Patterns, projects and techniques
We have two winners of Heart Felt Knits: commenters 27 and 41, better known as Rose and Redhedhels.
Rose says she’s a bit of a novice with felting, while Red says she intended her first ever fiber project to be felted but accidentally bought superwash wool. (She’s since had better experiences.)
Thanks to everyone who entered and shared and yes, to those who were wondering, that is Christina Hendricks on the cover. She models a couple of the pieces inside, too.
Not too long ago my daughter and I had a discussion about what a chestnut really looks like. The nut itself is small and brown, of course, but on the tree they’re covered with this weird kind of spiky, kind of fuzzy shell. It’s a wonder anyone ever figured out they were edible.
If you didn’t know that, you might wonder why this project is call Chestnut balaclava, but now you know.
This fun design from Yevheniia Pyroh is covered with spikes just like a chestnut shell, and is even the same color, though of course you can make yours whatever color you like. It uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together (which it says is fingering weight but you could try a light/DK yarn and see if you get gauge with it if you’d rather).
There are two different design options in the pattern. One is a more fitted balaclava style hat (it doesn’t cover the face but does go around the neck) and a looser fit hood.
It’s worked primarily in garter stitch, with shaping done by knitting and purling in the same stitch and through various decreases (including a knit 3 together).
The pattern is charted but also explained in words. It’s worked flat to the size you want, and then joined into a hood shape with ribbing at the neck. The opening for the face is finished with I-cord.
This hood/balaclava would definitely be a conversation starter and in different colors it might read more dinosaur than chestnut, which could also be fun. The sizing is totally custom so you can make it fit whatever head you’re stitching for.
If you want to try it for yourself (and I’d love to hear about it if you do!) you can download the free pattern from Ravelry.
[Photo: Yevheniia Pyroh]
Yippee. How do you notify the winners?
I sent an email but yours went to the Fine Craft Guild address. You can send me your address to knitting @ craftgossip.com and I’ll get it out to you!