November Balaclava

The November Balaclava is worked from the top down in fisherman’s rib. First, a square is worked for the top of the head. Then stitches are picked up and knitted along the sides of the square and the balaclava is worked back and forth to under the chin, where it is joined in the round. At the end, a rib edge is worked around the face opening.

The balaclava has a feminine fit, as it covers the ears, but not the forehead or sides of the face. Note that the measurements given for the finished balaclava are for after it has been washed. The hat should be washed before wearing as the fisherman’s rib grows giving the hat the correct size. 

Begin by working a swatch to determine which needle size you need to achieve the correct gauge. Wash and block the swatch before taking any measurements.

Sizes: S/M (L/XL)

Head circumference: 54-58 (58-61) cm [21¼-22¾ (22¾-24) inches]

Balaclava width: 18 (20) cm [7 (8) inches] (measured with the hat lying flat on its side)

Gauge: 16 sts x 36 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in fisherman’s rib on 4.5 mm [US7] needles before washing; the equivalent of 14 sts x 36 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in fisherman’s rib on 4.5 mm [US7] needles after washing, as fisherman’s rib grows with washing and wear (note that 36 rows in fisherman’s rib are counted as 18 knit sts).

Circular needles: 4.5 mm [US7] / 40 and 60 cm [16 and 24 inches]

Materials: 100 (100) g Peruvian Highland Wool by Filcolana (50 g = 100 m [109 yds]) or Peer Gynt by Sandnes Garn (50 g = 91 m [98 yds]) held together with 25 (25) g Silk Mohair by Isager Yarn (25 g = 212 m [232 yds]) or Tynn Silk Mohair by Sandnes Garn (25 g = 212 m [232 yds]) or Tilia by Filcolana (25 g = 212 m [232 yds]) or Brushed Lace by Mohair By Canard (25 g = 212 m [232 yds])

Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ (3 out of 5)

See the classification of difficulty here. 

This pattern is digital and will be sent as a pdf-file to your e-mail.

The blue November Balaclava is knitted in Peruvian Highland Wool by Filcolana in the color Navy [145] held together with Tilia by Filcolana in the color Navy [145].

The light brown November Balaclava knitted in Peruvian Highland Wool from Filcolana in the color Chai [364] held together with Soft Silk Mohair by Knitting for Olive in the color Trenchcoat.

The light beige November Balaclava is knitted in Peer Gynt by Sandnes Garn in the color Lys beigemelert [3021] held together with Tynn Silk Mohair by Sandnes Garn in the color Lys beige [3021].

Video

Begin:

Picking up stitches:

Increases:

Joining in the round:

Picking up stitches for rib around face opening:

Knitting backwards in fisherman's rib:

Italian bind-off:

Quick and easy italian bind-off: