A friend of mine requested a balaclava for when she goes ramp skating in winter. She had two requirements. First, that the balaclava not have ears or anything else that might interfere with her helmet. Second, she wanted something pirate themed. Well, I think this is perfect because the tentacles dangle below the helmet and it kinda makes the wearer look like a pirate who’s fallen in the sea and had their head eaten by an octopus. I hope she likes it 🙂

This pattern is written in American crochet notation and uses a 4mm hook and 8 ply wool.

Balaclava

Round 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)

Round 2: increase in every stitch (12 stitches)

Round 3: sc in the first stitch, increase in the next stitch – repeat (18 stitches)

Round 4: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (24 stitches)

Round 5: sc in the first three stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (30 stitches)

Round 6: sc in the first four stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (36 stitches)

Round 7: sc in the first five stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (42 stitches)

Round 8: sc in the first six stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (48 stitches)

Round 9: sc in the first seven stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (54 stitches)

Round 10: sc in the first eight stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (60 stitches)

Round 11: sc in the first nine stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (66 stitches)

Round 12: sc in the first ten stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (72 stitches)

Round 13: sc in the first eleven stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (78 stitches)

Round 14: sc in the first twelve stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (84 stitches)

Round 15: sc in the first thirteen stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (90 stitches)

Round 16: sc in the first fourteen stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (96 stitches)

Round 17: sc in the first fifteen stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (102 stitches)

Round 18: sc in the first sixteen stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (108 stitches)

Rounds 19 – 41: sc in each stitch (108 stitches)

Round 42: slip stitch in the first twelve stitches, sc in the next five stitches, slip stitch in the next twelve stitches and then sc to the end of the round (108 stitches)

Rounds 43 – 47: sc in the scs and slip stitch in the slip stitches (108 stitches)

Round 48: chain 12, slip stitch to the first sc, sc in the next five stitches, chain 12 and slip stitch to the next sc, sc to the end of the round (108 stitches)

Rounds 49 – 53: sc in every stitch (108 stitches)

Rounds 54 – 55: sc in the first ten stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat

Places markers in the two places where the balaclava crosses your jaw below your ears

Rounds 56 – 70: sc between the markers at the front and slip stitch at the back.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Tentacles (make eight)

Round 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)

Rounds 2 – 6: sc in each stitch (6 stitches)

Round 7: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (8 stitches)

Rounds 8 – 12: sc in every stitch (8 stitches)

Round 13: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (10 stitches)

Rounds 14 – 18: sc in every stitch (10 stitches)

Round 19: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (13 stitches)

Rounds 15 – 19: sc in every stitch (13 stitches)

Round 20: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (17 stitches)

Rounds 21 – 25: sc in every stitch (17 stitches)

Round 26: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (22 stitches)

Rounds 27 – 66: sc in every stitch (22 stitches)

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Assembly

Stuff tentacles and sew them to the balaclava. Go ramp skating.