Material: 1 hank of yarn (¼ lb.); 1 pair Red Cross needles No. 2.
The Helmet is made in 2 parts, which afterwards are sewed together along the top and sides.
Front of Helmet.—Cast on 48 stitches (11 inches), knit plain for 25 ribs (6 inches) and knit 2, purl 2 for 35 rows. On the next row the opening for the face is made as follows: Knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, knit and bind off loosely the next 28 stitches and purl 1, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2. Run the stitches before the opening on a spare needle and on the stitches at other side of opening knit 2, purl 2 for 12 rows. The last row will end at the opening and at that point cast on 28 stitches to offset those bound off. Begin at the face opening of stitches on spare needle and knit 2, purl 2 for 12 rows. At the end of the twelfth row continue all across to the end of other needle, when there should be 48 stitches on needle as at first. Knit 2, purl 2 for 24 rows.
Top of Helmet.—Knit 2, narrow (knitting 2 stitches together), knit 14, narrow, knit 14, narrow, knit 12. Purl the entire next row. On the third row knit 2, narrow, knit 13, narrow, knit 13, narrow, knit 11. Purl fourth row. On the fifth row knit 2, narrow, knit 12, narrow, knit 12, narrow, knit 10. Purl sixth row. Continue to narrow in the 3 places every plain knitted row with 1 stitch less between narrowings until 9 stitches are left.
Back of Helmet.—Work in same manner as for front but omit the face opening. Sew the stitches of upper edges together with joining stitch. Sew up the side seams leaving the plain knitting at shoulders open.
(Same as No. 1, but knitted in one piece)
Material: 1 hank of yarn (¼ lb.); 4 Red Cross needles No. 2.
Cast on 56 stitches loosely. Knit plain for 8 inches for front piece, and leave on extra needle. Knit another piece to correspond for back. These pieces must be at least 9 inches wide. Slip the stitches of both pieces on to 3 needles, arranging for last 2 stitches of back piece to be on beginning of first needle, with 38 stitches of front piece added (making 40 on first needle).
Divide rest of stitches on other 2 needles; 36-36.
Beginning with first needle, knit 2, purl 2 for 6 inches. Then on first needle knit 2, purl 2 for 18 stitches. Bind off 22 stitches for face opening. (Try to keep same arrangement of stitches on needles for further directions.) Knit 2, purl 2 forward and back on remaining 90 stitches for 1½ inches, always slipping first stitch. Cast on 22 stitches loosely to complete face opening, and knit 2, purl 2 for 2½ inches (adjust stitches by slipping 2 from end of third needle to first needle, making 42 on first needle).