Crochet Bags & Backpacks

Ice Blue Raffia Granny Backpack: Free Crochet Pattern

AppPairing: Palette Harmonies & Texture Combinations • November 03, 2026

Introduction

This ice blue raffia backpack is the perfect summer project for crocheters who love a little retro flair. Made from solid granny squares in cool ice blue and silver raffia, it features sweet 70s-style flower motifs tucked into the centers of alternating squares. The result is a flat, boxy rectangle with a textured grid of clustered double crochet blocks and open corner holes that give it an airy, handcrafted look. It is light, structured, and just the right size for day trips, markets, or beach walks, and the drawstring top and narrow shoulder straps make it as practical as it is pretty.

Materials Needed

Yarn: Raffia yarn, approx. 200 g total: ice blue (MC) 150 g, silver (CC) 50 g. Sample used 1 ball each of Ra-Ra Raffia (100 g/125 m) in Ice Blue and Silver.
Hook: 4.0 mm (US G/6).
Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, blocking mats and pins.
Finished size: Approx. 24 cm wide x 32 cm tall (9.5 in x 12.5 in), excluding straps. Straps: 2 cm wide x 70 cm long each.

Abbreviations

MC – main color (ice blue)
CC – contrasting color (silver)
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
sp – space
st(s) – stitch(es)
rep – repeat
MR – magic ring

Gauge

One solid granny square measures 8 cm x 8 cm (3.15 in x 3.15 in) after blocking. Work one square and block it to check your gauge before starting the full set.

Tips Before You Start

Raffia has little stretch, so keep your tension relaxed and even; tight stitches make the squares stiff and hard to join.
Block every square before assembly so all 24 squares measure the same and your panels lie flat.
Count your 3-dc groups at the end of each round; each round adds one group per side, so mistakes show up quickly.
Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each edging round so you can join neatly without losing your place.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Square A (MC with CC flower center) – make 6

Set-up: With CC, MR 6 sc. Join with sl st to first sc. (6)

R1: With MC, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same sp, [ch 2, 3 dc in next sc] rep 3 times, ch 2, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (4 groups of 3 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)

R2: Sl st to next ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, *[ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp] rep 3 times, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (8 groups of 3 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 4 ch-1 sps)

R3: Sl st to next ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, *[ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp] rep 3 times, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 groups of 3 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 8 ch-1 sps)

R4: Sl st to next ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, *[ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp] rep 2 times, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp] rep 3 times, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp] rep 2 times, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (16 groups of 3 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 12 ch-1 sps)

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Square B (MC only) – make 6

Set-up: With MC, MR 6 sc. Join with sl st to first sc. (6)

R1: Ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, [ch 2, 3 dc in next sc] rep 3 times, ch 2, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (4 groups of 3 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Front and Back Panels

Arrange squares in a 3x4 grid: Row 1: A, B, A; Row 2: B, A, B; Row 3: A, B, A; Row 4: B, A, B. Join squares with sl st in back loops only, using MC. Join rows first, then columns. This forms the front panel.

For the back panel, make another identical grid using the remaining squares (6 A and 6 B). Join in the same manner.

Join front and back panels together along sides and bottom with sl st in back loops only, using MC, leaving the top open.

Edging

Join MC at top right corner.

R1: Sc evenly around top opening, working 1 sc in each st and 1 sc in each ch-1 sp. Join with sl st to first sc. (approx. 60 sc)

R2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Drawstring

With CC, ch 80. Sl st in each ch across. Fasten off. Weave through R2 of edging, leaving ends at front center. Tie knots at ends.

Straps (make 2)

Set-up: With MC, ch 6.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (5 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across. (5 sc)

Rows 3–end: Rep Row 2 until strap measures 70 cm. Fasten off.

Attaching Straps

Sew one end of each strap to the top inside of the back panel, approx. 4 cm from each side. Sew the other end to the bottom inside of the back panel, approx. 4 cm from each side, crossing straps if desired.

Flower Centers (optional)

With CC, embroider a small French knot in the center of each Square A.

Assembly and Finishing

Join all squares and panels as described above, then attach the straps and drawstring. Weave in all remaining ends neatly on the wrong side. Block the backpack to measurements and allow it to dry completely before use so the raffia holds its shape.

Pro Tips and Variations

Swap the silver CC for a soft cream or blush to change the retro mood while keeping the same flower-center effect.
Add a fabric lining sewn to the inside before joining the panels for extra structure and to keep small items secure.
Make the straps longer and cross them at the back for a more comfortable, hands-free fit on longer outings.

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