About the pattern

This balaclava is large and simple and will keep your head and cheeks warm while you are out and about in the freezing cold.

Wear it over a snug beanie or ear warmers on a cold day, or just on its own on regular winter days.

The balaclava is worked from the top down, first as a rectangle. Then stitches are picked up around it and shaping is used to make the vertical part, then new stitches are cast on at the chin to make the neck area.

Ribbing is made all around the face opening and two small seams complete the project. The ribbing can be made wider or narrower, depending on how much of the face you want to be exposed.

You can adjust the size by changing either the size of the hook or the thickness of the yarn. The final fit around the face can be adjusted by changing the width of the ribbing.

For a tighter fit, use yarn with high twist and multiple strands. For a looser fit, use a yarn with lower twist, fewer plies, a brushed or chainette yarn.

See more here about donating.

Skill level

Confident beginner in Tunisian crochet, due to working different stitches and simple shaping.

Notions

• Yarn: DK weight or size 3 wool or acrylic, with 300 meters per 100 grams; approximate usage: 330 meters or 110 grams.

• Hook: 6 mm Tunisian crochet hook with cable, or long hook, or hook that gets you gauge (optional double ended hook).

• Tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure.