HAPPY Rucksack - FREE Crochet PATTERN - PART 1

Lots of sunshine, warm temperatures, warmer nights and the odd days with showers, that has been our summer experience here in Kent, UK, and we have been enjoying it !  

And what does all this good weather bring? days out and about and not much crocheting in sight! Well for me, that has been the case and I have taken most of the summer season to relax and enjoy our visitors, travels, day trips and family instead. 

I am thoroughly enjoying the time away from crochet and everything to do with it - blogging, pattern writing, answering emails, FB crochet groups, and the like. It has been so relaxing and stress free, absolute bliss!

However, I must admit to some odd evenings I have crocheted away a few hours before bedtime. Just so many daylight hours during summer and even after a big day out, there are still daylight hours to fill in the late evening.  Lovely.

This is how my HAPPY rucksack came about. A need for a pretty little bag for day trips out and about.

I crochet the rucksack, from start to finish over five days  NIGHTS. 

I never thought I would be sharing this pattern, therefore I don't have photos of the actually steps for each pattern stitch of each row. However, I have done my best with the photos I did take after the making of the bag (and even after using it) so you can see how the stitch pattern rounds look close up.

I love this bag, so much, I am happy to share and walk you through the simple pattern combinations I used.  The simple pattern stitches and the design were decided as I crocheted, nothing planned ahead, just crocheting in the round, changing the stitch, round by round, changing colour, round by round, and working with remnants of my yarn stash.  That is why the main colour is orange, I had a good amount of it, and a smaller amount of the purple, green, pink and pale blue.   

You can use as many colours as you like, you may want to use just one (1) colour, or just two (2) colours, or you may want to change colour every row.  It's all good, it's about creating a HAPPY rucksack.

PLEASE NOTE:  

INSTRUCTIONS for the bag will be in THREE (3) PARTS.  

Today I will share with you PART 1, covering the Foundation Row and first nine (9) rounds.  Then in a few days times I will come back with PART 2, and we will continue with the following pattern rounds.

After all it is still summer time, and I am still having fun enjoying every moment of this holiday time.  So, if you have some free time to crochet this free pattern and would love a colourful rucksack or backpack for the summertime, then do join in, and crochet-a-long.

PATTERN DETAILS:

SKILL LEVEL:  Easy

YARN:  Petra Crochet Cotton 5 by DMC * Thread * 100% Cotton * 437 yards / 100 grams

TOTAL YARDAGE:  568 - 611 yards / 130-140 grams

HOOK:  2mm

MEASUREMENTS:   Length 15in (38cm) X Width 11in (28cm) - Bag circumference = 22in (56cm)

PATTERN NOTES:

Bag is crochet in the round, from bottom up.  Bottom of bag has a strong foundation row, slightly gathered.  Two drawstrings at the top, close the opening of the bag, and also serve as shoulder straps.

You will need to know how to:

• crochet in the round  
• colour change
• single crochet
• double crochet
• half double crochet

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS:  (PART 1)

ABBREVIATIONS:

Ch = chain; sc = single crochet; hdc = half double crochet; dc = double crochet; sl st = slip stitch; st/sts = stitch/es; rep = repeat; ch1-sp = chain 1 space.

WITH MC

Foundation Row:  *Ch3, dc in 3rd st from hook, rep from * 14 times (15 loops).

Rnd 1:  Ch3, *5dc in loop, 1dc in st between loops, rep from * to end, 11dc in last loop, work opposite side, ** 1dc in st between loops, 5dc in each loop, rep from ** to end, ending with 5dc in last loop, join in ch3.  (220sts)

CHANGE TO CC1

Rnd 2:  Ch3, dc around, join with sl st in ch3.

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 3:  Ch2, hdc around, join with sl st in ch2.

CHANGE TO CC2

Rnd 4:  Ch2, hdc around, join with sl st in ch2.

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 5:  Ch3, dc around, join with sl st in ch3.

Rounds 1 to 9

CHANGE TO CC3

Rnd 6:  Ch2, hdc around, join with sl st in ch2.

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 7:  Ch3, *skip next st, (1hdc, ch1 in next st), rep from * around, join with sl st in 2nd ch of ch3.

CHANGE TO CC3

Rnd 8:  Ch2, 2hdc in each ch1-sp around, join with sl st in ch2.

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 9:  Ch3, dc around, join with sl st in ch3.

PHOTO BELOW:  Bottom of bag and first nine (9) rounds.

This photo we are looking at the bottom of the bag and identifying the first nine (9) rounds.

HAPPY Rucksack FREE Crochet Pattern PART 2 - go HERE

HAPPY Rucksack FREE Crochet Pattern PART 3 - go HERE

Hope you enjoy this FREE CROCHET PATTERN for my HAPPY Rucksack and hope you are all enjoying your summer holidays!

ciao, ciao!

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet   www.crocknit.com
(C) Copyright - All rights reserved.

HAPPY Rucksack - FREE Crochet PATTERN - PART 2

ARE YOU READY FOR PART 2?  

Here we go, starting with Round 10.

For Part 1 - go HERE

CHANGE TO CC1

Rnd 10:  Ch2, hdc around, join with sl st in ch2.

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 11:  Ch3, dc in same st, *skip 1st, 2dc in next st, rep from * around, join with sl st in ch3.

CHANGE TO CC1

Rnd 12:  Ch2, hdc around, join with sl st in ch2.

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 13-14:  Ch3, dc around, join with sl st in ch3.

CHANGE TO CC2

Rnd 15:  Ch2, hdc around, join with sl st in ch2

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 16:  Ch4 (counts as 1dc, 1ch), *skip 1st, (1dc, 1ch) in next st, rep from * around, join with sl st in 3rd ch of ch4.

CHANGE TO CC2

Rnd 17:  Ch3, 1dc in ch1-sp, *2dc in next ch1-sp, rep from * around, join with sl st in ch3.

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 18:  Ch4 (counts as 1dc, 1ch), *skip 1st, (1dc, 1ch) in next st, rep from * around, join with sl st in 3rd ch of ch4.

CHANGE TO CC2

Rnd 19:  Ch2, hdc around, join with sl st in ch2.

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 20-21:  Ch3, dc around, join with sl st in ch3.

CHANGE TO CC4

Rnd 22:  Ch3, 2dc in same st, *skip 2sts, 3dc in next st, rep from * around, join with sl st in ch3.

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 23:  Sc in last dc of 3dc group, *(ch3, skip 2sts, sc in next st) rep from * around, join with sl st in sc.

Rnd 24:  Sl st in ch3-sp, ch3, 2dc in same ch3-sp, *3dc in next ch3-sp, rep from * around, join with sl st in ch3.

Rnd 25:  Ch2, hdc around, join with sl st in ch2.

CHANGE TO CC3

Rnd 26:  Ch2, hdc around, join with sl st in ch2.

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 27:  Ch3, *skip next st, (1hdc, ch1 in next st), rep from * around, join with sl st in 2nd ch of ch3.

CHANGE TO CC3

Rnd 28:  Ch2, 2hdc in each ch1-sp around, join with sl st in ch2.

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 29:  Ch3, dc around, join with sl st in ch3.

RndS 30-33:  REPEAT Rnds 26-29.

Rnds 34-43:  REPEAT Rnds 10-19.

That's all for today - enjoy!

Join me again next week for PART 3 

Finishing the FINAL ROUNDS of the RUCKSACK 

HOW TO CROCHET the top of the bag 

with special drawstring rounds

and attaching WITH NO SEW

HAPPY Rucksack 
FREE Crochet PATTERN 
Part 1 - go HERE

HAPPY Rucksack 
FREE Crochet PATTERN 
Part 3 - go HERE

Hope you're enjoying this FREE PATTERN 

for my

HAPPY Rucksack

and may you all enjoy your summer holidays!

Do contact me if you need some help - I will do my best to answer within 36hrs.

ciao, ciao!

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet   www.crocknit.com
(C) Copyright - All rights reserved.

RAINBOW TREASURES Crochet eBook

RAINBOW Crochet Treasures 

is a small collection of patterns I have included in an ebook which will help you create

colourful and unique mother and daughter accessories.
Patterns for Baby, Toddler, Child, Teen and Adult.

In this eBook you will find patterns for a hat, sun hat, keyhole scarf and mittens

 all created using lovely colourful yarns.

Rainbow Treasures 
are perfect for every day wear or a special day out.

You can create your own style 
with different colours and different yarns.

Each design has been created with a focus on simple and quick

ways to achieve a unique crochet garment.

Which one will you make first?

This CROCHET EBook INCLUDES some PATTERNS
 previously available as stand alone patterns:
Tropo Hat
Blossom Sun Hat
Rainbow Baby Mittens

NEW patterns INCLUDED ARE:
Rainbow Keyhole Scarf

and
Henrietta Fingerless Mittens

RAINBOW TREASURES 

Crochet eBook 

has a total of 22 pages. 

First nine (9) pages include 

Cover page, copyright page, welcome page, table of contents, and Things you Need to Know - Skill Level, USA/UK Hook sizes, guidelines, yarn weights, yarn substitutes, care instructions, special stitches, USA abbreviations. 

Ten (10) pages of patterns, with photos, and a closing page.

SKILL LEVEL: Easy to Intermediate (not for beginners)

This Crochet eBook written in USA - AMERICAN crochet terms.

RAINBOW TREASURES

eBook Patterns

is now available from my online stores:

CRAFTSY

ENJOY!

DIAMONDS are forever knit into a PONCHO

This is my latest creation, a knit poncho with hood for my grandchild.  Knit diamonds pattern which is super easy. 

My daughter and I both love aran style cardigans and sweaters, therefore an aran style poncho seemed like a good idea too.

If you know my work, you will know I prefer to focus on simple designs - so the question was - HOW EASY IS IT GOING TO BE? this aran style poncho?

I love a challenge, and love to create simple designs which look different and unique without too much hard work.  So coming up with a simple aran style pattern without having to use a cable needle was top of the list  with this poncho.

I searched high and low for ideas, in the end came up with two designs I liked and I would be happy using for the poncho.  Simple enough and not too taxing on the brain, however one did use a cable needle.

After consultation with my daughter, we decided on the diamonds. Super simple and no cable needle in sight.  And honeycomb and seed stitch will probably be used for a cardigan/sweater some time further down the track, when the grandchild is older.  Maybe, I think.

So DO YOU WANT TO KNOW where I found these two wonderful aran patterns?

OK, let's start with the first sample, at the bottom of the photo.

It's a honeycomb pattern with a seed stitch either side, which helps the honeycomb cable stand out.

I found it through Google search Images.  It is the "Otto Day Cardigan" by Beatrice Perron Dahlen.  You will find the lovely little design here THREAD & LADLE

And the second sample, the diamond pattern, guess where I found that?  You won't believe it - in my sweater drawer.  Yes, that's right a cotton sweater which I own has the diamond pattern in it.  And there I was searching all over the internet for something simple.  LOL

Now, without spending too much time checking it out, I am not sure how true to aran this diamond stitch pattern is?  I mean I can't find it anywhere, it doesn't use any crossed stitches or cable needle, it is just a simple knit and purl pattern.

Which is good news, right?  Simple and easy, and no cable needle in sight.

OK let's move to the important stuff - the pattern.

DIAMONDS Knit Poncho with Hood is NOW available from my online stores.  

 CRAFTSY       RAVELRY

CIAO, CIAO!

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet   www.crocknit.com

(C) Copyright - All rights reserved.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

STARFISH Crochet FREE Pattern

Here is a simple starfish motif - a five-point starfish

STARFISH motif has always been available as a FREE PATTERN from my online stores  RAVELRY and CRAFTSY

HOWEVER today I put together a short photo tutorial for you all

THIS PHOTO TUTORIAL IS ONLY AVAILABLE HERE

before you start here is HOW TO magic circle/loop/ring

Magic Adjustable Ring/Loop/Circle  ALSO known as Magic Ring, Magic Loop or Magic Circle.

Place the yarn end in your left hand, take other end and loop around two fingers, cross over yarn being held.  Hook the yarn through the circle, pull through and ch1, continue in single, half double, double or treble crochet as many times as required into the circle.  Pull the yarn tail to close the circle. 

STARFISH Motif

Starfish Pattern

Rnd 1:  Magic loop, Ch1, 10sc in loop, join with sl st in ch1. (10sts)

Increasing Rnd

Rnd 2:  Ch1, *2sc in same st, 1sc in next st, rep from * around, join with sl st.  (15sts)

Star Points

Rnd 3:  *Ch7, sc in 2^nd ch from hook, hdc in next 2sts, dc in next 2sts, tr in next st, skip 2sts, sl st in 3^rd st, rep from * to end.  (5 star points)

Continue with same yarn or change to a CC and sc around the starfish. 

Note:  If you are going to join two starfish together wait and do the Sc edge when joining the two starfish.

SC EDGE for Starfish

Continuing from end of Rnd 3, along edge of starfish.

Rnd 4:  Ch1, *Sc along edge of starfish arm in next 6 sts, 2sc in the ch of the point, sc in the next 5sts, skip next st (at the base between the arms), rep from * around, join with sl st.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Join two Starfish:  Place one starfish over the other with wrong sides facing in, and with right side facing you follow the Sc Edge instructions and join together.

NOTE:  If you wish to use single starfish, you can use the motif with or without the sc edge.

ABBREVIATIONS:

Ch = chain; sc = single crochet; hdc = half double crochet; dc = double crochet; tr = treble crochet; sl st = slip stitch; st/sts = stitch/es; rep = repeat; beg = begin/beginning.

You can make one starfish as I have done here, or make two and join them together.

Applications: 

Use your starfish in the following ways:

·         a motif;

·         make it into a brooch by joining two starfish together and then attach a brooch backing;

·         join two starfish, make a chain loop and hang off your key ring or bag;

·         make loads starfish and join with a chain to make a “starfish”garland.

May you enjoy this little photo tutorial and make many starfish to decorate your world.

STARFISH Motif is one of the patterns included 

in my BAMBINI eBook Crochet Baby Hats

ciao, ciao!

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet   www.crocknit.com
(C) Copyright - All rights reserved.

BAMBINI Crochet Baby Hats eBook

FAVOURITE CROCHET BABY HATS

HERE are ALL my favourite CROCHET baby hat PATTERNS in one place. BAMBINI Crochet eBook. This eBook has a selection of hats for baby boys and girls, simple newborn mittens, as well as flowers, heart and starfish motifs/applique.

BAMBINI Crochet eBook has a variety of crochet hats which are perfect for everyday wear or a special day out. 

BAMBINI Crochet eBook is perfect for QUICK and EASY CROCHET GIFT GIVING. You can create the perfect crochet gift for mum and her precious newborn. Make a handmade gift from a choice of eight (8) simply perfect crochet baby hat patterns; one (1) crochet mittens pattern; and five (5) motifs/appliques.

BAMBINI Crochet eBook includes the following patterns:

1. GREEN SHRIMP Hat
2. SPRING Sun Hat
3. FUCHSIA Hat
4. LITTLE BOY BLUE Hat
5. 3D Hat
6. NEWBORN Hat
7. SIMPLICITY Hat
8. SUNSHINE Sun Hat
9. SIMPLICITY Mittens

MOTIFS include:

1. Flower 6 Petal
2. Flower 5 Petal
3. Small Flower
4. Starfish
5. Heart

PATTERN DETAILS

SKILL LEVEL: Easy to Intermediate

Patterns are written in USA - AMERICAN crochet terms.

BAMBINI Crochet eBook has a total of 27 pages. First nine (9) pages include Cover page, Copyright page, Welcome page, Table of contents, and Things you Need to Know - Skill Level, USA/UK Hook sizes, Guidelines, Yarn weights, Yarn substitutes, Care instructions, Special stitches, USA abbreviations. Seventeen (17) pages of patterns, with photos, and a Closing page.

Here's a preview:

MAKE IT UNIQUE

Choose the perfect pattern, the perfect colour and the perfect yarn, and make a special gift for a special individual.

BAMBINI Crochet eBook is available from my online stores:   CRAFTSY

Enjoy!

ciao, ciao!

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet   www.crocknit.com
(C) Copyright - All rights reserved.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: