Well, it’s felting right now. I could die. Remember my prediction Thursday about throwing up while it was in the wash? Poor Veronica is throwing up, but not from nerves. I legitimately feel nauseated. It’s just a backpack for goodness’ sake.

I took some before photos and measurements, and I’ll share them with you to pass the time.
Bag- 19 inches tall, 14 inches wide
Flap- 15 inches tall
I cord hook- 5 1/2 inches long
Straps- 31 inches long each

I was going to post another before picture but the term “beating a dead horse” came to mind, so I’ll leave it be. While we’re waiting, I’d like to take this opportunity to once again thank sweet Stephanie for saving my washing machine through her post on destroying hers despite carefully scooping fuzz out of it before draining. I had no idea I was going to be putting my washing machine in peril, and the day I read her post was the day I was going to felt my first. Thank you, Stephanie! I will honor and revere you always.

THIS JUST IN….. It is spinning dry right now. I’m not sure how the rest of it is going to be yet, but I can tell you now that my straps are a dismal failure and I made a silly mistake on the hanging loop as well. The hanging loop will be easy enough to fix. As for the straps, well, I have no clue.

Now it’s out of the wash, and drying. There are many, many things wrong with the straps, so I’m most likely going to cut them off and find some other way to attach the backpack to my child. (Duct tape? No, just kidding.) I’m not going to do anything until I have a plan. In my defense, I did take measurements of the pouch in my red and orange purse that was used as a reference for how this yarn would felt. Some of the strap problems aren’t surprising, but some of them really are. The bag itself is pretty cute. The flap felted unevenly, and I’m not sure if I’m OK with it, or if I’m going to have to hand felt the bottom a little. I think I like it as is, but won’t really know until I make and felt the i cord drawstring that will cinch up the top. Speaking of that…. my triple yarnovers are a dream! I’m so happy about that. They are all strong, consistent, and a great size. So something went my way. The backpack is a little tall, but I think it’ll still work for her.

Ready for pictures?

So cute.

List of things I still need to do to it:
1. figure out what I’m going to do about the straps
2. knit and felt the orange i cord drawstring
3. buy and attach a button for the front
4. think about possibly attempting a removable liner, with the help and support of my friends :-).

Thoughts- I think that the backpack would look really good with straps made from something other than knit, like say, leather or canvas (thanks Nate). I have ideas on how to fix the strap problem for Abigail’s bag, but I’m not sure what to do about Olivia’s. I might just leave the straps I’ve got and cut & sew them to get the right length. That is the option I’m going to explore first. I’m up for any suggestions. The bag is still a little on the long side, but I don’t think it is too long. It gives her room to grow. Those Wednesday envelopes they come home with full of papers and annoying solicitations are very large.

Finished measurements:
Bag- 14 inches tall, 11 inches wide
Flap- 11 1/2 inches tall
Straps- 36 inches long WHAT!!? How did THAT happen?

Seriously, I’m open to opinions and ideas, either for this one, or the next. Tell me what you think. If you don’t like it, let me know. I can take it. I have to knit another one before September 1st regardless, so I might as well improve it.