Designer: Kaelyn Guerin @iiirdwind
The faux-knit look of this pattern is achieved using half-double crochet stitches placed in the back loops of the right side of the pattern. This is followed by half double crochet stitches placed in the 3rd loop of half double crochet stitches from the previous rounds on the wrong side of the pattern. Turned rows along the foundation half double chain create natural curvature for the back hood portion of the balaclava. Unworked stitches create openings for the face. The base of the balaclava or cowl is worked in turned rounds and connected to the opposite side at the base of the hood. The sides of the crown of the balaclava are worked separately as two half-circles that are then sewn onto the hood.
The You Are Art Balaclava Mask is designed to fit oversized and uses exactly one skein of yarn as indicated. Size/stitch changes will affect yardage.
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Yarn Used
The beautiful yarn used for the pictured sample is from Naima of Sister Ananse Yarn. The sample uses a fingering weight base, which is 75% Merino wool, 25% nylon, 462yd/422m/100g. The colorway used in the sample is Birthday, which is a limited edition yarn specifically created for us.

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Difficulty
Advanced Beginner
Sized Included
One size fits most/Oversized
15in tall by 10 ½ inches wide (flat measurements)
Materials
- Sister Ananse Yarn, fingering weight, 75% Merin owool, 25% nylon
- Birthday, 1 skein
- US D (3.25mm) crochet hook
- Measuring Tape
- Removable Stitch Markers
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
Abbreviations
- Blo – back loop only
- Ch – chain
- Fhdc – foundation half double crochet
- Hdc – half double crochet
- Lp – loop
- PM – place marker
- Prev – previous
- RS – right side
- Sc – single crochet
- Sl st – slip stitch
- St – stitch
- WS – wrong side
Gauge
25st and 14 rows = 4”/10cm square in crochet knit stitch
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Special Stitches
Rows of half double crochet stitches create a parallel bar below the front and back loops called the third row. Place wrong side HDC here.
Construction Notes
The faux-knit look of this pattern is achieved using half double crochet stitches placed in the back loops of the right side of of the pattern. This is followed by half double crochet stitches placed in the 3rd loop of half double crochet stitches from the previous rounds on the wrong side of the pattern. Turned rows along the foundation half double chain create natural curvature for the back hood portion of the balaclava. Unworked stitches create openings for the face. The base of the balaclava or cowl is worked in turned rounds and connected to the opposite side at the base of the hood. The sides of the crown of the balaclava are worked separately as two half-circles that are then sewn onto the hood.
The You Are Art Balaclava Mask is designed to fit oversized and uses exactly one skein of yarn as indicated. Size/stitch changes will affect yardage.
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Directions
Hood
ROW 1: CH 75, HDC in each ST until last ST REM. 5 HDC in last ST. PM in 3rd/center ST. Do not turn. Continue HDC across back of foundation CH until last ST. CH 1, turn.
ROW 2: BLO HDC across until PM. 5 HDC, moving PM to 3rd HDC, continue HDC along FDHC until last ST. CH 1, turn.
ROW 3: HDC in 3rd loop across to PM, 5 HDC, moving PM to 3rd HDC, continue HDC along FDHC until last ST. CH 1, turn.
ROW 4-31: Repeat Row 2 and 3. Do not cut yarn.
Cowl
Note: Cowl portion begins on the RS of the hood at the bottom right.
ROW 32: BLO HDC 44 ST. CH 1, turn (leave remaining ST unworked)
ROW 33: HDC in 3rd loop across, CH 1, turn.
ROW 34-70: Repeat Row 32 and 33. Attach last row to opposite side of cowl using Sl St across. Cut yarn leaving tail to weave ends.
Sides (make 2)
Note: Continue alternating pattern of BLO stitches and stitches in 3rd loop
Start with a magic ring.
ROW 1: Ch1, HDC 9 into LP, pull LP closed. CH 1 turn
ROW 2: 2 HDC in each ST across
ROW 3: 2 HDC in first st, *HDC 2, 2 HDC in next ST*, repeat across to last ST. CH 1, turn
ROW 4: 2 HDC in first st, *HDC 3 2 HDC in next ST*, repeat across to last ST. CH 1, turn
ROW 5: 2 HDC in first st, *HDC 4, 2 HDC in next ST*, repeat across to last ST, CH 1, turn
ROW 6: 2 HDC in first st, *HDC 5, 2 HDC in next ST*, repeat across to last ST, CH 1, turn
ROW 7: 2 HDC in first st, *HDC 6, 2 HDC in next ST*, repeat across to last ST. CH 1, turn
ROW 8: 2 HDC in first st, *HDC 7, 2 HDC in next ST*, repeat across to last ST, CH 1, turn
ROW 9: 2 HDC in first st, *HDC 8, 2 HDC in next ST*, repeat across to last ST, FO
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Finishing
Seam sides to top of hood. Weave in all ends.
Enjoy your You Are Art Balaclava Mask! Don’t forget to show it off on Instagram and tag us @radiclethreads and use the hashtags #RadicleThreadsMagazine and #YouAreArtBalaclava so we can see it!
