This is a drawstring backpack with a flap closure, cream anchor appliques, and a granny shell body. It uses worsted weight cotton yarn, a 4.0 mm hook, and basic stitches like single crochet and double crochet. The finished bag measures 9.5 inches wide by 11.75 inches tall by 5.5 inches deep.
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If you can work joined rounds and follow stitch counts, you can make this bag. The pattern is rated intermediate, but a confident advanced beginner can absolutely tackle it by checking each count and checkpoint along the way.
The nautical theme comes from five cream anchor appliques that get sewn on after blocking. One goes on the flap, one on the front pocket, one on each side panel, and the fifth on the lower front body if you like. The cream drawstring cord with tassels completes the seaside look.
Materials You Will Need
Yarn:
Recommended yarn brands:
Choose a firm worsted cotton or cotton blend. Avoid very soft acrylics unless you plan to add lining or interfacing for structure.
Hook:
Notions:
Gauge
Work a gauge swatch before starting to ensure your finished bag matches the pattern dimensions.
Single crochet gauge: 16 sc x 18 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm after blocking
Granny shell gauge: 5 granny shell repeats x 8 shell rounds = 4 inches / 10 cm after blocking
A tighter gauge gives a smaller firmer bag. A looser gauge gives a larger softer bag that may need lining for structure.
Abbreviations and Stitch Guide
This pattern uses US crochet terms throughout.
UK crocheters note: US sc equals UK dc. US dc equals UK tr.
Granny Shell Repeat
This stitch pattern is worked over 4 base stitches. Make 3 double crochets in the indicated stitch or space, then skip the next 3 stitches on foundation rounds. On later rounds, place each 3 dc shell into the space between shells below.
One body round has 20 shells, which equals 60 double crochets. The base stitch count stays at 80, giving you 20 even repeats.
Special Stitches
Surface slip stitch: Hold yarn at the wrong side. Insert hook from right side to wrong side and pull up a loop. Insert hook at the next point and pull a loop through the work and through the loop on hook. Keep loops loose.
Stitched eyelet: Work 2 single crochets around a metal grommet, or make a chain 2 opening with single crochet reinforcement around it.
Backpack Base Instructions
Work the base in navy blue yarn.
Chain 37.
Round 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 34 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working along the opposite side of the chain, sc in next 34 ch, 2 sc in first ch. Join. (74 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in next 34 sts, inc in next 3 sts, sc in next 34 sts, inc in next 3 sts. Join. (80 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1, sc BLO in each st around. Join. (80 sc)
Checkpoint: Your base should measure about 9.5 inches / 24 cm long and 5.5 inches / 14 cm deep after gentle shaping.
Backpack Body Instructions
Continue in navy blue using the granny shell stitch pattern.
Round 4: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, sk next 3 sts, 3 dc in next st, sk next 3 sts; rep from around. Join to top of ch-3. (20 shells / 60 dc)
Rounds 5 through 16: Sl st to first space between shells, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, 3 dc in each space between shells around. Join. (20 shells / 60 dc each round)
Round 17: Ch 1, work 4 sc over each shell repeat by placing 1 sc in each dc and 1 sc in the space after the shell. Join. (80 sc)
Round 18: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (80 sc)
Round 19 (eyelet round): Ch 1, sc in 12, ch 2, sk 2, sc in 12, ch 2, sk 2, sc in 52. Join. (76 sc + 2 ch-2 spaces)
Round 20: Ch 1, sc in each sc and 2 sc in each ch-2 sp. Join. (80 sc)
Rounds 21 and 22: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (80 sc each round)
Checkpoint: Body from base fold to top edge should measure about 10.25 inches / 26 cm. Total height should be about 11.75 inches / 30 cm.
Top Flap Instructions
Work the flap in navy blue yarn.
Chain 37.
Rows 1 through 6: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across; ch 1, turn. (36 sc)
Rows 7 and 8: Sc2tog over first 2 sts, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog; ch 1, turn. (34 sc, then 32 sc)
Edging round: Ch 1, sc evenly around flap, placing 3 sc in each lower corner and 2 sc in each top corner. Join and fasten off. (approximately 88 sc)
Checkpoint: Flap should measure about 8.5 inches / 21.5 cm wide and 3.25 inches / 8 cm tall.
Front Pocket Instructions
Work the pocket in navy blue yarn.
Chain 18.
Rows 1 through 11: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across; ch 1, turn. (17 sc)
Row 12: Sc2tog, sc 13, sc2tog. (15 sc)
Edging round: Sc evenly around with 3 sc in each lower corner. Fasten off.
Pocket measures about 4 inches x 3.25 inches / 10 x 8 cm.
Side Anchor Panels (Make 2)
Work each panel in navy blue yarn.
Chain 13.
Rows 1 through 9: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across; ch 1, turn. (12 sc)
Edging round: Sc evenly around. Fasten off.
Each panel measures about 3 inches x 2.75 inches / 7.5 x 7 cm. You will sew one to each lower side after blocking the body.
Shoulder Straps (Make 2)
Work both straps in navy blue yarn.
Chain 91.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across; ch 1, turn. (90 sc)
Rows 2 through 6: Sc BLO across; ch 1, turn. (90 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Add a strap adjuster to the lower end if desired.
Checkpoint: Each strap measures about 27 inches / 69 cm before hardware.
Top Handle Instructions
Work the handle in navy blue yarn.
Chain 31.
Rows 1 through 5: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across; ch 1, turn. (30 sc)
Fasten off, leaving tails for sewing. Handle measures about 7.5 inches / 19 cm long.
Drawstring Instructions
Work the drawstring in cream yarn.
Make a 48 inch / 122 cm twisted cord, crochet chain cord, or 3 strand braid. Knot each end and trim into a small tassel.
Thread the drawstring through the eyelets from front to back, crossing the ends at center front before knotting.
Anchor Applique Instructions (Make 5)
Work all anchors in cream yarn.
Ring: MR, ch 1, 8 sc in ring, join; fasten off. (8 sc)
Stem: Join yarn below ring, ch 8, sl st in 2nd ch and each ch back to ring. Fasten off.
Crossbar: Join at row 3 of stem, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch and next 3 ch, sl st through stem, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch and next 3 ch, sl st to stem. Fasten off.
Bottom arms: Join at stem base, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch and next 2 ch, 3 sc in last ch for curved tip; sl st back to base. Repeat on opposite side. Block flat.
Assembly and Finishing
Follow this order for best results:
1. Block all pieces to measurements: body, flap, pockets, side panels, straps, handle, and anchors.
2. Sew front pocket centered on the lower front, about 1.25 inches / 3 cm above the base fold.
3. Sew side panels to lower side positions, keeping the bottom edge level with the front pocket bottom.
4. Sew anchors in place: one on the flap, one on the pocket, one on each side panel, and the fifth on the lower front body if desired.
5. Sew flap to the back top edge, centered over 36 top stitches. Reinforce the seam with a second pass.
6. Sew top handle to the back/top center with ends 2 inches / 5 cm apart.
7. Sew shoulder straps to the back: top ends just below the upper edge, lower ends near the base corners. Add adjusters before closing the lower strap seam.
8. Insert drawstring and adjust the closure. Add lining if you want extra structure.
Blocking Tips
Steam lightly or wet block cotton pieces flat. Do not stretch the granny shell body aggressively. Shape the base and corners with pins and let dry fully before sewing.
Size Customization Options
Width and depth: Add or remove starting chains in pairs, then finish the base with a top stitch count divisible by 4 for the granny shell body to work correctly.
Height: Add or remove shell rounds before Round 17. Keep the final single crochet top band the same for a tidy drawstring channel.
Straps: Add or remove chains before Row 1. For a child size, shorten straps by 8 to 12 inches / 20 to 30 cm.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Body flares outward: Your shell rounds are too loose. Go down a hook size for the shell section or block with less width.
Body cups inward: Your base is too tight or the top band is too firm. Loosen the single crochet rounds or use a larger hook for the top band.
Flap curls: Add one extra edging round or block with pins along the lower corners.
Anchor applique twists: Use more pinning points and sew with tiny stitches around the curves.
Care Instructions
Hand wash in cool water. Lay flat to dry. Do not bleach. Do not wring. Reshape while damp. For bags with metal hardware, dry the hardware promptly to prevent rust.
Maker Checkpoints Summary
Use these measurements to verify your progress:
Time Estimate
Plan for 12 to 16 hours of crocheting time, plus blocking and drying time. This makes a great weekend project if you break it into sessions.
Left Handed Crocheters Note
Work the same written instructions. Your rounds will travel in the opposite direction, so place markers by measurement rather than by right or left side labels. Anchor placement remains centered visually regardless of your working direction.
I hope you love making this nautical backpack as much as I enjoyed putting this pattern together. The anchor appliques really make it special, and the granny shell texture gives it that classic handmade charm. Save this pattern to your Pinterest boards so you can find it when you are ready to start, and please leave a comment below if you make one. I would love to see your finished bags!
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