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Plush Backpack Unicorn Crochet Pattern

Plush Backpack Unicorn Crochet Pattern
4.0★Rating
5-7 HoursTime Needed
1.2KMade This
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Intermediate Level

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

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🐥

Charming Critter

Delightful animal designs with sweet details that capture the essence of your favorite woodland and farmyard friends.

About This Plush Backpack Unicorn Crochet Pattern

Plush Backpack Unicorn Crochet Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view

Perfect for preschool, playdates, or weekend outings, this whimsical accessory brings a touch of magic to any child's wardrobe and makes a treasured keepsake.

Why You'll Love This Plush Backpack Unicorn Crochet Pattern

I absolutely adore how squishy and huggable this velvet yarn makes the finished backpack! Crocheting the curly, colorful mane strands is incredibly satisfying, and seeing the cute little unicorn face come together at the end is pure magic.

Plush Backpack Unicorn Crochet Pattern step 1 Plush Backpack Unicorn Crochet Pattern step 2 Plush Backpack Unicorn Crochet Pattern step 3 Plush Backpack Unicorn Crochet Pattern step 4

Switch Things Up

When I first sat down to design this unicorn backpack, I wanted to create something that felt like a warm hug but was sturdy enough to survive actual playground adventures. Velvet yarn is my absolute go-to for kids' items because it is ridiculously soft, but it does require a bit of patience! One of my favorite parts of this project is playing with color. While the pattern calls for a classic pink and cream palette, you can totally customize this to match your child's favorite colors. Imagine a mint green unicorn with lilac curls, or a classic white unicorn with a vibrant rainbow mane!

If you find working with chenille yarn a bit tricky to see, try working in a well-lit room and feeling for the next stitch with your fingers rather than just relying on your eyes. And don't be afraid to use plenty of locking stitch markers—they are an absolute lifesaver for keeping track of those rounds. I promise, once you attach that final curly strand of the mane and see those sleepy eyelashes, you will be so proud of what you've created!

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ When crocheting the flap, miscounting the rows 12 to 18 can lead to an asymmetrical shape that won't align properly with the main backpack body.✗ Using a hook that is too large for the velvet yarn can cause the stuffing to show through the unicorn's head, so keep your tension firm.✗ Attaching the safety eyes too close together or at the wrong round will completely alter the unicorn's cute expression, so check placement before securing.✗ If you do not leave long enough yarn tails on the legs and ears, you will struggle to sew them securely to the bag, risking them coming loose with wear.

Plush Backpack Unicorn Crochet Pattern

Surprise your favorite little adventurer with a whimsical, super-soft unicorn backpack they'll want to carry everywhere! This delightful project blends the cozy texture of velvet yarn with a magical design that is as functional as it is adorable. You will love watching this cute companion take shape stitch by stitch, creating a durable, huggable bag that makes the ultimate handmade gift.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Plush Backpack Unicorn Crochet Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    2 skeins of super bulky velvet chenille yarn in soft pink for the main backpack body and head details
  • 02
    1/4 skein of super bulky velvet chenille yarn in dark pink for the trim, straps, and feet
  • 03
    A small amount of super bulky velvet chenille yarn in cream for the snout
  • 04
    Scraps of super bulky velvet chenille yarn in various pastel colors for the magical curly mane and tail strands
  • 05
    A few yards of yellow sport weight cotton yarn for the sturdy spiral horn

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Size 3.75 mm crochet hook for the main plush backpack body
  • 02
    Size 3.0 mm crochet hook for the plush ears
  • 03
    Size 2.25 mm crochet hook for the cotton horn
  • 04
    One pair of 15 mm safety eyes
  • 05
    One rustic wooden button for the front closure
  • 06
    High-quality polyester fiberfill stuffing
  • 07
    Sturdy tapestry needle for assembling and sewing
  • 08
    Stitch markers to keep track of continuous rounds

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— 1. Flap :

Row 1 :

ch2, work 5 sc into the second chain from your hook. Do not pull the loop tight. Turn. (5)

Row 2 :

t-ch, 1 sc, repeat inc 4 times, turn (9)

Row 3 :

t-ch, repeat (1 sc, inc) 4 times, 1 sc, turn (13)

Row 4 :

t-ch, repeat (2 sc, inc) 4 times, 1 sc, turn (17)

Row 5 :

t-ch, repeat (3 sc, inc) 4 times, 1 sc, turn (21)

Row 6 :

t-ch, repeat (4 sc, inc) 4 times, 1 sc, turn (25)

Row 7 :

t-ch, repeat (5 sc, inc) 4 times, 1 sc, turn (29)

Row 8 :

t-ch, repeat (7 sc, inc) 3 times, 5 sc, turn (32)

Row 9 :

t-ch, repeat (8 sc, inc) 3 times, 5 sc (35)

Row 10 :

t-ch, repeat (9 sc, inc) 3 times, 5 sc (38)

Info :

Do not turn your work. Instead, begin working along the flat top edge of the flap.

Row 11 :

t-ch, 21 sc, turn (21)

Note :

The original pattern lists rows 12-18 as 6 rows, but mathematically this spans 7 rows. Work 7 rows of 21 sc to maintain proper flap length.

Row 12 :

t-ch, 21 sc, turn (21)

Row 13 :

t-ch, 21 sc, turn (21)

Row 14 :

t-ch, 21 sc, turn (21)

Row 15 :

t-ch, 21 sc, turn (21)

Row 16 :

t-ch, 21 sc, turn (21)

Row 17 :

t-ch, 21 sc, turn (21)

Row 18 :

t-ch, 21 sc, turn (21)

Row 19 :

t-ch, 21 sc (21). Do not turn.

Colour Change :

Switch to dark pink yarn and cut the light pink yarn.

Row 20 :

t-ch, 25 sc, ch3, skip next 3 stitches to create a buttonhole, 25 sc, turn (53)

Row 21 :

t-ch, 53 reverse sc (53), sl st to finish. Fasten off.

— 2. Backpack Body :

Round 1 :

ch20. Starting in the second chain from your hook, work 18 sc, then 3 sc into the last chain. Working back along the opposite side of the chain, crochet 17 sc, inc, and inc into the t-ch (42)

Round 2 :

inc, 15 sc, repeat (inc, 1 sc) 2 times, inc, 17 sc, repeat (inc, 1 sc) 2 times (48)

Round 3 :

inc, 1 sc, inc, 15 sc, repeat (inc, 1 sc) 4 times, inc, 15 sc, repeat (inc, 1 sc) 3 times (58)

Round 4 :

inc, 1 sc, inc, 16 sc, repeat (inc, 3 sc) 3 times, inc, 18 sc, repeat (inc, 3 sc) 2 times (66)

Round 5 :

inc, 3 sc, inc, 18 sc, repeat (inc, 4 sc) 3 times, inc, 17 sc, repeat (inc, 4 sc) 2 times (74)

Round 6 :

74 sc (74)

Round 7 :

BLO 74 sc (74)

Round 8 :

74 sc (74)

Round 9 :

74 sc (74)

Round 10 :

74 sc (74)

Round 11 :

74 sc (74)

Round 12 :

74 sc (74)

Round 13 :

74 sc (74)

Round 14 :

74 sc (74)

Round 15 :

74 sc (74)

Round 16 :

74 sc (74)

Round 17 :

32 sc, dec, 35 sc, dec, 3 sc (72)

Round 18 :

72 sc (72)

Round 19 :

72 sc (72)

Round 20 :

72 sc (72)

Round 21 :

72 sc (72)

Round 22 :

72 sc (72)

Round 23 :

72 sc (72)

Round 24 :

72 sc (72)

Round 25 :

72 sc (72)

Round 26 :

72 sc (72)

Round 27 :

72 sc (72)

Round 28 :

72 sc (72)

Round 29 :

72 sc (72)

Round 30 :

72 sc (72)

Round 31 :

72 sc (72)

Round 32 :

72 sc (72)

Round 33 :

72 sc (72)

Round 34 :

72 sc (72)

Round 35 :

72 sc (72)

Round 36 :

72 sc (72)

Info :

Prepare to attach the flap to the main backpack body in the next round.

Round 37 :

1 sc, work 23 sc holding the flap and backpack together, 48 sc (72), sl st. Fasten off and weave in ends.

— 3. Straps :

Row 1 :

ch71. Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 70 sc, turn (70)

Row 2 :

t-ch, 70 sc, turn (70)

Row 3 :

t-ch, 70 sc, turn (70)

Row 4 :

t-ch, 70 sc (70). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

— 4. Handle :

Row 1 :

ch21. Starting in the second chain from your hook, work 20 sc, turn (20)

Note :

The pattern lists rows 2-3 as 20 rows, which is a misprint. Work only 2 rows (Row 2 and Row 3) of 20 sc to complete the handle.

Row 2 :

t-ch, 20 sc, turn (20)

Row 3 :

t-ch, 20 sc (20). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

— 5. Drawstring Cord :

Row 1 :

ch150. Fasten off and tie secure knots at both ends of the chain.

— 6. Unicorn Head :

Round 1 :

Using cream yarn, ch2, work 6 sc into the second chain from your hook (6)

Round 2 :

repeat inc 6 times (12)

Round 3 :

repeat (1 sc, inc) 6 times (18)

Round 4 :

1 sc, inc, repeat (2 sc, inc) 5 times, 1 sc (24)

Round 5 :

24 sc (24)

Round 6 :

24 sc (24)

Round 7 :

24 sc (24)

Colour Change :

Switch to pink yarn and cut the cream yarn.

Round 8 :

24 sc (24)

Round 9 :

9 sc, repeat inc 6 times, 9 sc (30)

Round 10 :

9 sc, repeat (1 sc, inc) 6 times, 9 sc (36)

Round 11 :

repeat (5 sc, inc) 6 times (42)

Round 12 :

42 sc (42)

Round 13 :

42 sc (42)

Round 14 :

42 sc (42)

Info :

Insert the 15 mm safety eyes between Rounds 10 and 11, spacing them about 10 to 11 stitches apart.

Round 15 :

repeat (5 sc, dec) 6 times (36)

Round 16 :

2 sc, dec, repeat (4 sc, dec) 5 times, 2 sc (30)

Round 17 :

repeat (3 sc, dec) 6 times (24). Stuff the head firmly with fiberfill and leave a long tail for sewing.

— 7. Ears (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

Using pink yarn and a 3.0 mm hook, ch2, work 4 sc into the second chain from your hook (4)

Round 2 :

repeat (1 sc, inc) 2 times (6)

Round 3 :

repeat (2 sc, inc) 2 times (8)

Round 4 :

repeat (1 sc, inc) 4 times (12)

Round 5 :

12 sc (12)

Round 6 :

repeat (3 sc, dec) 2 times (10). Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

— 8. Horn :

Round 1 :

Using yellow cotton yarn and a 2.25 mm hook, work 6 sc into a MR (6)

Round 2 :

repeat (2 sc, inc) 2 times (8)

Round 3 :

8 sc (8)

Round 4 :

repeat (3 sc, inc) 2 times (10)

Round 5 :

10 sc (10)

Round 6 :

repeat (4 sc, inc) 2 times (12)

Round 7 :

12 sc (12)

Round 8 :

repeat (3 sc, inc) 3 times (15)

Round 9 :

15 sc (15)

Round 10 :

repeat (4 sc, inc) 3 times (18)

Round 11 :

18 sc (18), sl st to finish. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Stuff the horn with fiberfill.

— 9. Mane & Tail Strands (Make 10) :

Row 1 :

ch40, starting in the second chain from the hook, work 39 inc (78). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

— 10. Forelegs (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

Using dark pink yarn, ch2, work 6 sc into the second chain from your hook (6)

Round 2 :

repeat inc 6 times (12)

Round 3 :

repeat (3 sc, inc) 3 times (15)

Round 4 :

BLO 15 sc (15)

Colour Change :

Switch to pink yarn and cut the dark pink yarn.

Round 5 :

15 sc (15)

Round 6 :

15 sc (15)

Round 7 :

dec, 13 sc (14)

Round 8 :

dec, 12 sc (13)

Round 9 :

dec, 11 sc (12)

Round 10 :

dec, 10 sc (11)

Round 11 :

dec, 9 sc (10)

Round 12 :

10 sc (10)

Round 13 :

10 sc (10)

Join Row :

Stuff the lower portion of the leg. Fold the top flat and work 5 sc through both layers to close. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

— 11. Hind Legs (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

Using dark pink yarn, ch2, work 6 sc into the second chain from your hook (6)

Round 2 :

repeat inc 6 times (12)

Round 3 :

repeat (1 sc, inc) 6 times (18)

Round 4 :

BLO 18 sc (18)

Colour Change :

Switch to pink yarn and cut the dark pink yarn.

Round 5 :

18 sc (18)

Round 6 :

18 sc (18)

Round 7 :

repeat (7 sc, dec) 2 times (16)

Round 8 :

repeat (6 sc, dec) 2 times (14)

Round 9 :

dec, 12 sc (13)

Round 10 :

dec, 11 sc (12)

Round 11 :

dec, 10 sc (11)

Round 12 :

dec, 9 sc (10)

Round 13 :

10 sc (10)

Join Row :

Stuff the lower portion of the leg. Fold the top flat and work 5 sc through both layers to close. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Assembly Instructions

  • Step 1: Position and sew the ears to the head between rounds 13 and 16, keeping them spaced about 7 stitches apart.
  • Step 2: Attach the stuffed yellow horn to the center of the head, positioning it between rounds 11 and 13.
  • Step 3: Embroider cute sleepy eyelashes and nostrils onto the snout using a dark pink chenille yarn thread.
  • Step 4: Securely sew the completed unicorn head to the front center of the backpack's flap.
  • Step 5: Attach the hind legs to the lower sides of the backpack, placing them between rounds 8 and 11.
  • Step 6: Sew the forelegs to the front of the backpack, positioning them symmetrically between rounds 22 and 27.
  • Step 7: Arrange and sew 5 curly pastel strands onto the head for the mane, and attach the remaining 5 strands to the back of the bag between the straps for the tail.

Important Notes

  • 💡If you find that your chenille or velvet yarn is shedding or crumbling at the ends, sear the tips very carefully with a lighter or use a drop of fabric glue to seal them.
  • 💡Always use a running stitch marker or a scrap of contrasting yarn to keep track of your stitch counts, as velvet stitches can be hard to see clearly.
  • 💡To make sewing the plush pieces together much easier, use a strong matching cotton thread instead of the thick chenille yarn.
  • 💡Adjust the length of the backpack straps by adding or subtracting chains in the initial chain row to fit the child perfectly.

I hope you have as much fun making this magical unicorn backpack as the little one in your life will have carrying it! There is nothing quite like the joy of gifting a handmade treasure that sparks the imagination. Don't forget to share your finished creations with our wonderful crafting community—we all love to see your unique color choices! Happy stitching, and may your days be filled with cozy stitches and a little bit of magic! 🧶✨🦄

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FAQs

Can I use standard acrylic yarn instead of velvet yarn?

You can, but it will significantly change the size and texture of the backpack. If you use worsted weight acrylic, the bag will turn out much smaller. To get a similar size, you would need to hold multiple strands together or adjust your hook size accordingly.

Is this pattern suitable for someone who has never made amigurumi?

While the main backpack body uses basic stitches, assembling the pieces and working with plush yarn can be tricky for absolute beginners. I recommend having a few simple amigurumi projects under your belt first to get used to shaping and sewing pieces together.

How do I clean the backpack if it gets dirty?

Because of the delicate velvet yarn and safety eyes, I highly recommend spot cleaning the bag with a damp cloth and mild soap. If a full wash is necessary, hand wash gently in cold water and let it air dry completely to preserve the plush texture.

My yarn is shedding a lot when I cast on. How can I fix this?

Chenille and velvet yarns are notorious for shedding at cut ends! A great trick is to gently singe the very tip of the yarn tail with a lighter to melt the fibers together, or secure the end with a tiny dab of fabric glue before you start crocheting.