Crochet Sugar Skull Backpack

Materials:

• Purple yarn (medium weight)
• Green yarn (medium weight)
• Black yarn (medium weight)
• White yarn (medium weight)
• Crochet hook (size appropriate for yarn, usually 5mm/H-8)
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Zipper (length appropriate for backpack size)
• Lining fabric (optional)

Abbreviations:

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sp: space

Instructions:

Backpack Base:

1. Front and Back Panels:
   • Using green yarn, ch 40 (or desired width of the backpack).
   • Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
   • Rows 2-50: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
   • Fasten off and weave in ends.
2. Side Panels:
   • Using green yarn, ch 12 (or desired depth of the backpack).
   • Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
   • Rows 2-50: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
   • Fasten off and weave in ends.
3. Bottom Panel:
   • Using green yarn, ch 40.
   • Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
   • Rows 2-12: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
   • Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sugar Skull Motif:

1. Skull Base:
   • Using white yarn, ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.
   • Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), 11 hdc in ring. Join with sl st.
   • Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st.
   • Round 3: Ch 2, (2 hdc in next hdc, 1 hdc in next hdc) repeat around. Join with sl st.
   • Continue increasing in this pattern until you reach desired skull size. Fasten off.
2. Eyes (Make 2):
   • Using black yarn, ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.
   • Round 1: Ch 2, 11 hdc in ring. Join with sl st.
   • Round 2: Switch to purple yarn, ch 2, 2 hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st.
   • Round 3: Switch to green yarn, ch 2, (2 hdc in next hdc, 1 hdc in next hdc) repeat around. Join with sl st.
   • Fasten off.
3. Nose:
   • Using black yarn, ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.
   • Round 1: Ch 1, 8 sc in ring. Join with sl st.
   • Fasten off.
4. Mouth:
   • Using black yarn, ch 20 (or desired length for mouth).
   • Sc in each ch across. Fasten off.

Assembly:

1. Attach the eyes, nose, and mouth to the skull base using the yarn needle and black yarn.
2. Sew the skull motif onto the front panel of the backpack.
3. Attach the side panels to the front and back panels using sc stitches, forming the body of the backpack.
4. Attach the bottom panel to the backpack body using sc stitches.
5. Attach the zipper to the top opening of the backpack.
6. (Optional) Line the inside of the backpack with fabric for added durability.

Enjoy your unique crochet sugar skull backpack!