Bokaclava!

A devilish balaclava

By way of a brief explanation - Bok is a

gargoyle/demon in a classic Doctor Who story
called ‘The Daemons’. My partner, mere
weeks after we first met, asked me if it would
be possible to knit a ‘bokaclava’, complete with
sticky out tongue.
(The answer to that is yes, obviously…)

Adult size - fits 20″ - 23″ head

circumference.

Pattern
Gauge: 19sts/27 rows over 4″ with 4mm needles.
Yarn : Any wool blend that gives the right gauge and creates a fairly stiff fabric with 4mm
needles, but is soft enough to wear against the face, is suitable - eg RYC Cashsoft Aran, Sirdar
Bonus Aran.

With 4mm needles, cast on 72 sts. Join, being careful Knit 7 rows in stocking stitch.
not to twist; work 3×1 rib in the round for 13 rows. Next row: knit 14 sts; break yarn, knit 8 sts with
Knit stocking stitch for the next 22 rows. scrap yarn, rejoin - knit 14 sts. Place next 36 sts on
stitch holder - these stitches will be the back, and are
worked separately. Turn work and purl back across
Make mouth and nose opening first 36 sts.
Next row - knit 12 sts. Break yarn; knit next 12 sts Knit 12 rows stocking stitch, flat.
with scrap yarn to make mouth later. Rejoin yarn and
knit to end.
Make eyeholes -
Next row (right side) -
k7, CO8, k6, CO8, k6.
Next row (wrong side) -
p7, m8, p6, m8, p7.
Knit 4 rows stocking stitch.
Short row eyebrows
1st eyebrow -
Row 1 : k17; slip last stitch, wrap and turn (as in
short row technique).
Row 2 : p16. Save last stitch on stitch holder,
unwrapped.
Row 3 : k to last unwrapped stitch, wrap and turn.
Row 4 : p to last unsaved stitch; save last stitch on
stitch holder.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until 4 sts remain ‘live’, 7 are
wrapped, and 7 are on stitch holder.
Next row (right side) : knit across the 4 live stitches; rib.
pick up and knit into back of wrapped stitches until all Sew top of forehead ribbing to back of
are live again.
nd
2 eyebrow -
Row 1 : Knit across to last stitch; save last stitch on
stitch holder. Turn but do not wrap.
Row 2 : p16, wrap next stitch and turn.
Row 3 : k to last stitch; save on stitch holder. Turn.
Row 4 : p to last unwrapped stitch; wrap and turn.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until 4 sts remain live, 7 are
wrapped and 7 on stitch holder.
Next (right side) row – k4.
Next row - k across to wrapped stitches; pick up and
knit to bridge of nose. Knit across first eyebrow, thus
creating garter stitch ‘eyebrows’.
Knit 2 rows in stocking stitch for forehead. Break
yarn.
Rejoin yarn beside first saved stitch to the right of the
first eyebrow, to knit 2x2 rib forehead (as you knit
across them, pick up 8 stitches between these, and a
further 8 between the corresponding saved stitches on
other stitch holder upon reaching them) knit 12 rows
of 2×2 rib across all stitches (52 sts). Cast off.
Side ribbing
Pick up six stitches at side of head leading up to
forehead ribbing (see photos). Work 14 rows in 2×2
rib, cast off.
BACK
Rejoin yarn; knit 58 rows in stocking stitch.
Make holes for horns
With RS facing - k10; break yarn, k4 on scrap yarn;
rejoin yarn, k8; break yarn, k4 on scrap yarn; rejoin
yarn, k10.
Next row (WS) : p10; break yarn, p4 on scrap yarn;
rejoin yarn, p8; break yarn, p4.
Knit 10 rows stocking stitch; cast off.
Mattress stitch side ribs to side of forehead
knitting along the cast off edge and down the
sides with a flat seam (see photos).
Make mouth and tongue
Undo scrap yarn and using 4mm DPNs pick up
stitches either side (24 sts). Knit 5 rows stst.
Dec 1 stitch either side until 12 sts remain.
Knit 4 rows stocking stitch.
Dec 1 stitch either side until 6 sts remain. Graft
remaining 6 sts together.
Create mouth and tongue by pushing all but the last
13 rows back into the mouth opening and sewing
down.
Nose
Undo scrap yarn. Cast off lower stitches. Dec 1 stitch
at each end of each row of upper stitches to make a
point, and fasten off, use tail end of yarn to sew down
just above mouth.
Loop yarn through last 5 sts and fasten off.
Make horns Right ear -
Undo all scrap yarn; put 4 live stitches from each edge Reverse instructions to ~~~~~~ then continue as
onto DPNs, and pick up 2 sts from rows at either side for left ear.
of hole - 12 stitches. Knit 12 rounds.
Next row : k2, k2tog; repeat until 9 stitches remain.
Knit five rounds.
Next row : k7, k2tog (8 sts).
Graft ends.
Ears
Left ear -
Cast on 3 sts and knit stocking stitch for 2 rows.
k1; m1; k2 (4sts)
Next row: purl.
k1; m1; k2; m1; k1 (6 sts)
Next row: purl.
k1; m1; knit to last st; m1; k1 (8 sts)
Next row: purl.
k1; m1; k to end (9 sts)
Next row: purl.
k1; m1; k to last stitch; m1; k1 (11 sts)
Next row: purl.
Knit to last st; m1; k1 (12 sts)
Next row: purl.
k1; m1; knit to last stitch; m1; k1 (14 sts)
Next row: purl.
k1; m1; knit to end (15 sts)
Next row: purl.
k1; m1; knit to last stitch; m1; k1 (17 sts)
Next row: purl.
k to last stitch; m1; k1 (18 sts)
~~~~~~
Next row: purl.
Make 54 stitches, join taking care not to twist (72 sts)
Knit round these 72 sts.
Next row: k4, k2tog; repeat (60 sts)
Knit two rows.
Next row: k1, k2tog; repeat (40 sts)
Knit two rows.
Next row: k2tog; repeat (20 sts)
Knit two rows.
Next row: k2tog; repeat (10sts)
Last row as above (5 sts)
Making up

Attaching ears
The ears are knit so that the tops of the points are to
be folded over on themselves, adding thickness,
creating a ‘back’ to the ear and making them more
three dimensional.
This is done as follows -
Sew the part of the ear where the circular knitting
begins to the top of the ribbed edge section of the
opening created for the ear.
Sew up edge of point along side of head, until 1” from
end of point. Fold point down on itself, and stitch
down. Sew seam between other edge of point and side
seam of the back of the balaclava, until you reach the
circular part of the ear. Sew circular part to rest of
opening.
Run a few stitches through upper ear to add
definition.

Weave in ends.

Handwash and dry flat; shape while drying.

This pattern is free for personal use, and not

to be reproduced, used or knit for resale or
profit.

Contact aminspace@gmail.com for further

information.