Cool, colorful, granny-chic
Granny squares meet street style: make your backpack pop with color
Crocheted granny squares transform a sporty backpack into a delightfully colorful accessory. The patchwork surface is built square by square, then the squares are joined and attached to the backpack.
Granny square backpack—supplies:
- A black backpack (preferably a straight-cut design with a recessed pocket; the sample used is from Stadium sports store).
- Leftover yarn, for example Novita 7 Veljestä yarn (75% wool, 25% polyamide; 150 g = 300 m (328 yd)) in shades off white (010), light yellow, 'kevätesikko' (202), dark green, 'kataja' (037), light gray, 'jäkälä' (047), light pink, 'marjapuuro' (053), light sand, 'hiekka' (060), eggplant 'munakoiso' (796), back gray 'noki' (099), and bright pink 'pioni' (550)
- A 3.5 mm (US E-4) crochet hook, or the size needed to match your gauge
- Black cotton yarn
- A darning needle.
Granny square backpack—instructions:
- Measure your backpack and pocket placement, then determine the size (i.e., how many rounds) of granny squares needed. They should fit evenly both horizontally and vertically and align properly with the zipper. In the sample project, 42 two-round squares were used. Also note that after joining the squares, you'll crochet a border around the entire piece.
- Crochet the required number of granny squares. Arrange the colors however you like.
- Join the squares into a piece that fits the backpack. Arrange the correct number of squares into horizontal rows, starting with the two bottom rows on the right. Join them with slip stitches, checking the width as you go. Then join the remaining rows one by one. Note! For the seam at the zipper, leave the squares unjoined to the next horizontal row and work single crochets there. After the zipper, continue joining with slip stitches as before. Once the row of squares at the zipper is attached, fasten off the yarn and crochet single crochets along the top edge of the pocket opening as described above.
- Join the vertical seams using the same technique as for the horizontal seams. The seams end at the zipper.
- Use black yarn to crochet a suitably wide border of single crochets around the patchwork. Make three single crochets into the chain loops at each corner for a sharper finish.
- Pin the entire piece in place, including the zipper opening edges. Using black cotton thread, backstitch it on, starting at the pocket zipper edges. Add a few stitches here and there to prevent any bulging.
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