Cinch Stripes Backpack

The Cinch Stripes Backpack is a simple bag featuring some of my favorite half double crochet variations! With easy rope straps, you'll love making this free one skein crochet pattern on Moogly!

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Featuring Red Heart Roll With It Tweed

The Cinch Stripes Backpack is made with just one cake of Red Heart Roll With It Tweed! I love the subtle striping in the colorway I chose, but there are lots of gorgeous ones to choose from, and each will give a different effect! It's a great worsted/medium weight yarn, and every skein is a little unique.

A Study in HDC

This pattern features a few different ways to use the half double crochet stitch - including a couple of variations I came up with myself - though I wouldn't be surprised to find they are already out there, I haven't found them.

The first one is new to this pattern - I'm calling it the deep hdc. You make this one by simply inserting the hook under the horizontal bar in the front of the stitch as well as the usual two top loops. This stitch makes up the base of the Cinch Stripes Backpack!

The next hdc variation used is the side split hdc. I first used this stitch in the Sherbet Stripes Tote - another one skein Roll With It Tweed pattern! This stitch inserts the hook behind the left vertical bar of the stitch, and then on through to the back of the fabric. Similar to a Tunisian stitch in form, it's still worked just one stitch at a time!

In the Cinch Stripes Backpack, I've combined these two hdc stitches with stripes made with the hdc in the 3rd loop! This is the horizontal bar on the back of the stitch, and working here pushes the top two loops of the stitch you're working into forward, for yet another great look!

Create Your Own Cinch Stripes Backpack

Mix this pattern up to make it your own! Choose your own yarn colorway, use different ropes or ribbons - or even crochet your own! Add or subtract rows as desired too - this pattern is so flexible, and I can't wait to see how you customize yours!

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Cinch Stripes Backpack

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US - H, 5.0 mm - Furls

275 yds Red Heart Roll With It Tweed (100% acrylic; “4”/Medium/UK: 10-12 ply; 311yds; 5.29oz/150g)
Colorway Shown: Seagrass – 1 cake

This yarn has been discontinued. Recommended substitute: Red Heart Roll With it Melange

Stitch Markers – Clover

Darice Rope -  5mm, 10 yds

½ inch Grommets - 2

Gauge: 12 sts x 16 rows = 4" in side split hdc st

Finished Size: 12" wide x 11" tall laid flat

Helpful Links and Tutorials:

Cinch Stripes Backpack Tutorial

Crochet Abbreviations

Hdc in the 3rd loop

Bag Bottoms – Rows to Rounds

CSDC - Chainless Starting Double Crochet

SPECIAL STITCHES:

Deep hdc - yo, insert the hook under the horizontal bar in the front of the stitch and then under the top two loops of the indicated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

Side split hdc (right-handed) – yo, insert the hook under just the left vertical strand of the indicated stitch through to the back of the fabric, yo an pull up a loop, yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

Side split hdc (left-handed) – yo, insert the hook under just the right vertical strand of the indicated stitch through to the back of the fabric, yo an pull up a loop, yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

NOTES:

This pattern begins with rows, and then moves to rounds. Put a stitch marker in the first and last stitch of each row and round to help you maintain stitch counts throughout this pattern.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Row 1: Ch 33, skip the ch closest to the hook, hdc in each rem ch across; turn. (32 sts)

Row 2 - 8: Ch 1, deep hdc in each st across; turn.

Rnd 9: Ch 1, deep hdc in each st across, hdc 8 along the sides of the rows, hdc across foundation chain, hdc 8 along the final sides of the rows; join with sl st. (80 sts)

Rnd 10 - 13: Ch 1, side split hdc in each st around; join.

Rnd 14 - 16: Ch 1, hdc in 3rd loop in each st around; join.

Rnd 17 - 43: Rep Rnds 10 - 16 four times.

Rnd 44: Ch 1, sc in 3rd loop in each st around; join.

Rnd 45: CSDC in first st, ch 1, skip the next st, *dc in the next st, ch 1, skip the next st; rep from * around, join. (40 dc)

Rnd 46: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch-sp around; join and break yarn. (80 sts)

Assembly: 

Line up the grommet spaces at the base of the bag.

Install the grommets using the grommet instructions.

Cut two lengths of rope, 72" long each (adjust for length/size if desired). Thread these through the ch-1 spaces at the top of the bag, so that the ends of each rope come out on the same side of the bag, as shown below.

Insert the ends of the ropes through the grommets and tie in a tight knot on the inside of the bag. Double knot if needed to secure it inside the grommet.

And done!

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LOOKING FOR MORE?

Looking for more free crochet bag patterns? I have dozens! You can browse them all here on Moogly  or search my patterns on Ravelry! Some favorites include the Rainbow Bobble Bag, Multi-Pocket Tote Organizer, Perfect Summer Clutch, Citrus Twist Tote, Chunky Stripey Bag, and Mesmerizing Messenger Bag!

If the Cinch Stripes Backpack pattern inspires you to make your own project, and you post a photo on social media, be sure to tag me @mooglyblog or #mooglyblog so I can check it out too!

THE FINE PRINT

Follow Moogly on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Tumblr! Thank you to Yarnspirations for providing the materials shown in this post. Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2020, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern or translate it to another language, please visit the About page for details.