Cordial yarn takes us to the market again
Last year on KNITmuch I shared the pattern for a shopping bag using Red Heart’s Cordial yarn. This year I’m sharing the pattern to make a knitted backpack, since Cordial yarn is ideal for these types of knitted projects. It’s always easier when you have a bag you can sling over your shoulders rather than carry with one arm, especially if you’re at a market. With people jostling on each side and trying to find the best fruits and veggies, you want something easy to carry.
The knitted market backpack using Red Heart’s Cordial is easy to use and stylish too!
materials
3 balls of Cordial in color Greyscale
1 ball of Cordial in color All-Star
1 set of 16″ circular needles in US 7
1 button
1 tapestry needle
Cast on 20 stitches and knit in stockinette stitch for 10″. You’re going to have a rectangular piece of knitting now and with the RS facing you pick up stitches along the outside edges. Knit up for 5″ of plain stockinette to create the body of the bag. Then do one decrease round, k8, k2tog, k one round plain, k7, k2tog, then continue to knit in plain stockinette until your bag reaches 10½ʺ from the crease of the rectangle you made for the bottom.
Now you cast off. In order to make the edge of the super stretchy, cast off using Jenny’s Super Stretchy Bind Off. This is going to allow the bag to stretch and flex with the contents you put inside. In order to keep everything inside thread a length of yarn around the top, like a draw string and knot the ends.
After all the stitches have been picked up
Knit the cover for the top in your contrasting color. Cast on 30 stitches and knit in garter stitch for 6½ʺ, then create a button hole. K13 stitches, BO4, k13. On the return row k13, cast on 4 stitches using the backwards loop method. Continue in garter stitch for half an inch after the button hole. For the straps, cast on 7 stitches and knit in stockinette stitch. To determine the length of the strap, measure from your wrist to your armpit. For me, that is 18″.
The cover for the backpack is literally a square with a button hole in one end. If you leave a long string on your cast on edge, you can use that yarn to sew it to the bag.
Cast on 20 stitches and knit in stockinette stitch for 10″ which will make a rectangular piece of knitting. With the RS facing you pick up stitches along the outside edges. Knit up for 5″ of plain stockinette to create the body of the bag. Then do one decrease round, k8, k2tog, k one round plain, k7, k2tog, then continue to knit in plain stockinette until your bag reaches 10½ʺ from the crease of the rectangle you made for the bottom.
Use a crochet hook to thread the yarn for your drawstring. I also used it to secure the top of the backpack to the body of it.
Putting it all together. Sew on the flap to cover the drawstring first, then sew the button in place. I know there is controversy in sewing with thread in your knitting, but this time I think you’re going to have to. The yarn won’t fit through most standard button holes and Cordial yarn is sturdier than most. Make sure your straps have the smooth side against your shoulders and the rougher side facing out. That way if you’re wearing a tank top, the straps won’t chafe against your shoulders.
Backpack with the flap open and the drawstring still tied.
I hope you enjoy this version of the market backpack and play with the color variations. With all the interesting colors Cordial you’ll be able to pick some exciting color combinations to take to the market.
