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JIKI Crochet Frame and Filter for Makeshift Face Masks
This is a pattern for DIY face mask, which consists of crocheted frame and changeable filter. This pattern includes instructions and step-by-step tutorials to crochet the frame and construct filter. When combined, these two parts form a cheap, reusable face mask with unique delicate style. JIKI CONCEPT Please, notice that this pattern is for entertainment purposes only, due to the fact that your mask has not been tested or approved by medical authorities. Anyway, JIKI concept is a new, creative way to produce homemade face mask which may help to protect yourself and others from airborne impurities, when there is shortage of tested surgical masks and which should be reserved for medical workers. The idea of this mask is to reduce the risk of infection in crowded places, by catching some of the infectious droplets caused by the wearer by coughing, sneezing or exhaling. You need only some crafting skills and common materials to produce cheap frame, no expensive machines are needed. The appropriate filter material is something that you should choose by yourself. The better filter fabric you have, the more efficient face mask will be, but remember that this item does not fulfill the requirements of the tested personal protection equipment. So, try to find tested material for the filter. Then you will have at least some idea of the efficiency of your face mask.
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The basic idea of JIKI concept: Crocheted frame is combined with filter made of suitable fabric.
Crochet frame (sideview) and filter which you are going to make by following this tutorial.
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CROCHET FRAME Pattern notes: •
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Choose high-quality mercerized cotton crochet yarn, if you would like to be able to disinfect the frame by boiling it (boiling is one of the easiest ways to disinfect fabric). The yarn will shrink a bit in boiling water, so it is good idea to pre-shrink the frame before use (just boil it for 5 minutes and let it dry). Some other yarn types or flexible enough fishing line or something may also work, but this needs testing and adjusting the gauge. The recommended gauge for this pattern is: 20 rows = 5 cm and 18 stitches = 5cm (for single crochet stitches). This gauge is achieved easily by using Novita Cotton Crochet 100 % mercerized cotton yarn and 1,5 mm hook. The gauge is important in this pattern, otherwise the frame will not seal the filter material enough. The face mask crocheted with recommended gauge fits for average-sized women. You could switch the size of the crochet hook from 1,5mm to 1,75 mm, if you would like to enlarge the frame (remember that this affects to the gauge so that the one defined in this pattern is not anymore valid). Switching the size of the crochet hook into bit larger works also, if your yarn seems to shrink significantly. You can test the shrinkage of the yarn by single crocheting a small test patch. Measure it, boil it, let it dry and measure again and compare results to the original measurements. You can try to find the right size for the crochet hook by choosing a slightly larger size and crocheting a new test patch.
Materials and Equipment •
The frame in the pictures is made of Novita Cotton Crochet (100% Mercerized Cotton, 50 g = 330m, Hook 1,5mm).
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Puppets Eldorado N. 10 (100% Cotton, 50g = 265m, hook 1,5mm and Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush (100% Cotton Mercerized, 50 g = 280 m, hook 1,5 mm) are also good alternatives, but you should check the gauge and hook size before starting to crochet. Large needle Polyester stuffing Elastic band or ribbon (about 110 cm) Filter material Small button 4 small hooks to join the elastic band to the frame.
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Stitches and Symbols
Low treble crochet This stitch is something between double crochet and treble crochet in height. Just follow these steps to crochet it:
1. Start like treble crochet. Yarn over the hook 2 times and pull the yarn through one stitch of the previous row.
2. Yarn over the hook and pull yarn through the first 2 loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over the hook and pull yarn through all remaining loops (there should be three loops left after step 2.) Finland 2020 v1.2B en
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Crocheting This mask frame consists of four parts: crochet band, net and two triangular patches. All of these are quite easy to crochet if you follow the steps carefully. Crochet band The charts show always the previous row (black stitch symbols), if there is one, and the row which you are going to crochet next (bright blue stitch symbols). The photographs show how your work should look like after finishing each stage.
1. Crochet chain of seven stitches and one slip stitch to create a ring.
2. Make single crochet increase into the next chain stitch.
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3. Continue crocheting by following the chart below.
4.Treble crochet next 5 rows.
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4. Now, turn your work 90° clockwise.
Crochet the chart below to the side of your work:
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5. Turn the work and single crochet 23 stitches.
6. Turn your work 90° clockwise.
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Next, crochet the chart below:
7. Turn your work 90° clockwise.
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Next, crochet the chart below to the side of your work:
8. Turn around your work and single crochet 23 stitches.
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9. Turn your work 90° clockwise.
10. This is the final step of the crocheted band. Just crochet the chart below and the first part of the mask frame is ready.
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Triangular patches Crochet two of these. This mask frame has triangular nose pads to seal the filter around the nose. These are easy to crochet, just follow the chart below:
Next, fasten them to crochet band by sewing.
1. Sew the second longest edge of the triangular patch to the curved edge of the crochet band. Both edges should have 23 stitches.
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2. Sew the shortest edge along the row of the double crochet stitches (yellow dashed line in the pictures).
3. Sew the remaining edge. This seam should be a bit curvy like the yellow dashed line in the picture below. You can add some padding into the pad, to make it easier to figure out the shape of the seam. Leave the pad open in the end of the seam so you could add or remove padding later if needed (blue dashed line).
The first nose pad is now ready. Repeat Steps 1 to 3 to the other pad.
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Net 1. The net is crocheted by following the chart that can be found from page 16. In this chart symbols are black or bright blue just to make the chart easier to read. The net is attached to the crochet band by crocheting few stitches along the edge of the band between rows (red crochet symbols). On page 15 is example about how to read and crochet red stitches.
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2. Crochet chain of 55 stitches.
3. Fasten the chain into the corner of the other small triangle with one slip stitch. After that, continue crocheting along the edge with one single crochet stitch.
4. Turn around your work and start crocheting the next row.
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Net chart.
Finally add some padding (small bundle of yarn etc.) to the nose pads.
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Finally, crochet a chain of 8 stitches between the nose pads.
MAKESHIFT FILTER The mask frame itself protects nobody from anything without filter, so next you need to make one. The following example shows how to construct disposable filter, but there are tips how to use this same method to construct reusable filter.
Materials and equipment • 21x23,5 cm piece of filter material (This is something that you should choose by yourself). • pen • ruler • pins • scissors • yarn for sewing or non-hazardous glue (self-made starch glues are good if there is nothing else available).
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1. Choose the material for filter. First, you should decide are you going to need disposable or reusable filter and then do some research. Two most important requirements for filter material are breathability and the material’s ability to catch hazardous particles. Breathability means that you should be able to breathe through the fabric (so, do not use plastic bags or plastic-like manmade materials). The material for reusable filter should tolerate boiling or washing in 95 C°. 2. Print the pattern of the filter (page 18.) 3. Cut out the pattern along the solid lines.
4. Use the pattern as template and trace the pattern of the filter onto the right side of the filter material. 5. Trace the dashed lines onto the right side of the filter material.
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6. Before cutting out the filter, trace the dashed lines over the outer line of the filter. You can use a bit lighter color to do this since this is the right side of the filter.
7. Cut out the filter.
8. Zig-zag stitch around material, if you are making reusable filter. This prevents fraying.
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9. Fold the first pleat (pictures show the right side of the filter) and the press it along the diagonal line (red arrows) and secure it with few pins.
10.Fold the second pleat, press it along the line shown by yellow arrows and secure it with few pins (pictures show the right side of the filter). Repeat steps 8 and 9 to the left side of the filter.
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11.Sew or glue the pleats near the edge of the filter (disposable filter). Sew the lower pleat, if you are making reusable filter, near the edge of the filter and you can sew the upper pleat over the whole filter (white dashed line).
HOW TO PUT ON THE MASK AND CHANGE THE FILTER SAFELY Now you have crochet frame and filter and there are few things to do before you can put this on. 1. Sew small button to the middle of the net close the edge. Choose smaller and bit nicer colored button to your frame, this is what it is just to get good photos.
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2. Construct straps from elastic
band and small hooks. You should be able to remove the straps easily from the frame especially, if you disinfect the frame in boiling water. Too high temperature may damage the elastic band. Straps have the correct length when they pull the frame tightly against your face and feel still comfortable.
3.Combine the frame and the filter by pulling that slightly fishtail -shaped part of the upper edge of the filter under the crochet chain between the nose pads.
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4. Attach the lower part of the filter with the small button attached to net in step 1. Cut buttonhole to the small triangular part of the filter (the length of the buttonhole should be a bit longer than the diameter of the button).
Now your mask is ready.
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Here are few tips to put it on easily: 1. Push the new filter gently in correct form through the crochet frame (figure below). Center it and check that folds are horizontally, and it opens downwards. Put the mask on by using only the upper strap.
2. Adjust the filter by pulling the pleats gently outwards, away from your face, so that there is empty space between your nose and mouth and the filter.
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3. Attach the lower strap to the edge of the net, unbutton the lower edge of the filter and fold the remaining filter fabric under the filter (between filter fabric and skin). The edge of the filter fabric should now be completely under the net.
When working with frame and filter, please wash your hands carefully first. Make sure that frame and filter are clean. When using face mask avoid touching clean face mask with contaminated hands and try not to touch the used mask at all. Used face mask has impurities, viruses and dirt attached to its filter and frame. After use loosen the straps and remove mask form your face (see WHO instructions). If frame and filter are reusable, clean them according instructions (Corona virus, wash in 90°C or just boil them and use detergent, if you are not able to wash them right away after use, store them in sealed plastic bag). Disposable filter has to be destroyed according instructions. Remember that used face masks are dirty and hazardous materials and have to treated according it! Wash your hands after handling dirty face mask!
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INFORMATION AND SAFETY – READ THIS BEFORE USING THE MASK BASIC FEATURES • Unique design, easy to customize, new concept in face mask market • Functional, nice to wear, comfortable, • Face mask has good sealing during exhaling and inhaling and it can be disinfected • Disposable or reusable filter, great variety of filter materials. Please, do some research and use common sense, some inappropriate materials might be even dangerous! • Local production of frame and filter is possible. You need only simple tools and local materials. • Face mask can also be used to improve tightness and sealing of loosely fitting surgical masks. • Reusable sustainable frame. Ecologic product.
PATTERN TO HELP PEOPLE TO HELP THEMSELVES Everyone is free to use this pattern to produce face masks. This design and concept are not allowed to be used or copied for commercial use. Only “term” is that if somebody changes the design, next generation have to be little bit better, cheaper, nicer, easier to produce and shared without charge to others interested about it. This pattern is done for crocheting. If you change this design, there is risk that you lose some typical characteristics this concept has. There is patent pending JIKI design. TECHNICAL DETAILS Frame is meant to be reusable, filter disposable or reusable. The sealing effect is based on design of frame (the frame will press the filter tightly against the wearer’s face). Filtering efficiency of JIKI-mask depends only of materials used for filter. So, with same frame people can use different kind filters depending of risk level of environment.
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PROTECTION AGAINST VIRUSES OR BACTERIA The protection level of self-made mask filters depends partly on the skills of maker and therefore cannot be guaranteed to achieve the level of tested surgical masks or respirators. The main purpose of JIKI-mask is to reduce the amount of exhaled infectious droplets and minimize the risk area around patient or suspected patient. Because the inhaling protection effect is lower or unknown, the protection mask constructed by using this frame is mainly meant for those, who could spread virus or bacteria by coughing or sneezing. Anyway, if the sealing is good enough and filtering properties of filter fulfill standards, the risk of catching infections might be lower. FEW WORDS ABOUT THE STRUCTURE SINCE THIS IS NEW MASK CONCEPT… • This mask concept was created to help people to get at least some kind of mask when there is shortage of surgical masks. • Frame design: Typical characteristics of this kind of masks is excellent sealing between face and mask/filter. It minimizes air leakage through sealing zone between frame and face. Flexible structure of frame makes it more comfortable and ergonomic to wear several hours. • Frame material: Because frame is reusable, frame material has to be hygienic. This means that frame material has to tolerate disinfection in high temperature or cleaning chemicals needed without losing its properties. Remember this when choosing material for frame. • Filter design: Mask filter has a simple design. Same type is used in surgical masks. Simple universal form and dimensions of filter make it possible to produce filter from different local materials with simple tools. Opened folded filter offers large area for any humidity to evaporate away and therefore prolongs the lifetime of filter. Correctly designed and formed filter stays apart from face offering more comfort when used in hot and humid conditions. • Filter material properties define the effectiveness of filter, the crochet frame just keeps it in correct place and seals filter against face. There is a lot of research made about filter materials for different purposes. All this knowledge is in your hands, use it. Just remember that virus is extremely small and full protection against them requires professional protection equipment and trained users. • Safety: When choosing filter material, remember that enough air goes through material, there is risk for lack of oxygen (suffocating) or high levels of carbon dioxide inside of filter.
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If you feel that this JIKI concept works, please develop it further and give new better version for free to other people, so that more effective masks are available to those who really need them. All commercial actions with this pattern are against principle to help other people.
Examples for further development: • Design colors of the frame and filter according your style. • Let your personal style shine! Add some decorations but remember that those should tolerate chemicals or high temperatures (disinfecting). • You can make some improvements to make the mask more comfortable to use by adding some padding, for example, to crochet band or perhaps change strap material to something else. SAFETY MATTERS During Corona pandemic, wash your hands and stay away from other people, especially if you are ill. Dispose used filters carefully, burn them if possible or disinfect them before throwing away! Please remember that this kind of self-made, uncertified and untested masks doesn’t protect you from catching a virus. If there is nothing else available this is better than no mask at all. By using these masks carefully and by following the WHO instructions how to wear and remove protective equipment you can reduce risk of spreading virus around yourself and maybe have some protection against inhaled viruses (depending of mask tightness and filter quality). Everybody uses mask by own risk. Do not wear this, if there is risk to pass out! Do not use hazardous materials as filter. If you use some chemical to disinfect the frame, make sure that you have rinsed all of harmful chemicals away before using the mask.
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Please, do not sell copies of this pattern (this PDF-file or printed version), but you are free to distribute this pattern as whole pattern (but you are not allowed to publish this as your own) for free as much as you like and to do anything you like with the crocheted frame (but, please, keep everything you do completely non-commercial). There is patent pending on this mask. Send message in Ravelry to “Minna Törmälä” or “NocturnalBird”, if you have any questions about crocheting this pattern or have any ideas on how to develop this pattern further. We are going to continue developing this pattern further anyway, so we are more than happy to hear your comments. By the way, jiki means small rescue boat (dinghy) in finnish sailor slang :)
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