The Sunburst Fiesta Backpack: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Bohemian Daypack

Introducing the Sunburst Fiesta Backpack

Carry your essentials in style with this vibrant, textured backpack, featuring a central sunburst motif and a cascade of floral appliqués. This free crochet pattern creates a sturdy, bohemian-inspired bag perfect for farmers markets, beach days, or everyday adventures. The combination of warm terracotta, bright saffron, coral, and sage green gives this backpack a rich, earthy feel that stands out in any crowd.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn (e.g., Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton) in 4 colors:
  • Color A (Main Body - Terracotta): approx. 250g
  • Color B (Sunburst - Saffron): approx. 100g
  • Color C (Floral Accents - Coral): approx. 75g
  • Color D (Leaves & Straps - Sage Green): approx. 75g
  Total approx. 500g.
• Hook: Size G (4.0 mm) crochet hook
• Other: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional)

Gauge

16 sc x 18 rows = 4 inches (10 cm). Always check your gauge to ensure proper sizing.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Notes

• Worked in joined rounds unless stated otherwise.
• Ch 1 at beginning of round does not count as a stitch.
• Join with a slip stitch to the first stitch of the round.

Backpack Body (Make 2 identical pieces)

Round 1: With Color A, make a magic ring. Work 6 sc into ring. Join with sl st to first sc. (6 sts)

Round 2: Ch 1. 2 sc in each st around. Join. (12 sts)

Round 3: Ch 1. *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. Join. (18 sts)

Round 4: Ch 1. *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. Join. (24 sts)

Round 5: Ch 1. *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. Join. (30 sts)

Round 6: Ch 1. *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. Join. (36 sts)

Round 7: Ch 1. *Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. Join. (42 sts)

Round 8: Ch 1. *Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. Join. (48 sts)

Round 9: Ch 1. *Sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. Join. (54 sts)

Round 10: Ch 1. *Sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. Join. (60 sts)

Round 11: Ch 1. *Sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. Join. (66 sts)

Round 12: Ch 1. *Sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. Join. (72 sts)

Rounds 13-30: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join. (72 sts)

Fasten off. Repeat for second piece.

Sunburst Motif (Make 1)

Round 1: With Color B, make a magic ring. Work 12 dc into ring. Join with sl st to first dc. (12 sts)

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in same st. 2 dc in each st around. Join. (24 sts)

Round 3: Ch 3. Dc in same st. *Dc in next st, 2 dc in next st* repeat around. Join. (36 sts)

Round 4: Ch 1. *Sc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sc in next 2 sts* repeat around. Join. (6 ch-3 loops)

Round 5: Sl st into first ch-3 loop. Ch 1. (Sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in each ch-3 loop around. Join. Fasten off.

Floral Appliqués (Make 5)

Round 1: With Color C, make a magic ring. Work 10 sc into ring. Join. (10 sts)

Round 2: Ch 1. *Sc in next st, ch 3, skip next st* repeat around. Join. (5 ch-3 loops)

Round 3: Sl st into first ch-3 loop. Ch 1. (Sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in each ch-3 loop around. Join. Fasten off.

Leaf Appliqués (Make 6)

Row 1: With Color D, ch 8. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 5 chs. 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of chain, sc in next 6 chs. Do not join. (15 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in next 6 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts. Fasten off.

Assembly

1. Attach Sunburst: Sew the Sunburst Motif centered onto one of the backpack body pieces using Color B yarn. Make sure it's positioned about 2-3 inches from the top edge.
2. Attach Appliqués: Arrange and sew the floral and leaf appliqués around the sunburst, cascading down the front of the backpack. Use the photo as inspiration—place flowers at varying angles and leaves between them for a natural look.
3. Form the Bag: Place the two backpack body pieces together with wrong sides facing. Using Color A, sc through both layers along the bottom and sides, leaving the top open. Work 1 sc in each stitch, making sure to catch both layers. This creates the bag shape.
4. Straps (Make 2): With Color D, ch 120. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Fasten off. Sew one end of each strap to the inside top edge of the backpack (front and back). Sew the other ends to the bottom corners of the backpack, ensuring straps are even in length.
5. Drawstring Closure: With Color B, ch 150. Weave through the top row of stitches of the backpack, starting and ending at the front center. Tie ends in a bow.

Your Sunburst Fiesta Backpack is now complete! Fill it with your essentials and enjoy the compliments.