Sleeping Mask

Recently I made my boyfriend a double-layered black stocking cap, and he discovered that it did a pretty good job of blocking out the light when the brim was pulled down over his eyes. Since he works nights and sleeps during the day, he asked if I could make something he could cover his eyes with while sleeping out of the left-over yarn from his hat. He had tried a store-bought sleeping mask and found it too uncomfortable. I'm sure he expected me to make a simple headband, but I went bit further and designed this mask. Since I completed it a few weeks ago, he's been able to continue sleeping peacefully when the light starts creeping around the window blinds in the afternoon.

Yarn - Cascade 220 (100% wool, 220 yds/100 g): #8555 Black, less than 1 skein. [Substitute any soft worsted weight yarn that, like wool, has a bit of spring to it.]

Needles - US size 7 (4.5 mm) set of 5 double-pointed. [Adjust size as needed to produce a fabric you like, substitute two circulars or one long circular according to your preferred method of small diameter circular knitting.]

Notions - US size G/6 (4 mm) or H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook. [Used for provisional cast-on, size is not crucial.] Tapestry needle.

Gauge - 5 stitches and 7 rounds per inch in stockinette stitch. [Not essential to match this gauge as the band around the back of the head will be knit to fit.]

Finished Size - Mask area is approximately 9.75" by 4.5" at its widest points not including headband.

Cast on 20 stitches using a provisional cast-on and a piece of contrasting waste yarn. Divide stitches evenly onto 4 needles (5 stitches per needle), and join for knitting in the round. As you work the first round, mark the beginning and midway point of round (end of 2nd needle, 10 stitches before and after).

Round 1: Knit all stitches.
Round 2: K 2, work left-side lifted increase by knitting into the stitch two rows below stitch on right needle (Knit Left Loop - KLL), knit to 2 stitches before midway point, work right-side lifted increase by knitting into the stitch below the stitch on the left needle (Knit Right Loop - KRL), k 4, KLL, knit to 2 stitches before end of round, KRL, k 2. [4 sts increased. See the increase page at KnittingHelp.com for written and video instructions on the KLL and KRL increases.]
Rounds 3-16: Repeat rounds 1 and 2 seven times (increasing to 52 total sts).
Rounds 17-20: Work these 4 rounds even in stockinette stitch.

Round 21:Knit all stitches.
Round 22: K 1, k2tog, knit to 3 stitches before midway point, ssk, k 2, k2tog, knit to 3 stitches before end of round, ssk, k 1. [4 sts decreased. Take a look at the decrease page at KnittingHelp.com for instruction.]
Rounds 23-28: Repeat rounds 21 and 22 three times (decreasing to 36 total sts).

Round 29: Knit all stitches.
Round 30: K 1, k2tog, knit to 3 stitches before end of round, ssk, k 1. [2 sts decreased. The beginning/end of round is the bottom of the mask, and the midway point of the round is the top of the mask. Therefore, more shaping is done at the bottom of the mask to accommodate the nose.]
Rounds 31-34: Repeat rounds 29 and 30 two times (decreasing to 30 total sts).
Rounds 35-36: Work these 2 rounds even in St st.

Round 37: Knit all stitches.
Round 38: K 2, KLL, knit to 2 stitches before end of round, KRL, k 2. [2 sts increased.]
Rounds 39-42: Repeat rounds 37 and 38 two times (increasing to 36 total sts).

Round 43: Knit all stitches.
Round 44: K 2, KLL, knit to 2 stitches before midway point, KRL, k 4, KLL, knit to 2 stitches before end of round, KRL, k 2. [4 sts increased.]
Rounds 45-50: Repeat rounds 43 and 44 three times (increasing to 52 total sts).
Rounds 51-54: Work these 4 rounds even in St st.

Round 55: Knit all stitches.
Round 56: K 1, k2tog, knit to 3 stitches before midway point of round, ssk, k2, k2tog, knit to 3 stitches before end of round, ssk, k 1. [4 stitches decreased.]
Rounds 57-70: Repeat rounds 55 and 56 seven times (decreasing to 20 total sts).
Round 71: Knit all stitches.

Slip first half of round onto one needle and second half of round onto another (10 stitches per needle). Take 3rd needle and knit 1 stitch from front needle together with 1 stitch from back needle. Continue across joining front side of mask to back side of mask. Do not bind off any stitches. Once this step is complete you will have 10 stitches on your needle.

You will now be working back and forth in rows on these 10 stitches (instead of circularly). Work even in garter stitch (knit every row) for about 4 inches. Do not bind off. Place live stitches on hold (or simply leave them on the needle).

[If you wish to put any lining and/or filling inside the double-layered mask, do so now because the next step seals the layers shut.]

Go back to cast-on end. Remove scrap yarn while slipping first half of round onto one needle and second half of round onto another (10 stitches per needle). Just as you did for the other end of the mask, take 3rd needle and knit 1 stitch from front needle together with 1 stitch from back needle. Continue across joining front side of mask to back side of mask. Do not bind off any stitches. The double-layered mask will now be completely sealed shut, and you will have 10 stitches left on the needle.

Now work the other half of the strap just like the first. Working back and forth in rows, work even in garter stitch for about 4 inches. Place live stitches on hold (or simply leave them on the needle).

The mask should now be about the right size for the average adult head. However, if you have any question at this point, you can check the fit against the intended wearer's head and adjust as necessary before finishing off. As you hold the mask around the head in question, you should have to stretch the straps a few inches to make the ends meet at the back. You want it to be snug enough to stay in place while sleeping, but not too tight for comfort. Work more rows or rip back some rows on each side and check again. Once you're happy with the fit, fold mask in half and work a three-needle bind-off to seam straps together. [Instructions on how to work a three-needle bind-off can be found at the bottom of the bind-off page at KnittingHelp.com.] Weave in ends and sleep well.

Pattern © 2006 Laura K. Miller

tags: knitting