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Lipa Backpack is a free tapestry crochet backpack pattern here on the blog. Read through the blog about the inspiration behind this design or scroll down for the free pattern.
TAPESTRY CROCHET BACKPACK DESIGN PROCESS
I am going back to my national roots with my latest crochet backpack design. I have incorporated a linden tree (Lipa) into the tapestry backpack design.
Linden tree is a national symbol in Slovakia and linden leaf is part of our state seal too.
I never really realised how connected to this beautiful tree I am! My dear grandma used to have a huge linden tree in her front yard that can be seen from far away.
We used to take long walks to grandma’s house and the tree was always a landmark we walked towards. There was an old wooden bench underneath.
I don’t remember much of my dear grandfather because he passed away when I was little, but I have one image of him in my head.
He sat on this very bench underneath the linden tree in full bloom wearing his mustard coloured cord trousers.
I remember the sweet-smelling linden tree flowers. Grandma used to make the best tasting linden flower tea and we used to enjoy a cup together.
Slovakia is beautiful and there is a romantic castle where I come from- Bojnice castle. There is a linden tree growing in the grounds of this castle that has been planted back in 1301 and is a national treasure!
It is a magical place full of history.
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YARN AND TECHNIQUE I USED FOR MY TAPESTRY CROCHET BACKPACK
I have chosen to work with Scheepjes Cahlista. It is an aran/worsted weight 100% cotton yarn which is perfect for this design. You can substitute it for any strong cotton yarn.
I used tapestry crochet technique to incorporate the tree design. I have included a chart of the tree design and you carry the black yarn when not used.
Whether you are a tapestry pro, or this is your first time trying this technique, to help you along I have made a quick video tutorial on how to work this tapestry crochet backpack.
Grab the ad free printer friendly version of this pattern from my pattern shops.
MATERIALS
- Scheepjes Cahlista; aran/worsted weight; 100% double gassed cotton; 85m per 50g;
1 ball each in Metal Grey, Bridal White and Jet Black, 4 balls in Mercury
- 4.5mm and 3 mm crochet hooks
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
FINISHED SIZE OF TAPESTRY CROCHET BACKPACK
24cm width x 32 cm height
TENSION
18 st x 16 rows = 10 x 10 cm measured over sc blo
STITCHES AND ABBREVIATIONS (US CROCHET TERMS)
ch- chain stitch
mc- magic circle
sc- single crochet
sc blo– single crochet worked through back loop only
sl st- slip stitch
For abbreviations master list as set out by Craft Yarn Council, please CLICK HERE.
PATTERN NOTES
- The pattern starts with crocheting a circle that becomes the bottom of the backpack
- The body of the backpack is then worked straight onto the circle
- The front has a tree picture that is worked from a chart below
- The black yarn is then carried around the back by working over it
- You can watch a video tutorial on colour changes and carrying yarn CLICK HERE
- The fastening is created by making 6 holes in the top using a twisted string
- The twisted string can be replaced by chaining enough stitches to create a 1 metre long string
- The back straps are worked separately and sewn on
- Straps start with a long starting chain which is worked into on both sides of foundation chain in rectangle shape
SIZE ADJUSTMENTS
- To adjust the width, you need to work additional rounds of the bottom circle. Make sure to position the tree chart in the middle of the front part.
- The height can be adjusted by working more/less rounds of the main body
TAPESTRY CROCHET BACKPACK MAIN PATTERN
BOTTOM CIRCLE
With Metal Grey create a magic circle.
Rnd 1: 1 ch (doesn’t count as a st here and throughout the pattern), 6 sc into mc, sl st to 1st st to join into round. 6 sc
Rnd 2: 1 ch, 2 sc blo in each st around, sl st to 1st st. 12 sc
Rnd 3: 1 ch, (1 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 18 sc
Rnd 4: 1 ch, (2 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 24 sc
Rnd 5: 1 ch, (3 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 30 sc
Rnd 6: 1 ch, (4 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 36 sc
Rnd 7: 1 ch, (5 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 42 sc
Rnd 8: 1 ch, (6 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 48 sc
PATTERN CONTINUES
Rnd 9: 1 ch, (7 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 54 sc
Rnd 10: 1 ch, (8 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 60 sc
Rnd 11: 1 ch, (9 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 66 sc
Rnd 12: 1 ch, (10 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 72 sc
Rnd 13: 1 ch, (11 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 78 sc
Rnd 14: 1 ch, (12 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 84 sc
Rnd 15: 1 ch, (13 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 90 sc
Rnd 16: 1 ch, (14 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 96 sc
Rnd 17: 1 ch, (15 sc blo, 2 sc blo into next st) repeat around, sl st to 1st st. 102 sc
MAIN BODY OF TAPESTRY CROCHET BACKPACK
Fasten off and join Mercury.
Rnd 18 – 28: 1 ch, 1 sc blo around, sl st to 1st st. 102 sc
Rnd 29 – 61: 1 ch, 35 sc blo, continue pattern with chart over 31 sts, sc blo to end, sl st to 1st st. 102 sc
Rnd 62 – 65: 1 ch, 1 sc blo around, sl st to 1st st. 102 sc
Rnd 66: 1 ch, 8 sc blo, 2 ch, miss next st, (16 sc blo, 2 ch, miss next st) repeat 5 times, sc blo to end, sl st to 1st st. 96 sc
Rnd 67: 1 ch, 8 sc blo, 1 sc into next 2 ch-sp, (16 sc blo, 1 sc into next 2 ch-sp) repeat 5 times, sc blo to end, sl st to 1st st. 102 sc
Rnd 68 – 71: 1 ch, 1 sc blo around, sl st to 1st st. 102 sc
Fasten off.
BACK STRAPS (make 2)
With Bridal White chain 146.
Rnd 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc across to last ch, (1 sc, 2 ch, 2 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc) in last ch, continue working into underside of the foundation chain, 1 sc in each ch across until last (which is the first ch worked into on the top side), (1 sc, 2 ch, 2 sc, 2 ch) into last ch, sl st to 1st sc. 296 sc
Fasten off, join Mecury.
Rnd 2: 1 ch, *1 sc in each st across to next 2 ch-sp, (1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc) in next 2 ch-sp; repeat from * around, sl st to 1st st. 304 sc
Fasten off, join Jet Black.
Rnd 3: 1 ch, *1 sc in each st across to next 2 ch-sp, (1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc) in next 2 ch-sp; repeat from * around, sl st to 1st st. 312 sc
Fasten off.
STRING
- Cut 2 metres length of Bridal White and Jet Black yarn
- Hold both strands together
- Get a helper to hold one end
- With the yarn strands stretched out, start twisting the yarn clockwise and your helper anticlockwise (in the opposite direction)
- Keep going until the yarn is well twisted
- Hold the yarn end tightly, place your finger at the middle point, put the two ends together (either hand your end to the helper or vice versa) and let the yarn twist around each other creating 1 m long twisted string
FINISHING INSTRUCTIONS
Sew in all ends.
Thread the string through the holes at the top of the backpack
Using safety pins, position the back straps onto the back using photo as a guide. Sew on securely.
Happy crocheting! I hope you enjoyed the pattern.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this tapestry crochet backpack pattern. I have more free crochet patterns and tutorials that you might enjoy right here on the blog.
For more inspiration check out 10 Beautiful Crochet Bag Patterns That Are A Must Make- Free Patterns.
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Tapestry Crochet Backpack – Free crochet pattern
