My friendly balaclava
How one challenging piece of knitwear can change many lives.
I have a brilliant friend who battles with addictions. A while ago, she discovered knitting is an ideal on-the-wagon activity to keep her clever hands busy on long, trying evenings.
When I told her that I wanted a “friendly balaclava” to wear riding my bike in winter, she was instantly up for it, because she knew it would be particularly challenging.
A balaclava needs to be made with circular knitting needles, which my friend had to buy and teach herself to use. Circular needles have a tube joining the two needles together – this allows you to make closed tube accessories by hand.
But the greatest part of the challenge was me. I’m a picky dresser, so creating a version I would actually wear was going to be difficult.
Also, as the late, great milliner Lindsay G Kennett once told me, I have a larger than average head, something a sock-for-the-head would only exacerbate.
There are some awkward-looking patterns for balaclavas around, but I bought one I really liked from the Vogue Knitting website.
The pictured balaclava is the third and final version. The first was a test with wool my friend had on hand. The second one in pink and red merino stripes was meant to be the finished product, but it gave me an instant rash. The one you see here is possum and merino wool. This prevented the rash, and I’m as comfortable as a bug in a rug in it.
The ridges really make it, but also I like that the face hole can be worn over the nose or with all your face showing. After all, my main aim is for a balaclava that I can wear to an establishment without them thinking it’s a stick-up.
When I’m wearing it I doubt anyone will notice what I’m wearing with it, but I like the idea of teaming it with similar tones, like the clothing here.