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Dino Backpack Pattern

Dino Backpack Pattern
4.5★ Rating
8-10 Hours Time Needed
3.6K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

All-Day Adventure

Requires 8-10 hours, ideal for a full day of immersive crocheting.

✨

Stylish Touch

An elegant detail to elevate any look, combining traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities.

About This Dino Backpack Pattern

This pattern creates a charming Dino Backpack with a tapestry crochet body and a stuffed dino head that works as a lid. It features colorwork spots, straps, and small plates for the dinosaur crest. The instructions include stitch charts, stitch counts, and full assembly guidance to help you craft a finished backpack that is both playful and functional.

Dino Backpack Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The pattern uses sport weight cotton yarn and a 3.5 mm hook, with tapestry crochet techniques for color changes. Step-by-step photos and charts are provided for the bag pattern and strap shaping.

Why You'll Love This Dino Backpack Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines practical design with a playful character—your finished backpack becomes a toy and an accessory in one. I enjoyed designing the tapestry colorwork spots so they look organic and fun when crocheted in the round. The amigurumi head adds personality and becomes a delightful lid that kids will adore. I appreciate how the pattern balances straightforward single crochet shaping with slightly more advanced tapestry techniques to produce a polished result.

Dino Backpack Pattern step 1 - construction progress Dino Backpack Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Dino Backpack Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Dino Backpack Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easy it is to customize the color palette—try pastel shades for a softer, baby-friendly version or bold contrasting tones for a statement backpack.

If you want the backpack larger or smaller, change yarn weight and hook size: bulky yarn will give you a chunky oversized bag and thinner yarn will create a tiny, keychain-friendly version.

I often replace the toggle stopper with a wooden bead or decorative button for a different closure aesthetic; just make sure the cord ends are knotted securely to prevent slipping.

To make the dino head more expressive, experiment with different eye sizes or embroidered eyebrows and nostrils to change the character’s expression.

Try adding a small internal pocket by crocheting a rectangle and sewing it to the inside of the bag before finishing the top rounds.

For an eco-friendly option, substitute cotton yarn for recycled cotton or mercerized cotton to increase durability and machine-washability.

I like to make matching accessories such as a small lunch pouch or pencil case using the same tapestry spot motif to create a set.

To make the straps non-slip and stronger, braid a fabric strip and sew it into the strap or line the inside with a thin layer of interfacing and stitch closed.

You can also add removable accessories to the head—tiny hats, scarves, or sewn-on patches—so the backpack can be updated to match outfits or seasons.

If you prefer a fully lined bag, crochet a fabric or felt lining slightly smaller than the bag interior and hand-sew it in place for a neat finish and extra durability.

I recommend testing a small swatch of the tapestry colorwork first so you can practice carrying floats and maintaining tension before working the full bag round sections.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the instruction to relocate the A marker each round makes counting rounds confusing; relocate the A marker to the 1st stitch of every round to keep your place. ✗ Not carrying and wrapping the contrasting color correctly causes loose floats or tangled threads; from rnd 2 carry and wrap the SC yarn and leave a 4"/10 cm tail to avoid knots and secure floats. ✗ Forgetting to remove or move B markers when instructed will result in incorrect stitch placement; remove B markers when the pattern says and relocate them as noted for correct shaping and counting. ✗ Understuffing the dino head makes it floppy and misshapen; stuff the head gradually during shaping, adding more stuffing before decreases to keep the form smooth. ✗ Tightening tension inconsistently during tapestry crochet creates puckering in the fabric; maintain even tension, wrap carried yarn neatly and avoid pulling too tight across long floats.

Dino Backpack Pattern

Make a playful Dino Backpack that doubles as a cute wearable accessory and a tiny amigurumi lid. This pattern uses tapestry crochet to create the spotted dino design and includes a stuffed dino head as the bag’s lid. Clear, photo-supported steps guide you through each piece so you can create a lovable, durable backpack for kids.

Intermediate 8-10 Hours

Materials Needed for Dino Backpack Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Sport weight cotton yarn (#2/sport) - Two 100 gr / 3.52 oz (200 m / 218 yd) skeins in AQUA GREEN (MC)
  • 02
    Sport weight cotton yarn (#2/sport) - Two 100 gr / 3.52 oz (200 m / 218 yd) skeins in ORANGE (SC)
  • 03
    4 mm cord or similar, approximately 25.2" / 64 cm for drawcord

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 3.5 mm
  • 02
    One transparent toggle stopper
  • 03
    Two 1 cm safety eyes
  • 04
    Polyester stuffing
  • 05
    Stitch markers in two colors
  • 06
    Measuring tape
  • 07
    Yarn needle for sewing
  • 08
    Scissors

Progress Tracker

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— Color changes :

Infos :

* Color changes: To switch from one color to the other, finish the last st before the switch with the new color. Continue working tapestry crochet wrapping MC or SC according to the dino pattern. To avoid threads from tangling when alternating, follow steps 1-4 for each color change.

Info :

From MC to SC: Lift SC strand in front of MC, yarn over with SC and finish the st. Sc the necessary sts with SC wrapping MC.

Info :

From SC to MC: Put MC strand behind SC, yarn over with MC and finish the st. Sc the necessary sts with MC wrapping SC.

— Bag :

Info :

Crocheted in the round, in a spiral way, starting from the base (see chart in pages 7-8). With MC ch 35.

Round 1 :

2 sc in 2nd ch from hook (place a color A and a color B marker in 1st st), sc 32, 4 sc in next ch (place a color B marker in 2nd and 3rd st), continue on the other side of the foundation ch, sc 32, 2 sc in the last ch (place a color B marker in last st)= 72 sts

Round 2 :

From this round on carry and wrap SC yarn. Take it leaving a 4"/10 cm strand, don't make knots. Continue crocheting with MC wrapping SC in between the sts. For more details on tapestry crochet follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxZF88F24sM Relocate A marker in the 1st st of every rnd and B markers in the middle st every time you make 3 sc in one st. This will make counting sts and rounds easier. 3 sc in 1st st, sc 34, 3 sc in next st, 3 sc in next st, sc 34, 3 sc in next st= 80 sts

Round 3 :

Sc 1, 3 sc in next st, sc 36, 3 sc in next st, sc 2, 3 sc in next st, sc 36, 3 sc in next st, sc 1 = 88 sts

Round 4 :

Sc 2, 3 sc in next st, sc 38, 3 sc in next st, sc 4, 3 sc in next st, sc 38, 3 sc in next st sc 2 = 96 sts

Round 5 :

Sc 3, 3 sc in next st, sc 40, 3 sc in next st, sc 6, 3 sc in next st, sc 40, 3 sc in next st, sc 3 = 104 sts

Round 6 :

Sc 4, 3 sc in next st, sc 42, 3 sc in next st, sc 8, 3 sc in next st, sc 42, 3 sc in next st, sc 4= 112 sts

Round 7 :

Sc 5, 3 sc in next st, sc 44, 3 sc in next st, sc 10, 3 sc in next st, sc 44, 3 sc in next st, sc 5= 120 sts

Round 8 :

Sc 6, 3 sc in next st, sc 46, 3 sc in next st, sc 12, 3 sc in next st, sc 46, 3 sc in next st sc 6= 128 sts

Round 9-55 :

Continue crocheting over 128 sts by following the dino pattern chart and/or stitch count in pages 7-9. Switch colors to make the drawing. Remove B markers and relocate A marker in the 1st st of every round.

Round 56 :

Sc 12 following the charts to reach the fold of the bag= 12 sts. Close last st with MC.

Round 57 (with MC wrapping SC) :

Sc 6 (relocate A marker in the 1st st, this will be the new beginning of rounds), 3 sc over SC only, skip 3 sts, (sc 13, 3 sc over SC only, skip 3 sts) rep ( ) 7 times, sc 7= 128 sts

Round 58-59 (with MC wrapping SC) :

Sc 128= 128 sts Sl st in the next st. Fasten off. Cut SC leaving a 4"/10 cm strand. Weave in all ends.

— BACKPACK STRAPS (Make 2) :

Info :

Sizes: 3, 4, 5, 6 years old (straps in the images were made for 3 year old size). Crocheted in the round, in a spiral way, starting from one end. With SC ch (97, 104, 111, 118) leaving a long strand in the beginning to sew afterwards.

Round 1 :

2 sc in 2nd ch from hook (place an A and a B marker in 1st st), sc (94, 101, 108, 115), 4 sc in next ch (place a B marker in 2nd and 3rd st), continue on the other side of the foundation ch, sc (94, 101, 108, 115), 2 sc in last ch (place a B marker in last st) = (196, 210, 224, 238) sts

Round 2 :

From this round on carry and wrap MC yarn. Continue crocheting with SC wrapping MC in between the sts. Relocate A marker in the 1st st of every rnd and B markers in the middle st every time you make 3 sc in one st. 3 sc in 1st st, sc (96, 103, 110, 117), 3 sc in next st, 3 sc in next st, sc (96, 103, 110, 117), 3 sc in next st = (204, 218, 232, 246) sts

Round 3 :

Sc 1, 3 sc in next st, sc (96, 103, 110, 117), 3 sc in next st, sc 2, 3 sc in next st, sc (96, 103, 110, 117), 3 sc in next st, sc 1 = (212, 226, 240, 254) sts Sl st in the next st.

Info :

Fasten off leaving a long strand of SC for sewing. Cut MC leaving a 4"/ 10 cm strand. Weave in MC strands only.

— DINO-HEAD :

Info :

Crocheted in the round, in a spiral way, starting from the front. With MC ch 2.

Round 1 :

6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (place a marker in 1st st)= 6 sts

Round 2 :

Sc 2 in each sc around= 12 sts (relocate marker in the 1st st of this and the following rounds)

Round 3 :

(Sc 1, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 18 sts

Round 4 :

(Sc 2, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 24 sts

Round 5 :

(Sc 3, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 30 sts

Round 6 :

(Sc 4, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 36 sts

Round 7 :

(Sc 5, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 42 sts

Round 8 :

(Sc 6, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 48 sts

Round 9-14 :

Sc 48= 48 sts

Round 15 :

(Sc 6, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 42 sts

Round 16 :

(Sc 5, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 36 sts

Round 17 :

(Sc 5, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 42 sts

Round 18 :

(Sc 6, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 48 sts

Round 19 :

(Sc 7, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 54 sts

Info :

Place the eyes between rounds 16 and 17 with an interspace of 7 sts.

Round 20 :

(Sc 8, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 60 sts

Round 21 :

(Sc 9, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 66 sts

Round 22 :

(Sc 10, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 6 times= 72 sts

Round 23-30 :

Sc 72= 72 sts

Round 31 :

(Sc 10, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 66 sts

Round 32 :

(Sc 9, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 60 sts

Round 33 :

(Sc 8, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 54 sts

Round 34 :

(Sc 7, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 48 sts

Round 35 :

(Sc 6, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 42 sts

Round 36 :

(Sc 5, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 36 sts

Info :

Start filling in with stuffing.

Round 37 :

(Sc 4, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 30 sts

Round 38 :

(Sc 3, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 24 sts

Round 39 :

(Sc 2, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 18 sts

Info :

Fill in the rest of the head.

Round 40 :

(Sc 1, dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 12 sts

Round 41 :

(Dec 1) rep ( ) 6 times= 6 sts

Round 42 :

(Sc 1, skip 1 st) rep ( ) 3 times= 3 sts. Sl st in the next st. Fasten off leaving a long strand for sewing.

— PLATES (Make 3) :

Info :

Crocheted in the round, in a spiral way, starting from the top. With SC ch 2.

Round 1 :

6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (place a marker in 1st st)= 6 sts

Round 2 :

(Sc 1, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 3 times= 9 sts (relocate marker in the 1st st of this and the following rounds)

Round 3 :

Sc 9= 9 sts

Round 4 :

(Sc 2, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 3 times= 12 sts

Round 5-6 :

Sc 12= 12 sts

Round 7 :

(Sc 3, 2 sc in next st) rep ( ) 3 times= 15 sts

Round 8 :

Sc 15= 15 sts. Sl st in the next st. Fasten off leaving a long strand for sewing.

— DINO'S HEAD ASSEMBLY :

Info :

Fill in each plate with stuffing. Sew the plates right to the top center part of the head. Start from the ending of the head to the front.

— BACKPACK ASSEMBLY :

Info :

Choose front and back side of the bag. Sew 0.8"/ 2 cm of one strap end one round below one back center eyelet. Sew 0.8"/ 2 cm of the other end to rnd 9 of the bag, from the base corners to the inside. Repeat for the other strap.

Info :

Join the dino's head to the backpack, by sewing the back of the head at the height of the ending to the back of the bag on the inside (for better precision pin it first to make sure position is correct, the head should lay in between the two center back eyelets and fall down centered to the front).

Info :

Pull the cord through the eyelets, starting from one front center eyelet, until it comes out from the other front center hole. Pull the tips of the cord through the stopper. Make a knot on both ends.

Info :

The backpack is ready.

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew 0.8"/2 cm of one strap end one round below one back center eyelet, and sew the other strap end 0.8"/2 cm to rnd 9 of the bag from the base corners to the inside; repeat for the second strap to mirror the placement.
  • Position and pin the dino head on the inside back of the bag at the height of the ending so that it lays between the two center back eyelets, then sew the back of the head securely in place for a centered front-facing lid.
  • Thread the cord through the front center eyelets, pull the tips through the toggle stopper, and tie knots on both ends to secure the drawcord and create the bag closure.
  • Attach the three plates to the top center of the head (from the ending to the front) by stuffing each plate lightly and sewing them in sequence to form the dinosaur crest.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers (A and B) to mark the first stitch of rounds and the center of increases for accurate counting throughout tapestry and shaping rounds.
  • 💡Carry and wrap the contrasting yarn as instructed from rnd 2 to secure floats and avoid tangling—do not cut strands between color changes unless necessary.
  • 💡Weave in MC strands only on straps as directed and leave long sewing tails on parts where you will join pieces to simplify assembly.

This Dino Backpack Pattern turns a playful dinosaur into a practical little backpack you can proudly make by hand. Your finished piece will be a joyful, functional accessory perfect for kids or as a special gift. Enjoy the tapestry crochet colorwork and the cuddly amigurumi head that doubles as a lid. 🦖🧶

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FAQs

What size will the finished bag be?

The finished bag measures approximately 10.2" x 9.3" / 26 cm x 23.5 cm when worked with the recommended sport weight cotton yarn and 3.5 mm hook.

Can I use a different yarn weight or hook size?

Yes, but the final size and drape will change. Switching to a thicker yarn and larger hook will produce a chunkier, larger backpack; adjust hook size and gauge accordingly to maintain stitch counts.

Do I need experience with tapestry crochet to make this?

This pattern is rated intermediate and includes tapestry crochet instructions; basic knowledge of single crochet and carrying floats is recommended to achieve the colorwork.

How long does it take to complete this project?

This is typically an 8-10 hour project, depending on your crochet speed and familiarity with tapestry crochet and amigurumi shaping.