Using a simple textured stitch, this Cat Backpack will be cute on the school bus or at the park filled with school supplies or a snack. This project uses simple construction and amigurimi techniques to achieve adorable results.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: 10” tall x 10½” wide

Gauge: 15 sts and 13 rows = 4” [10 cm] in (dc, sc) stitch pattern, before blocking

Materials

Yarn:

 Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn (100% Acrylic; 355 yards [325 meters]/199 grams): #200 Grey Mist – 1 skein

Hook: US size H/8 (5.0 mm)

Notions: 21” grey zipper; small amounts of white, black and pink felt; sewing thread to match backpack and felt; sewing needle; tapestry needle; sewing pins; small amount of black yarn (medium weight)

Special Stitches

Sc-dc tog = Insert hook into next st, yo, draw up a lp, yo, insert hook into next st, draw up a lp, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook.

Dc-sc tog = YO, insert hook into next st, draw up a lp, yo, pull through 2 lps, insert hook into next st, draw up a lp, yo, pull through all 3 lps on hook.

Sc2tog = Insert hook into next st, draw up a lp, insert hook into next st, draw up a lp, yo, draw through all 3 lps on hook.

Pattern Notes

Ch 3 at the beginning of each row counts as the first dc throughout.

Use sewing pins to hold pieces in place during assembly.

Pattern

Front

Ch 38.
Row 1: Sc in 4^th ch from hook, *dc in next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across, ending with sc in last ch, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, sc in next st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across, working last sc in turning chain, turn.
Rows 3-22: Repeat Row 2.
Row 23: Ch 1, *sc in next st, dc in next st; rep from * across to last 2 sts, (dc-sc tog) over last sc and turning ch, turn.
Row 24: Ch 1, *dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across to last 2 sts, (sc-dc tog) over last 2 sts, turn.
Rows 25-30: Repeat Rows 23-24 three times.
Row 31: Repeat Row 23. Fasten off.

Back

Work as for Front.

Front Pocket

Work as for Front from Row 1-16. Fasten off.

Bottom Strip

Ch 16.

Row 1: Sc in 4^th ch, *dc in next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, sc in next st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across, turn.
Rows 3-59: Repeat Row 2. Fasten off.

Zipper Strips (make 2)

Ch 10.

Row 1: Sc in 4^th ch, *dc in next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, sc in next st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across, turn.
Rows 3-38: Repeat Row 2. Fasten off.

Straps (make 2)

Ch 8.

Row 1: Sc in 4^th ch, *dc in next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, sc in next st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until strap measures 25” long.

Sew short ends of straps together to make a loop.

Legs (make 4)

Ch 18.

Row 1: Sc in 4^th ch from hook, *dc in next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, sc in next st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across, ending with sc in turning ch, turn.
Rows 3-5: Repeat Row 2.
Row 6: Ch 3, (sc-dc tog over next 2 sts) 7 times, sc in turning ch.

Fasten off leaving long tail for assembly.

Using yarn tail and yarn needle and a running stitch, sew Row 6 end of leg shut, continue down side of leg sewing end of rows together to make a tube. Leave long tail for sewing to backpack.

Ears (make 2)

Ch 10.

Row 1: Sc in 4^th ch from hook, *dc in next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * across, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, sc in next st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, sc-dc tog over next 2 sts, sc in next st, dc in next st, sc in next st, dc-sc tog over last st and turning ch, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, dc in next st, sc in next st, dc in next st, sc2tog in next st and turning ch, turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, sc2tog over first 2 sts, dc in next st, sc in last st, turn.
Row 6: Ch 1, sc2tog over next 2 sts, sc in last st, turn.
Row 7: Ch 1, sc2tog, turn.

Edging

Ch 1, work a sc in end of each row around and along bottom of Row 1.

Fasten off leaving a long tail for assembly.

Finishing

With tapestry needle and yarn, sew legs to front piece using photo as a guide. Join with sc at Point A (see Diagram) working through pocket and front piece except when working across leg or ear, then ONLY sc along edge of pocket. Do not fasten off. Continue to sc along edge of front piece from Point B to A, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

With tapestry needle and yarn, sew pocket to legs and ears to top of front piece.

With sewing needle and thread, sew zipper strips to each side of zipper.

With tapestry needle and yarn, sew one zipper strip to top of front piece and sew bottom strip to bottom of front piece.

With back side of backpack facing, join with sc anywhere along edge, sc around entire back piece edge, making sure to pass through both thicknesses of back piece and zipper or bottom strips.

With tapestry needle and yarn, sew up opening where strips meet on both sides.

With tapestry needle and yarn, sew straps evenly spaced on back of backpack.

Cut eyes out of white felt (1¼” long x 7/8” wide) and black felt (for pupil – 5/8” diameter). With matching sewing thread and needle, sew pupils to white felt. Sew eye to backpack using photo as a guide.

Sew pink felt (5/8” circle) on for nose (using photo as a guide) and small triangles inside ear shapes with sewing thread and needle.

With black yarn and tapestry needle, add mouth and whiskers using photo as a guide.