Coral Steps Knit Backpack Free Pattern
Introduction
The Coral Steps Knit Backpack is a fun, wearable project that turns simple stitches into a bold, stepped colorwork design. It's written for knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to try mosaic slip-stitch colorwork for the first time, since you only ever work with one color per round. The body is worked in the round in teal and coral, creating horizontal bands of stair-step patterns across a boxy, straight-sided bag. The finished backpack is about 10" wide, 12" tall, and 4" deep, with a flat garter-stitch base, a folded stockinette flap, and two long garter straps. It feels sturdy and structured in worsted cotton, perfect for everyday use.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton. Color A (teal): 200 yd. Color B (coral): 150 yd.
- Needles: 4.0 mm (US 6) circular needle, 24" cable, plus a set of 4.0 mm (US 6) double-pointed needles (dpns).
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, buttons for the front closure (as many as you like), and a crochet hook in a similar size (about 4.0 mm) for the edging.
- Finished size: Approx. 10" wide x 12" tall x 4" deep.
Abbreviations
- A – teal yarn
- B – coral yarn
- CO – cast on
- k – knit
- sl1 – slip one stitch purlwise with the yarn held to the back (do not knit it)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- pm – place marker
- rep – repeat
- sc – single crochet
- garter st – garter stitch (knit every row when working flat)
- stockinette st – stockinette stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side when working flat)
Gauge
20 sts and 28 rnds = 4" in stockinette stitch. Knit a small swatch in the round (or work a flat swatch and measure the knit side), then check that 20 stitches measure 4" across before you begin.
Tips Before You Start
- Mosaic slip-stitch colorwork uses only one color per round. Carry the unused color loosely up the inside of the bag, and don't pull it tight or the fabric will pucker.
- Always slip stitches purlwise with the yarn held to the back, unless your pattern row tells you otherwise, so the slipped stitches sit flat and neat.
- When you pick up stitches around the base, distribute them evenly and count carefully. The 156-stitch total keeps the body straight-sided and boxy.
- Cotton has little stretch, so check your gauge and try the bag on your shoulders as you go if you plan to adjust strap length.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Base (Color A)
Row 1: CO 50 sts. Knit (50 sts).
Rows 2-28: Knit every row in garter st (50 sts). Do not bind off.
Body (Colors A and B)
Set-up: Join to work in the round, picking up 28 sts along each side and 50 sts along the cast-on edge (156 sts total). Pm and join, being careful not to twist.
Rnds 1-4: With A, knit (156 sts).
Rnds 5-8: With B, [k3, sl1] rep to end of rnd (156 sts).
Rnds 9-12: With A, [k1, sl1, k2] rep to end of rnd (156 sts).
Rnds 13-16: With B, [k1, sl1, k2] rep to end of rnd (156 sts).
Rnds 17-20: With A, [k3, sl1] rep to end of rnd (156 sts).
Repeat: Rep Rnds 5-20 for the pattern until the piece measures 10" from the base, ending after Rnd 20. Bind off all sts.
Flap (Color A)
Row 1: CO 50 sts. Knit (50 sts).
Rows 2-6": Work in stockinette st (knit on right side, purl on wrong side) until the piece measures 6" from the cast-on edge (50 sts). Bind off.
Straps (Make 2, Color A)
Row 1: CO 10 sts. Knit (10 sts).
Rows 2-20": Knit every row in garter st until the strap measures 20" from the cast-on edge (10 sts). Bind off.
Assembly and Finishing
Fold the flap in half horizontally and sew the side edges closed. Attach the flap to the back of the bag at the top edge. Sew the straps to the back of the bag, 2" from the side edges, with 4" between them. Sew buttons to the front of the bag to match your flap placement. For the edging, with A, work 1 rnd of sc around the top opening using your crochet hook. Fasten off. Weave in all ends neatly on the wrong side. Block the backpack lightly by misting it with water and shaping it flat to the finished measurements, then let it dry completely before use.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the coral for mustard or rust to give the stepped pattern a different western-inspired look.
- Add a fabric lining for extra structure and to hide the carried yarn inside the bag.
- Make the straps adjustable by adding a buttonhole near one end of each strap and sewing a button to the bag where the strap attaches.
