Trichotomic Balaclava is a project that combines two color brioche stitch both in the round and flat. The number “3” is the inspiration: 3 sections, 3 edges, 3 increase repeats.

Materials: 16 Worsted, 1 skein for each color, shown in P90 as MC, P60 as CC

Dimensions: 22.25’’ / 56.5 cm head circumference, 17.25’’/44 cm length

Needle: US 6 / 4 mm circular (24” / 60 cm long) x2 or DPNs and US 8 / 5 mm needles for the I-cord; or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, leftover yarn

Gauge: 13 sts x 44 (22x2) rows / rnds in Brioche stitch = 4’’/10 cm square with US 6 / 4 mm needles, steam blocked

Skill level: Intermediate

Techniques: 2 color brioche in the round and flat, brioche increases, circular cast on, knitted cast on, I-cord bind off, attaching I-cord edge

Construction Notes: Trichotomic Balaclava starts from top and works toward to the bottom. Stitches are cast on with a circular method. Work is divided into three sections and stitches are increased on both sides of each sections. To open a face opening, stitches in the front section are bound off and worked flat and forth, while increasing stitches along the edges to shape the face opening into a triangular shape. Then the work is joined in the round again with stitches cast on to close the face opening. To shape the bottom section, stitches are increased three times to help the balaclava sits nicely on the neck.