Packful of Backpacks

In today's post, I offer a selection of backpack patterns. This is the fifth and final post in my series of posts on knitted bag designs, over the course of which I've done posts on selected clutch/wristbag, handbag, tote bag, and messenger bag patterns.

The backpack depicted above is the Verbena Rucksack, by Katie Carlson. I think I'd go with a commercially made straps and toggle for it. The commercially made straps will be much stronger than the knitted ones and, as I've observed in my previous bag posts, using commercially made straps, handles, fasteners, and other fittings upgrades the look of a handmade bag. It can be difficult to find the right fittings for a bag (there isn't a lot of selection on the market), so I recommend buying them before buying the other materials and supplies for the bag you want to make, and then matching and adapting your bag project plan to suit them as necessary.

Macduff tartan bag, by Judy Furlong. This is probably my favourite design of the sixteen I've selected for this post, and indeed, I've singled it out before, for my post on selected plaid-like knitting designs.

Black Plaid Felted Mini Backpack, by Sherrie Kibler. Here's another, simpler, tartan backpack, and it's ever so smart.

Rainbow Back Pack, by Phoenix Bess. This one is so fun I think that, if I had one, it would cheer me up every time I used it. I'd also really enjoy picking out a pretty colourway for it.

Felted Shoulder Sling Bag, by Katie Nagorney and Ann Swanson. Here's a simple and serviceable one. As with the Verbena Rucksack above, I'd go with commercially made straps.

Felted Flannel Backpack, by Patons. Cute and rather stylish bag.

Felted Knapsack, by Megan Lacey. Basic but attractive backpack, and this one's of a more practical size than some of the other bags in this post. But then of course an experienced knitter and felter can always enlarge any of these patterns.

Now that I've done the adult-appropriate, serviceable backpack designs, we're going to move on to the fun part of this post: backpacks for kids. This one is the Orla Owl Felted Backpack, by The Yarn Genie. So cute! But I would use shank buttons for eyes for this design rather than the kind with holes.

Sheep Backpack, by Tatyana Fedorova. There is something about a knitted sheep -- it's so meta. And this one is especially well-rendered.

Kitty Backpack, by Dale Hwang. I know a couple of cat-obsessed little girls who would love to get something like this.

Birdie Backpack, by Alison Stewart-Guinee. Here's another, more cartoonish-style, owl backpack. This was a pattern from the now defunct Petite Purls, but it's still available online for free.

Berry Cute Backpack, by Amanda Saladin. The strawberry is perennial favourite motif in children's design, and it's easy to understand why given the appealing shape and colours of real strawberries. This is such a cute bag, and the side pockets and zippered pocket are such practical touches.

Ulyana Unicorn Felted Backpack, by The Yarn Genie. Fun little bag for the unicorn-obsessed child (or adult?) in your life.

Robot Backpacks, by Brenda K. B. Anderson. Here's a nice bag to make when artificial intelligence takes over the planet and you want to show our robot overlords that you're being a good and properly subservient person.

Punk Rock Backpack, by Heather Barnes, as published in Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook. Backpacks can be surprisingly easy to make. Heather Barnes writes on this pattern page for this one that, except for the intarsia, "all you’re doing is stitching together knitted squares, then throwing in a zipper and some straps". This would be a good basic backpack pattern to customize any way you care to by replacing the monkey with any motif you like.

Nemesis Knapsack vs Hero's Half-Shell, by Rachel Sanchez. I'm not a gamer, but I'm going to tentatively suggest that this backpack might be meant to represent a Koopa from Nintendo's Mario franchise. (I am sure one or more of my readers will correct me if I've gotten the reference wrong.) The level of detail here is amazing, and the spikes are also removable so that the backpack can be used as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume -- there are accessory horns, wristbands, and masks included with the pattern.

Creepy Knits: A Selection of Patterns for Halloween

Happy Halloween, knitters! I have in previous years done posts of selected Halloween patterns on fun Halloween accessories, costumes, wigs, home decor, kids' knitwear, and toys. This year, since I'm out of categories for Halloween knits, I've put together a post of assorted Halloween patterns that I haven't featured before and that I thought looked cool.

The first pattern is the Eye See You Halloween Cushion, by Jane Burns. It would be like giving someone a hairy eyeball, except that it would be a woolly eyeball.

Halloween wreath, by Nicola Valiji. Cute and kid-friendly Halloween wreath. This is the wreath you put on your front door if you don't want to scare away all the little trick or treaters so you can keep all the candy for yourself.

Deathflake mittens, by Sissel KB. I love the intricate chartwork in these. And it's a free pattern!

Night Creatures Mittens, by Adrian Bizilia. These are pretty spooky, though that mouse is alarmingly large in proportion to the owl. But perhaps that's a feature not a bug.

Fangtastic, by Wendy Gaal. For the vampire aficionado, or perhaps the especially enthusiastic dental hygienist.

Flying Witch Lazy Cloth, by Wineta. I hate using these little knitted dishcloths -- just give me a j-cloth -- but I wish I liked them because there are so many super cute designs out there for them like this one that I would enjoy making.

Let's Play Murder, by Professor Fonz. This sweater pattern is based on The Wallpaper Had It Coming Again pattern designed to resemble the iconic wallpaper in the BBC's show Sherlock. They're both really great designs that I will avoid letting my Sherlock-obsessed but non-knitting sister ever see, because every knitter reading this knows how that is likely to end.

Skull Stockings, by Disorder Knits. Love these, which are both cool and warm.

Halloween Skulls, by Devorgilla's Knitting. This one could be a nice statement piece for those days when you have to deal with difficult colleagues at work.

Halloween Kitty baby hat, by Sandra Jäger. Love the glaring yellow eyes at the top.

Hairy Monster Halloween Mitts, by Black Sheep Wools. The perfect finishing touch for your monster Halloween costume... or for the person who has always secretly dreamed of being a Muppet.

Spooky Spider Earwarmer Headband for Halloween, by Sylvia Leake. The perfect gift for the budding arachnologist in your life -- or for someone who's trying to get over their arachnophobia the hard way.

Witching Hour, by Ruth Hawkin. I quite like the neat little motifs used here.

Macabre Halloween Cowl, by Bobbin Hobnobbin. The glowing orange against the stark black used here is particularly effective.

Halloween Skull Socks, by Fir Tree Knitwear. This one incorporates several Halloween motfis for a bold look.

Not just for Halloween Skully Socks, by Jane Burns. For the Halloween sock lover who prefers a more subtle look than the previous sock design.

Spüli Halloween-Katze, by Mamafri. A well-drawn silhouette of a very angry cat.

Halloween Cushion and Throw, by Sandra Rowland. Very cute, with just a little freakiness in the jack o' lantern's expression.

Skeleton Black Cat, by Tatyana Korobkova. For the macabre child. Who has probably been asking for a My Little Step Children doll for Christmas.

Messenger Bags That Send a Message

Today on The Knitting Needle and the Damage Done, we're going to look at a selection of messenger bag designs. This post is the latest in a series of posts on selected bag patterns, which also offers selected clutch/wristbag, handbag, and tote bag, and backpack posts.

The first messenger bag design, pictured above, is The Sun Satchel, designed by Stephen West. I love the sunburst design, and that West didn't go too literal with it.

Kauni Damask Understated Bag, by Karen Stelzer. This bag isn't my idea of understated, as it's too pretty to remain unnoticed. And it's a free pattern!

Woolly Bully Bag, by Lori Puthoff. Here's a contemporary classic. The decorative pin on the front flap is the perfect finishing touch.

Maple, designed by Susan Todhunter. As a Canadian, I am culturally obliged to love this one (and indeed have previously included it in a special Canada Day post), but I think I would anyway.

Tree of Life Felted Bag, by Jenny Williams. This one has a subtle charm. Stitchwork Tree of Life designs are always so attractive.

Circling Infinity Bag, by Jeanne C. Abel. Simple, attractive and serviceable shape, a commercially made strap that adds polish, and would you LOOK at those pockets that keep everything both snugly in place and accessible.

Andi Messenger Bag, by Sarah Hatton, which was published in Rowan Felted Knits. A nice-looking bag with a bit of texture.

Lucca, by Berroco Design Team. Cute bag, though I would probably nix the pom poms. It's a free pattern.

Felted Messenger Bag, by Julie Weisenberger. I like how this bag is designed to complement its strap. One of the reasons it's always a good idea to buy notions like straps, buttons, and other fastenings before you begin knitting a project is that you can then tailor your project to suit those notions.

Knitted Bag of Navajo-Churro Wool, by Susan M. Strawn. I find the combination of the diamond and stripe themes works together well.

Felted Messenger Bag, by Cheri Clark. Simple but fun use of stripes and colourblocking in this one.

Triple Pocket Bag, by Dawn Leeseman, published in Casual Elegant Knits: Classy Designs for Men and Women. This one's very smart and could easily pass for commercially made.

Old School, by Laura Birek, published in Picture Perfect Knits. A contemporary take on the argyle pattern.

Cherish, by Sue Hanmore. You can't go wrong with a nice cable arrangement.

Fab Felt Tote, by Maggie Pace. This designer has used appliqué cut from the lining fabric to tie the felted wool and lining fabric together visually, and added some embroidery to make the look even more special. Nice touch!

Signature Bag, by Berroco Design Team. This one is rather visually striking.

Not Just A Baby Bag, by Nora J. Bellows. This one's actually intended to be a diaper bag, and comes with patterns for a matching cosmetic bag and diaper changing pad, but of course like a truly good bag, it'll be useful to the parent after the baby's grown, or to the non-parent at any time. This one could be a good stash buster given the stripe pattern.

Stripey Noro Messenger Bag, by Deborah Cooke. Very pretty stripe arrangement, and it's a free pattern.

Classic bag, by Tina Barrett. This is a nice take on the Chanel-look design. Though I would recommend using better buttons for this project than these dead basic plastic ones.