The following review is edited and re-published from a post that originally appeared at Crafting Jen on August 21, 2007.

JanSport Big Student Pack
Acquired by: Complimentary Offer from marketing firm

I was sent a Big Student Pack. Me, with no kids? What do I need with a backpack? I don’t even camp! So let’s start by admitting to my bias in this review. My evaluation will be entirely based on a single question - how does the pack measure up as a knitting bag?

The Big Student Pack is sturdily built. Lots of pockets. Almost every zipper has a wide flap covering it to keep out rain. There’s a large mesh pocket on the side for a water bottle - I like that it’s got elastic in the top edge.

Inside one of the front zippers, you’ll find a well-configured utility pocket, with a keychain clip, secure pouch for a cellphone, a spot that could hold a paperback book, and pen pockets. Or, think box of stitch markers, scissors, sets of double point knitting needles…you get the idea!

Now, I have plenty of knitting bags - I even make my own. But I sometimes have a very large project that’s hard to carry. The Big Student Pack is a big, big, bag - 13″ w X 10″ d X 17.25″ h - how would it hold up to my largest project in waiting?

On the left, you see the yarn and all charts and supplies for a large double-knit afghan - a kit I bought from Herrschners earlier in the year. We’re looking at 10 skeins of Red Heart SuperSaver yarn. That’s not something that will fit in my average knitting bag.

It’s been living in the flimsy plastic bag that it was shipped in, and I’ve wished for something better - especially if it made it easier to carry the project around. With the Big Student Pack in the house now, I opened the large main compartment, and began stuffing.

And it all fit. All ten skeins of SuperSaver yarn, along with the needles on which I’d begun casting on (Addi Turbo circulars).

Then I opened the next compartment over, and put in the clipboard that holds the patternbook - essential for following the charted design. Plenty of room to spare in this pocket!

Finally, I put my little tackle box full of stitch markers in the utility pocket. I’ll probably add scissors to keep with the project, too, and maybe a couple pens and pencils.

I was even able to close all the zippers comfortably around the contents.

I like this! The supplies and materials for this large afghan are now all securely stored in a bag that makes it easy to carry along for knitting in public, and there’s even extra room to add pouches of notions and anything else I might need to bring along. Given how easily the Big Student Pack took all this stuff, I can only imagine how well it would work for the student in your life, too.

JanSport has teamed with Facebook to create a sweepstakes. There’s a prize of a Big Student Pack being given away every day until September 19th, and then there’s a grand prize of a trip for four to the Grand Canyon. All you have to do is create - or log in to - your Facebook account, then join the JanSport: Go Big group.

As for my Big Student Pack, I think Gryphon is hoping to inherit it someday - he likes it a lot, too. But, gosh - it’s already stuffed full of yarn, you know! He might have a chance to stake a claim when the afghan is done, but that could be a while…

Sept. 3, 2007 Update: Gryphon has still not laid claim to the Big Student Pack, which sits in my stash calmly holding the entire afghan kit, waiting for me to get around to knitting it…

Related Links:

• Manufacturer: Big Student Pack at JanSport
• Promotional Partner: Facebook
• Sweepstakes: JanSport Go Big Group at Facebook
• Purchase at Amazon: JanSport Big Student Backpack

Posted: September 3rd, 2007 under Bags and Baggage.
Comments: none