Knots

• Start with thick fleece material that doesn't unravel. Decide how large you want your backpack. Double this for front and back and add five inches to bottom and both sides. Keep right sides of the material on the outside. Pin together. Cut 4-inch strips 1 inch wide into the material in a fringe pattern from the top of one side around the bottom and around to the other side. Do not cut fringe in the top edge of the backpack. Starting from one side, tie or knot together the front and back fringe layers. Do this all around the backpack. Add a drop of glue to each to keep the knots secure. About a third of the way from the top at each side, after you have knotted and secured the fringe, thread cord for the backpack straps.
  
  

Glue

• Create a backpack from a towel. Fold the towel bottom-to-top, matching edges. Glue both open sides. Once the glue dries, fold the towel side-to-side, then glue the open side and bottom. Toward the top, two inches in from both edges, cut a 1x1/2 inch slit. Reinforce the cut edges with glue. Loop cord through the slits for the straps of the backpack. You can use this method for other material such as imitation leather, flannel or other material with already finished edges.
  
  

Staples

• Cut the material to size. With right sides together, staple around three edges. Make two rows of staples for security. Turn right side out. Turn two inches of the open top toward the inside of the backpack and staple. This creates a tunnel through which to feed cord for a strap. Make the seams more secure by adding a layer of glue before you staple. Use a T-shirt. Cut the top, underarm to underarm. Discard the sleeve portion. Turn right sides in of the resulting square. Fold up the raw edge and staple it. Turn right side out. The original hem becomes the top of the backpack. Cut a hole in the tube of the hem to feed a cord around the hem for a strap.
  
  

Lacing

• Choose a sturdy material that doesn't ravel and a complementary lacing of cord or ribbon. Decide the size of your backpack and add three inches all around. Cut two equal pieces. Pin together. Cut horizontal slits one inch long and two inches apart around the backpack. Use cord long enough to lace around all thee edges. Anchor the lacing at the inside top of one side with a knot and glue. Thread through to the outside and use the cord to lace the backpack together. Anchor the opposite side with a knot. Cut a length of sturdy cord long enough to fit around the top edges with enough left to fit over a shoulder as a strap. Thread under the knot on one side, through the slits along on top side, under the knot on the other side and though the top slits along the rest of the backpack. Tie the ends together. Close the top by pulling the cord, which gathers the top.