by Cassidy Clark

As a youngster, I simply loved de-organizing things. I would wander about the house, collecting random, unrelated objects, and stuffing them into different bags to prepare for 'adventures'. Toys, food products, mismatched socks, wallets, and my sister's possessions are some of the things you could find in my adventure bags. This led to the formation of one of my childhood nicknames: "Bag Lady".

Although I no longer enjoy disorganizing things, (not to the same extent, anyways) my bag stash has continued to grow. So, to simplify things, I wanted to create a backpack that I could reach for every time I left the house.

The Adventure Rucksacks, these cabled backpacks, were the result. The roomy pockets, both cinched by drawstrings, allow for the placement of an imaginative range of items: toys, food products, mismatched socks, wallets, and your sister's possessions, etc... Now I use them for my every expedition. Enjoy!

Hint: The larger size works great as a school backpack. The smaller size, if not used as a backpack, could also make a great lunchbag.

SIZE
Grown-up sized, Kid-sized
Small[Large]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Large bag:
Height: 15 inches
Width: 9 inches
Depth: 3.5 inches
Strap Length: 25 inches

Small bag:
Height: 9.5 inches
Width: 7 inches
Depth: 2 inches
Strap Length: 23 inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Large bag:
[MC] Cascade Yarns Cascade 220 Heathers [100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 220 yds/200m per 100g skein]; color: Color #8401 [heather grey]; 3 skeins
[CC] Approx. 20 yds/18m of worsted weight yarn (Cascade 220 used here) in a contrasting color

Small Bag:
Cascade Yarns Cascade 220 Heathers [100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 220 yds/200m per 100g skein]; color: Color #8908 [Anis]; 2 skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US #6/4mm double-point needles
1 24-inch US #6/4mm circular needle

Notions
2 cable needles
yarn needle
One 1.25- to 1.5-inch button (for Large bag only)
Locking stitch markers

GAUGE

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Construction: This rucksack is knitted by first making the front cable panel. Then, stitches are picked up for the gusset on three of the four sides to give depth to the bag. After creating the back panel, the back panel is sewn to the gusset. The drawstring, flap, and straps are added last.

Note that the odd rows of the charts are WS rows and the even rows are RS rows.

C2F: Slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in front, k1; k1 from cable needle
C2B: Slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back, k1; k1 from cable needle
C2LP: Slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in front, p1; k1 from cable needle
C2RP: Slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back, k1; p1 from cable needle
C3L: Slip 1 st to cable needle and hold to front, slip 1 st to another cable needle and hold to back of work, k1 from left needle, k1tbl from cable needle in back, k1 from cable needle in front.
C3F: Slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back, slip 1 st to another cable needle and hold to front of work, k1 from left needle, k1tbl from cable needle in front, p1 from cable needle in back.
C3LP: Slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in front, slip 1 st to another cable needle and hold to front of work, p1 from left needle, k1tbl from second cable needle in front, k1 from first cable needle in front.

Chart 1 (Worked over 15 sts)
Row 1 [WS]: K6, p1, p1tbl, p1, k6.
Row 2 [RS]: P6, C3L, p6.
Row 3: K6, p1, p1tbl, p1, k6.
Row 4: P5, C2RP, k1tbl, C2LP, p5.
Row 5: K5, p1, k1, p1tbl, k1, p1, k5.
Row 6: P4, C2RP, p1, k1tbl, p1, C2LP, p4.
Row 7: K4, p1, k2, p1tbl, k2, p1, k4.
Row 8: P3, C2RP, p2, k1tbl, p2, C2LP, p3.
Row 9: K3, p1, k3, p1tbl, k3, p1, k3.
Row 10: P3, C2LP, p2, k1tbl, p2, C2RP, p3.
Row 11: K4, p1, k2, p1tbl, k2, p1, k4.
Row 12: P4, C2LP, p1, k1tbl, p1, C2RP, p4.
Row 13: K5, p1, k1, p1tbl, k1, p1, k5.
Row 14: P5, C2LP, k1tbl, C2RP, p5.
Rep Rows 1-14 for patt.

Chart 2 (Worked over 22 sts)
Row 1 [WS]: P1, k2, p1tbl, k3, p1, k2, p1tbl, k2, p1, k3, p1tbl, k2, p1.
Row 2 [RS]: C2LP, p1, k1tbl, p3, C2LP, p1, k1tbl, p1, C2RP, p3, k1tbl, p1, C2RP.
Row 3: K1, p1, k1, p1tbl, k4, p1, k1, p1tbl, k1, p1, k4, p1tbl, k1, p1, k1.
Row 4: P1, C2LP, k1tbl, p4, C2LP, k1tbl, C2RP, p4, k1tbl, C2RP, p1.
Row 5: K2, p1, p1tbl, k5, p1, p1tbl, p1, k5, p1tbl, p1, k2.
Row 6: P2, C3LP, p4, C3L, p4, C3F, p2.
Row 7: K3, (p1tbl, p1, k4, p1) twice, p1tbl, k3.
Row 8: P3, (k1tbl, C2LP, p2, C2RP) twice, k1tbl, p3.
Row 9: K3, (p1tbl, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1) twice, p1tbl, k3.
Row 10: P3, (k1tbl, p1, C2LP, C2RP, p1) twice, k1tbl, p3.
Row 11: K3, (p1tbl, k2, p2, k2) twice, p1tbl, k3.
Row 12: P3, (k1tbl, p2, C2B, p2) twice, k1tbl, p3.
Row 13: K3, (p1tbl, k2, p2, k2) twice, p1tbl, k3.
Row 14: P3, (k1tbl, p1, C2RP, C2LP, p1) twice, k1tbl, p3.
Row 15: K3, (p1tbl, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1) twice, p1tbl, k3.
Row 16: P3, (k1tbl, C2RP, p2, C2LP) twice, k1tbl, p3.
Row 17: K3, (p1tbl, p1, k4, p1) twice, p1tbl, k3.
Row 18: P2, C3F, p4, C3L, p4, C3LP, p2.
Row 19: K2, p1, p1tbl, k5, p1, p1tbl, p1, k5, p1tbl, p1, k2.
Row 20: P1, C2RP, k1tbl, p4, C2RP, k1tbl, C2LP, p4, k1tbl, C2LP, p1.
Row 21: K1, p1, k1, p1tbl, k4, p1, k1, p1tbl, k1, p1, k4, p1tbl, k1, p1, k1.
Row 22: C2RP, p1, k1tbl, p3, C2RP, p1, k1tbl, p1, C2LP, p3, k1tbl, p1, C2LP.
Rep Rows 1-22 for patt.

Chart 3 (Worked over a multiple of 10 sts + 12)
Row 1 [WS]: (P2, k8) to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 2 [RS]: K1, (C2LP, p6, C2RP) to last st, k1.
Row 3: P1, (k1, p1, k6, p1, k1) to last st, p1.
Row 4: K1, (p1, C2LP, p4, C2RP, p1) to last st, k1.
Row 5: P1, (k2, p1, k4, p1, k2) to last st, p1.
Row 6: K1, (p2, C2LP, p2, C2RP, p2) to last st, k1.
Row 7: P1, (k3, p1, k2, p1, k3) to last st, p1.
Row 8: K1, (p3, C2LP, C2RP, p3) to last st, k1.
Row 9: P1, (k4, p2, k4) to last st, p1.
Row 10: K1, (p4, C2B, p4) to last st, k1.
Row 11: P1, (k4, p2, k4) to last st, p1.
Row 12: K1, (p3, C2RP, C2LP, p3) to last st, k1.
Row 13: P1, (k3, p1, k2, p1, k3) to last st, p1.
Row 14: K1, (p2, C2RP, p2, C2LP, p2) to last st, k1.
Row 15: P1, (k2, p1, k4, p1, k2) to last st, p1.
Row 16: K1, (p1, C2RP, p4, C2LP, p1) to last st, k1.
Row 17: P1, (k1, p1, k6, p1, k1) to last st, p1.
Row 18: K1, (C2RP, p6, C2LP) to last st, k1.
Row 19: (P2, k8) to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 20: (C2F, p8) to last 2 sts, C2F.
Rep Rows 1-20 for patt.

I-cord:
Cast on as many sts as designated by pattern.
Row 1 (RS): *Knit to end; slide sts to other end of needle, bringing yarn behind work.
Rep this row until i-cord measures required length, then cut yarn and pull through remaining stitches. Weave in ends.

DIRECTIONS
FRONT PANEL
With MC and circular needle, CO 55 sts. Do not join.

Row 1 [WS]: P2, work Row 1 of Chart 1, work Row 1 of Chart 2, work Row 1 of Chart 1, p2.

Row 2 [RS]: K2, work Row 2 of Chart 1, work Row 2 of Chart 2, work Row 2 of Chart 1, k2.

Cont in patt as set, working chart repeats as designated and 2 sts on either side of charts in st st, until Rows 1-14 of Chart 1 have been completed a total of 4[8] times, ending on Row 14 of Chart 1 and Row 12[2] of Chart 2.

Work 2 rows more in patt, ending on Row 2 of Chart 1.

BO all sts purl-wise and block FRONT PANEL before continuing.

GUSSET
Size Small Only:
With RS of the front panel facing, MC, and circular needle, pick up and knit 55 sts from the BO edge (1 st for every BO st), pick up and knit 45 sts along the left edge of the FRONT PANEL (approx. 3 sts for every 4 rows), then pick up and knit 55 sts from the panel CO edge (1 st for every CO st). 155 sts.

Knit 17 rows.

BO all sts knit-wise on the following RS row.

Size Large Only:
With RS of the front panel facing, MC, and circular needle, pick up and knit 87 sts along the left edge of the FRONT PANEL (approx. 3 sts for every 4 rows), pick up and knit 51 sts from the panel CO edge (1 st for every CO st, ignoring 2 sts in St st on either side of cable charts), and then 87 sts from the right edge of the FRONT PANEL. 225 sts.

Knit 23 rows.

BO all sts knit-wise on the following RS row.

All Sizes:
Cont to BACK PANEL below.

Block BACK PANEL to same dimensions as FRONT PANEL.

Seaming
With WS of FRONT and BACK PANEL facing each other, pin the BACK PANEL evenly to the gusset. Seam BACK PANEL to gusset.

Weave in all ends into the stockinette edging on either side of PANELS unless lining the bag is desired. If lining the bag, secure ends to prevent them from coming undone.

TOP EDGING
Size Small Only:
With MC and circular needle, pick up and knit 5 sts from center of top edge of gusset, 40 sts from side edge of panel, and 5 sts to center of other side of gusset. 50 sts.

Starting with a WS row, work in st st for 11 rows. BO knit-wise on foll row.
Fold BO edge down and sew to pick up edge to form tube.

Repeat for other side of bag.

Size Large Only:
With MC and circular needle, pick up and knit 51 sts from top edge of BACK PANEL, 19 sts from gusset, 51 sts from FRONT PANEL edge, and 19 sts from other side of gusset. Join in the round. 140 sts.

Rounds 1-2: (K2tbl, p2) to end of round.
Round 3: (K2tbl, p1, yo, p1) to end of round.
Round 4: (K2tbl, P1, k1, p1) to end of round.
Round 5: (K2tbl, p2tog, p1) to end of round.

BO all sts in (k2tbl, p2) pattern. Weave in ends.

Starting at the center of the FRONT PANEL, weave string through holes created by yarnovers in TOP EDGING, making sure both ends come out of holes toward the front on either side of center. Knot both ends of i-cord.

STRAPS (Make 2)
Size Small Only:
CO 4 sts and make i-cord 42 inches long when stretched out.

Attach one end of one strap to a safety pin (this makes it easier to bring through the TOP EDGING) and take through one "tube" created by the TOP EDGING, then back through the other, so both ends of the strap sit opposite each other at center of same gusset. Sew the ends of the I-cord straps together and sew them to their respective bottom corner.

Repeat with other strap on opposite side of bag. Size Small Only: Continue to FINISHING section below.

Size Large Only continues here:
With MC and circular needle, CO 115 sts. Do not join.
Knit 13 rows.
BO all sts knit-wise.

With the BACK PANEL facing, pin straps to bag, sewing each strap to either side of center of BACK PANEL (below TOP EDGING) using mattress stitch. Sew bottom of straps to cast on edge at either end of BACK PANEL.

Row 14 [RS]: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts dec'd.

Row 15: Purl.

Repeat Rows 14-15 four times more. 35 sts.

Row 24: K1, (ssk, k3) three times, sk2p, (k3, k2tog) three times, k1. 27 sts.

Row 25 and every foll WS row: Purl.

Row 26: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 25 sts.

Row 28: K1, (ssk, k2) three times, k1, (k2tog, k2) twice, k2tog, k1. 19 sts.

Row 30: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 17 sts.

Row 31 [WS]: Purl.

Bind off, working decreases as in Row 26.

Flap Edging
With RS of flap facing, pick up and knit 24 sts from flap's right edge, 12 sts from flap BO edge, and 24 sts from the flap's left side. 60 sts.

Knit 3 rows, then BO knit-wise.

Using mattress stitch, seam CO edge of flap to the edge of the BACK PANEL just above straps. It is helpful to use locking stitch markers to designate placement. Weave in ends.

Button Loop
With MC, CO 15 sts (or greater if a larger button is desired), then BO all sts.
Sew row ends together to form a loop, then sew to the center of the BO edge of the garter stitch Flap Edging. Weave in end securely.

FINISHING
Weave in any remaining ends.

For Size Small, get the straps wet and stretch them a bit. Let them dry by placing something relatively heavy, like a book, inside and hanging the bag on a doorknob or drawer-pull. This will help the straps relax.

For Size Large, surreptitiously remove a button from a relative's cardigan (1.25-inch to 1.5-inch diameter) and sew to front panel in desired placement (make sure the flap closes when you put items in -- don't sew the button too far down).

If you would like, make a button cover as follows:
With CC, CO 12 sts. Work in st st for 20 rows. BO all sts, leaving a long tail. Thread tail on tapestry needle and loosely weave in and out around the edges, place button with top side facing WS of fabric, then pull yarn tight to cinch it around the button.

For a more durable bag, line the inside and straps with fabric.

Born in 1996, Cassidy Clark is a high schooler in love with the Colorado wilderness, world travel, and borrowing her older sister's things.

Although she doesn't have a blog (yet), check out her page on Ravelry!