Free Knitting Pattern Ring

There are many places on the net to get [tag]free knitting patterns[/tag]. Some contain pictures of the items, most are text only sites and you can just print the pattern. I am focused on socks currently (could be the cold Michigan winter that has my toes frozen) and have looked at hundreds of patterns.

In my surfing the â€˜net, I came across the free knitting patterns web ring. One of the sites is Wool Works. This site is noncommercial, volunteer-run site full of information for hand knitters. Wool Works has been online since 1994 and on its own domain since September 20, 1997. Wool Works, formerly known as the Online Knitting Magazine, is the oldest collection of hand knitting information on the Web

Clicking on the Patterns button sent me to a list of pattern types â€“ sweaters, socks. Doll clothes, SOCKS â€“ I had to check out the sock page. WOW, the sock patterns filled a whole page, and best of all they were all FREE!! I will be busy printing [tag]patterns[/tag] and using some of my [tag]sock yarn[/tag] stash for quite a long time.

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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]

Balaclava Knitting Patterns

Colorwork Balaclava Knitting Pattern [Knitting]

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