The original. The one I made is shown at the bottom of the page. It does look different without someone wearing it! I will try to get an action shot with a model.
Although I am not sure of the exact age of this pattern, the price of 4 old pence suggests that it is pretty old! My guess is that it is from the 50s.
As you can see, all the measurements are given in old weights and sizes so the conversion is as follows.
Old size 9 needles are equivalent to 3.75mm.
One ounce (oz) is 28g.
Balaclava Helmet IN THREE SIZES-5 to 8 years, 9 to 12 years, TEENAGERS AND ADULTS WINTER warmth—neat and cozy Balaclava Helmet and Fingerless Mitts in double knitting wool. They are very quick-to-knit, the helmet in single ribbing and the mitts in stocking-stitch with ribbed wrists. Instructions are given in three sizes. |
MATERIALS: Of Emu Scotch Double Knitting wool, allow 2 ozs. for 5 to 8 or 9 to 12 years size; or 3 ozs. for the teenage or adult's size; I pair of No. 9 knitting needles.
TENSION: Over the single ribs unstretched, 8 stitches and 8 rows to I inch.
MEASUREMENTS: Size 5 to 8 years—Round face edge, about 10 inches, stretching to 14 inches.
Size 9 to 12 years—Round face edge, about 12 inches, stretching to 18 inches.
Teenage or Adult's size—Round face edge, about 14 inches, stretching to 22 inches.
ABBREVIATIONS: K., knit; p., purl; St., stitch ; sts., stitches ; rep., repeat; tog., together; inc., increase (by working twice into same st.); dec., decrease (by taking 2 sts. tog.); st.-st., stocking-stitch (1 row k. and 1 row p. alternately).
NOTE ON SIZES: The following instructions are for all sizes. The first set of figures in brackets I applies to size 5 to 8 years; the second set to size 9 to 12 years; and the third set to the teenage or adult's size.
TO MAKE
Cast on (71,83, 95) sts.
1st rib row : K. I, * p. I, k. I ; rep. from * to end.
2nd rib row : P. I, * k. I, p. I ; rep. from * to end.
Rep. 1st and 2nd rib rows (15, 16, 17) times more.
Next row : Rib 8 sts. and slip them on to a safety-pin, then rib to last 8 sts. ; turn, and slip remaining 8 sts. on to another safety-pin.
Rib another (29, 37, 45) rows on remaining (55, 67, 79) sts.
Now shape thus :
Next row : Rib (37, 45, 53) sts. ; turn.
Next row : Rib (19, 23, 27) sts. ; turn.
Next row : Rib (18, 22, 26) sts., take 2 tog. ; turn.
Rep. the last row (35, 43, 51) times, when only the centre (19, 23, 27) sts. will remain.
Next row : Rib (19, 23, 27) sts., then pick up and k. (20, 28, 36) sts. along side edge to where sts. were left on a safety-pin, then rib the 8 sts. from the safety-pin.
Next row : Rib (47, 59, 71) sts., then pick up and k. (20, 28, 36) sts. along other side to where sts. were left on safety-pin, then rib the 8 sts. from safety-pin.
Next row : Rib (26, 34, 42) sts., take 3 tog., rib (17, 21, 25)sts., take 3 tog., rib (26, 34, 42) sts.
Rib 3 rows.
Next row : Rib (25, 33, 41) sts., -take 3 tog., rib (15, 19, 23) sts., take 3 tog., rib (25, 33, 41) sts.
Rib 3 rows.
Next row : Rib (24, 32, 40) sts., take 3 tog., rib (13, 17, 21) sts., take 3 tog., rib (24, 32, 40) sts.
Rib 3 rows.
Cast off very loosely. Join front seam.
Here's the one I made. It looks fine in real life, but squashing it in the scanner made it look strange. I will try to get a picture with Jayda wearing it.
Here we go - Jayda as reluctant model!
