my first balaclava

This balaclava is perfect for the colder days and is knitted from the top down with two strands of fingering merino yarn. First, the crown of the balaclava is knitted flat, then the stitches are picked up and the work continues to be knitted flat, back and forth, and finally the neck is knitted in the round. The merino yarn gives it both a nice definition of the rib stitch and also a gentle softness to the touch. It is a unisex design, sized for adults. The neck of the balaclava is in 1x1 rib with a regular bind off. The framing of the face is also knitted in 1x1 rib, but finished off with the italian bind off for a better stretchy fit.

Size
one size fits all

Recommended needles
4 mm circular needles (any cable length)
3 mm circular needles (40 or 50 cm cable)

Recommended yarn
two strands of:
100 g Merino by Knitting for Olive (250 m per 50 g)
or
100 g Sunday by Sandnes Garn (235 m per 50 g)

Gauge (in broken rib)
25 sts x 30 rows = 10 x 10 cm (after blocking)