Knit Balaclava Hood with I-Cord Edge – Free Pattern – Knitted Hooded Scarf

This knitted balaclava hood is a practical and timeless accessory for the cold season. Its narrow fit, clear rib structure, and neat I-cord edges give it a calm, modern look. It is a good alternative to the popular Sophie Hood but offers more protection for the head and neck due to its construction.

The hood is knitted from Amraya Dream Weaver, held together with Pro Lana Kid Seta. This yarn combination is light, soft, and warm, ensuring an even stitch pattern. The hood is worked seamlessly and is suitable for knitters with some experience.

Materials

• Amraya Dream Weaver
  (100% Baby Alpaca, 50g / 100m)
  4 skeins = 200g
• Pro Lana Kid Seta
  (70% Super Kid Mohair / 30% Silk, 25g / approx. 210m)
  2 skeins = 50g

Both yarns are worked held together.

Yarn alternative:
Instead of Pro Lana Kid Seta, a comparable Kid Mohair yarn with a silk content can be used, e.g., Gazzal Super Kid Mohair
(70% Super Kid Mohair / 30% Silk, 25g / approx. 210m).

Needles:

• 4.0 mm knitting needles

Additional accessories:

• Scissors
• Stitch markers (optional)
• Spare needle or stitch holder

Techniques Used

• 2×2 Rib stitch
• I-Cord edge
• Picking up stitches
• Left-leaning decreases (e.g., SSK)
• Placing stitches on hold

Instructions

1. Knit Front Rectangle

• Cast on 22 stitches
• Knit in 2×2 rib
  (beginning with 2 knit stitches and ending with 2 knit stitches)
• Continue knitting until the piece measures approx. 13 cm in height
• Do not bind off

2. Attach I-Cord Edge to Cast-On Edge

The I-cord edge creates a sturdy, neat finish and will later serve as the base for the face opening of the hood.

How to work an I-cord edge along an edge:

1. Pick up 3 stitches from the cast-on edge (right side facing you)
2. Knit these 3 stitches
3. Slide the stitches to the other end of the needle (do not turn work)
4. Pick up 1 stitch again from the cast-on edge and knit it together with the I-cord stitches
5. Repeat this process along the entire cast-on edge

At the end, you will have 3 I-cord stitches on the needle.

3. Pick Up Stitches for the Main Body

Now the body of the hood will be built up.

• 3 stitches from the I-cord edge
• Pick up 30 stitches along one long side of the rectangle
• Knit the original 22 stitches
• Pick up 30 stitches along the second long side
• 3 stitches from the I-cord edge

➡️ You now have a total of 88 stitches on the needle
(3 + 30 + 22 + 30 + 3)

4. Main Body of the Hood

• Work in rows back and forth
• Pattern: 2×2 Rib
• Work an I-cord edge on both sides

There are several ways to work an I-cord edge (usually two variants are used). You can choose the method you prefer.

Variant 1 (classic I-cord edge):

• Knit the first 3 stitches of each row
• Knit the last 3 stitches at the end of the row
• Turn the work and continue knitting as normal

Variant 2 (I-cord by slipping stitches):

• Slip the first 3 stitches of each row (as if to purl, yarn in back)
• Knit the last 3 stitches
• Turn work and continue knitting

Both methods create a neat, sturdy I-cord edge. Use the variant you are familiar with.

• Continue working until the piece measures 20 cm from the side cast-on edge

5. Divide Work

• Knit to the center of the work
• Place half of the stitches on hold
• First, one side of the hood will be completed

6. Decreases

First return row after the center:

1. Knit 3 I-cord edge stitches
2. Work a left-leaning decrease over the 4th and 5th stitches (e.g., SSK)

SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) – Explanation:

• 1. Slip 1 stitch as if to knit
  2. Slip 1 stitch as if to knit
• Knit both slipped stitches together

It is not strictly necessary to work an SSK – any left-leaning decrease is suitable.

7. Continue Working with Decreases

• Continue in 2×2 rib
• I-cord edge on both sides
• Every 8th row (=every 4th right-side row):
  • After the first 3 I-cord stitches, work a left-leaning decrease over the 4th and 5th stitches
• Continue until only 7 stitches remain:
  3 I-cord + 1 stitch + 3 I-cord

8. Finishing

• When 7 stitches are reached:
  • Knit 7 more rows without decreases
  • On the row where a decrease would normally occur, bind off loosely

9. Work Second Side

• Pick up the stitches that were on hold
• Repeat steps 6–8 symmetrically

Final Touches

• Weave in ends
• Block the hood to achieve the final shape and even out the rib pattern

Blocking:

• Lightly dampen the work
• Gently shape and lay flat
• Allow to dry completely

Blocking is important for the ribs to relax, the edges to lie neatly, and the hood to achieve its final fit.