Kitty ears balaclava - modification design notes

This well-known Patons/Beehive pattern calls for a worsted weight yarn (Sayelle) on 4.5 mm needles. (Publishing date doesnt appear on attend. Styles sort of show the era.)

For deeper rib around face (where pattern starts), use 5 mm.

For warmth for children, start with wool blend vs 100% acrylic. Revert to tighter gauge of 4.5 mms.

For neck ribbing, need warm, so stay with 4.5s. To knit in round (and avoid neck seam), divide rib st over 3-4 needles at this point. Orient them with half across front at face. This will allow for seamless split when begin dickie front.

Knit neck rib to about 4 ins. Split st evenly between front and back. Place back st on stitch holders. Knit front to  5 ins. C/off. Knit back st to same length.

Crochet around edge of flaps so that they lie flat.

For dk weight yarn (like the floral/acryl), knit on 5.5 and 5 mms. This is a more decoration weight or under hood weight for child anyway.

Adult - This gauge should work in this yarn for adults as well.  Add 2 - 3 rows in non-increase or decrease sections top of head.  Longer interval in back of head section (so 12 rows b4 first, 6 rows between next decreases.)

For floral - try to maximize floral bands in non-rib runs.

Bike helmet cover

I've purchased covers in the past from other vendors to 'pretty up' a boring black helmet . But the time came to make one myself.

The style that worked best was an oversize tam. It goes around the helmet easily.

By the time you tuck in the sides to streamline, you kind of have a newsboy type cap. On my first prototype i did a small token brim and tacked it under. You cant see it very well topside. Maybe the tiniest edge sticks out. But it does give a bit of a shading structure to the cover.

To keep it from slipping, a short drawstring around the brim. Also makes it adjustable.

Simple surface embroidery.

It doesnt take long to make. But tams do take a fair bit of yarn. So in the range of $25 - 30.

On the 2nd prototype, i did one round too many and had a bulky tuck at the sides. (*8 rounds depending on hook size). To disguise it, i did more embroidery on the side seam. Gave a vine like effect. CLICK HERE for online album with more pics.

One commentor said something about the first sample being like the animal covers that kids wear over helmets on the ski hills. It's been a long time since alpine skiing for me. And there were no helmet covers then (helmets - bah !).  But it's a good idea. I see a local pet shop stocks animal themed knitwear for dog walker etc. i think. Dog riding obvs not the most common idea (altho i do have a  walking rod on the trike for Jo. We go very slow). More likely for kid bike helmets.

Believe it or not, i have sold 2 of them. Hmmm....

Bike pogie covers 2.0

 

I finished these in the spring but neglected to make notes at the time. Crocheted with a purple camo yarn i had lots of.

I did shape these. But honestly, they could be rectangles and it would be fine.

Quicker, Takes a fair bit of yarn. Bit more time than one would think. But for sure quicker than the  lined set.

Quick to surface decorate.

Perfectly served the function to brighten up black Mec bike mitts.

Could obvs be easily personalized.

Re price, i don't think you could charge less than $30 for the pair, given the time and yarn volume.

I would make them again if requested. 

CLICK HERE  for a few more pics