The Barbara 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 the balaclava is worked straight down and then joined in the round below the chin. The neck is worked in the round in stockinette stitch before it is finished with a rib edge. At the end a rib edge is worked along the face opening. Sizes: S (M) L Fits head circumference: 54-56 (56-57) 57-59 cm [21¼-22 (22-22½) 22½-23¼ inches] Width while laying flat: approx. 20 (21) 22 cm [7¾ (8¼) 8¾ inches] Gauge: 24 sts x 38 rows = 10 x 10 cm [4 x 4 inches] in stockinette stitch on a 3 mm [US2½] Needles: 3 mm [US2½] /40 and 80 cm [16 and 32 inches], 2.5 mm [US1½] / 40 cm [16 inches] and 2 mm [US0] / 40 cm [16 inches] circular needles Materials: Suggestion 1: 50 (50-100) 100 g Merino by Knitting for Olive (50 g = 250 m [273 yds]) or Sunday by Sandnes Garn (50 g = 235 m [257 yds]) held together with 25-50 (50) 50 g Soft Silk Mohair by Knitting for Olive (25 g = 225 m [246 yds]) or Silk Mohair by Isager Yarn (25 g = 212 m [232 yds]) or Tynn Silk Mohair by Sandnes Garn (25 g = 212 m [232 yds]) Suggestion 2: 75 (75) 75 g Cashmere Classic by Cardiff (25 g = 112 m [122 yds]) or Cashmere Premium by Lang Yarn (25 g = 115 m [126 yds]) or Cashmere 6/28 by Pascuali (25 g = 112 m [122 yds]) Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ (3 out of 5)
