Crochet Balaclava Pattern: A Cozy Ribbed Hood for Winter
A ribbed neck worked in the round, a hood worked in rows, and a stretchy face edging. The cozy winter balaclava everyone is wearing — beginner friendly.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) wool blend or soft acrylic, about 220–260 yd
- Hook
- 5.5 mm (I-9) and 5 mm (H-8)
- Time
- About 5 hours
- Finished size
- Adult; fits head 21–23 in (53–58 cm)
You'll need
- Worsted weight (#4) wool blend or soft acrylic — about 240 yd
- 5.5 mm (I-9) and 5 mm (H-8) hooks
- Stitch marker, tapestry needle
In this post
The crochet balaclava — a hood with a built-in neck warmer — has become a winter staple, and it's a lot simpler than it looks. The neck is a ribbed tube worked in the round. Then you work back and forth in rows for the hood, leaving the front open for your face, and seam the top. A stretchy ribbed edge around the face finishes it.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Gauge
Gauge: 12 hdc and 9 rows = 4 in (10 cm) with the 5.5 mm hook. The neck is 22 in around so it stretches over your head.
The pattern
Neck (in the round, 5 mm hook)
- Foundation: Ch 66 and join into a ring without twisting.
- Rnd 1: Ch 2 (doesn't count), hdc in each ch around. Join. (66)
- Rnds 2–10: Ch 2, *fpdc around the next st, bpdc around the next st*; repeat around. Join. Work fpdc over fpdc and bpdc over bpdc. (66)
That's about 5 in of stretchy rib — enough to tuck into a coat.
Hood (in rows, 5.5 mm hook)
- Row 1: Ch 2, hdc in the next 54 sts only, leaving 12 sts unworked at the front for the chin opening. Ch 2, turn. (54)
- Rows 2–22: Hdc across. Ch 2, turn. The hood is now about 10 in tall. (54)
- Top seam: Fold the last row in half so the two ends meet (27 sts on each side). Sl st the halves together through both layers. Fasten off.
Face edging (5 mm hook)
- Rnd 1: Join at the chin. Sc evenly around the face opening — across the 12 chin sts, up the side of the hood (about 3 sc for every 2 rows), and down the other side. Join.
- Rnds 2–4: Ch 2, (fpdc, bpdc) around. Join. Fasten off.
Make it your own
- Pointed elf hood: seam the top at a slight angle for a pixie point and add a pom-pom.
- Bear ears: two small circles of 12 sc folded and sewn to the top.
- Kids' size: ch 58 and work the hood over 46 sts for 18 rows.
- Matching set: add a scarf or mittens in the same yarn.
Common questions
Will the balaclava fit over my head?
The 22-in post-stitch rib stretches comfortably over most adult heads. If yours is tight, add 4 chains to the foundation.
What yarn is warmest?
A wool or wool blend. Superwash merino is soft enough for the face and machine washable.
Can I make it without post stitches?
Yes — work the neck and face edging in hdc through the third loop for a softer knit-look rib.
Ready for cold mornings? Show us your balaclava. ❄️
Did you make this?
Tap a star to rate this pattern — it helps other makers find it.
Be the first to rate it!
YarnBloom
Crochet patterns & tutorials
YarnBloom shares cozy, beginner-friendly crochet patterns written in clear US terms, with a stitch count on every round and tips for the tricky bits. Grab your hook — let’s make something lovely.
Leave a comment