Need a hands-free way to carry your accessories? This crochet backpack lanyard is a clever and cute solution! With a button closure and sturdy design, it's perfect for hanging a small bottle of hand sanitizer, a water bottle, or maybe even a pair of mouse ears!
This one-piece lanyard is quick to make and super versatile. Designed with both form and function in mind, it features a button and loop so you can easily open and fasten it. Whether you're needing an extra pair of hands to carry your water bottle or a pair of mouse ears, this lanyard has you covered.
It's a practical accessory for travel, school, and everyday errands. It's also a great stash buster since it doesn't require a lot of yarn. Customize it with your favourite colors or buttons to match your personal style, and you'll be wondering how you ever managed without one!
What You Need / Materials
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- Light Worsted, DK (yarn weight #3) yarn shown in Hobbii's Rainbow Cotton 8/8 and Hobbii's Friends Cotton 8/8 (100% Cotton; 75 m / 82 yds per 50 g / 1.75 oz)
- 4.0 mm Crochet Hook
- Button
- Yarn Needle
- Stitch Markers
- Scissors
Finished Size
Finished lanyard measures approximately 10 cm (4 inches) in length when folded.
Level of Difficulty
- ★☆☆☆☆ Beginner / Easy
- Requires familiarity with stitches used (below), and basic sewing skills (for the button).
Stitches & Abbreviations
- st/sts - stitch/stitches
- ch - chain
- slst - slip stitch
- sc - single crochet
- sc inc - single crochet increase
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is written using US crochet terms.
- Optional: Use the yarn under single crochet technique to achieve tighter, more aligned stitches.
- Optional: To minimize visible gaps from the foundation chain, try working in the back bumps of the chain.
- I used the invisible fasten-off method to neatly finish the work before I weaved in my ends.
Free Crochet Pattern
Using a 4.0 mm crochet hook and yarn in the color of your choice, leave a long tail at the beginning (this will be used to sew the button later on)...
Round 1: Ch 36, sc into the second ch from the hook, sc in the next 33 ch, 3 sc in the last st
Continue to crochet on the other side of the ch sc in the next 33 st, sc inc in the last st (72 sts)
Do not join. Continue working in a spiral.
Round 2: Sc inc, sc in the next 33 sts, sc inc, sc, ch 20 (you can chain longer if you want to have more slack in your strap), sc into the same st as previous, sc inc. On the other side of the long strap, sc in the next 33 sts, ch 6, skip 3 sts, sc in the next 2 sts, slst (78 sts + 20 ch sts)
Cut and fasten off invisibly. Weave in your ends.
Assembly Instructions
Use the yarn tail from the beginning when you made the strap to attach a small button so you can fix your strap and hold on to your mouse ears!
How to Use (Video)
Why I Made This
Before our Disneyland trip, I was determined to DIY as many accessories as possible, including a pair of delicate light-up floral mouse ears. But with limited time to prep and a tight travel schedule, I needed a practical way to carry mt mouse ears without stuffing them into my bag and risking damage. That's when I discovered backpack lanyards—straps that let you click your mouse ears to your bag when you're not wearing them.
Naturally, I wanted to crochet my own version. This simple, one-piece design with a button and loop closure would have been my solution for easily and quickly fastening my mouse ears to my backpack when I'm not wearing them.
However, my floral mouse ears ended up being too delicate for the lanyard, so I wore them onto the plane instead. But these crochet straps turned out to be perfect for store-bought mouse ears from the park. They also came in handy for holding hand sanitizer, small water bottles, and other lightweight essentials.
Creative Uses and Ideas
- Mouse Ears Holder: The original inspiration! Secure your store-bought ears when you're not wearing them, especially while on rollercoasters.
- Hand Sanitizer Clip: Keep your sanitizer bottle within reach by slipping the strap through the loop or around the neck.
- Mini Water Bottle Carrier: Works great for holding smaller bottles when you don't want to rummage through your bag.
- Keychain or Key Holder: Use it to clip your keys outside your bag; perfect for easy access and avoiding the bottom-of-the-bag struggle.
- Hat Holder: If your kids or you keep taking off hats throughout the day, use the strap to keep them attached to the backpack.
- Badge or ID Holder: Loop through a badge or ID case for field trips, conventions, or theme park events.
You Might Also Like...
- Wire Floral DIY Minnie Mouse Ears: Learn how I made my own delicate and magical floral mouse ears. They're perfect for a special Disney day, and guess what? They even light up!
- Things I made for my Disneyland Trip: From accessories to travel hacks, here's a round-up of all the fun and functional things I DIY'd for our Disney adventures!
- Crochet Minnie Mouse Rings: Want to wear mouse ears every day, but you're not at Disney? Feel the Disney magic with these adorable crochet Minnie Mouse rings
Share Your Creation with Me!
Did you crochet this backpack lanyard? I'd love to see it! Please share it with me on Instagram and/or use the #onceuponacheerio hashtag.
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This is an original crochet pattern written by Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio. Please do not claim this crochet pattern as your own. If you wish to share this crochet pattern, you may link to this blog post, but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for personal use, but please DO NOT sell or distribute the crochet pattern.
You may sell products made from this crochet pattern, but please credit the design to Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio, and provide a link to my blog www.OnceUponaCheerio.com. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you for understanding!
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