Weekly DIY Roundup: Ski Masks!

POSTED BY Lee Meredith, 14 November 2008

You've probably seen these ski masks by now, which are in an issue of McCall's magazine from 1965 (bigger pictures can be seen on Swapatorium):

I was first introduced to them by a friend about 4 years ago, and I got so inspired that I eventually tried making some of my own masks.  I made three knit and one crocheted, looking nothing like those 60's masks, but unique in their own way.

Well, lately these kinds of masks have been popping up around the web, so I decided to round up what I could find, thinking a crazy/scary ski mask might be a perfect gift for the right kind of person this holiday season.  Craftstylish recently did a caption contest with this image from the Taunton archives:

In my searching, I came across this image of masks from 1961 in DanielleH's flickr photostream - thanks for sharing, Danielle! (and for giving us all nightmares for weeks...)

Craftster member betsyjean79 got her hands on one of the original mask patterns and made this version:

Flickr user FiddybobibbyFiddy created this doll sized version of the original kid's mask - she's right, "Even small, it's terrifying."

Now, moving on to some free patterns!  Things and ideas blog posted the pattern for this way-too-creepy monster mask.  You get a really different look by using different colored yarn.

Last year's Fall knitty had this Jackyll & hide pattern by SAS Knits It Again, inspired by Tim Burton's Jack Skellington, which folds up into a big hat for when you don't want to scare everyone.

The Running Yarn blog has a free pattern for a Panda Ski Mask!!  I used to be so into pandas, I made a bunch of panda hats, but I never thought of making a full on mask - genius!!

Giftable designs has a free pdf download for this Bearded Toque pattern by v. vine:

Teriyakimoto on craftster made this amazing knit gas mask, using the Blue Hills free pattern on knitty, and improvising the detachable mask part.

V&A shares a vintage pattern from the 1940's for this Balaclava Helmet, "made with ear flaps to enable good hearing during telephone operations."  You can download the pattern as a pdf or a word document.

HJS Studio has three Balaclava patterns from the First World War, rewritten with modern knitting instructions.

The Winter '06 issue of knitty has a balaclava pattern by Jenna Adorno called Antifreeze - I love flickr user disequillibrium's yellow version!!

Birthday everyday! on flickr, of the blog Chelsea Creature, knit a semi-formal, gold colored ski mask, designed to look like an old balaclava, to wear to her prom!

And lastly, if you want to see a mask that's less craft, more art, check out this amazing work by Morwenna Catt, Phrenology Head III, from the Pricked: Extreme Embroidery show.

I had such fun doing this roundup, I hope you had fun viewing it!  And I'd bet a lot of threadheads out there have a loved one who would be ecstatic to receive one of these as a gift!  Be sure to share your creepy/funny/terrifying/beautiful mask creations with us in the forums or the comments!