Making a Blanket Backpack
Most of us are used to carrying a backpack to carry our gear when we are hiking or camping or trekking through the woods. However, what happens if you're out in the woods and your pack gets ripped, destroyed or ruined? Or maybe you're ready to go a little more minimalist and forget the backpack all together!
Your wool blanket is all you need to create a lightweight, easy-to-assemble and well- crafted backpack that will hold all your gear safely and securely on the trail. Check out the step-by-step instructions below and/or watch the video above to see how to make your own!
How to Make a Blanket Backpack:
1. Fold your blanket in half, lengthwise.
2. Arrange your gear in the center of the folded blanket.
3. Fold the bottom of the blanket up and over so that it completely covers all your gear, then fold the sides of the blanket in to cover your gear from each side.
4. Take a double "wingspan" (fingertip-to-fingertip with arms outstretched) of strong cordage (paracord is a good choice) and slide it under the blanket where the bottom of the blanket has been folded up so that half of the cord is on either side of the blanket. Tie in a single, overhand knot to secure it. Now fold the top of your blanket down so that it covers all the way to the bottom.
5. Using the cordage you just tied in an overhand knot in the last step, cross your cordage over the top of your pack, making an "X" about 1/4 of the way down. Wrap the cordage around the back of your blanket, crossing it again to make another "X" about 1/2 way down, but on the opposite side. Bring the cordage back around to the front again, and tie a simple knot or a bow about 3/4 of the way down, to secure the cord.
6. Flip your pack over, so the side with the "X" in the center is facing up and the side with the "X" near the top and the knot/bow near the bottom is facing down.
7. Take a double wing-span of strong cordage or, even better, nylon webbing, and pass it through the space where you tied the first knot (Step 4). Slide the cord/webbing through until you have even lengths on each side. These are going to be your backpack straps.
8. Take one of your new "straps" and tuck it through the bottom cord (that you wrapped around your pack in Steps 4 - 6) on that same side. Pull it partially through, leaving it loose so that your arm will be able to fit through. Do the same with the other half of your "strap", pulling it through on the other side of your pack bottom.
9. Turn you pack so that the bottom is facing AWAY from you, and slip your arms through the strap holes you just created.
10. Hold the ends of the straps, one in each hand. Pick up your pack and put it OVER your head, on to your back.
11. Pull the strap ends that you are holding snug, then tie them around your waist.