Manic Street Preachers JDB balaclava

My friend JP has a friend called James. The Manics were a very important part of JP and James' formative years so JP asked me to make a JDB balaclava  (as seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hMqpR9AogI) as a nostalgic bday gift for James.

I jumped at the chance!

I think it turned out pretty bloody well.
Heres Rob modelling it

Here is the pattern:

Using 4mm straight needles and Black DKyarn

Neck

Cast on 72

K2 P2 for 28 rows

Increase stiches up to 109, (I increased either side of the knit stiches)
Stocking stitch for 20 rows

Mouth

K43,
Cast off tightly 22,
K to end
P to cast off line,
Turn work and  Cast on loosely 22 stitches,
Turn work and P to end of row

Stocking stitch for 20 rows


Eyes
K37,
Cast off tightly 14,
K7,
Cast off tightly 14,
K to end of row

P to cast off line,
Turn Work and Cast on loosely 14,
Turn work and P7,
Turn Work and Cast on loosely 14,
Turn Work and P to end of row

Stocking stitch for 4 rows



JAMES

K33, start pattern using White DK yarn (sorry for poor quality, will update at some point)

Stocking stitch for 4 rows


Crown

K8, K2tog repeat for one row

P whole row
K7, K2tog repeat for one row
P whole row
K6, K2tog repeat for one row
K whole row
Repeat this pattern until you K1, K1tog

Finishing Off

Using a tapestry needle thread yarn through remaining stitches
and sew up back of balaclava.

Do not sew right to the bottom of the garter stitch neck part, leave about 2 inches open so the wearer to get the balaclava on.