This backpack, based on my Linen Stitch Baby Blanket color pattern, is my 3rd design in a small series of artistic backpacks that are super simple to create! The Fading Stripes Bag features three colors, using a striping pattern that creatively transitions from one color to the next.
About the Cinch Bag Series
All designs in the Cinch Bag Series are made with the same pattern (all single crochet!), and use variations in color and surface detailing to produce unique designs with tons of personality. These easy-level patterns will make any newbie crocheter feel like a seasoned pro.
Here are each of the bags currently included in the collection:
About the Yarn
All of the samples I created for my Cinch Bag Series use Sarasota, a yarn by Cascade Yarsn. Sarasota is a blend of cotton and acrylic in a #3 light weight. It’s soft enough to crochet with comfort, but sturdy enough to make a great bag. It comes in solids and heathers, and I’ve used both throughout the series.
With its large range of color options, it’s safe to say that Sarasota is my new favorite cotton blend for bags. (And you know how I love making bags!)
GIVEAWAY WITH LOVECRAFTS.COM!
A great place to find the yarn for any of the patterns in the Cinch Bag Series is LoveCrafts.com! LoveCrafts is a global Makers community offering all kinds of yarn and supplies for crocheters, knitters, and more. I’ve bought yarn from them several times, and they always deliver quick service and quality!
LoveCrafts offered to provide the necessary yarn for the Mudcloth Bag as part of a fun giveaway. So be sure to enter below! The winner will receive two skeins of Sarasota and a 50yd roll of 3mm macrame cord for the Mudcloth Bag pattern, as well as some extra yarn-lovers’ goodies. The giveaway runs through the end of Saturday, July 4, and the winner will be announced soon after. (See Terms and Conditions for details.) Best of luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway– – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Prefer a PDF?
This pattern can be completed using the 100% free version right here on this page. However, many people prefer the convenience of a printable, ad-free PDF. Below are two options: my popular All Access Pass, and the individual PDF pattern. Click the image to learn more about each option.
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Fading Stripes Bag
View on Ravelry
Difficulty: Easy
Finished Size: 11″ wide x 14.75″ tall when laid flat (before assembly)
Yarn: Approx. 510 yards of #3 (light) cotton or cotton/acrylic blend. I used Sarasota, a cotton/acrylic blend from Cascade Yarn, in 3 colors:
- COLOR A (“Navy”): 195 yards
- COLOR B (“White”): 170 yards
- COLOR C (“Deep Violet”): 145 yards
Hook: E (3.5mm)
Gauge: 21 SC x 24 rows = 4″ square
You’ll also need: Yarn needle, ruler, and 3 yards of 3mm macrame cord (or other chosen material for drawstring backpack strap)
Terms and Abbreviations:
ST/STS (stitch/stitches)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)
FLO (front loop only)
Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) You may choose to fasten off after each color change or carry your yarn up through the inside of the bag. For this bag, I carried each color up until I was finished with it.
(3) Your seam WILL be on a slant. This is due to the fact that we are joining but not turning our rounds; the slight offset of a crochet stitch’s top loops in relation to its base cause this slant to happen naturally. The only way to avoid the slant is to turn each round, but it results in a busier-looking fabric that doesn’t showcase the detailing of the bag nearly as well.
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Instructions
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PATTERN FOR BAG
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To Begin: With COLOR A, CH57.
Round 1: Working into the back bumps, SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. Working in FLO down the opposite side of the chain, SC across. (You have now worked in both sides of each chain.) Join. (112)
Rounds 2-82: CH1, SC in same ST and in each ST around. Join. (112) Use the following color pattern:
Rounds 2-22 (22 rounds total, including Round 1): COLOR A
Round 23 (1 round): COLOR B
Rounds 24-27 (4 rounds): COLOR A
Rounds 28-29 (2 rounds): COLOR B
Rounds 30-32 (3 rounds): COLOR A
Rounds 33-35 (3 rounds): COLOR B
Rounds 36-37 (2 rounds): COLOR A
Rounds 38-41 (4 rounds): COLOR B
Round 42 (1 round): COLOR A
Rounds 43-47 (5 rounds): COLOR B
Round 48 (1 round): COLOR C
Rounds 49-52 (4 rounds): COLOR B
Rounds 53-54 (2 rounds): COLOR C
Rounds 55-57 (3 rounds): COLOR B
Rounds 58-60 (3 rounds): COLOR C
Rounds 61-62 (2 rounds): COLOR B
Rounds 63-66 (4 rounds): COLOR C
Round 67 (1 round): COLOR B
Rounds 68-82 (15 rounds): COLOR C
After Round 82 is complete, fasten off and weave in ends.
Lay bag flat, seam side facing down. Locate the rightmost top stitch (leftmost for lefties) and attach COLOR C in that stitch; proceed to Round 83.
Round 83 (drawstring holes): CH1. SC in same ST and in next ST. CH3, SK 3 STS. (SC in each of the next 4 STS, CH3, SK 3 STS) around until only 2 STS remain. SC in each of the remaining 2 STS. Join. (16 drawstring holes)
Round 84: CH1. SC in same ST and in each ST around, putting 3SC in each CH3 space. Join. (112)
Rounds 85-86: CH1, SC in same ST and in each ST around. Join. (112)
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
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SHAPING THE BOTTOM
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We’re going to use a simple trick to give our bag a little roominess at the bottom.
(If you need help visualizing this, I use the technique in my video tutorial for the Malia Shoulder Bag at timestamp 28:50.)
With the bag inside out, turn it upside down and position the bottom so that one end lays out in a triangular shape, with the seam going up the center. Use a ruler and measure a 3″ line across the corner of the base (mark the line with tape if it helps). Sew a seam across the line (through both layers) with COLOR A. Repeat on the opposite side.
Make sure all yarn is woven in, then turn bag right-side out. Here’s what it should look like on the bottom:
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PATTERN FOR DRAWSTRING TABS
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Next, we’ll make some little tabs to secure the ends of our drawstrings to the backpack. Use the following pattern to make two tabs:
To begin: With COLOR A, CH7.
Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. (6)
Rows 2-6: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (6)
Fasten off leaving a 12″ finishing tail for sewing. Weave in starting tail.
Now, let’s attach them.
Step 1: Turn your bag so that the seam is facing UP. Locate the triangle on the bottom-left corner of the bag, formed when you shaped the bottom. Then, locate the edge of the triangle that is on the seamed side of the bag (pink arrow). This is the side to which we’ll attach our tab.
Step 2: Using a yarn needle and the finishing tail, fold the tab over and sew it centered along the edge of the triangle. Work your yarn needle through a couple of stitches on the triangle edge as well as both top and bottom edges of the tab, so that you are sewing the tab closed while also attaching it to the bag.
Step 3: When finished, weave the tail into the inside of the bag.
Attach the second tab to the triangle at the bottom-right corner of the bag, again using the edge of the triangle that is on the seamed side of the bag.
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ADDING DRAWSTRING
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Cut two 1.5 yard lengths of macrame cord. Lay bag flat and locate the furthermost hole to the right; starting from the outside, thread the first length of cord through the hole and then, working leftward, proceed to weave it in and out of each hole around the entire bag. You should end up with the cord exiting the bag through the hole next to your starting hole.
Do the same thing with the other 1.5 yard length of cord, starting in the leftmost hole and working rightward, continuing around the entire bag. (Both cords will be entering and exiting the same drawstring holes, in opposite directions.)
Take each pair of drawstring ends and thread them through their corresponding tabs at the bottom of the bag. Tie ends together in a knot beneath each tab. Don’t cut off the excess yet.
Cinch the backpack and wear it to test the length of your drawstrings, then readjust knot placement as needed. Trim off excess cord.
Done!
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Don’t forget to share your finished project!
Share it on FB, in our FB group, in other groups, on Instagram… wherever you want to spread joy! Be sure to hashtag #yarnstashchallenge and tag me @yarnandchai.design so I can see it, too!
I just wanted to tell you I frequent your page a lot and every time I’m super impressed. I’ve made your beach bag in the past. Your patterns are so well written and easy to follow. I can’t wait to start this one! Thank you sooo much!
I think I add stitches after I ch1. If you SC in the same stitch before you join, isn’t that adding a stitch each time?
This is a picture of what is happening.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oXhn5fT2EfCae6jJA
Thanks for your help
Hi! I just finished making your Malia bag and your video was GREAT! I am a beginner, so whenever I was stumped, I just re-watched until I got it right! Now I am trying the Fading stripes Cinch bag and I am a little perplexed. I have done 10 rounds and keeping ripping it out because it is not forming a rectangle shape, but rather more of an oval and the ends of the oval are angling outwards. What am I doing wrong? I started out with chaining 57, and when I went back down the chain in FLO, the first round has 112 just as you indicated. Shouldn’t it be rectangular, not oval? I am stumped! Please help!
Hi Ruth! As long as you aren’t adding stitches where you shouldn’t (check your stitch count), you’re probably ok. It does start with a flat look but the further you get into it, the sides will build up and form almost like a pocket.
I have the same problem! I am about to rip out to get back to 112. When I counted this time around, I had added some in there somewhere. I better count each time. Live and learn…
I have made the Malia and bucket bags and love them. I love how the use of grommets on those bags gives them a professional look. Is there a reason you opted to not use grommets on this bag?
Hi Julie! Not really 🙂 I just wanted to keep them simple and casual. Grommets or eyelets are always a good idea to up the professional factor, and would work just fine on the cinch bags. 🙂
I went with not adding grommets and love it. Like you said, I like keeping this bag simple and casual😊
How does one work in FLO on opposite side and then get 112 stitches? Any chance you could show one how to do that?
Hi Joanne! Imagine if you were to lay your starting chain down flat on a table, and use your finger to trace around it starting at where your hook left off, and tracing all the way around it until you come back to the same spot. That’s what you’re doing with the stitches; going all the way down one side of the chain, then coming back down the other side (so each stitch has a stitch across the chain that “mirrors” it; said another way, each chain has two stitches in it, one from either side) until you come back to the very first stitch you made. I hope that helps!
Looks beautiful!!
I just ordered the yarn for faded stripes for my two granddaughters
Is there a video??
There is no video at this time. It’s a very simple pattern, though!