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Dive into the world of Pokémon with your very own handmade Squirtle Backpack! This adorable and functional crochet project allows you to carry your essentials in style, featuring everyone’s favorite Water-type starter. Perfect for conventions, daily outings, or just showing off your fandom, this pattern brings a beloved character to life with your own crafty hands.
Unleash Your Inner Trainer: The Perfect Crochet Squirtle Backpack
There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of crafting a unique item that combines practicality with a touch of whimsy. This Squirtle backpack isn’t just a fun accessory; it’s a statement piece that celebrates your passion for crochet and Pokémon. Imagine the smiles and compliments you’ll receive while sporting this charming, one-of-a-kind creation!
Crochet Pattern: Crochet Squirtle Backpack Pattern: Carry Your Essentials with a Pokémon Friend!
Materials
- Worsted weight yarn in Light Blue (for body, head, limbs, straps)
- Worsted weight yarn in Dark Brown (for shell and connecting panel)
- Worsted weight yarn in Beige/Cream (for belly and shell accents)
- Worsted weight yarn in White (for eye accents)
- Worsted weight yarn in Black (for eyes, mouth, shell lines)
- Worsted weight yarn in Red (for eye details)
- 4.0mm (G/6) crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Stitch markers
- Polyester fiberfill
- 14-16 inch zipper (matching dark brown or blue)
- Optional: Fabric for lining (for durability)
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- inc – increase (2 sc in one stitch)
- dec – decrease (sc 2 together)
- sl st – slip stitch
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- BLO – back loop only
- FO – fasten off
- MR – magic ring
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- Rnd – Round
Instructions
Gauge: Not critical for this project, but aim for a firm fabric to prevent stuffing from showing through.
Notes: Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise specified. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch of each round.
Main Backpack Panels (Make 2: 1 Front, 1 Back)
Front Panel (Squirtle’s Face & Belly):
- Rnd 1: Using Light Blue yarn, MR, 6 sc in MR (6)
- Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12)
- Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
- Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
- Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6 (30)
- Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) x 6 (36)
- …continue increasing in this manner until the circle reaches your desired width for the backpack face. A good size would be around 10-12 inches in diameter. For example, if you aim for approx. 60 sts per round.
- Switch to Beige/Cream yarn: Continue working rounds in beige for the belly section, maintaining the same stitch count for a few rounds (e.g., 3-5 rounds), then begin gentle increases as needed to maintain a flat circle.
- Once desired size is reached for the front panel, FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Back Panel (Squirtle’s Shell):
- Rnd 1: Using Dark Brown yarn, MR, 6 sc in MR (6)
- Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12)
- Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
- Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
- …continue increasing in this manner until the back panel matches the diameter of your front panel.
- Once desired size is reached for the back panel, FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Connecting Strip (Gusset & Zipper Section)
- Ch 10-12 (or desired width of the backpack gusset).
- Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Ch 1, turn. (9-11 sc)
- Rows 2-X: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn.
- Continue working rows in Dark Brown yarn until the strip is long enough to go around the circumference of your backpack panels, minus about 2-3 inches for the zipper opening.
- FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Head
- Rnd 1: Using Light Blue yarn, MR, 6 sc in MR (6)
- Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12)
- Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
- Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
- Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6 (30)
- Rnd 6-10: Sc in each st around (30)
- Rnd 11: (Sc 3, dec) x 6 (24)
- Rnd 12: (Sc 2, dec) x 6 (18)
- Stuff firmly.
- Rnd 13: (Sc 1, dec) x 6 (12)
- Rnd 14: Dec x 6 (6)
- FO, weave in tail to close.
Arms (Make 2)
- Rnd 1: Using Light Blue yarn, MR, 6 sc in MR (6)
- Rnd 2: (Sc 1, inc) x 3 (9)
- Rnd 3-7: Sc in each st around (9)
- Stuff lightly.
- FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Legs (Make 2)
- Rnd 1: Using Light Blue yarn, MR, 6 sc in MR (6)
- Rnd 2: (Sc 1, inc) x 3 (9)
- Rnd 3: (Sc 2, inc) x 3 (12)
- Rnd 4-8: Sc in each st around (12)
- Stuff lightly.
- FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Backpack Straps (Make 2)
- Ch 8 (or desired width).
- Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn (7 sc)
- Rows 2-X: Sc in BLO across. Ch 1, turn. (7 sc)
- Continue until desired strap length is achieved (measure against a child’s backpack for reference).
- FO, leaving long tails for sewing.
Assembly
- Attach Head and Limbs: Sew the head to the top center of the Light Blue section of the Front Panel. Sew the arms and legs to the Beige/Cream section as shown in the image.
- Embroider Facial Features: Use Black yarn to embroider the mouth and outline the eyes. Use White yarn for eye whites and Red yarn for the pupil details as seen in the image.
- Embroider Shell Details: Using Black yarn, surface crochet or embroider the hexagonal lines onto the Beige/Cream belly section and onto the Dark Brown back panel to mimic Squirtle’s shell patterns. Use White yarn to outline the edges of the beige belly section on the front panel.
- Attach Gusset: Sew one long edge of the Dark Brown connecting strip around the perimeter of the Back Panel, matching stitches. Leave a 2-3 inch gap at the top for the zipper.
- Insert Zipper: Sew the zipper into the gap left on the connecting strip.
- Attach Front Panel: Sew the remaining long edge of the Dark Brown connecting strip (with zipper attached) around the perimeter of the Front Panel, carefully aligning all features.
- Attach Straps: Sew the top ends of the crocheted straps securely to the top edge of the Back Panel, near the center. Sew the bottom ends of the straps to the bottom sides of the Back Panel, ensuring even spacing.
- Optional Lining: If desired, cut and sew a fabric lining for the inside of the backpack and stitch it in place for added durability and to prevent items from snagging on crochet stitches.
Your Squirtle Backpack is now complete! Enjoy your new Pokémon companion!