BALACLAVAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 July 1940, Page 8

BALACLAVAS

HOW TO KNIT THEM. Women everywhere are knitting—socks, balaclavas, and pullovers for the expeditionary forces; balaclavas and gloves for themselves. Instructions issued by the Wool Development Department of the International Wool Secretariat for knitting a balaclava helmet were worked out for members of the English women’s auxiliary forces, but can be easily adapted for anyone in the Navy, the Army, or the Air Force by adding a couple of inches to the neck, so that it tucks in sungly under an overcoat collar. Here are the directions: MATERIALS: 3oz of 4-ply wool; two No. 10 needles and two No. 12 needles. ABBREVIATIONS: k„ knit: p„ purl: st., stitch; ins., inches; tog., together; rep,, repeat. TENSION: 7 sts to 1 inch. DIRECTIONS: With No. 10 needles cast on 160 sts. and work in k. 1, p. 1, rib for one inch. Next row: Rib 20 sts., leave these sis on a safety-pin, rib to end. Slip the first 20 sts. of the next row on to a safety-pin, break oft’ wool, and work on the remaining 120 sts. in the following pattern. Ist row: * k. 2. p. 2, rep. from * to end. 2nd row: Purl. Repeat these last two rows for 51 ins, then cast off 36 sts. at the beginning of the next two rows. Continue in pattern on the remaining 48 sis. for a further s«ins. for the back, ending with the second row of the pattern. The NECKBAND: With the right side of work facing, slip the first set of 20sts. from the pins on to a No. 10 needle, and on to the same needle pick up and knit 52 sts. along the side of the hood. Work in pattern across the 48 sts. of the centre back, then pick up and knit 52 sts. along the other side of the head. Finally, work in rib across the other set of 20 sts <192 sts). Work in k, I. p. 1, rib for 11 ins., change to No. 12 needles, work IJins. in rib, change to No. 10 needles, work Ilins, in rib. Cast off in the rib. TO MAKE UP: Press work lightly on wrong side, avoid ribbing. Sew up the front seam and the two back seams. Press seams.