Oh my gosh you guys!!!! I am so thrilled with this project! My daughter went on her school trip to Disney last week and she requested a mini backpack. You know I love a backpack and I love making things my kids love and use. So I started out thinking I would make her my Making Backpack! I asked her about what size she wanted and she gave me some measurements from the mini Kånken by Fjallraven (it’s a Swedish based company and their Kånken style backpack has been around since 1978). It’s a total classic! And there are patterns that have similar features so that you can sew up your own – Sarah Kirsten’s Raspberry Rucksack and here’s a quick search for a few others. So this Mini Franken-Kånken was made!
Construction Notes
I knew I was still going to use the base construction of my Making Backpack pattern, so I shrunk down the size and added some of those great Kånken details! I used the pop-up pocket from Sarah’s Raspberry Rucksack pattern (which she had kindly gifted to me when she released her pattern). It’s a very clever pocket design! The remaining aspects of the backpack were done on the fly and in combination the Making Backpack details. I had given myself only part of a day to make the bag – nothing like a deadline! It was so fun to see it come together – I even managed to take some fun video and will probably put together a reel for IG. Gotta have fun!
Okay, so here’s the details for the supplies I used, which were also such a fun part of this project! I had sent my daughter a bunch of pictures and together we pulled some fabrics that would work. And I love them! There’s so many great options for beautiful fabrics that you really can’t go wrong!
Project Details
- Pattern: based off my Making Backpack pattern (sized down with Kånken inspired details and Raspberry Rucksack pocket) – a Mini Franken-Kånken, hahah!
- Fabrics: Dry Oilskin from Zipper Zoo (this is the Smokey Orange color which I plan to buy a ton more of), lining is Louise Cunningham for Cloud9 Fabrics from her Arid Wilderness collection, interior binding is Interweave Chambray by Robert Kaufman Fabrics (I only added SF101 to the lining pieces – I think it worked great).
- Interior zipper is Monster Snot from my shop (this is a 6″ zip),
- Exterior main zipper and pocket zipper is zipper by-the-yard from Zipper Valley – and oh so beautiful!
- Hardware and leather pulls are both from my shop
- Webbing in both 1″ and 1.5″ are Smokey Orange from Zipper Zoo!
- Leather patch (comes in my Making Backpack kit), and I stamped it with her initials using an alphabet stamping set from Tandy Leather (it’s the only set I have and has worked great for years!)
Let me know if you’d like to see me add this size option to the Making Backpack pattern. I won’t be able to do the same pocket as Sarah’s (that I used in this sample), but I think I could come up with a fun alternate pocket design to include.
Love it! Yes, yes, yes pattern please!
Yes, I’d love a smaller size Making backpack! I love the size of my mini Kanken, and I’ve been wanting to try sizing down your pattern.
Yes. Please do that. This looks wonderful. I’d love to make it.
omgggg i NEED one!! it’s adorable
Just stumbled on your blog and after a two year sewing hiatus your gorgeous patterns have my fingers TWITCHING.
Yes please! Kits?
Yes yes!! Please do. This is so cute!
I Love it! The pattern, the color, it´s amazing
This is amazing! If you add this as a pattern option, I’ll be first in line to make it! 🙂
Oh my gosh! I actually just bought the Raspberry Rucksack pattern to make myself the mini, but I would love a mini version of your Making Backpack. I made myself one of those last year. Your orange bag is too cute!!!
Would love a mini version of your Making Backpack. Like the pocket on the front.
Yes please and thank you very much! I would love to make a mini one to use as a purse. In addition to my Sandhill Sling. 🙂 Thank you so much! I have such envy. That backpack is awesome. Your daughter is so lucky!
Just ordered this fabric at zipper zoo 🙂 , and would love to make this mini one! So yes please! 🙂
Oh my goodness, how adorable!! The color is perfect too.
Yes please. I have been sewing your bag patterns using my handwoven cloth. I would love to make this mini Franken-Kanken!
This is adorable! Yes, I would like to make a mini Making Backpack!!! 🙂
It came out great! Love the size and the pocket. Please do make a pattern. Would love to make it.
This is exactly what my grandson is looking for. I’d love the smaller size measurements.
Yes! I would love to have this pattern in the smaller size!
I absolutely love this! I vote for the smaller option:-)
Yes., sign me up. Pattern, kit and sew along!
yes please.
Completely agree with the other 22 comments, love it and 100% yes to the Making backpack pattern addition!!
This is adorable! I’d love the pattern to make them for my three boys.
You are so talented! I love this mini backpack and my 15 year old daughter would love it too. Great job!
I totally missed this post, how is that even possible? So glad you picked it up on IG though! It is gorgeous!
Totally would love to have a smaller size of the backpack.
Yes please to this pattern. I’d even be interested in a kit.
This is a wonderful sized bag, love the design. A mini Making Backpack would be awesome! Would you share the type of thread you use in making backpacks? Brand, type, etc…
I would like to purchase a kit with the same colors as soon as it is available!!
I love this bag. Do you have the pattern – I couldn’t locate it in the “shop”…
Hi Shelley, thank you! It will be an update to my Making Backpack pattern, coming next week if all goes as planned.
Yes, would love this. I’ve been using a Kanken and what it needs is an outer slip pocket and a bigger front zip pocket. I’d love to be able to sew that.
Yes, please! Would love to make this mini Making Backpack.
Yes. Please. I love your choice of fabrics, too, and that you used binding for the lining, instead of a drop in one. Could you add directions for doing this?
Thank you Felicity. The Making Backpack pattern’s construction already uses the binding method, so this mini version follows the same instructions. 🙂
I would love to see the smaller pattern with a front pocket.
Can you give the dimensions of the Franken Kanken (finished H x W x D) please? It looks great!!
Yes, please. I would love a mini Making Backpack. Count me in.
Yes–this would be so much fun!
YES!!! I would love a pattern for this smaller version. My girls are obsessed with smaller backpacks! This one looks amazing.