This balaclava was designed to allow knitters to learn or practice different colourwork techniques in a small, approachable project. There’s stranded knitting in the round, in rows and, finally: steeking!

SIZE
One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 25.5” / 65 cm.

Height: 16” / 40.5 cm.

MATERIALS
Yarn: Cyrano by De Rerum Natura (100% merino, 164 yds / 150 m – 100 g).

C1: 2 skeins of colourway Granit.

C2: 2 skeins of colourway Sel.

Or approx. 240 yds / 219 m (in C1) and 170 yds / 155 m (in C2) of aran-weight yarn. Alternative yarn suggestions are for example Quince & Co. Osprey, West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Aran Tweed and Brooklyn Tweed Quarry.

Needles: US 10 / 6 mm 16” / 40 cm circular needles and 2 DPNs (for i-cord, optional).

Notions: US J-10 / 6 mm crochet hook.

GAUGE
15 sts x 17 rows to 4” / 10 cm in colourwork, patt after blocking.

CONSTRUCTION
This balaclava is worked from bottom up and consists of three sections, each utilizing a different colourwork technique. Section 1 is worked in the round. Section 2 is also worked in the round but contains a column of stitches to be steeked. Section 3 is knitted flat. An applied i-cord edge is knitted to neatly finish the face opening.