From watching my daughter sling her backpack around, I know how much wear and tear a school backpack endures. I would hesitate to put flowers on her backpack. If she really wanted flowers, though, we would put them in an area of the backpack that isn’t likely to be abraded all the time–maybe the top or the straps.
The backpack in the photo is more of a handbag sort of backpack. Worn with care, the flower decoration should last a long time.
I crocheted the flowers for this backpack with Louet’s Euroflax Sport (100% Wet Spun Linen, 3.5oz/100g = 270yd/247m per skein).
Flower Backpack
You Will Need
- Crochet Bouquet
- 3 colors of yarn in fine weight (2)
- 2 flower colors
- 1 leaf color
- 3.5mm crochet hook (US size E/4)
- Purchased backpack
- Button for flower center
- Glue that will bond the flowers to the backpack (check label)
- Paintbrush (to apply glue)
- Sewing needle and matching thread (optional)
Instructions
- Crochet the Medium and Small Primrose Layers (pages 90-91 of Crochet Bouquet). Use the photo as a guide for color choices, or choose colors to match your backpack.
- Crochet a rose leaf as follows: ch 4, crochet Small Rose Leaflet (page 114 of Crochet Bouquet), ch 2, crochet Small Rose Leaflet; pivot to work in free loops of foundation ch down other side of the leaf, sl st in next 2 ch, crochet Small Rose Leaflet, sl st in remaining 4 ch.
- Sew the button to the center of the Small Primrose.
- Glue Small Primrose to the top of the Medium Primrose. Let the glue set. For added durability, sew outer edges of Small Primrose to the flower underneath.
- Glue flower and leaves to backpack. Let dry.
- Test tips of leaves and petals for adhesion. Carefully add more glue if necessary.
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In other news, Stacy at the Knitting Nest in Austin, Texas, invited me to sign copies of Crochet Bouquet at her shop. I’ll be there on September 7, 2008, 2-4 p.m. with lots of flowers and projects from the book. The address is 108 W. Slaughter Lane. For more information visit the Knitting Nest’s web site: