Inspired by firelit nights outisde and vintage firework packaging and designed for the Qing Fibre 2023 Advent, the Ballistic Bib is a cosy, modular accessory that can upgrade your favourite jumpers with an extra cosiness or can be worn as a statement piece over a t shirt on transitional days. With a simple half-zipper installation, you can choose how you want to wear the neck - open or closed depending on your preference. The front and back are worked flat separately in stripes of stockinette stitch before being joined at the shoulders with a 3-needle cast-off. Stitches are picked up for the collar, which is also worked flat. This pattern will also give instructions for how to embroider the design shown for that added printed media vibe! You are welcome to change to embroidery however you would like, but instructions are given for the specific design shown.

This accessory is designed in one size only since the only real fit point is at the neck, schematic illustration with complete measurements appears in the pattern images.

Yarn/yardage:

589 meters / 644 yards of Qing FIbre ‘Sock Mini’ (75% Merino 25% Nylon, 80 meters/ 88 yards in 20g) made up of minis in Christmas Tree (C1), Charcoal (C2), Matchbox (C3), Rocket (C4), Static (C5), Sputnik (C6), and Bonfire (C7) - all beautiful colours were dyed exclusively for the advent!

This pattern is designed for nine 20g mini skeins- 7 individual colours with two each of a black-ish colour and a white-ish colour.

I have included only a total yardage, because I anticipate that people will want to colourblock very differently and use this as a stash busting project. As long as you have enough total yardage, or one mini of 7 colours and 40g of the darkest and lightest one you will be grand.

Gauge:

28 sts and 40 rows/rounds per 10cm / 4in in stockinette stitch worked flat and in the round using 2.75mm / US 2 needle.

Needles:

- Ribbing Needle - 2.25mm / US 1 or size 0.5mm smaller than Main Needle in your preferred lengths for small circumferences worked in the round (I used 12in / 30cm)
- Main Needle - 2.75mm / US 2 or size needed to obtain gauge in your preferred lengths for small and large circumferences (I used 32in / 80cm for large circumferences, and 12in / 30cm for small circumferences

Supplies Needed:

• tapestry needle
• sewing needle
• sewing thread
• 12cm / 4.75in zipper (it is possible to buy a longer zipper and shorten it)
• sewing pins

I’d like to say a special thanks to the team who helped me put this pattern together. It was important to me to make the best pattern possible and it would have never been possible without the help of these guys:

Jen Parroccini - Technical consultation
www.jpknitsthings.com

Heather Storta - Technical Editor
https://heatherstorta.com

Dave Morrow - Graphic design
@boxdog.inc on instagram

Rose Dagul- Additional support and editing
@rose_dagul on instagram

And my test knitters- you know who you are ;)