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  City Knits


by Jenna Adorno

When the winter months arrive, I put down my knitting needles and spend my idle time on the slopes. Anyone who wears a helmet (and ponytails) in the snow can tell you that there is no way to keep your cheeks and face warm while your helmet and hair push down your scarf. After many shivering chairlift rides I came up with the idea of a mask that allows both room for the helmet straps and the stylish ponytails, while also protecting the face and neck.

The base is ribbed, short rows shape the face, and the sides have slots that allow the helmet buckle to ride firmly under the chin. The mask is knit on circular needles, is completely seamless, and has optional ponytail holes. (It only takes one time getting called "dude" on the slopes to convince any girl to let her ponytails show).

In my world, this mask is appropriately calld a snowboard mask, however you can knit one of these for any helmet-wearing/winter loving biker rider, snowmobiler, skier, snowboarder or Alaskan dog sledder.

model: Jenna Adorno photos: Joyce McAndrews
SIZE
One size will stretch to fit head circumference up to 24 inches. Mask is intended to fit tightly, with no ease.
 
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

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MATERIALS

[MC]: Karabella Aurora 8 [100% Merino Wool; 98yd/90m per 50g ball]; Color: #22 Charcoal; 2 balls
[CC]: Cascade 220 [100% Wool; 220yd/201m per 100 skein]; Color: #8229 Heather Grey; 1 skein (approx. 10yd/9m used)

1 16-inch US #5/3.75mm circular needle
1 16-inch US #6/4mm circular needle
1 US G/6 / 4mm crochet hook
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
GAUGE

24 sts/32 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Note: This project is worked at a tighter gauge than suggested on the ball band to yield a firm, fairly windproof fabric.
 
PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here]

Instructions for basic crochet stitches can be found here.

2x2 Rib (Worked in the round over a mutiple of 4 sts)
Round 1: [K2, p2] to end.
Repeat this round for 2x2 Rib.

Crab Stitch (Also called Reverse Single Crochet):
Tutorial with photos and a video can be found here.
DIRECTIONS

Using smaller circular needle and MC, CO 80 sts. Place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work in 2x2 Rib until work measures 4 inches.

Using larger needle, k 1 round.

If omitting slots for helmet straps, k 2 rounds in place of the 2 rounds described below.

Add Slots for Helmet Straps
Next Round: K12, BO 8 sts, k39 (40 sts on right needle after bound off sts), BO 8 sts, k to end of round.

Next Round: [K to bound off sts, CO 8 sts] twice, k to end.

If omitting ponytail slots, k 10 rounds and proceed to Dividing Round, below.

Add Ponytail Slots
K 4 rounds.

Next Round: K16, BO 8 sts, k31 (32 sts on right needle after bound off sts), BO 8 sts, k to end of round.

Next Round: [K to bound off sts, CO 8 sts] twice, k to end.

K 4 rounds.

Dividing Round: K10; place last 20 sts worked on hold on smaller needle (leave st marker in place); k60.

Work 55 rows back and forth in stockinette st over remaining 60 sts; work measures 7 inches from dividing round, ending with a WS row.

Shape Top of Mask
Row 1 [RS]: K40. Turn work.
Row 2 [WS]: P20. Turn work.

Row 3 [RS]: Sl 1, k18, k2tog tbl. Turn work.
Row 4 [WS]: Sl 1, p18, p2tog. Turn work.
Repeat these 2 rows 19 times more. All sts have been worked; 20 sts remain.

Shape Face Opening
K20; pick up and k 36 sts along edge of face opening (2 sts for every 3 rows); k held sts, retaining st marker; pick up and k 36 sts along side edge of face opening. 112 sts.

K to st marker at center bottom of face opening; this is beginning of round.
K 8 rounds.

Shape Forehead
K61, w&t. P10, w&t.
K13, w&t. P16, w&t.
K19, w&t. P22, w&t.
K25, w&t. P28, w&t.
K to end of round.

Shape Lower Face
K10, w&t. P20, w&t.
K25, w&t. P30, w&t.
K to end.
K 3 rounds.
Decrease Round: [K1, k2tog] to last st, k1. 75 sts.
BO all sts.

Note: Face opening is finished using crochet. If you prefer not to crochet, k 3 more rounds after Decrease Round before binding off.
FINISHING

Using CC, work 2 rounds single crochet around face opening.
Work 1 round crab stitch. Break yarn, draw through last st and pull tight.
Weave in ends and block as desired.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Jenna Adorno lives in Seattle, works in the software industry and dreams of being paid fabulously to knit garments full time.

She can be found here.
Pattern & images © 2006 Jenna Adorno. Contact Jenna