tapa olho

Ruched Sleep Eye Mask. Copyright © 2009 Sarah Core, Exchanging Fire. This pattern is for personal, non-commercial use only and

may not be sold or reproduced. For more information or technical assistance contact [email protected].

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by Sarah Core

Sleeping is one of my favorite activities, right

up there with eating, reading and knitting.

Taking a nap, or simply sleeping when it is light

outside, however, requires blinds to be pulled and

curtains to be drawn, and often I will wake up to

find myself half-suffocated because I tried to

burrow underneath the covers and hide from the

light in my sleep. I’ve tried on many masks and

sleep pillows in my efforts to find something to

cover my face and block out any bit of light

coming through, but I often dislike the way they

press down against my eyes, or the way the thick

cord or elastic attaching the mask to my face

pulls and creates bumps under my head. I find it

distracting and it makes it hard to actively

participate in my favorite activity. What I needed

was a mask that cupped my eyes, like the palms

of your hands do when you lay them against

your face. I needed something that covered them

without actually laying heavily on my face. And so this sleep mask was born. Using soft, lofty yarn and

a unique and easy knitting technique, I knit myself the perfect mask, and then quickly found myself

sliding into a wonderful, soothing sleep.

MATERIALS

25 – 50 yards / 20 – 46 meters of worsted or

aran weight yarn

Size 6 or 7 US (4.25 – 4.5 mm) needles, or size

needed to obtain slightly tight gauge

Tapestry needle

Satin ribbon, optional

Sewing thread, optional

Sewing needle, optional

GAUGE 4.5 stitches = 1 inch in Stockinette stitch (St st)

Ruched Sleep Eye Mask



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This sleep mask uses a technique

called ruching, where the fabric is

pulled together to create a lift

through a dramatic amount of

increases and decreases. I used

gentle, soft yarn that would allow

my skin to breathe while the mask

lay against it and not irritate the

delicate skin of my eyelids with

harsh fibers. I suggest you use a soft

fiber with a lot of loft and drape to

assist the ruching, such as cotton,

silk or even cashmere and other

wools. Also, unlike my sample, I recommend using a dark-colored yarn if you want to block out as

much light as possible. Optional satin ties sewn into either end of the border create a bit of a decadent

air and because the ribbons lay flat against your head, you don’t find yourself bothered by bumps in

the middle of your precious quiet time.

DIRECTIONS

FIRST HALF:

CO 17 stitches. Work back and forth in seed stitch to form border.

Row 1 (RS): k1, *p1, k1*, rep from * to * end of row.

Rows 2-3: Rep row 1.

Row 4 (WS): k1, p1, k1, p11 for back of St st center panel, k1, p1, k1.

Row 5 (RS): k1, p1, k1, k11 to create St st center panel, k1, p1, k1.

Rep rows 4 and 5 until St st center panel measures 3 inches long, ending with a WS row (Row 22).

BEGIN RUCHING:

Row 23 (RS): K1, p1, [k2tog] 3 times, k1, [k2tog] 3 times, p1, k1. 11 stitches.

Row 24 (WS): k1, p1, k1, p2tog, p1, p2tog, k1, p1, k1. 9 stitches.

Row 25 (RS): k1, p1, k5, p1, k1.

Row 26 (WS): k1, p7, k1.

Row 27-28: Rep rows 25 and 26.

Row 29: Rep row 25.

Row 30 (WS): k1, p1, k1, pfb, p1, pfb, k1, p1, k1. 11 stitches.



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Row 31 (RS): k1, p1, [kfb] 3

times, k1, [kfb] 3 times, p1, k1.

17 stitches.

SECOND HALF:

Row 32 (WS): k1, p1, k1, p11, k1,

p1, k1.

Row 33 (RS): k1, p1, k13, p1, k1.

Rep rows 32 and 33 until second

half measures 3 inches long from

increase row (Row 49).

Row 50 (WS): k1, *p1, k1*, rep

from * to * end of row.

Rows 51-52: Rep row 50.

BO in pattern stitch, by continuing to knit and purl the seed stitch before passing the first stitch over

the second. Weave in all ends.

FINISHING:

If you block your mask, only wet the border portion of the piece, as soaking the ruched area tends to

deflate some of the lift created by the increases and decreases.

OPTIONAL

SATIN RIBBON TIES

If you would like your mask to stay attached to your head as you sleep, sew satin ribbon ties into the

border on either side of the mask. Sew either end snugly into the seed stitch border with your sewing

needle and thread. Loop excess ribbon to lay flat against itself and sew those pieces together. Then

determine where you should cut the ribbon to allow for tying it to your head. If you sleep on one side

or the other, simply cut the ribbon in the center. However, if you like to sleep on your back and have a

tendency to roll over on your right side while asleep, you should cut the ribbon behind your left ear, so

that the bow can be tied in a location where you won’t feel it pressing against your head.

SEED STITCH TIES

Pick up three stitches along the center of one end of mask. Knit those three stitches in the seed stitch

border pattern until desired length. Repeat for the other side. Thank you to raindear from Ravelry for

this method. According to her, the seed stitch “grabs” itself, which means a full bow isn’t required for

securing the mask and the knotted ties don’t press against your head as much at night.

An elastic band or simple knitted I-cord would also work well as alternative ties.



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PILLOW SACHET

You can turn your sleep mask into an eye pillow sachet by knitting a simple Stockinette backing,

sewing it to the mask with extra yarn and filling it with your favorite aromatic scent to help you sleep.

MASK BACKING:

CO 15 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): k15.

Row 2 (WS): p15.

Rep rows 1 and 2 until piece

measures 2 inches long (Row 14).

Row 15 (RS): k2tog, k11, k2tog.

13 stitches.

Row 16 (WS): p13.

Row 17: (RS): k2tog, k9, k2tog.

11 stitches.

Row 18 (WS): p11.

Row 19 (RS): k2tog, k7, k2tog.

9 stitches.

Row 20 (WS): p9.

Row 21 (RS): k9.

Row 22-23: Rep rows 20 and 21.

Row 24 (WS): p9.

Row 25 (RS): k1, m1, k7, m1, k1. 11 stitches.

Row 26 (WS): p11.

Row 27 (RS): k1, m1, k9, m1, k1. 13 stitches.

Row 28 (WS): p13.

Row 29 (RS): k1, m1, k11, m1, k1. 15

stitches.

Row 30 (WS): p15.

Row 31 (RS): k15.

Rep rows 30 and 31 until second half

measures 2 inches from last increase row

(Row 43).

BO. Weave in all ends.

FINISHING:

With the WS of the mask and mask backing facing each other, use excess yarn to stitch the two parts

together. The backing should fit squarely into the Stockinette area of the mask, leaving the seed

stitch border free as a ruffled edge. Remember to leave part of one end open. Turn sachet so RS is

facing out. Fill pillow with cotton stuffing or flax seeds. Make sure you don’t overstuff the pillow, as

you want the cotton stuffing or flax seeds to mold gently to your face. Weave the open end of pillow

closed with excess yarn, and enjoy your nap!

Note: If using loose herbs or oils with your stuffing, I recommend first sewing them into scraps of

cloth before stuffing the sachet, to avoid the leaves falling out from between the stitches.



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ABBREVIATIONS CC – contrast color

CO – cast on

BO – bind off

k – knit

k2tog – knit two stitches together (decrease)

kfb – knit through the front and then the back

of the same stitch (increase)

m1 – make one (increase)

MC – main color

p – purl

p2tog – purl two stitches together (decrease)

pfb – purl through the front and back of the

loop (increase)

rep – repeat

st – stitch

sts – stitches

St st – Stockinette stitch

RS – right side

WS – wrong side

KNITTING RESOURCES For online assistance with any of the techniques used in this pattern, please check out a few of my

favorite knitting resource websites, listed below:

• www.craftyarncouncil.com/weight.html – Standard weight chart from the Craft Yarn Council will

guide you in choosing the right yarn. Then check out their helpful standard body measurements sizing

and knitting chart abbreviations and symbols.

• www.knittinghelp.com/videos/learn-to-knit – Informative videos and succinct descriptions cover

almost everything, from the basic stitches right up to advanced techniques.

• www.ravelry.com/groups/exchanging-fire – Join the Exchanging Fire group on Ravelry, an online

knitting community where you can find full pattern support and chat with me.

Visit my blog, exchangingfire.wordpress.com, to learn more about me and my upcoming designs!

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