Hi there!

This Back to School Series has been so much fun to put together for you all and I am so glad that I got to bring you some fun patterns to brighten up your new school year!

I hope you enjoyed all of the patterns as much as I have!

The final installment is the Aubrie Big Kid Backpack! Inspired by my spunky niece who is always full of excitement and energy (give me some of that, am I right?), this bag will work as hard as your big kid!


Make it in any color scheme for your boys and girls - or for yourself! This "Big Kid" bag would also fit an adult nicely, with plenty of space for books, magazines, mobile devices, and your latest crochet project!


Don't forget about Grayson's Little Kid Backpack that matches this baby! This guy is best for toddlers and young primary school kids.

I made this bag using strong Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn - my most favorite yarn ever! Right now its a bit hard to find in stores, so head on over to the LB website and snag some of this stuff on sale - it really is my most favorite ever. Like I can't get enough. And that is the truth. Amen.

Click HERE for that!

Whip up this cute bag in a jiff, you won't be sorry!

PATTERN:


Materials:
-Lion brand 24/7 Cotton in Ecru, Sky, Pink, and Lilac (2 skeins each)
-Size K 6.5mm crochet hook
-Tapestry needle
-6 ft. of paracord/parachute cord (I found 16ft. packs of these in the jewelry-making section of my craft store-hang onto the rest for the matching Little Kid Backpack found HERE!)

***Note: The entire bag will be made holding a double strand. Crochet holding 2 strands of the same color together, and working with them as if they were one chunkier strand.

Bag Base:
With Lilac, Ch 23
Round 1: 3 Sc in 2nd Ch from hook, Sc in next 19, 3 Sc in last Ch, turn to work in the other side of your foundation Ch, Sc across, sl st to first Sc in the round to join, Ch 1
Round 2: 2 Sc in each of first 3 sts, Sc in next 19, 2 Sc in next 4, Sc in next 16, sl st to join, Ch 1
Round 3: 2 Sc in each of first 3 sts, Sc in next 20, 2 Sc in next 3, Sc in next 19, sl st to join, Ch 1
Round 4: 2 Sc in each of first 5 sts, Sc in next 24, 2 Sc in next 5, Sc in next 19, sl st to join, Ch 1
Round 5: Sc in each st around, sl st to join - don't finish off, continue with body of bag

Body of Bag:
***Note: When joining each round, join to the first stitch in the round, Ch 1, then work the first st of the next round in the same stitch as your starting Ch

-continuing-
Round 6: (Sc in back loops only for this entire round) *Sc, 2 Sc, repeat from * around until you have 24 sts left open, Sc in these last 24 sts (this is the back side of your bag), sl st to join, Ch 1
Rounds 7-48: Sc in each st around, sl st to join, Ch 1
Color changes are as follows:
Round 17: Color change to Pink
Round 22: Color change to Ecru
Round 27: Color change to Sky
Round 38: Color change to Ecru
Round 43: Color change to Lilac
Round 48: Color change to Pink

Round 49: Sc in first 3 sts, *Ch 2, skip 2, Sc in next 3 sts, repeat from * around, sl st to join, Ch 1
Round 44: Dc in each st around, placing 2 Dc in each Ch space, sl st to join, finish off, weave all ends
Straps:
*Make 2
With Pink, Ch 9 (leave a long tail on your starting slip knot for sewing later)
Row 1: Sc in 2nd Ch from hook and in each st across, Ch 1, turn
Rows 2-65: Sc in each st across, Ch 1, turn
Row 66: Sc in each st across, finish off leaving a long tail for sewing

-Sew straps onto bag using a tapestry needle. Sew one end of the strap to the base of the bag on Round 6 (where you see the edging from stitching in the back loops only)
-Sew the other end of the strap to Round 40. I sewed strap 1 between sts 6 & 11, and strap 2 between sts 60 & 65

Drawstring:
-Cut your piece of paracord down to 6 ft. long. (At this stage I VERY CAREFULLY burned the ends of the cord with a lighter to keep from fraying)
-Weave the cord in and out of your Ch 2 spaces from Round 49 of the bag. There should be a Ch space at the front center of the bag, you want both ends of the paracord to come out that slot. Pull the cord tightly to gather the top of the bag and tie in a bow



Don't forget to PIN this project to your Pinterest boards!


Enjoy your freshly finished Little Kid Backpack! Be sure to check out my Big Kid Backpack coming up soon!