  by
Pauline Wall
As an Australian recently relocated
to London, the prospect of my first "real"
winter scared me. The thought of a daytime temperature
dropping below 15C (around 60F) sends me reaching
for thermal underwear. However, central heating (also
a new concept) made the experience more of a novelty
than a torture. Until a ski trip to the swiss alps
was planned. I was introduced to a cold I never new
existed.
I needed something to keep my face
and ears warm -- and found a pattern for a balaclava
in a '70s pattern book. The bank robber look wasn't
so hot, but at least the colour matched the trim of
my snow jacket.
A week of excellent skiing later,
I knew the balaclava needed improving. I wanted to
pull it down around my neck when going indoors, or
roll it up when not skiing.
When laid flat, the Noa 3-in-1 resembles
Beaker from the Muppets! The one-on-one ribbing is
the key to its versatility, ensuring that it is contour-hugging
without fiddly shaping. Don't be fooled -- the rib
does take longer than your average stocking stitch.
But then, you get three pieces in one! |
| 
model: Pauline
Wall
photos: Fred
Smith |
|
Tighter with smaller face opening
[Looser with larger face opening]
(Looser model shown) |
| |
| Length: 14.75 inches
Circumference (measured over stockinette stitch section):
22[23] inches |
| |
|
Rowan Calmer [75% cotton/25% acrylic/microfibre; 178
yd/160m per 50gm skein]; color #477 Blush;
2 balls
1 set US size 7/4.5mm double-point needles
16 inch or 24 inch US size 7/4.5mm circular needle
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
|
| [Knitty's list of standard
abbreviations can be found here] |
| 22 sts/30 rows =
4" in stockinette stitch |
| |
|  1x1
Rib (Worked in the round OR back and forth
over an even number of sts)
Row 1: [K1, p1] to end.
This row forms 1x1 rib.
Seed Stitch
Seed stitch is also worked by alternating k1 and p1,
with this difference: if the next st on your needle
was a p st on the previous row, knit it on this row.
If the next st on your needle was a k st, purl it
on this row. Knit and purl sts are alternated both
horizontally and vertically.
I-cord
CO required number of sts onto a dpn. K all sts.
Next Row: Instead of turning the work around
to work back on the WS, slide all sts to the other
end of the needle, switch the needle back to your
left hand, bring the yarn around the back of the work,
and start knitting the sts again. After the first
2 sts, give the yarn a sharp tug.
Repeat this row to form I-cord.
After a few rows, the work will begin to form a tube.
|
Using circular needle and cable
CO, CO 120 [128] sts. Join to begin working in the
round, being careful not to twist. Place marker
to indicate beginning of round.
Work in 1x1 rib for 47 rows.
Next Round: Rib 47[44], place marker, work
26[40] sts in Seed Stitch, place marker, rib to
end of round.
Work 2 more rounds in patts as set.
Form Face
Opening
Next Round: Work 50[47] sts in patts as set, BO
20[34] sts, work across all sts rem on needle. 100[94]
sts rem.
Work back and forth for 25 rows, maintaining 3 st
Seed Stitch border, ending with a WS row.
Turn work so RS is facing and, using cable CO, CO
20[34] sts at beg of next row. 120[128] sts.
Work across all sts (working sts just CO in Seed
Stitch), then join to resume working in the round.
Work 6 more rounds in patts as set.
Switch to stockinette st (k every round), and work
30 rounds more.
Eyelet
Round: K4[5], yo, k2tog, [k10(11), yo, k2tog]
to last 6[4] sts, k6[4].
Work 6 more rounds in stockinette stitch.
Frilled
Edging
Next Round: K into front and back of each
st (1 st increased in ea st). 240[256] sts.
Repeat this round once more. 480[512] sts.
BO all sts.
|
|  Sew
in ends.
There will probably be a small gap at one corner of
the top of the face opening; cut a small piece of
yarn and use it to sew this gap closed.
I-Cord
Cut a 3 meter (10 foot) length of yarn. SPLIT the
yarn in half lengthwise (this is quite easy as you
may have accidentally found!) -- using the resulting
thinner yarn will give you a less bulky cord.
Using dpns, work a 3 st I-cord until only 3 or 4 inch
tail of yarn remains. Thread yarn through sts and
pull tight. Sew in ends.
Tip: Try working the cord
in a contrasting color. The cord in the photographed
model was worked in color #480 Peacock.
Starting at front, weave i-cord
through eyelets. Put on head, venture into the cold! |
 Pauline
organises Knitflicks: knitting in the cinema,
a knitters'
screening of currently showing films on the third
saturday of the month
at the Ritzy in London.
Her website
contains listings of events for knitters in the UK
and Ireland. |
| Pattern & images
© 2004 Pauline Wall. Contact Pauline |
|
