Balaclava Knitting Pattern: My Cozy FORMI Balaclava Project

Last winter’s brutal cold sent me on a mission: find a warm and simple balaclava knitting pattern that could keep my family cozy. While browsing patterns online, I came across one on Ravelry that immediately caught my attention—the FORMI Balaclava. It had a clean and minimal design that looked both practical and stylish. I was still fairly new to knitting (this was only my second or third project), so I wanted something straightforward but satisfying to complete. I also wanted something made with thick yarn for extra coziness, and this pattern seemed like the perfect fit. I bookmarked it instantly and started gathering materials.

Understanding the Pattern

The FORMI Balaclava pattern is available in both English and Korean, which makes it accessible for a wider audience. It comes in three sizes: Small (S), Medium (M), and Large (L), with the Small size intended for kids. The pattern uses US 8 (5.0 mm) needles—and you’ll need two sets of them: one circular and one set of double-pointed needles. This requirement ensures smooth transitions between different sections of the project.

In terms of techniques, the pattern includes several interesting ones:

• Judy’s Magic Cast On
• Kitchener Stitch
• Double Sided Pick Up
• Wrap & Turn
• Double chain Stitch

If you’re a beginner, some of these techniques might be new—but the pattern includes video tutorials to guide you through.

Finding Yarn Alternatives

How do you find yarn alternatives when the recommended yarn is hard to get? That’s the first challenge I ran into. The pattern suggests using Lamana Bergamo, but it was nearly impossible to find in the color I wanted. Even when I could find it, the price and shipping were too high for a project I still considered part of my learning phase.

I also tried checking YarnSub, a helpful site for exploring yarn substitutions. It’s a fantastic resource that compares texture, fiber content, weight, and other qualities—but unfortunately, I still didn’t find anything that fully met my preferences for color, texture, and affordability.

Eventually, I turned to Temu and found a bundle that looked promising. It claimed to be 88% cashmere and 12% acrylic, and came with four balls, each with about 350 yards. The price was hard to beat, and I was curious to see how it would perform. The main issue? It was fingering weight—much thinner than the bulky look I wanted. Still, I was determined to make it work.

Yarn Prep and Gauge Planning

To solve the thinness problem, I combined all four balls and held them together as one strand. This gave me the ideal thickness for a plush, cozy balaclava. I swatched with 5.0 mm needles and found the gauge to be close enough to the pattern’s requirements. After washing the swatch, I saw a slight reduction in both length and height, so I chose to knit size M to compensate. I could’ve tried 5.5 mm needles and reswatched, but I generally prefer a looser fit anyway, so it wasn’t a concern.

I also didn’t own two sets of 5.0 mm needles, so I had to purchase an additional set. Having both circular and DPNs of the same size made the process much smoother and aligned with the pattern’s instructions. Taking the time to prep the yarn and tools up front saved me a lot of frustration later on.

Knitting Experience

Following the Video Tutorials

Despite being written in Korean, the pattern came with video tutorials that really helped. I’m not sure if English subtitles are available, but the visual instructions were clear enough for me to follow along. However, some of the techniques were new to me, and the video tutorials moved rather quickly. For a few sections, I had to pause and look up additional YouTube videos to fully understand the motions.

What I Enjoyed About the Pattern

One of the most rewarding parts of this project was learning new stitch techniques and expanding my knitting skills. Each new section of the pattern introduced something unfamiliar but exciting—from Judy’s Magic Cast On to the Kitchener Stitch. I loved the feeling of progress as I saw how these new methods came together to shape the final piece. Even though a few steps required additional research or slower video replays, it felt incredibly satisfying to learn by doing.

Yarn Tangling Problems

One unexpected challenge was managing the yarn itself. I initially tried pulling strands from the inside of the yarn balls like I usually do, but that quickly turned into a tangled mess. I ended up wasting a lot of yarn due to the knots and twists. Eventually, I wound two balls together into cakes using my winder, and that helped reduce the hassle. I’d definitely recommend combining strands ahead of time if you’re using a similar yarn.

Lack of Product Information

Another downside of buying yarn from Temu is the lack of detailed product information—especially when it comes to care instructions. I had no guidance on how to wash or block the final piece, so I had to proceed cautiously and test a swatch first.

Final Results

After a thorough wash and block, the finished balaclava turned out even better than I had hoped. The final measurements were:

• Length: 42.5 cm before wash → 43 cm after wash
• Hood width: 24.5 cm before wash → 25.5 cm after wash

Blocking was crucial. Without it, I think the balaclava would have shrunk slightly and felt tighter. I used pins to carefully shape it and left it to dry completely, and the fabric held its form nicely. The texture was soft and warm thanks to the yarn combo, and the fit was exactly what I envisioned: slightly loose but still snug enough to provide warmth.

Closing Thoughts on FORMI Balaclava Knitting Pattern

Is this a good beginner knitting project? I’d say yes—with some conditions. The pattern is simple in its structure and the video tutorials help a lot, but the stitch techniques might be a bit intimidating if you’re completely new to knitting. As a second or third project, though, it’s fantastic for learning something new without feeling overwhelmed.

Overall, I’m really happy with how this project turned out. The process of adapting the pattern, substituting yarn, and managing multiple strands taught me a lot. If you’re looking for a cozy and customizable winter accessory, and you’re ready to learn a few intermediate techniques, this balaclava knitting pattern from Ravelry is definitely worth trying.