Looking for a free crochet balaclava pattern? Here are 20 of them: classic full-face ski masks, a cozy sherpa balaclava, trendy granny square balaclavas, kids' hoods with bear and cat ears, and hooded cowls that cover your head and neck in one piece. Every full written pattern is free on the designer's own site, with no sign-up, and one free PDF is flagged below. A balaclava is the warmest thing you can crochet for winter, and most of these take just a weekend.
For each pattern I've noted the yarn, the hook, the sizes, and how it's built, so you can pick one that suits your skill level. Some designers also sell an ad-free or sized PDF, but the version linked here is free to read on the page.
How crochet balaclavas are made. There are three main ways. Most ski-mask styles are worked from the crown down in rounds, with a chain-and-skip row that leaves the face opening. Granny square balaclavas join four squares into a hood and then add ribbing around the face and neck. Hooded cowls start with a neck tube and then work the hood in rows on top. If you've made a beanie, you can make any of the first group.
Classic ski mask and full-face balaclavas
Easy Crochet Balaclava — Crochet Patterns Free (Lisa Auch). A quick super bulky balaclava on an 8mm hook, worked from the crown down in continuous half double crochet rounds. Round 1 is 9 hdc, and the face opening is a chain-14, skip-14 row. A measurement chart covers sizes from child to adult.
Snug Balaclava — Crochet Patterns Free (Lisa Auch). This one starts with a stretchy neck rib worked sideways: 20 sc in back loops for 54 rows. Then the head is worked in hdc rounds. Aran yarn (about 350g) on a 4.5mm or 5mm hook, in small, medium, large and a large men's size.
Crochet Sherpa Balaclava Hood — Left in Knots. Super soft and very warm, in Lion Brand Go for Fleece on an 8mm hook. A child size takes one skein (about 89 yards) and the adult size about 105 yards. Worked crown down in hdc, with a short chain-and-skip face opening.
Balaclava Ski Mask Hat — Amy's DIY Frugal Life. A true ski mask with an eye opening. Round 1 is 11 dc in a magic circle, increasing to 55 stitches, and round 14 makes the eye slot (chain 17, skip 18). Worsted Red Heart Love on an I hook. A great one for winter sports.
Bonnie Balaclava — Joy 2 Create. A light, openwork balaclava in striped V-stitch, perfect for using up fingering, sport or DK scraps on a 5mm hook. It starts with a chain-24 rectangle, and the V-stitch hood is worked around three sides. The free version is one size (fits a 21 1/2-inch head). The rows don't give stitch counts, so this one is best for a confident crocheter.
The Funky Hat — Light and Joy Designs. A hat-and-cowl combo with a face opening and fun pointed corners you can finish with pom-poms. It's made to measure from a foundation-dc tube, so it fits any head. Worsted yarn (about 260 to 270 yards) on a 6mm hook. The "Download PDF" button goes to a paid listing, but the full free instructions are on the page.
Granny square balaclavas
The granny square balaclava is one of the most popular winter accessories on Pinterest, and it's a great way to use colorful scraps.
The Ultimate Granny Square Balaclava — Hayhay Crochet. Four classic granny squares, each 5 to 5 1/2 inches for an adult (work fewer rounds for a child). They're joined into a hood with ribbing around the face and chin. Worsted yarn (about 135g) on a 5mm hook. Very clear, with lots of tips.
Granny Square Balaclava — Loopara. Four 5.3-inch squares in soft 5-ply milk cotton on a 4mm hook. The finished balaclava is 10 inches tall with a 22.8-inch circumference.
Heart Granny Square Balaclava — Crochet Patterns Free (Lisa Auch). Four heart granny squares, joined with back-loop sc ribbing as you go and finished with a front- and back-post dc neck rib. It fits a 20 to 21-inch head. A sweet one for Valentine's Day.
Granny Square Hooded Cowl ("Coodie") — Crochet Patterns Free (Lisa Auch). Bigger 7 1/2-inch squares make a roomy hood and cowl that the designer says can fit over a ski helmet. Each square starts with a chain-6 ring and (3 dc, ch 3) four times. Use any yarn with a matching hook.
Kids' balaclavas with ears
Kids love a balaclava with little ears. These also make great Christmas gifts.
Ear Warming Balaclava Hat — Crochet Crosia. A ribbed band of back-loop single crochet with a cowl and two little sewn-on ears. DK or worsted yarn, about 70g. The page gives a hook for each size: 3.5mm for 0 to 3 months, 5mm for 6 to 12 months, and 5.5mm for 1 to 5 years.
Crochet Animal Hood — Midnight Hooture. A baby balaclava hood for 6 to 12 months, in worsted Vanna's Choice on a 5.5mm (I) hook. It starts with a chain of 27 and rows of 26 hdc, with short-row shaping. Add bear or monkey ears, or cat ears.
Cheshire Cat Hoodie — YARNutopia. A chunky hood with a ribbed cowl and stripes, using Lion Brand Hometown USA and Homespun on big hooks (up to 15.75mm), so it's fast. Add cat ears, or swap in bear or fox ears. There's a video.
Teddy Bear Hooded Hat — Jenny & Teddy. A fluffy bear hood in fun fur and cotton held together on a 6mm hook, with bear ears and attached fingerless mitts. The starting chain of 70 is adjustable for size.
Ribbed Balaclava for Kids — Red Heart (Yarnspirations). Free PDF, no sign-up. A ribbed balaclava worked side to side in Red Heart Super Saver on a 5.5mm (I) hook, in child sizes 2/4 and 6/10. It's simple and very practical for school.
Hooded cowls and turtleneck balaclavas
If you don't want the full ski-mask look, a hooded cowl gives you the same warmth and slips on and off easily.
Turtleneck Hoodie Balaclava — Crochet Patterns Free (Lisa Auch). A no-seam hood with a rounded top (no point), worked in a U shape around the starting chain. Row 1 is 53 (59, 65) stitches, increasing by 2 every row. Sizes S, M and L on a 6.5mm hook.
Women's Crochet Hooded Cowl — Whistle and Ivy. A deep ribbed cowl (50 hdc in back loops for 60 rows) with a textured sc-and-dc hood on top. Three skeins of medium-weight Knit Picks Mighty Stitch on an I hook.
Griddle Stitch Hooded Cowl — Crochet 'n' Create. A chain of 108 joined into a ring and worked in an easy one-row griddle stitch. Caron Simply Soft (about 300g) on a 6mm hook. The pattern is given in both US and UK terms.
Ribbed Hooded Cowl — Crochet 'n' Create. A chain of 112 joined into a ring with a soft ribbed stitch. Paintbox Simply DK (about 160g) on a 6mm hook, in a ladies' size.
Thick and Thin Scoodie — Once Upon a Cheerio. A hooded scarf in thick-and-thin wool on a 10mm hook, so it works up quickly. The hood starts with a chain of 27, worked on both sides to 50 hdc, with a 50-dc cowl underneath.
Tips for a balaclava that fits
- Measure the head first. Measure around the forehead, then make the hood about 1 to 2 inches smaller so it hugs without slipping.
- Try it on as you go. Check the face opening before you finish the neck. If it's too tight around the chin, add a few chains to the opening row.
- Pick soft yarn. It sits right against your face, so choose merino blends, soft acrylic, cotton or fleece over scratchy wool.
- Add stretch with ribbing. Front and back post double crochet, or back-loop single crochet, make the neck and face edges stretchy so they're easy to pull on.
- Make the neck long enough. A longer neck tucks into a coat and keeps out drafts.
Frequently asked questions
How much yarn do I need for a crochet balaclava?
Most adult balaclavas use 150 to 300 yards of worsted or bulky yarn. Kids' sizes need about 90 to 150 yards. Hooded cowls with a long neck can take up to 400 yards.
What's the easiest crochet balaclava for a beginner?
The Easy Crochet Balaclava and the Sherpa Balaclava Hood are both worked in simple hdc rounds with big hooks and thick yarn, so they're quick and forgiving. If you can crochet a beanie, you can make either one.
Can a crochet balaclava go under a ski helmet?
Yes, if you use a thinner yarn and a snug fit. A worsted or DK balaclava with ribbed edges sits flat under a helmet. Chunky and granny square styles are better for everyday wear, though Lisa Auch's granny square hooded cowl is roomy enough to go over a helmet.
What's the difference between a balaclava and a hooded cowl?
A balaclava fits close to your head and covers your neck, leaving only your face (or just your eyes) open. A hooded cowl is looser, with a hood attached to a neck tube, so it's easier to pull on and off.
More winter crochet to make
A balaclava pairs well with a pair of crochet mittens or fingerless gloves. If you'd rather keep your hair free, try a crochet ear warmer headband, or go for a crochet beanie and a crochet cowl. Making for him? See our crochet hats for men. For a whole matching outfit, our crochet hat and scarf sets, crochet boot cuffs and crochet leg warmers finish the look.
