This is the coziest balaclava! This pattern is knit using two strands of yarn held together and in a 1 x 1 rib making it so warm and squishable.

It’s knit from the bottom up both in the round and back and forth. Stitches are put on hold for the face opening and picked up later to create the edging. The top is made with short rows, though without those picky wrap & turns, so it’s much easier than usual.

YARN
550 yards of fingering weight yarn held double, or 275 yards of worsted weight yarn held single

We used one and a quarter skeins of Manos del Uruguay Alegria for ours, so getting two skeins means you’ll have plenty extra to make the neck or face opening longer.

GAUGE
7 sts & 6.5 rounds per inch in 1 x 1 ribbing after blocking

NEEDLES
US 8 / 5 mm 16” circulars
Optional: US 5 / 3.75 mm 16” circulars

MEASUREMENTS
17” head circumference
13” tall
8” face opening height
4” neck height