Spice Market Roll-Top Backpack: Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
The Spice Market Roll-Top Backpack is a sunny, structured little bag that looks far more complicated than it is. It's written for crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to try front-post and back-post double crochet for the first time, and it comes together from one flat rectangle that you simply fold and seam. Worked in raffia with bold horizontal stripes of ginger, turmeric, and chili, the post-rib texture gives the body a vertical ribbed look that feels sturdy and slightly crisp in the hand. Roll the top down, wrap the strap around, and you have a 12" wide, 16" tall (when rolled) summer backpack that holds its shape beautifully.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Raffia, worsted weight, 100% cellulose, 200 yd (183 m) per 50 g skein:
- Ginger (A): 2 skeins (400 yd / 366 m)
- Turmeric (B): 1 skein (200 yd / 183 m)
- Chili (C): 1 skein (200 yd / 183 m)
- Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6)
- Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, measuring tape
- Finished size: 12" (30.5 cm) wide, 16" (40.5 cm) tall when rolled, 4" (10 cm) deep
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- fpdc – front post double crochet: work a double crochet around the post of the stitch in front of your hook, from front to back
- bpdc – back post double crochet: work a double crochet around the post of the stitch behind your hook, from back to front
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
Gauge
16 sts and 16 rows = 4" (10 cm) in post-rib pattern. Crochet a small swatch in the post-rib pattern and measure a 4" section in the middle; if you have more stitches than 16, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Raffia can be stiff and splitty. Work with a slightly relaxed tension and keep your hook tip pointed away from the strand's edge so you don't pierce the fibers.
- The post-rib pattern alternates fpdc and bpdc, and the pattern shifts by one stitch every row. Count your stitches at the end of each row to keep the ribs straight.
- Change colors at the end of the last row of each stripe, working the final yarn over of the last stitch with the new color so the stripe edge stays clean.
- Keep your rectangle edges even; the side seams are worked in sc, so a tidy edge makes the seaming much easier.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Body Rectangle (worked flat, one piece)
Set-up: With A, ch 50.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and each ch across (48 dc). Turn.
Row 2: Ch 2, *fpdc in next st, bpdc in next st; rep from * across, ending with bpdc. Turn. (48 sts)
Row 3: Ch 2, *bpdc in next st, fpdc in next st; rep from * across, ending with fpdc. Turn. (48 sts)
Rows 4-8: Rep Rows 2-3, ending with Row 2. (48 sts; 8 rows total in A)
Change to B.
Rows 9-16: Rep Rows 2-3. (48 sts; 8 rows in B)
Change to C.
Rows 17-24: Rep Rows 2-3. (48 sts; 8 rows in C)
Change to A.
Rows 25-32: Rep Rows 2-3. (48 sts; 8 rows in A)
Change to B.
Rows 33-40: Rep Rows 2-3. (48 sts; 8 rows in B)
Change to C.
Rows 41-48: Rep Rows 2-3. (48 sts; 8 rows in C)
Change to A.
Rows 49-56: Rep Rows 2-3. (48 sts; 8 rows in A)
Change to B.
Rows 57-64: Rep Rows 2-3. (48 sts; 8 rows in B)
Change to C.
Rows 65-72: Rep Rows 2-3. (48 sts; 8 rows in C)
Change to A.
Rows 73-80: Rep Rows 2-3. (48 sts; 8 rows in A)
Fasten off. Rectangle measures approx 12" x 20" (30.5 x 50.5 cm).
Folding and Side Seams
Fold the rectangle in half widthwise with right sides together to form a 12" x 10" (30.5 x 25.5 cm) bag; the fold is the bottom.
Seam 1: With A, join yarn at one side edge and work sc evenly along the side edge to the fold. Fasten off.
Seam 2: Repeat along the other side edge. Fasten off. Turn right side out.
Top Edging
Rnd 1: Join A at one side seam. Work 1 round of sc evenly around the top opening (approx 48 sc). Join with sl st. Fasten off.
Roll Closure Strap (A)
Set-up: Ch 6.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (5 sc). Turn.
Rows 2-40: Ch 1, sc in each st across (5 sc). Turn.
Fasten off. Strap measures approx 20" (50.5 cm) long.
Shoulder Straps (make 2, A)
Set-up: Ch 6.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (5 sc). Turn.
Rows 2-60: Ch 1, sc in each st across (5 sc). Turn.
Fasten off. Straps measure approx 30" (76 cm) long.
Assembly and Finishing
- Attach one end of the roll closure strap to the center back of the bag at the top edge, 1" (2.5 cm) from the top. Sew securely with A.
- Attach the other end of the roll closure strap to the center front of the bag at the top edge, 1" (2.5 cm) from the top. Sew securely with A.
- Attach the shoulder straps: sew one end of each shoulder strap to the top back edge, 2" (5 cm) from each side seam. Sew the other ends to the bottom back edge, 2" (5 cm) from each side seam, forming loops.
- Weave in all ends on the wrong side, splitting the raffia tail and working it back through several stitches so it stays put.
- Block lightly: mist the bag and shape it flat, or stuff it lightly with a towel to hold the rectangular shape while it dries. Do not over-wet raffia; a light mist is enough.
Pro Tips and Variations
- For a taller or shorter bag, add or remove full 8-row stripes; each stripe adds about 2" (5 cm) to the rectangle length.
- Swap the stripe sequence for a two-color gradient, or work the straps in a contrasting color for a pop at the shoulders.
- Line the bag with a simple cotton fabric lining for extra structure and to keep small items from slipping through the raffia.
