Have you ever wanted to make a balaclava but weren't sure where to start? You're in the right place — and you have perfect timing. The This or That Make-Along 2026 is HERE, and we are making balaclavas! Choose your craft: the Chill Guard Knit Balaclava or the Frost Guard Crochet Balaclava. Both patterns drop September 5th — get the beautifully formatted PDF plus exclusive video instruction inside Marly Bird House and make it alongside the community that weekend.
This is a project that has been highly requested by this community for years. I'm so excited to finally deliver it. No more hat hair. No more cold neck. Just one beautifully handmade piece that covers you from chin to crown. Let's make it together!
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🗓️ About the This or That Make-Along 2026
The This or That Make-Along is one of my favorite events because it celebrates what makes this community so special: we've got knitters, we've got crocheters, and we've got BiCrafty folks who do both. This year we're each picking our craft and making a balaclava over the September 5–6 weekend.
Once you grab your PDF bundle, the videos will be released inside Marly Bird House that weekend — and they'll be available to you anytime, forever, whenever you want to watch them.
📅 Mark Your Calendar
- September 5th at 9am ET — Patterns drop! Grab yours and cast on
- September 5–6 weekend — Make-along weekend! Make yours, share yours, cheer for each other
- Marly's Minions BiCrafty Community — Join us on Facebook for pinned posts, community shares, and make-along fun
🤴 Already knit and crochet? Great news — you can make both! They'd make incredible gifts together.
❄️ The Chill Guard — Knit Balaclava Pattern
The Chill Guard is a mosaic colorwork knit balaclava worked in worsted weight yarn. It's designed for adventurous beginners — if you can knit and purl and you're curious about mosaic colorwork, you're ready for this. Marly made hers in about a day and a half.
🧶 Chill Guard Quick Stats
- Craft: Knitting
- Skill Level: Adventurous Beginner
- Technique: Mosaic Colorwork
- Needle: US 8 (5mm)
- Yarn: Worsted weight, 5 colors
- Sizes: Multiple sizes
- Time to Make: About a day and a half
Great yarn picks: KnitPicks Swish Worsted, KnitPicks Brava Worsted, Lion Brand Wool-Ease, or Berroco Vintage Worsted.
🌿 The Frost Guard — Crochet Balaclava Pattern
The Frost Guard is a crochet balaclava worked with a 6mm hook using Caron Macchiato Cakes. The yarn does the color work for you. One ball, one hook, one stunning color-shifting balaclava. No color changes, no ends to weave — just gorgeous, effortless color that shifts all on its own.
🧶 Frost Guard Quick Stats
- Craft: Crochet
- Skill Level: Adventurous Beginner
- Hook: 6mm
- Yarn: Caron Macchiato Cakes — just 1 ball!
- Sizes: Multiple sizes
- Time to Make: About a day and a half
🎁 Get the PDF + Video Bundle
Get the beautifully formatted PDF plus permanent video tutorial access inside Marly Bird House for just $10 (retail $12.00 — limited time pricing).
What's included: Print-ready PDF + permanent video tutorial access in your Marly Bird House library. Yours forever.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When do the patterns drop?
Both the Chill Guard (knit) and Frost Guard (crochet) patterns drop September 5th at 9am ET. Grab yours and start making!
Do I have to make it the weekend of September 5–6?
Not at all! Once you grab your pattern, it's yours forever in your Marly Bird House library. The make-along weekend is just a fun excuse to make it alongside everyone else. Make yours whenever you'd like!
Can I make both balaclavas?
Absolutely! If you're BiCrafty — you knit AND crochet — there's nothing stopping you from making both. They'd make incredible gifts!
What skill level do I need?
Both patterns are designed for Adventurous Beginners. They'll challenge you just enough to feel rewarding without being frustrating. Marly walks you through every step in the video.
Where do I share my finished balaclava?
Come share it in Marly's Minions BiCrafty Community on Facebook! We'll have a pinned post during the make-along weekend where everyone is sharing their makes. We'd love to see yours!
Final Thoughts
Pick Your Craft. Grab Your Yarn.
Let's Make Something Beautiful Together. 🧶
Whether you're a knitter, a crocheter, or blissfully BiCrafty — this is YOUR weekend. I made both patterns and I couldn't be more excited to share them with you. One is for stash-busting colorwork lovers. One is for anyone who wants the yarn to do the color magic all by itself. Both are weekend-sized, gift-worthy, and genuinely fun to make.
I'll be making mine right alongside you in Marly's Minions on Facebook. Come share your progress, cheer each other on, and tag your finished piece with #MMMDI. I cannot wait to see what you make. 💖