Welcome to another fun and creative crochet project! Today, we’re diving into the “Busy Bee Backpack” pattern. This adorable and functional backpack is perfect for kids or anyone who loves bees. Let’s get started!
Measurements: Approximate size: 10″ [25.5 cm] wide x 14″ [35.5 cm] high x 3″ [7.5 cm] deep
Materials
Yarn: Lily® Sugar’n Cream® (70.9 g/2.5 oz; 109 yds/120 yds)
Contrast A: Yellow (00010) – 330 m/363 yds (3 balls)
Contrast B: Black (00002) – 30 m/33 yds (1 ball)
Contrast C: White (00001) – 20 m/22 yds (1 ball)
Contrast D: Tangerine (01699) – 95 m/105 yds (1 ball)
Hooks: Sizes 4 mm (U.S. G or 6) and 5 mm (U.S. H or 8) or size needed to obtain gauge
Other materials:
Small piece of black felt for eyes
craft glue
Black zippers: 16″ [40.5 cm] and 20″ [51 cm] long
2 stitch markers
Gauge
- 15 single crochets (sc) and 16 rows = 4″ [10 cm] with smaller hook
Abbreviations
Approx: Approximate(ly)
Beg: Begin(ing)
Ch(s): Chain(s)
Cont: Continue(ity)
Hdc: Half double crochet
Hdc2tog: Yarn over hook (yoh) and draw up a loop in next stitch. Yoh, draw up a loop in next stitch. Yoh and draw through all 4 loops on hook
Hdc4tog: (Yoh and draw up a loop in next stitch) 4 times. Yoh and draw through all 4 loops on hook
Pat: Pattern
Rem: Remain(ing)
Rep: Repeat
Rnd(s): Round(s)
RS: Right side
Sc: Single crochet
Sc2tog: Draw up a loop in each of next 2 stitches. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook
SL st: Slip stitch
St(s): Stitch(es)
Tog: Together
WS: Wrong side
Yoh: Yarn over hook
Notes: Ch 2 for turning chain does not count as hdc.
Front and Back (make 2 pieces alike)
With A and smaller hook, ch 35.
1st row (RS): 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. 1 hdc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 33 hdc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each hdc to end of row. Turn.
3rd row: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
Repeat last 2 rows for pattern until work from beginning measures 9″ [23 cm], ending with a RS row.
Shape Top
1st row (WS): Ch 1. Sc2tog. 1 sc in each hdc to last 2 hdc. Sc2tog. Turn.
2nd row: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each stitch to end of row. Turn.
3rd row: The 1st row.
4th row: Ch 2. Hdc2tog. 1 hdc in each stitch to last 2 sc. Hdc2tog. Turn.
5th to 8th rows: Repeat last 2 rows twice more.
9th row: The 1st row. 17 stitches remain. Fasten off.
Base and Gusset
With A and smaller hook, ch 12.
1st row (RS): 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. 1 hdc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 10 hdc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each hdc to end of row. Turn.
3rd row: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
Repeat last 2 rows for pattern until work from beginning measures 9″ [23 cm], ending with a WS row. Place marker at end of last row.
Divide for Zipper Opening
Next row (RS): Ch 2. 1 hdc in each of next 5 sc. Turn. Leave remaining stitches unworked.
Continue in pattern on 5 stitches until opening from marker measures 20″ [51 cm], ending with a WS row. Fasten off.
With RS facing, rejoin A with sl st to unworked stitches. Ch 2. 1 hdc in same space as last sl st. 1 hdc in each of last 4 stitches. Turn.
Continue in pattern on 5 stitches until opening measures 20″ [51 cm], ending with a WS row. Do not fasten off.
Join sides:
Next row: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each of first 5 sc. 1 hdc in each of next 5 sc from first side. 10 hdc. Turn. Place marker on last stitch.
Continue in pattern until work from marker measures 9″ [23 cm], ending with a WS row. Fasten off. Sew last row and foundation row together (center of bottom base).
Wings (make 2)
With C and smaller hook, ch 8. Join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.
1st round: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each ch around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 8 hdc.
2nd round: Ch 2. 2 hdc in first hdc. (1 hdc in next hdc. 2 hdc in next hdc) 3 times. 1 hdc in last hdc. Join with sl st to first hdc. 12 hdc.
3rd round: Ch 2. 1 hdc in first hdc. (2 hdc in next hdc. 1 hdc in next hdc) 5 times. 2 hdc in last hdc. Join with sl st to first hdc. 18 hdc.
4th round: Ch 2. 2 hdc in first hdc. (1 hdc in next hdc. 2 hdc in next hdc) 8 times. 1 hdc in last hdc. Join with sl st to first hdc. 27 hdc.
Fold work flat.
Joining row: Ch 1. Working through both thicknesses, work 13 sc evenly across. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. *Ch 3. Miss next sc. 1 sc in next sc. Repeat from * to end of row. Fasten off.
Antennae (make 2)
With B and smaller hook, ch 4. Join with sl st to first ch to form a ring.
1st round: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each ch around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 4 hdc.
2nd round: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st to first hdc.
3rd round: Ch 2. 2 hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 8 hdc.
4th round: Ch 2. (Hdc4tog) twice. Join with sl st to first stitch. Fasten off, leaving a long end. Thread end onto tapestry needle and draw tightly through remaining 2 stitches.
With A and smaller hook, ch 33.
1st row (RS): 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. 1 hdc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 31 hdc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each hdc to end of row. Join B. Turn.
3rd row: With B, ch 2. 1 hdc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
4th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each hdc to end of row. Join A. Turn.
5th row: With A, ch 2. 1 hdc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
6th row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. 1 sc in each hdc to last 2 hdc. Sc2tog. Join B. Turn.
7th row: The 3rd row.
8th row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. 1 sc in each hdc to last 2 hdc. Sc2tog. Join A. Turn.
9th row: With A, ch 2. Hdc2tog. 1 hdc in each sc to last 2 sc. Hdc2tog. Turn.
10th row: As 6th row.
11th row: With B, ch 2. Hdc2tog. 1 hdc in each sc to last 2 sc. Hdc2tog. Turn.
12th and 13th rows: The 8th and 9th rows.
14th row: The 6th row. Fasten off. 15 stitches remain.
Pocket Edging
- (RS) Join B with sl st at lower right corner. Ch 1. Work sc evenly around outer edge of Pocket to opposite corner. Fasten off. Leave edge of foundation row unworked.
Hanging Loop
With D and smaller hook, ch 22.
1st row (RS): 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 21 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
Repeat last row once more. Fasten off.
Straps (make 2)
With 2 strands of D and larger hook, ch 7.
1st row (RS): 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. 1 hdc in each of next 4 ch. Turn. 5 hdc.
2nd row: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each hdc to end of row. Turn.
Repeat last row until Strap measures 16″ [40.5 cm], ending with a WS row. Fasten off.
Finishing
Cut black circles from felt for Eyes approximately ½” [1.5 cm] and glue to Front of Bag. Embroider mouth with B, using chain stitch as shown in photo.
Sew Pocket to Front. Sew shorter zipper to Pocket edge and corresponding edge of Front, noting that zipper tape will fold towards Pocket.
Pin Gusset and Base to outer edges of Front and Back, having Base seam at center of bottom edge.
Joining round: With RS of Front facing and working through both thicknesses, join A with sl st at center of bottom edge. Work 1 round of sc evenly around to join Gusset and Base to Front. Join D with sl st to first sc.
Next round: With D, ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Repeat these 2 rounds to join outer edge of Back, Gusset, and Base.
Sew Wings and Antennae to outer edge of Front (behind joining rounds) as shown in photo.
Sew longer zipper in position along Gusset opening.
Attach Hanging Loop as shown in picture. Sew straps in position.
And there you have it! Your very own Busy Bee Backpack. This cute and practical accessory is perfect for carrying small items and adds a fun touch to any outfit. Happy crocheting!
