This document provides the pattern for a ruched sleep eye mask. The mask is knitted using increases and decreases to create a ruched texture that cups the eyes without laying heavily on the face. Soft yarn is used to allow the skin to breathe. Optional ties can be added by sewing satin ribbon or continuing the seed stitch border. The pattern can also be used to create a filled eye pillow sachet by knitting a backing and sewing it to the mask. Detailed instructions, materials, gauge, and abbreviations are provided.

1. 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 ladydanio@gmail.com.
1
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

2. 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 ladydanio@gmail.com.
2
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.

3. 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 ladydanio@gmail.com.
3
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.

4. 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 ladydanio@gmail.com.
4
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.

5. 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 ladydanio@gmail.com.
5
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!