PetiteKnit - Everyday Balaclava

The Everyday Balaclava is worked from the top down in stockinette stitch. First a square is worked for the top of the head. Then stitches are picked up and knitted along both sides of the square and short rows are worked to round the top of the balaclava. After this decreases are worked along the face opening. The balaclava is then worked straight down and then joined to be worked in the round below the chin before it is split into front and back, which are worked in rib. At the end a folded rib edge is worked along the face opening.

Size guide

Measure the head circumference of the child to determine which size to knit. The sizes are the approx. equivalent to the ages 2-4 months (4-6 months) 6-12 months (1-2 years) 2-5 years (5-9 years) – but as head size can vary a lot from child to child, I recommend measuring the head circumference of the child. 

Fits head circumference: 39-41 (41-44) 44-47 (48-50) 50-54 (54-55) cm [15¼ -16¼ (16¼-17¼) 17¼-18½ (18½-19) 19-21¼ (21¼-21¾) inches]

Gauge: 22 sts x 34 rows in stockinette stitch on a 3.5 mm [US4] needle = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches]

Needles: Circular needles: 3.5 mm [US4] / 40 and 80 cm [16 and 32 inches], and 3 mm [US2½] / 40 and 60 cm [16 and 24 inches]

Materials: Suggestion 1: 50-100 (100) 100 (100) 100 (100-150) g Double Sunday by Sandnes Garn (50 g = 108 m [118 yds]) or 100 (100) 100 (100) 150 (150) Organic Wool 2 by Krea Deluxe (50 g = 85 m [93 yds])

Suggestion 2: 50 (50) 50 (50) 50 (50) g Merino by Knitting for Olive (50 g = 250 m [274 yds]) held together with 25 (25) 25 (50) 50 (50) g Compatible Cashmere by Knitting for Olive (25 g = 150 m [164 yds])