Winter weather is so much more enjoyable with the right clothing! And a crochet balaclava is the ultimate accessory to keep your ears and head toasty when the temperature drops! Our curated list is packed with free crochet balaclava patterns suitable for toddlers, kids, and adults alike. Make one for yourself, or whip up a few to share the warmth!
Free Balaclava Crochet Patterns
As the colder months creep in, there’s no better way to stay warm and stylish than with a cozy, handmade balaclava. Whether you live in a frosty region with biting winds or simply enjoy outdoor winter activities, you can never have too many balaclavas on hand.
But what exactly is a balaclava? Even if you aren’t familiar with the term “balaclava” before, chances are you’ve seen or worn one. Essentially, a balaclava is a face covering that goes over the head and protects the neck and head from the cold and wind, while leaving an opening for the eyes or face.
Balaclavas can be tight-fitting or loose, purely practical or fashionable. Not only are they perfect for outdoor sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and sledding – a stylish balaclava can dress up your winter outfit while keeping you warm at the same time. Balaclavas also make a fantastic present for anyone, especially for those hard-to-shop-for guys who love spending time outdoors.
Can beginners crochet a balaclava?
If you can crochet using basic stitches, increase and decrease, you can make an easy crochet balaclava pattern! Many of the balaclava patterns included in this list are suitable for beginner crocheters. The most popular stitches you’ll need to know include the chain, single crochet, and double crochet. While some patterns are crocheted all in one piece, some also require simple seaming.
The Red Heart Crochet Ribbed Balaclava for Adults (#4) and the Women’s Crochet Hooded Cowl (#7) are particularly good choices for beginners.
14 Free Balaclava Crochet Patterns
Enjoy these free balaclava crochet patterns for your next project!
Crochet Sherpa Balaclava Hood
Using Lion Brand’s Go For Fleece Sherpa yarn, this balaclava is both warm and so very soft on your face! The slot on the front is just large enough to fit a pair of eyes, making this extra-warm pattern ideal for the coldest days. This pattern is available for both children and adults!
Yarn weight: Jumbo
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Go for Fleece Sherpa
Snug Balaclava Crochet Pattern
This pattern is designed to fit snugly around the neck while leaving enough of a facial opening to be able to see everything around you. This would make a perfect gift for a man who spends a lot of time outside in the winter! The ribbed neck contributes to providing a snug, warm fit that won’t let the wind blow down it.
Yarn weight: Aran
Suggested yarn: City Tweed Aran
Red Heart Cozy Crochet Ribbed Hood
Stay warm and keep it fashionable with this ribbed hood! It features a pull closure to make it as snug as you like around the face. This easy project would make a great gift in any color!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Brushed
Red Heart Crochet Ribbed Balaclava For Adults
This classic balaclava is worked from side to side using single crochets. It’s easy to make and can be sized for women or men!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Crochet Granny Square Balaclava
Balaclava and granny squares meet in this vintage-looking, fun to make, customizable pattern! It’s super easy to adjust the size by adding or subtracting rows from your granny squares. Plus, you can choose whatever granny square design you like best for all kinds of fun balaclava possibilities!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Bernat Crochet Bear Hood
Made with super bulky yarn and the most charming little ears, this balaclava makes such an adorable frame for a child’s sweet face! Help keep your favorite little bear warm during the chillier months of outdoor play with this cute pattern. This balaclava would make a precious gift!
Yarn weight: Super bulky
Suggested yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky
Women's Crochet Hooded Cowl
This drapey cowl is comfortable and so soft! It’s made primarily with single crochets, double crochets, and half double crochets. It’s crocheted in two, simple pieces and then whip-stitched together. The pattern includes a helpful, pictured tutorial to walk you through the steps.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Mighty Stitch
Crochet Ski Mask
This simple ski mask is made mainly using double crochets. You can make this mask in any size simply by adjusting your hook size! The author has included a helpful chart with seven different sizes and measurements from size newborn to women, including which hook size to use for each.
Yarn weight: Super bulky
Suggested yarn: Red Heart With Love
Tunisian Balaclava
This simple cowl pattern can easily be worn over the head or pulled down to wrap around the neck only. It’s made using Tunisian crochet and is worked in the round. Keep crocheting until it measures as long as you’d like!
Yarn weight: Aran
Suggested yarn: City Tweed Aran
Warm Winter Ski Hat Pattern for Children and Adults
Keep your face covered on the slopes (or on the playground!) with this warm ski mask pattern. It’s worked in the round and made in one piece. It’s available in four different children’s sizes and three adult sizes, so you can make a mask for each member of the family!
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Soft Essentials
Granny Balaclava Evolution
Show off your vintage style with this cute and fun granny square balaclava! It’s made with four, joined granny squares and is an excellent stash buster. To adjust the size, simply size your granny squares up or down or use a different yarn weight.
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Mez Cucirini Perfetto Tweed
Red Heart Happy Hoodie
This happy hoodie is an adorable pattern for kiddos! It features cute little ears and a hidden snap, so kids can play hard without having to worry about it falling off. This is a good pattern for intermediate crocheters.
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Soft Essentials
Wrapped Up Balaclava Hood
This balaclava, worked back to front, is both stylish and cozy! It has a cross-over design under the chin for the best fit and comfort. Stay warm no matter where you’re off to with this beautiful pattern!
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Soft Essentials
Old Memories Balaclava
Made with 12 joined granny squares, this antique-looking balaclava is a great way to dress up a bit in your winter gear and add some protection from the chilly winds, too. There are so many color combinations to choose from with this pattern - throw in lots of color or make it all one shade! Check out all of the photos included for some inspiration!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Supplies You’ll Need for a Crochet Balaclava
Here’s what you’ll need in order to crochet your balaclava:
- Yarn
- Crochet hook
- Other notions (stitch markers, scissors, yarn needle, etc.)
What is the best yarn for crocheting balaclavas?
Superwash wool is an excellent choice for crocheting balaclavas. Wool is warm, wicks away moisture, and doesn’t felt easily. Choosing a superwash option allows you to easily throw your balaclava in the wash when it gets dirty.
You don’t have to use wool for your balaclava, though. Nearly any yarn that’s soft and easy to wash will work well. Since balaclavas are worn directly on the face, it’s important to find a yarn that’s not scratchy or irritating to the skin.
You’ll find suggested yarns for each pattern listed below. Some of our favorite yarns to use for balaclava crocheting include Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash and Red Heart Soft Essentials.
Tips for Crocheting a Balaclava
Here are some helpful tips for how to crochet a balaclava – no matter what pattern you choose!
Select the right pattern for your skill level.
The list below includes patterns for crochet beginners through intermediates. Before choosing a project, it’s helpful to check the author’s intended skill level. It’s always a great idea to read through the stitches used and the instructions before getting started to make sure you’re familiar with all the needed stitches and techniques. This helps to avoid any surprises!
Make sure you understand any new stitch patterns.
While most balaclava patterns are made with common stitches, such as the chain, single crochet, double crochet, and half double crochet, some include special stitches or techniques. Crocheting in the back loop, working granny squares, and Tunisian crochet are a few of the less common techniques you may encounter within this list.
Choose the right yarn.
If you don’t have a lot of crochet experience, choosing a yarn that’s easy to work with can be a big help in avoiding frustration as you work. Choose a yarn that clearly shows your stitch pattern, rather than a fleece or another fuzzy option.
Measure for the proper fit.
Most of the patterns below are available in multiple sizes. If you want to get the best fit possible, check the measurements for each size rather than just choosing the size that sounds best. This is especially important for children’s balaclava patterns. Kids grow fast, and sizes aren’t always the same across different pattern companies.
Make a gauge swatch before getting started.
Choosing the right size will only matter if your gauge is correct! For wearables like balaclavas, it’s really important to make a gauge swatch before getting started to ensure the proper size. If your gauge is too small or too large, you can size your hook up or down or change your yarn weight. The extra few minutes it takes to create a gauge swatch will be well worth it when your project fits!
More Crochet Patterns
If you liked these free crochet hat patterns, you may be interested in these other crochet articles:
- 25 Free Crochet Hat and Beanie Patterns
- 25 Free Easy Crochet Scarf Patterns for Beginners
- 25 Crochet Headbands and Ear Warmer Patterns
- 25 Free Crochet Shawl and Wrap Patterns
- 25 Free Crochet Poncho Patterns You’ll Love
- 25 Adorable and Free Crochet Baby Hat Patterns
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