insert hook through both sides of the tunnel and into the first corner of the backpack. SC 57, going through all three layers. Tie off.

Repeat these steps for the back strap tunnel.

If you are looking at your backpack, right side up, your first strap will go into the left side of the front strap tunnel and out the right side. Wrap it around and go into the right side of the back strap tunnel and out the left side. (Time Stamp 1:01:50) The key is to have a strap looping around both sides of the strap tunnels.

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. (Time Stamp 1:02:26)

Refer to the images below for placement.

After you have placement figured out, pull each strap through the strap tunnels in the way you lined them up. I find it easiest to feed a large crochet hook through the strap tunnels to grab the strap and pull it through.

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.

Pro Tip: Check out my scrap yarn trick to make pulling the cording into the backpack easier (1:03:43)

Sew in all tails.

Tada! Now you have a super cute Daisy Granny Square Backpack!

I hope you enjoyed this free crochet pattern. As always, you are more than welcome to sell the finished pieces you make using my crochet patterns, I hope you sell a ton! Your customers are going to love these.

Don’t forget to grab your freebie! This free sheet of backpack product tags is a great way to price your items at craft fairs!

If you share any pictures of your Daisy Granny Square Backpack, I would love to see them! Tag me @ACraftyConcept on social media if you’d like to share. 

Need more crochet backpack patterns in your life?! I have multiple free crochet backpack patterns here on my blog! Click the picture below to see all the different options, I love the USA one for summer and the pencil one for back to school season!

Happy Crocheting
🩷 Ashley