I designed this balaclava about a year ago, and it always gets a lot of attention!

Because I learned a lot in one year, I made a couple slight adjustments to the pattern--namely, a more streamlined zipper, a better gauge, and more attractive decreases.

NOTE: THIS PATTERN COMBINES KNITTING, CROCHETING, AND SEWING! The crocheted eyes are pretty simple. Sewing the zipper might be tricky unless you have a sewing machine and know what you’re doing, but hey: don’t let me stop you. It’s meant to look kitschy, so it’s hard to do this wrong!

It is really fun and useful to have a zipper on a balaclava. If it’s super cold, you can zip it almost-closed--or even closed all the way and look through the fibers (although they will get in your eyes). It’s also meant to pass through your head and hang, hoodie style, when you’re indoors.

Great as a gift for kids--no kid wants a hat but they definitely want a toy. And this is a hat-toy.

If you’re making a child-sized hat: Use DK yarn instead of worsted. If you’re making a large adult-sized hat: Either use chunky yarn or sizes 5 and 9 needles. If you need an XL hat, use chunky yarn AND the bigger needles.