BALACLAVA
DIFFICULTY = Intermediate
YARN = 2 balls of PURE CASHMERE col. n. 5 and a ball of KID SILK NUANCE col. 48 H.Couture Line by Laines du Nord (beige version); 1 PURE CASHMERE col. n. 15 and 1 KID SILK NUANCE col. 38 H.Couture Line by Laines du Nord (brown version)
CIRCULAR NEEDLES = size 4.5 mm (60 cm and 40 cm cables)
OTHERS = darning needle, safety pin or stitch holder, scissors, tape measure.
10 x 10 cm = 21 stitches and 33 rows in false fisherman's rib stitch, using size 4.5 mm needles.
It is very important to check your gauge and measure the tension correctly to achieve the same results and measurements as the pattern. If the gauge is different, try adjusting the needle size up or down by half a size until you get the correct measurement.
False fisherman's rib stitch:multiple of 3 Stitches.
- RS: k2, k1-b
- WS: knit
k1-b: Knit 1 into the stitch below the next stitch on the left needle.
Sl1p (slip 1 purl-wise): slip 1 stitch from left to right knitting needle purl-wise.
Edge stitch: on both RS and WS, slip first stitch purl-wise, knit last stitch.
RS = right side of the work
WS = wrong side of the work
r = row(s)
st(s) = stitch(es)
k = knit
rep = repeat from * to *
p = purl
incr = increase (knit the stitch twice, once like usual and second time through back loop, at last drop it from left needle)
decr = decrease (work 2 stitches together)
SINGLE SIZE = color of choice
Circumference of balaclava head: 54-56 cm. Length: 32 cm
Procedure
CENTER SECTION:
Using circular needles size 4 mm and Pure Cashmere yarn and Kid Silk Nuance yarn (double yarn), cast-on 31 stitches.
Row 1 (WS) sl1p, knit
Row 2 (RS) sl1p, *k2, k1-b * rep 9 times, k3
Rep row 1 and row 2, 27 times
Cut the yarn and leave the 31 stitches
HOOD:
Pick up the stitches on both sides of central section and join them with the stitches you have left, as follow:
On right side of work, pick up 27 stitches along the right side picking up one loop of edge stitch, insert the 31 stitches you have left, pick up 27 stitches along the left side picking up one loop of edge stitch.
Side row 1 (WS): sl1p, knit
Side row 2 (RS): sl1p, *k2, k1-b * rep 27 times, k3
Rep row 1 and row 2, 28 times
HOOD SHAPING:
Row 57 (WS): sl1p, knit
Row 58 (RS): sl1p, *1 decr, k1-b, k2, k1-b, k2, k1-b*, rep 10 times, 1 decr, k1 (there are 75 stitches)
Row 59 (WS): sl1p, knit
Row 60 (RS): sl1p, k1, *k1-b, 1 decr, k1-b, k2, k1-b, k1*, rep 9 times, k1 (there are 66 stitches)
Row 61 (WS): sl1p, knit
Row 62 (RS): sl1p, k1, *k1-b, k1, k1-b, 1 decr, k1-b, k1*, rep 9 times, k1(there are 57 stitches)
Row 61 (WS): sl1p, knit
Row 62 (RS): sl1p, *k1, k1-b *, rep 27 times, k2
Work rows 61 and 62 twice
COLLAR SHAPING:
At the end of row 66 (RS), cast-on 29 sts and join at corresponding right side, continue working in the round.
Place one stitch marker.
Work in the round, always on right side of the work. The first stitch after the stich marker is the edge stitch on right side of the hood.
Row 67: purl
Row 68: k1-b, *k1, k1-b *, rep 28 times, *k2, k1-b* rep 9 times, k2
Rep the rows 67 and 68 twice
Row 73: purl
Row 74: k1-b, k1, *k1-b, k1, k1-b, 1 incr, k1-b, k1* rep 9 times, k1-b, *k2, k1-b* rep 9 times, k2
Row 75: purl
Row 76: k1-b, k1, *k1-b, 1 incr, k1-b, k2, k1-b, k1* rep 9 times, k1-b, *k2, k1-b* rep 9 times, k2
Row 77: purl
Row 78: k1-b, *1 incr, k1-b, k2, k1-b, k2, k1-b* rep 10 times, k1-b, *k2, k1-b* rep 9 times, k2
Row 79: purl
Row 80: *k1-b, k2* rep across the entire row
Rep the row 79 and the row 80, 10 times
Bind off all sts
For a slightly longer neck, repeat rows 79 and 80 as desired.
FINISHING OF FACE OPENING
There are two different versions
Work a 6-stitch APPLIED I-CORD
- Using size 4.5 mm short circular needles, pick up approx. 124 stitches along the face opening.
- Cast on 6 stitches (there are 130 stitches on the needle),
- Knit 6 stitches once.
- Slip these 6 stitches from right to left needle, with yarn in back,
- Knit 5 stitches, 1 decrease (slip the 6th stitch from left to right needle, with yarn in back, then knit one stitch and pass the 6th stitch over the last worked stitch)
- Rep the rows D and E until there are 6 stitches on the needle
- Using the darning needle, bind off
DOUBLE BAND - RIBS 2x2
Using size 4.5 mm short circular needles, pick-up approx. 124 stitches along the face opening. Stitch count must be a multiple of 4. Work in rib 2x2 (k2 x p2). When rib measures 10 cm, inc all p2 sections to p3. Bind off. Fold in half and tie off on wrong side of work. Sew loosely.
Hide the ends.
Wash and iron.
PATTERN DESCRIPTION
Work the center section flat using circular needles, from the center front toward the back. Pick up stitches along each side of this center section and continue working flat before casting on stitches for the neck. Finish the remainder in the round.
