This aquatic-inspired balaclava is decorated with colorwork motifs of fish and rolling waves.

The balaclava is knitted top-down, with stranded colorwork worked flat across the hood and a ribbed section around the collar and face. This pattern is suitable for low-intermediate level knitters, or advanced beginners comfortable with colorwork.

Materials

Needles:

• 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles (80 cm)
• 4 mm (US 6) circular needles (80 cm)

Note on needles: This pattern was designed to be knitted both flat and in the round on 80 cm circular needles and instructions are written accordingly, but feel free to adjust for straight needles and/or DPNs if that is your preference.

Yarn:

This pattern was designed and knitted with Rico Essentials Merino DK in Light Blue, Jeans (Dark Blue), and Silver Grey (Gray), and requires the following approximate quantities.

• Light Blue: 39 g / 94 m / 103 yds
• Dark Blue: 57 g / 137 m / 150 yds
• Gray: 9 g / 22 m / 24 yds

The balaclava can also be made with any other DK yarn that can achieve the correct gauge.