It got cold fast here in the Inland Northwest, so Kelley decided to whip up the Matching Balaclava by Katrin Schubert to keep warm while walking the dogs. It's a quick knit in worsted weight that's perfect for those brand new to the brioche stitch. Kelley recommends using Ultra Alpaca Eco to knit up this warm hood. 

The Matching Balaclava pattern doesn't use a single brioche purl stitch, and it's knit in the round. If you feel like you're ready to master the brioche stitch, this is a great pattern to ease into it. Watch the video above to see Kelley demonstrate some of the stitches from this pattern and her tips for making the balaclava look great. 

It's best to learn the brioche stitch while knitting in the round and with a single color. You'll master the flow of the stitch without having to worry about sliding back on the needles for color changes or having to do the brioche purl stitch. If you're looking for tips on knitting brioche flat, check out Kelley's tips here. 

Is it getting pretty cold in your neck of the woods? Are you going to whip up this fun project to keep warm? We'd love to see what you're working on in our AlpacaDirect VIP group!