The Secret Garden Heart Pocket Drawstring Backpack: A Free Crochet Pattern

Introducing the Secret Garden Heart Pocket Drawstring Backpack

Carry your treasures in a whimsical, textured backpack featuring a hidden heart-shaped pocket, perfect for keeping small secrets safe. This unique design combines the cozy feel of a drawstring bag with a romantic, tactile detail. Whether you're a beginner looking for a rewarding project or an experienced crocheter seeking a charming gift, this pattern is designed to inspire. The combination of soft dusty rose and creamy off-white creates a boho, romantic aesthetic that feels both modern and timeless.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials. Using the exact yarn weights and hook sizes will ensure your bag matches the intended size and texture.

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) cotton or cotton-blend yarn.
  • Main Color (MC): 250g (approx 450 yds) of a soft, dusty rose.
  • Contrast Color (CC): 50g (approx 90 yds) of a creamy off-white.
  • Optional: Small amount of scrap yarn for heart detail (a deeper rose or blush).
• Hook/Needle:
  • US Size H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook for the main bag body.
  • US Size G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook for the heart pocket edging.
• Other: Tapestry needle for weaving ends and sewing, stitch markers, scissors.

Gauge and Abbreviations

Gauge: 14 sc and 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet with MC and larger hook. Exact gauge is not critical, but consistency is important for the bag's shape.

Abbreviations (US terms):

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• MC = Main Color
• CC = Contrast Color

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bag Body (Make 2 identical pieces, front and back)

1. With MC and larger hook, ch 31.
2. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (30 sc). Ch 1, turn.
3. Rows 2-30: Sc in each st across. (30 sc). Ch 1, turn. At the end of Row 30, do not fasten off. You will now work the bottom and sides.

Bottom and Side Seaming

1. Place the two pieces together with wrong sides facing.
2. Using MC and a sl st, join the bottom edge (Row 1 of both pieces) together.
3. Then, sl st up one side edge (through both layers) for 30 rows. Fasten off.
4. Repeat for the other side edge. You will now have a bag shape open at the top.

Top Edging and Drawstring Casing

1. Round 1: With MC, join yarn with a sl st to the top edge of the bag. Ch 1, work 1 sc in each st around the top opening (you will have 60 sc total, 30 from each side). Join with sl st to first sc. (60 sc).
2. Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (60 sc).
3. Round 3 (Casing row): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next st, *ch 1, skip next st, dc in next 2 sts*; repeat from * to * around, ending with ch 1, skip last st, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (You will have 20 dc pairs and 20 ch-1 spaces).
4. Round 4: Ch 1, sc in each dc and in each ch-1 space around. Join. (60 sc).
5. Rounds 5-6: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. Fasten off MC.

Drawstrings (Make 2)

1. With CC and larger hook, make a chain approximately 36 inches (90 cm) long. Fasten off.
2. Weave in ends. Repeat for second drawstring.

Heart Pocket (Make 1)

Note: The heart is worked in continuous rounds (do not join) until Round 7, then back and forth for the top lobes.

1. With smaller hook and CC (or scrap yarn for a pop of color), ch 2.
2. Round 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join; work in continuous rounds. Place a marker.
3. Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sc).
4. Round 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st*; repeat around. (18 sc).
5. Round 4: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st*; repeat around. (24 sc).
6. Round 5: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st*; repeat around. (30 sc).
7. Round 6: Sc in each st around. (30 sc).
8. Round 7: Sc in next 14 sts, ch 1, turn. (You will now work back and forth for the top of the heart).
9. Row 8: Sc2tog, sc in next 10 sts, sc2tog. (12 sc). Ch 1, turn.
10. Row 9: Sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog. (10 sc). Ch 1, turn.
11. Row 10: Sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog. (8 sc). Ch 1, turn.
12. Row 11: Sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog. (6 sc). Ch 1, turn.
13. Row 12: Sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog. (4 sc). Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
14. Now, skip the center 2 sts of Round 7 (the space between the two lobes), and join yarn to the next st. Repeat Rows 8-12 for the second lobe. Fasten off.

Heart Edging

1. With smaller hook and MC, join yarn to the bottom point of the heart.
2. Work a round of sc evenly around the entire heart shape, working 3 sc in the bottom point and 3 sc in the top cleft between the lobes.
3. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

Assembly

1. Weave in all ends on the heart pocket.
2. Position the heart pocket on the front of the bag, centered and about 2 inches (5 cm) below the top casing. Pin in place.
3. Using MC and a tapestry needle, sew the heart pocket onto the bag with a whipstitch, leaving the top edge open to create the pocket. Weave in ends.
4. Thread one drawstring through the casing from the front right, going in and out of the ch-1 spaces, and out the front left. Thread the second drawstring from the back left, going in and out, and out the back right. Knot the ends of each drawstring together.
5. Optional: Add a small button or bead to the center of the heart for extra charm.

Your Secret Garden Heart Pocket Drawstring Backpack is now complete! Enjoy carrying your treasures in this romantic, handmade accessory. Share your creation with the hashtag #SecretGardenBag and inspire others to crochet their own.