How to Knit a Face Mask (Easy!)
Face masks are now the new normal! They are not always so easy to find and you don’t want to get caught without one. So why not try your hands at making one yourself? Follow this tutorial & free pattern to make your own washable, knit face mask.
Today, we are walking you step-by-step through the process of creating a knit face mask. This mask pattern has been created by the Yarnspirations design team to align with the current CDC guidelines for homemade masks.
Here are the materials you need:
- Worsted Weight Yarn or another CYC 4 Yarn that you have on hand
- Needles
- 11×12 inch piece of fabric (cotton, flannel or high thread count bedding recommended
- Pins
- All-purpose Thread
- Sewing needle
- Tapestry needle
- Ruler
- Scissors
Create this mask by combing a fabric lining, which could be cotton, flannel, or high thread count bedding, with a worsted weight yarn. Work up this mask with 1 x 1 ribbing on either end and a dense seed stitch body. The project is worked from side to side, increasing stitches until you get to the widest section, then it with decreases to the other side.
The knit ties are made by casting on stitches and immediately casting off – faster than working an i-cord but just as effective here. Alternatively, the ties can be replaced by elastic straps.
The Mask Body
Get started by casting on 16 stitched. Start the first row by working a K1P1 ribbing and keep doing this for 1-inch. When you reach the 1-inch mark, you will start adding an extra stitch at the end of each side so make sure you follow the tutorial carefully.
On the 27th row, you will begin to decrease 1 stitch from both ends. This increase – decrease method will give it the correct shape that is needed to wrap around your face and protect your mouth and nose. At the end of the 51st row, you will proceed with the P1K1 ribbing for 1 inch that will match what you made at the other end. Now it’s time to cast off. You have finished the body of your mask!
The Knit Ties
Cast on 80 stitches, and immediately, start casting off your stitches. You will need to do this process four times in order to create four straps, one for each corner. To attach the straps to the body of the mask, take your tapestry needle and thread one of the ends through the needle and sew it into place.
At the end of the tutorial, you will find more directions on attaching the elastic ties if you prefer to use elastic instead.
The Lining
For the lining, print the template from the pattern pdf, or draw it out yourself. Cut it out and trace it onto fabric. You’ll need to cut this out of fabric, two times. Once they are cut stack them on top of each other. Turn the ends together at around ¼ of an inch. You can draw the ¼ of an inch onto the fabric as a guideline. Press down the raw ends with your fingers or iron them down if you prefer. You are now ready to attach it to the wrong side of your mask.
Center it and pin it into place. Take your sewing needle and your thread. Start in the corner of our fabric and whipstitch the fabric to the mask.
There you have it, your mask is ready! Make your own mask and keep yourself and your family protected in this time of crisis.
**The Yarnspirations design team made this mask after the CDC’s recommendation that homemade masks can be used to effectively help stop the spread of COVID-19. Please note that these masks are intended for use by the public, but not for healthcare practitioners. When making your mask keep in mind that fit and cleanliness also affect the mask’s effectiveness. Be sure to wash your materials and mask regularly. These masks are to be used in addition to physical distancing measures and it’s still important to not touch your face while it’s worn.
Thank you for reading our blog post. Let us know in the comments, how are you keeping yourself safe when out in the public in this time of uncertainty?
