A Mysterious Knitalong for the Ravellenic Games

Now here’s a cool idea: as part of the “Ravellenic Games,” Raven Knits has designed a mystery shawl knitalong that will be released periodically during the course of the Olympics (which start Friday!).

It’s not a complete mystery; you can get a look at the Tsuga shawl right now, but the pattern is being released in pieces. First will come a gauge swatch pattern, which for some reason isn’t going to be released until the 24th, with steps of the pattern being released on July 27 and 31 and August 4 and 8. The full pattern will be available August 16.

What we do know about the pattern is that it’s a top down triangular shawl with flared wing tips and the option of adding beads in a couple of sections. It looks like a beauty if you’re still looking for something to knit while you watch the Games.

And if you don’t know about the Ravellenic Games, that’s an opportunity for knitters and other fiber artists to challenge themselves to create something they start during the opening ceremony of the Olympics and finish before the Games are over. (Just don’t call it Ravelympics, OK?)

Are you knitting something for the Olympics? Spill it!

[Photo by Raven Knits.]

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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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