Brooklyn Backpack in Hoooked RibbonXL - Downloadable PDF

Brooklyn Backpack in Hoooked RibbonXL – Crochet Pattern Summary

The Brooklyn Backpack is a stylish, sturdy crocheted backpack designed using Hoooked RibbonXL yarn. This intermediate-level crochet pattern produces a fully functional bag complete with an oval base, a structured body, a decorative border, and shoulder straps. The finished piece is a practical everyday accessory that showcases the bold texture and quick-working qualities of super chunky ribbon yarn.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates the Brooklyn Backpack — a crocheted bag worked in the round from the base upward. The design features a flat oval bottom that transitions seamlessly into a cylindrical body, finished with a decorative lace-style border and fitted with two shoulder straps. The result is a lightweight yet durable backpack suitable for everyday use.

Materials Used

• Yarn: Hoooked RibbonXL — a 100% recycled cotton super chunky ribbon yarn, produced in Europe. It is lightweight, elastic, non-scratchy, and machine washable. The sample shown is worked in Red. Two balls of RibbonXL are included in the kit.
• Hook: One crochet hook (size appropriate for RibbonXL super chunky weight yarn).
• Additional components: Two pre-made shoulder straps are included in the kit, ready to attach to the finished bag.

Techniques Used

• Starting chain and foundation row: The base begins with a chain of 22 stitches, with single crochets worked along both sides of the foundation chain to form an oval shape.
• Working in the round: After establishing the oval base, the work continues in continuous rounds to build the body of the bag upward, creating a three-dimensional pocket structure.
• Working into the back loop only: During the base construction, stitches are worked into the back loop only to create a defined horizontal ridge — a classic technique that gives the base a neat, structured edge and helps the bag hold its shape.
• Increasing: Increases are worked at the short ends of the oval base (2 single crochets increased at each end per round) to shape the flat oval bottom before transitioning to the body.
• Seamless transition from flat to tubular: Once the desired base size is reached, increasing stops and the work continues straight in the round, naturally causing the sides to rise and form the bag body.
• Decorative border: A lace-style decorative edge is crocheted at the top of the bag using a repeat of chain spaces and skipped stitches, adding an attractive finishing detail.
• Attaching shoulder straps: The two included shoulder straps are attached to complete the backpack construction.

Stitches Used

• Chain stitch (losse) — used to start the foundation and within the decorative border pattern.
• Slip stitch (keerlosse) — used for joining and turning as needed.
• Single crochet (vaste) — the primary stitch used throughout the base and body of the backpack.
• Half double crochet (halve vaste stokjes) — referenced in the stitch key for this pattern.
• Double crochet (stokjes) — referenced in the stitch key and used in finishing details.
• Foundation slip knot / starting loop (vaste opzetlus) — used to begin the work cleanly on the hook.

Construction Overview

• Step 1 – The Base: Begin with a chain of 22 stitches. Single crochet along both sides of the chain, working 3 single crochets into each short end to turn the corners and create an oval. Continue in rounds, working into the back loop only and increasing at each short end to build a flat oval base.
• Step 2 – The Body: Stop increasing and continue working single crochets in the round. The sides will naturally rise to form the bag body. Continue until the body reaches approximately 28 cm in height.