Knit a balaclava with knitting needles anyone can. It is very functional for winter headwear: it is worn as a hat, mask or scarf. Recently, balaclavas have become widespread among different layers of the population. Historians have established that the authors of these winter headwear were the English, who froze during the war near the city of the same name in Crimea.
Necessary tools and materials
A balaclava, which even a beginner needlewoman can knit, is a great idea for a headdress for men for the winter. The warm accessory looks like a helmet because it leaves only the eye area and the bridge of the nose open.
The balaclava is also called a balaclava or a ski mask. Translated from a foreign language, the name means "fish nest". Headwear in the modern world is made from high-quality materials designed for different situations. For example, firefighters' balaclavas do not burn, and those of special forces are stretchy and allow the body to breathe.
Modern craftswomen have learned to create warm balaclavas from yarn, the choice of which must be approached carefully.
In order to choose the right material for a winter headdress, you need to:
- Smell the ball.
- Apply it to your face.
- Analyze the quality of the thread.
- Check the material for strength.
- Determine electrostatic parameters.
- Read the information on the label.
When choosing a material, experts recommend smelling the yarn. This will help determine whether it contains chemical impurities that could later cause health problems. If you feel even the slightest unpleasant odor, it is better to put the skein aside.
Since the balaclava comes into direct contact with the face when worn, you should check how sensitive skin will react to it before buying yarn. By applying it to open areas of the cheeks or forehead and holding it there for a few seconds, you can understand how the product will be worn.
Experienced needlewomen recommend checking the quality of the thread before buying. To do this, slightly stretch the free end of the skein and see how uniform the fiber is. If it consists of thin and thick threads, then it is better not to take such material, since the product from it will look ugly and behave poorly when worn.
You also need to test the material for strength. Since the balaclava should stretch well, it should be made of a well-stretching, durable and, at the same time, elastic material. To test, stretch the end of the thread with 2 fingers, feeling how it springs and how quickly it returns to its original position.
It is known that winter clothes quickly become electrified and, when touching a person, you can get an unpleasant discharge. To test the material for its ability to accumulate electrostatic voltage, you need to clamp its tip between your thumb and forefinger and rub it lightly. If the fibers in the thread fluff up a lot, then this is an indicator of good static accumulation and such a thread is not suitable for a balaclava.
Before buying, you should always read the information on the label. Here, the manufacturer usually indicates not only the composition of the yarn, but also the length of the thread. In addition, the diameter of the knitting needles, which is suitable for working with a skein, is always written on the label.
A men's balaclava for everyday wear should be warm, light, elastic and breathable. A properly made balaclava retains heat well and does not let moisture through. Alpaca, camel, goat and sheep wool and yak threads are suitable for knitting. But angora, which is made from the down of a Chinese breed of rabbit, should not be taken, as it can irritate the mucous membrane and simply "get into" the eyes, mouth, nose and ears.
Schemes with description of works for beginners
You can knit a balaclava with knitting needles in a few evenings.
Depending on their purpose, balaclavas are divided into:
- kerchief;
- mask;
- scarf.
For example, a balaclava-kerchief is a triangular accessory with a velcro or fastener at the back. It is worn on the face, covering the nose, mouth and part of the neck. A balaclava-mask is a single piece of fabric, with a slit for the eyes. It is worn on the head, put on like a stocking. A balaclava-scarf is a wide, one-piece product that is worn around the neck. In this case, the headdress can be pulled over the face, covering its lower area.
The winter accessory can also be classic, or with 3 or 4 slits on the fabric. In the first case, the balaclava has 1 wide slit, where the eyes and the bridge of the nose are visible. In addition, its lower part can be lowered, completely opening the oval of the face.
A 3-hole balaclava is an accessory that has a common eye hole and separate ones for the nose and mouth. A 4-hole balaclava has, in addition to separate holes for the nose and mouth, a hole for each eye.
To knit a winter balaclava for men, you need to know the basics of knitting. The fabric for the headdress is formed from front and back loops, garter stitch or regular satin stitch. For the convenience of recording patterns and recommendations, craftswomen use a generally accepted symbolic system and abbreviations.
| Name | Abbreviation and designation |
| facial | persons or persons - "X" or "I" |
| purl | izn. or ip – "-" or "O" |
| edge | chrome - "+" |
| yarn over | nak. – «Ո» |
| decrease | ub. - "V" |
In addition, in the process of work, there may be stretching, removing unknitted loops or creating several from 1. Usually, each scheme has a decoding of the symbols used. In this case, the number above or below the designation may indicate how many loops need to be knitted together or added.
The most popular models of men's balaclavas are:
- "For Beginners";
- "Classical";
- "Striped";
- "With a visor";
- "With a visor."
The listed models can be made from yarn of different colors. In addition, in winter balaclavas, a combination of shades and a play on contrasts are appropriate. Before you start creating a hat, you need to take measurements from your head.
To do this, use a centimeter to measure:
- head circumference - a centimeter is applied above the level of the eyebrows and to the most convex part of the back of the head;
- the distance from the crown to the edge of the headdress - in front, on the sides and back;
- length from the earlobe to the middle of the back of the head;
- from the crown to the temple.
Knowing the value of these indicators, you can correctly calculate the number of loops.
For Beginners
A beginner needlewoman will need several evenings to knit a winter hat for her husband or son. For work, take yarn, circular knitting needles of a suitable diameter and scissors.
To knit a balaclava yourself, you need:
- Cast on 80 stitches.
- Knit row 1 with an elastic band with a step of 2 front, 2 back.
- Form a 22 cm long piece with an elastic band.
- Close ¼ of the stitches on the knitting needle, forming a slit. At the same time, check that the eye hole is the right size (not too big and not too small).
- Knit with a rib pattern another 8 cm in height.
- Cast on the same number of stitches as those previously closed.
- Knit the required height of the hat also using the “Elastic” pattern.
- At the crown level, begin to close the loops, forming the top of the headdress.
- Pull the remaining loops together and tuck the free end of the thread inside the headdress.
- Trim the end of the skein.
The finished product is tried on and washed before wearing.
Classical
Balaclava knitted with knitting needles, which can be knitted even by a beginner needlewoman, a warm headdress for wearing in windy and snowy weather. In a classic hat-mask there is only a slit for the eyes, and all other parts of the head are covered with fabric.
To work you will need yarn and 5 knitting needles for stocking knitting.
To knit a men's headdress, you need:
- Cast on 80 stitches.
- Knit the row after casting on with knit or purl stitches to join the fabric.
- Attach a plastic marker to the junction of the first and last loops.
- Distribute the loops so that there are 20 on each knitting needle.
- Knit row 1 with a 2 by 2 rib pattern, where 2 front stitches alternate with 2 back stitches.
- Form 20 cm of fabric using the pattern described in row 1.
- Start working on the opening for the face, and for this divide the loops as follows: 26, 30 and 24.
- Knit 26 stitches with a rib pattern using the initial step.
- Close 30 stitches to make an eye hole. Cover the front stitches with front stitches and the back stitches with back stitches.
- Knit 24 stitches also with a 2 by 2 rib pattern.
- Form 26 loops of the next row with a rib pattern.
- Cast on 30 stitches onto a free needle.
- Knit 24 stitches of the row, following the pattern on the fabric.
- Knit with a rib pattern until the height of the fabric after casting on stitches is 10 cm.
- The remaining part of the fabric is knitted with stocking stitch, decreasing in every 3rd row the last 2 loops on each knitting needle, combining them into 1 front loop.
- Pull the thread through the remaining 8 loops.
- Finish the job by tightening the hole.
Before trying on, secure the end of the thread, and it is recommended to wash the product before wearing.
In stripes
You can also knit a striped men's balaclava using several colors of yarn. For example, make the neck part dark and the top part lighter.
To work you will need 3 balls of wool of different colors (black, brown, flesh-colored), circular knitting needles, a plastic marker and scissors.
To knit a striped balaclava, you need:
- Cast on the required number of stitches, for example, 76, using black yarn.
- Knit 4 rows in stocking stitch so that the front loops are always on the front side.
- Continue knitting, replacing the black thread with brown. Work in stocking stitch, forming a fabric to a height of 6 cm.
- Add the flesh-colored thread to the work, knitting with stocking stitch another 10 cm.
- Form an eye hole by closing the required number of loops with purl stitches.
- Insert a black thread into the work and continue working with it.
- Cast on the missing number of stitches and knit them in the next row as purl stitches, and knit the rest of the fabric as front stitches.
- From the next row, continue to form a “pipe” using garter stitch.
- Start decreasing the stitches (knit 2 together at the beginning of each row) when the fabric moves away from the tips of the ears by 1.5-2 cm.
- At the end of the work, close the remaining loops as 1, cut the thread and pull it inside the product.
By closing the loops in this way, you will get a “Star” pattern on the top of the head.
With a visor
Balaclava knitting needles, which can be knitted following any of the patterns you like, sometimes comes with a "visor" from which you can easily form a scarf or lift it onto your forehead. Men's headwear is suitable for everyday wear or for skiing or snowboarding on snowy mountain slopes. For work, you will need yarn and circular knitting needles. In addition, you can stock up on plastic markers and scissors.
To knit a balaclava with a movable visor, you need:
- Cast on 80 stitches.
- Knit row 1 with an elastic band with a step of 1 by 1, that is, alternate 1 front with 1 back.
- Work in the described manner until the canvas reaches a height of 6 cm.
- Knit 24 rows using the "Stockinette" pattern, that is, knit in a circle with only knit stitches.
- Form 25-26 central loops in a row with an elastic band with a step of 1 by 1, then close the loops.
- Knit rows 26 to 29 in a turning pattern, following the pattern on the fabric.
- Cast on 26 stitches in row 30 in the center where you decreased and continue working following the pattern.
- Knit from row 31 to 36 with an elastic band with the step specified at the beginning of the work.
- Form rows 37 to 55 in stockinette stitch.
- Start decreasing the stitches to form the crown of the garment. To do this, in row 57, alternately repeat 9 knits, 2 together knits, 9 knits.
- Make row 59 by alternating 8 times 8 knit, 2tog knit, 8 knit.
- Knit row 61, alternately knitting 8 times 7 knit, 2 together knit, 7 knit.
- Form row 63 following the pattern 6 knit, 2 together knit, 6 knit – 8 times.
- Create row 65 by repeating knit 5, knit 2 together, knit 5 – 8 times.
- Knit row 67, forming 8 times 4 front, 2 together front, 4 front.
- Form row 69 by repeating 3 knits, 2 together knits, 3 knits 8 times.
- Create row 71 by repeating 2 knit, 2 together knit, 2 knit 8 times.
- Knit row 73, alternating 8 times 1 knit, 2 together knit, 1 knit.
- Form row 75 by knitting 2 together 8 times.
- Create row 77, repeating 2tog knitwise 4 times.
- Finish the work by pulling the loops together with one thread.
Now we begin knitting the visor.
To do this you need:
- Cast on 30 stitches using separate needles.
- Knit row 1 with a rib pattern, alternating 2 front and 2 back stitches.
- Form rows 2, 4, 6 and the remaining even ones, following the pattern on the fabric.
- Decrease in rows 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and other odd rows by 1 loop after and before the edge loop.
- Close the remaining loops and finish the work.
Now you need to assemble the product. To do this, sew the visor by the long corners to places slightly further to the sides from the balaclava's neckline.
With a visor
A balaclava knitted with knitting needles, which can be knitted as a gift for a holiday to your beloved man, can also have a visor. Sometimes the protruding part of the product is made completely knitted, forming the fabric in such a way that it holds its shape. Some needlewomen prefer to make a blank for rigidity, from cardboard and tie it with yarn.
To work you will need a skein of thread, separate and circular knitting needles, a silicone base for the visor and scissors.
To knit a balaclava with a visor, you need:
- Cast on the required number of stitches on circular knitting needles, for example, 80.
- Knit 30 cm of fabric with a 2 by 2 elastic band.
- Divide the number of loops by 4 and close the 20 central ones, knitting the rest with an elastic band with the chosen step.
- Cast on 20 missing stitches in the next row in the center above the closed ones and knit the product with a rib pattern until the end of the work. At the same time, do not forget about the decreases in the right places to form the crown.
Close the helmet and start creating the visor.
To do this you need:
- Cast on 30 stitches using separate needles.
- Knit row 1.
- Form a row of 2 purl stitches.
- Create rows 3 and 4, leaving 2 stitches to the edge of the row.
- Knit rows 5 and 6, following the pattern on the fabric and leaving 3 loops unknitted to the edge.
- Form rows 7 and 8 in such a pattern that is visible on the product, but do not knit 4 loops to the end of the row.
- Reduce stitches until the desired peak height is reached.
- Start adding stitches at the end of the row in the same quantity as you decreased, and knit the rest of the fabric following the pattern.
- Place the finished visor on an auxiliary thread and steam it.
At the end of the work, insert a plastic part inside and sew the visor to the balaclava.
Secrets for Beginners
When knitting a balaclava for men, there are several secrets that will help novice craftswomen to cope with the work faster and better.
To do this you need:
- Knit a sample using the chosen pattern.
- Use circular needles.
- Test yarn for color fastness.
- Select the right knitting needles.
Experienced needlewomen always recommend knitting a small sample on the selected needles with the selected yarn before starting work. This will allow you not only to see how the pattern looks on the material, but also to understand whether it is easy to work with the selected yarn.
The balaclava is a seamless headdress, so it is easier to knit it on circular needles. The tool allows you to create a single piece of fabric, which will allow you to fit better when wearing it and keep you warm.
Before you start knitting a balaclava, it is recommended to test the yarn to see if it sheds. To do this, wet the end of it in water and clamp it between clean pieces of white fabric. After a while, you need to see if the thread has left any color marks. If not, the material is suitable for knitting a headdress.
After choosing the yarn, you need to choose the right knitting needles. To do this, pierce a sheet of paper with the tip of the tool and pull the thread through the hole. If it does not catch or hang, the tools are chosen correctly. In addition, when using circular knitting needles, you need to make sure that the line fits tightly to their ends, so that it is easier to work.
You can knit a balaclava with knitting needles in any way you like. A balaclava is a universal headdress that will suit men with any type of face and appearance.
Video about knitting a balaclava
How to knit a balaclava with knitting needles: