Weirdly Wonderful Vintage Balaclava Knitting Patterns From the 1960s and 1970s – Design You Trust

Weirdly Wonderful Vintage Balaclava Knitting Patterns From the 1960s and 1970s

Knitting and crocheting seem like fun hobbies, and some people are truly talented at creating funky handmade scarves, hats, sweaters, and so on. Yet like all things crafty, there’s always potential to let your sense of humor shine and create something that is a little less practical than it is hysterical. Case in point; remember these fabulously raunchy cross stitches?

h/t: vintag.es

The knitted and crocheted balaclavas here in this gallery are definitely not your average cable knit made with love by grandma, and the people who make these crazy pieces of knitwear clearly don’t take themselves too seriously! That’s kind of refreshing, isn’t it? So join the fun and have a laugh at some of the weirdest things to have ever happened to an innocent ball of yarn.

A balaclava, also known as a balaclava helmet or Bally (UK slang) or ski mask (US slang), is a form of cloth headgear designed to expose only part of the face, usually the eyes and mouth. Depending on style and how it is worn, only the eyes, mouth and nose, or just the front of the face are unprotected. Versions with a full face opening may be rolled into a hat to cover the crown of the head or folded down as a collar around the neck.

The name comes from their use at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War of 1854, referring to the town near Sevastopol in the Crimea, where British troops there wore knitted headgear to keep warm. Handmade balaclavas were sent over to the British troops to help protect them from the bitter cold weather. British troops required this aid, as their own supplies (warm clothing, weatherproof quarters, and food) never arrived in time. According to Richard Rutt in his History of Handknitting, the name “balaclava helmet” was not used during the war but appears much later, in 1881.










If you want more awesome content, subscribe to 'Oh, Design You Trust,' our brand new Facebook page! Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

More Inspiring Stories

Playboy Magazine Covers in The 1950s Are Not What You Imagined Them to Be
Meet Saya: the Incredibly Realistic Computer-Generated Japanese Schoolgirl
Artist Rainier Weber Designs Unique Gold-Plated AK47 Chair From Real Rifles
Rare Photographs of a Very Young Diego Maradona From the Late 1970s and Early 1980s
Stunning Black And White Photos Of A Young Katharine Hepburn In The Grass Taken By George Hoyningen-Huene In 1934
‘Don’t F*cking Jimmie Me, Jules!’ Foul-mouthed Talking ‘Pulp Fiction’ Action Figures!
"The Last Summer in St. Tropez": International Exotic Glamourwear Catalogue, 1980
These Animal Constellation Cookies Are Out Of This World
Cuddle Up To This Sexy Daikon Pillow That’s Just Waiting To Seduce You
Bloody Boudoir Ladies By Jessica Harrison
Beautiful Photos Of John Lennon With His First Wife Cynthia At Their Home In 1965
This Artist Made A Collection Of Farm Animal Sculptures From Unconventional Materials Like Shoes, Mops, And Leather Bags
Russian Vintage LADA Couch
BlizzCon Community Showcase Won By Amazing WoW Bolvar Fordragon Cosplay
Beautiful Photos That Defined ’50s Women’s Swimsuits
Sculptor Creates A Mutant 'Concept Human' To Survive Car Crashes
German Swat Team Members Get Chain Mail Like Anti-Knife Equipment
The Plague Of Overweight: Photographer Martha Holmes Documented The Struggle Of Obesity People In 1950s America
"I Thought They Were Photos!": Japanese Artist’s Exquisite Work Earns Plaudits Online
This Super Realistic Modern 3D Art Will Impress You!
Japanese DJ Not Only Makes Music But Also Wraps Everyday Objects In Realistic-Looking Human Flesh
Scandinavian Airlines Pulled Out Vintage Images Of Old Menu Cards And In-Flight Meals
Wonderful Photos Of Postwar New York City In 1946 By Todd Webb
Projection Mapping on King’s College Chapel Blends 16th-Century Gothic Architecture with Contemporary Art