This cozy colorwork balaclava is covered in swirling hearts and stripes, bringing you a little extra love and cheer on cold days.

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 very advanced beginners comfortable with colorwork.

Materials

Needles:

• 4 mm (US 6) circular needles (80 cm)
• 3 mm (US 2.5) 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 a combination of straight needles and DPNs if that is your preference.

Yarn:

This pattern was designed and knitted with Rico Essentials Merino DK in Black and Orchid (Pink), and requires the following approximate quantities.

• Black: 31 g / 75 m / 82 yds (40 g / 96 m / 105 yds)
• Pink: 43 g / 104 m / 114 yds (55 g / 132 m / 145 yds)

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