The Kelan Carryall- Free Crochet Pattern
The Kelan Carryall crochet pattern features a stylish drawstring backpack design, perfect for everyday adventures. Crafted with Lion Brand Rewind tape yarn, it highlights the beautiful texture of the Jasmine Stitch throughout the main body and straps. This lightweight yet sturdy bag offers both function and flair, making it a fun and rewarding project for crochet enthusiasts.
Keep scrolling for the free version, get the digital PDF in my shop or treat yourself to the complete kit from Lion Brand Yarn.
If you’re looking for your next favorite crochet project that’s as practical as it is pretty, meet the Kelan Carryall-a modern, drawstring-style backpack made for makers who love texture and function. This bag is designed with everyday use in mind, perfect for errands, festivals, beach days, or casual outings where you want to travel light but still carry the essentials.
What makes the Kelan Carryall stand out is the Jasmine Stitch, a stunning and sturdy stitch that gives the bag an elegant, floral texture. While the Jasmine Stitch may look difficult, it’s well worth the effort and once you get into the rhythm, it’s a meditative dream. I first learned the Jasmine Stitch last summer while making a different bag design for the book Crocheting The National Parks. I fell in love with the texture and knew that I wanted to use it again, but as a bucket style bag. It took me a while to get to it, but I’m so glad I was able to bring this idea to life.
The bag is made with Lion Brand Rewind tape yarn which is one of my favorite yarns for making bags since it’s lightweight and soft and gives pieces structure without bulk. The yarn works up smoothly, and the tape style pairs perfectly with the Jasmine Stitch to enhance the texture even more. Plus, Rewind comes in a beautiful range of neutral and earthy tones, giving you lots of options to match your style.
Whether you’re crafting one for yourself or as a gift, the Kelan Carryall is a satisfying project that combines texture, practicality, and modern design. It’s not just a bag—it’s a statement piece you’ll be proud to say you made.
The Kelan Carryall Crochet Pattern
Materials:
770 yards (4 skeins) of Lion Brand Rewind Tape Yarn in the color Willow
Crochet hooks sizes I(5.5mm) & J(6mm)
Tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure
Notes:
1.The main body of the bag is made in one piece in turned rounds. The draw string, straps and handle are made separately and then attached.
2.Jasmine stitch is used for the main body of the bag. It is made using specific puff stitches (see special stitches). Jasmine stitch round stitch counts are counted in horizontal puff stitches, which are the puffs that lay flat around the outside of the work.
3.Ch(s) at beginning of rows/rounds do(es) not count as a stitch.
Gauge:
1st 3 rounds of jasmine stitch = 4.75 diameter circle
Abbreviations:
Ch(s)- chain(s)
St(s)- stitch(es)
sk- skip
sl st- slip stitch
sc- single crochet
hdc- half double crochet
sm(s)- stitch marker(s)
sp- space
yo-yarn over
Size:
14” W x 13” H
Video Tutorial:
Before we dive into the pattern I want to share some of the special stitches used to make the Jasmine Stitch. This will help you understand how to better read the pattern. I also recommend following along with the video tutorial as well for all the tricky bits.
Special Stitches:
anchor puff-yo, insert hook into ring and draw up a loop 3 times, yo, draw through all loops on hook while also holding onto the working yarn, insert hook into sp made by working yarn (2 loops on hook), yo and draw through both loops on hook, ch 1 to finish.
2 puff cluster- yo, insert hook into current cluster sp and draw up a loop 3 times (7 loops on hook), yo, insert hook into next cluster sp and draw up a loop 3 times (13 loops on hook), yo and draw through all loops on hook while also holding onto the working yarn, insert hook into sp made by working yarn (2 loops on hook), yo and draw through both loops on hook, ch 1, to finish.
3 puff cluster- yo, insert hook into current cluster sp and draw up a loop 3 times (7 loops on hook), yo, insert hook into next cluster sp and draw up a loop 3 times (13 loops on hook), yo and insert hook into next cluster sp and draw up a loop 3 times (19 loops on hook), yo and draw through all loops on hook while also holding onto the working yarn, insert hook into sp made by working yarn (2 loops on hook), yo and draw through both loops on hook, ch 1, to finish.
Pattern:
Main Body: make one
With 6mm hook,
Round 1: make a magic ring, work an anchor puff, [2 puff cluster] x4, [3 puff cluster] working last puff into the top of the anchor puff, turn. (6 horizontal puffs)
Round 2: work an anchor puff into 1st sp, *[2 puff cluster] x1, [3 puff cluster] x1, repeat from * 4 more times, [2 puff cluster] x2, inserting hook into top of anchor puff before finishing last cluster to join, turn. (12 horizontal puffs)
Round 3: work an anchor puff into 1st sp, *[2 puff cluster] x1, [3 puff cluster] x2, repeat from * 4 more times, [2 puff cluster] x1, [3 puff cluster] x1, [2 puff cluster] x1, inserting hook into top of anchor puff before finishing last cluster to join, turn. (18 horizontal puffs)
Round 4: work an anchor puff into 1st sp, *[2 puff cluster] x1, [3 puff cluster] x3, repeat from * 4 more times, [2 puff cluster] x1, [3 puff cluster] x2, [2 puff cluster] x1, inserting hook into top of anchor st before finishing last cluster to join, turn. (24 horizontal puffs)
Round 5: work an anchor puff into 1st sp, *[2 puff cluster] x1, [3 puff cluster] x4, repeat from * 4 more times, [2 puff cluster] x1, [3 puff cluster] x3, [2 puff cluster] x1, inserting hook into top of anchor st before finishing last cluster to join, turn. (30 horizontal puffs)
Round 6: work an anchor puff into 1st sp, *[2 puff cluster] x1, [3 puff cluster] x5, repeat from * 4 more times, [2 puff cluster] x1, [3 puff cluster] x4, [2 puff cluster] x1, inserting hook into top of anchor st before finishing last cluster to join, turn. (36 horizontal puffs)
Rounds 7-19: work an anchor puff into 1st sp, [3 puff cluster] x35, [2 puff cluster] x1, inserting hook into top of anchor st before finishing last cluster to join, turn. (36 horizontal puffs)
Round 20: sc into each sp and top of puff st around, sl st to 1st st to join, ch 1, turn. (72 sc)
Rounds 21-22: sc in each st around, sl st to top of 1st st to join, ch 1, turn. (72 sc)
Drawstring holes are made during the next round. Place st markers into the 6th, 14th, 23rd, 31st, 42nd, 50th, 59th and 67th st from the join. You will skip over these marked stitches to create the drawstring holes.
Round 23: *sc in each st to sm, ch 1, sk 1, repeat from * around until all sms are gone, sc to end, sl st to 1st st to join, ch 1, turn. (72 sts)
Round 24-26: sc in each st around, sl st to top of 1st st to join. (72 sc)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Straps: make two
For the straps we will use a 4 loop puff stitch, [yo, insert hook where indicated, yo and draw up a loop] x4, yo and pull through all but one loop on hook, yo and draw through both loops on hook.
With 5.5mm hook, ch 2 leaving about a 10” tail.
Row 1: work a puff st into the second ch from hook, ch 1, turn.
Row 2-52: work a puff st into the ch1-sp, ch 1, turn.
Add additional rows if you would like to lengthen your straps.
Do not fasten off.
Border Round: *sc into top loop of puff st, hdc into the right hand sp between the puffs, repeat from * to end of first side.
Work 2sc into the top of the last puff st, sc into the loop of that same puff st, hdc into the sp between the puffs, *sc into the top loop of puff, hdc into the left hand side sp between the puffs, repeat from * to end of second side, working 2sc into the last top loop of the last puff, sl st to 1st st to join.
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
Drawstring: make one
With 5.5mm hook make a slip knot with a 150” tail.
Wrap tail around hook from front to back, yo and draw through both loops on hook.
Handle:
Fold a piece of yarn in half to create a double strand of yarn that is approx. 180”, then form a slip knot about half way into the strand.
With a 6mm hook, wrap tail around hook from front to back, yo and draw through both loops on hook.
Repeat that step until the handle measures approx. 8-10”
Fasten off leaving tail ends attached.
Assembly:
Insert Drawstring
With Main Body folded in half so that the join is at the center back, insert drawstring through the front right hole, weave it in and out of the holes going all the way around the top of the bag so that the ends are both coming out at the front. Make sure tail ends are even, then tie a knot towards the bottom of each tail.
Attach Straps
Using long tails, attach one end of each strap to the 1st sc row of the main body on either side of the back two drawstring holes.
Make sure to sew around the edges and into the center of the strap for extra security.
With bag laying as flat as possible, measure straight down from the inside edge of the straps 10” and then over to either side approx. 3-4” and place a sm.
Sew the other end of the straps to the spot marked making sure the straps are not twisted.
Attach Handle
Sew handle onto the back of the bag in between the straps. Use the existing tails of one end and use a doubled up piece of yarn for the other end. Make sure to tie a few knots on the inside for extra security.
Weave in all ends and enjoy!
I hope you love your new Kelan Carryall! If you make one I’d love to see it. Make sure to tag me @meghanmakesdo and use #thekelancarryall on socials so I can share.
As always you can find the digital PDF of this pattern in my shop, Etsy and Ravelry, or get the complete kit from Lion Brand Yarn.
Happy Crocheting,
Meghan
