So, this isn't quite in the catagory of sewing, but does anyone have instructions for knitting or crocheting a balaclava? and what kind of yarn would be best to make this thing most useful for winter riding?
I also kind of suck at reading patterns, so prepare for a barrage of questions if you actually do have a pattern I can use. I guess a sewing pattern would work, too, since I have a sewing machine... in that case, what kind of fabric is best?
Time to winterize!

Wool kicks ass if you can find good soft stuff. For fabrics, my thin stretchy Pearl Izumi balaclava works pretty good. No clue what it's made of. Thin, stretchy, slightly fuzzy on one side. Go!

I don't think that you'd want to knit your own balaclava. The one's I've seen have been made from yarn/thread that's only a little heavier than t-shirt thick. That means you'll be knitting tons of rows made up of tons of stitches to make every inch of fabric. That said, I would think that sock yarn would be the right weight. You should got to a yarn store and tell them what you want to make, they're usually super helpful.

I agree with 13ofclubs with the addtion that while sock weight may give you the desired weight and warmth, it would be better to double knit if using sock yarn.

Alpaca or merino worsted wool would also work if you used small needles (like 4 or 5).

Here's my pitch for where I teach knitting. Check out Crafty Planet on Lowry and Stinson.

However, if you're doing this because you think this will be cheaper or easier than buying one, you will be mistaken. If you're doing it because you want the challenge and enjoy knitting, rock on!

Thanks for the advice, everybody. Yeah, I like getting myself into overly-ambitious crafting ventures, even if it's probably easier to just buy the things. I'll probably try to crochet it with merino wool on a small hook.

I couldn't believe how much good yarn costs. Which makes me understand wool sweater prices a bit more. One crafty alternative to knitting or crocheting one from scratch would be getting a merino wool shirt in the thickness you want from goodwill or savers and then sewing one up from the fabric. I think that you need to use a double prong needle to maintain stretchiness though. You can also buy wool sweaters and pull them apart for the yarn. It can take a while, but it is a good cheap source for wool yarn.

I like www.elann.com and www.knitpicks.com. They have some very nice yarns for reasonable prices.

How's this for a thread-jack?

Ack. The BF left his digital camera at work and mine is fubar.

A few weekends ago I made a balaclava out of polar fleece. It features extra protection for the ears. I'm also making one out of a lighter weight knit for warmer weather when only a little wind protection in required. I made the pattern based off of one I have, and it needs a bit of adjustment but it's not too bad.

As far as sewing on knits and retaining stretch, a double needle works well but a serger works better and a coverstitch machine is best for making flat seams. I have a serger.

euterpe-

That is super cool you knit. I wanted to post a picture of my first attempt at knitting for you to laugh at. Maybe we can trade skilz, or I can show up to your knitting class. I live in NE after all. Your sweatshirt shouldn't be too hard. Start with a pattern for a regular hooded sweatshirt. The hardest part would be the cowl/hood. It may require a few attempts. I have lots of extra knit fabric to mess with.



Since I have a sewing room and 3 machines at my disposal, perhaps I could host a sewing get-together. Not sure how many projects would get finished in an afternoon/evening, but it might be fun.

Let me know what the interest level is and maybe it can happen!

I couldn't believe how much good yarn costs. Which makes me understand wool sweater prices a bit more. One crafty alternative to knitting or crocheting one from scratch would be getting a merino wool shirt in the thickness you want from goodwill or savers and then sewing one up from the fabric. I think that you need to use a double prong needle to maintain stretchiness though. You can also buy wool sweaters and pull them apart for the yarn. It can take a while, but it is a good cheap source for wool yarn.[/quote]
I've got a black merino wool sweater that shrunk in the wash...you can have it if you want to try to use it.

If it has shrunk in the wash the wool has probably started felting, and may not pull apart easily depending on the yarn. When wool felts, the fibers shrink and curl around each other and mat up. It usually takes several accidental washings, but if you wash it and dry it on hot you may have your very own shrunken felted sweater! Yes, some people so this on purpose- a felted wool sweater would be easier to cut up and to sew into something else because it won't ravel as easily.

Well whatever is up with it, its useless to me. I don't have a sewing machine.

Sewing happened for 10-20,000 years -maybe more- without the aid of the industrial revolution!

This is still on topic of sewing, but I'm deviating from the felted wool discussion for a moment.

Does anyone happen to have a pattern for a cycling cap? I'd like to avoid the trial and error stage of drafting one.

Haven't tried this one out, so if you use it, let me know how it turns out!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandaface/278411178/

BOMP!



Wondering if any of you have any extra fabric lying around. Not really interested in quilting scraps, but if you have any 1+ yards pieces of apparel/shirting material, and you live in Minneapolis, PM ME.


Thanks, kiddies.