This DIY crochet face mask is so easy and written in child and adult sizes!
The child size measures approx. 8 1/4″ wide by 4″ tall (not including ears). The adult size measures approx. 10″ wide by 5″ tall (not including ears).
I have another version of this mask with a pocket lining to change filters HERE.
Also check out my sewn mask with filter pocket HERE, easy 3 layer sewn face mask HERE , DIY hand sew face mask HERE.
This is a design I came up with based on research from The University of Cambridge that compared different materials for DIY face masks and found what materials work best to protect against “Bacteriophage MS2 particles (5 times smaller than the coronavirus).”
Their findings revealed which fabrics work best and how they compare to a surgical mask:
They go on even further saying that doubling the layer of material will provide better protection:
Based on this information I decided to go through my things and see what I have on hand. I have some tea towels I am going to cut up and use as my filter for my mask.
Materials:
-H hook, 5.00 mm
-100% cotton yarn, I used Lily Sugar N’ Cream in “Matiz”, a little less than a 2.5 oz. skein will yield 1 adult size and 1 child size mask.
-Blunt needle
-Sewing needle and threading floss or thread
-Hot glue gun
-Bendable wire
-Cloth, I cut up some Tea towels, use any of the materials listed in the image above. Note: The tea towels are harder to breathe through if you are wearing these all day. I also made some with a pillow case lining that we’re much easier to breathe through if you’re planning to wear them all day.
-Extra pins to hold cloth in place when sewing
Gauge: 13 sc’s X 14 rows = 4″ square
Abbreviations:
st(s)- stitch(es)
ch- chain
sc- single crochet
hdc- half double crochet
BLO- back loops only
sl st- slip stitch
Child size:
Ch 28
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hk and next 5 sts, hdc next 15 sts, sc 6, turn (27).
Row 2: Ch 1, sc the next 6 sts, hdc in the BLO next 15 sts, sc 6, turn (27).
Row 3: Ch 1, sc the next 6 sts, hdc next 15 sts, sc 6, turn (27).
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have 9 rows total. Continue to ch 10 (for ear), sl st at the other end and fasten off. Pick up a st on the other side and ch 10, sl st in other end and fasten off. Weave in all ends.
Adult size:
Ch 32
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hk and next 7 sts, hdc next 15 sts, sc 8, turn (31).
Row 2: Ch 1, sc the next 8 sts, hdc in the BLO next 15 sts, sc 8, turn (31).
Row 3: Ch 1, sc the next 8 sts, hdc next 15 sts, sc 8, turn (31).
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have 12 rows total. Continue to ch 12 (for ear), sl st at the other end and fasten off. Pick up a st on the other side and ch 12, sl st in other end and fasten off. Weave in all ends.
Face filter:
Cut your cloth material 10″ X 7″ for the adult size and 8″ X 5″ for the child size.
Fold cloth in half. Mark with a marker the 4 corners like this:
With threading floss and sewing needle sew the 4 corners where you marked them and down the sides. Turn piece inside out. Keep the folder part at the top and sew around the entire piece attaching it to the wrong side of your face mask. Place extra pins here to keep it in place. Fold in the end pieces a little as you sew along the bottom. Fasten off.
Cute a piece of your bendable wire 4″ for adult and 3″ for child.
With hot glue, glue the wire on the outside top center of the face mask (right under the top row).
You’re done!