Reusable Face Masks with Changeable Filters – Free Crochet Pattern

We are facing a shortage of masks just like everyone else. I could buy surgical or N95 masks at a higher cost but there are people out there who need it more, like first-responders, essential workers, healthcare etc. We are doing our part by only going out when necessary only to get groceries and food as even the online delivery system is also inundated that things are taking too long to arrive.

So since I have so much more extra time on my hands now that we are pretty much stuck at home, I decided to start creating a face mask pattern which are washable, reusable and have changeable filters (made with tea towels). I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel but these are slightly different from the other free crochet face mask patterns because they have a better fit and have a more comfortable breathable design.

The fit is everything when it comes to face masks, make sure you pick the one that is best for you.

(I’m making these masks as I write these so only the Large and Small pattern is available now. The others will be here in a couple of days, bear with me!)

sc = single crochet, dbc = double crochet
Yarn: 3mm, Hook: 3mm

Large Crochet Face Mask

1. Chain 10
2. Turn, 1sc x 8 from 3rd stitch
3. Turn, ch 3, 1 dbc from 4th stitch x 8
4. Turn, ch 2, 1 sc from 4th stitch x 7, 2 sc
5. Turn, ch 3, 1 dbc from 4th stitch x 7, 2 dbc
6. Turn, ch 2, 1 sc from 3rd stitch x 8, 2 sc
7. Turn, ch 3, 1 dbc from 4th stitch x 9, 2 dbc
8. Turn, ch 2, 1 sc from 3rd stitch x 10, 2 sc
9. Turn, ch 3, 2 dbc from 4th stitch, 1dbc x 10, 3 dbc
10. Turn, ch 2, 2sc from 3rd stitch, 1sc x 13, 2 sc
11. Turn, ch 3, 2 dbc from 5th stitch, 1dbc x 17, 2 dbc
12. Turn, ch 2, 2sc from 3rd stitch, 1sc x 3, 2sc, 1sc x 3, 2sc, 1 sc x 3, 2sc, 1sc x 3, 2 sc, 1sc x 3, 2sc
13. Turn, ch 3, 2 dbc from 4th stitch, 1 dbc x 3, 2 dbc, 1 dbc x 8, 2dbc, 1 dbc x 8, 2dbc, 1 dbc x 3, 2dbc
14. Turn, ch 2, 2 sc from 3rd stitch, 1sc x 30, 2sc
15. Turn, ch 3, 1 dbc from 4th stitch x 32

Make two and follow the instructions below.

Medium Crochet Face Mask Pattern

1. Chain 10
2. Turn, 1sc x 8 from 3rd stitch
3. Turn, ch 3, 1 dbc from 4th stitch x 8
4. Turn, ch 2, 1 sc from 4th stitch x 6, 2 sc
5. Turn, ch 3, 1 dbc from 4th stitch x 7, 2 dbc
6. Turn, ch 2, 1 sc from 3rd stitch x 8, 2 sc
7. Turn, ch 3, 1 dbc from 4th stitch x 9, 2 dbc
8. Turn, ch 2, 1 sc from 3rd stitch x 10, 2 sc
9. Turn, ch 3, 2 dbc from 4th stitch, 1dbc x 10, 3 dbc
10. Turn, ch 3, 2 dbc from 4th stitch, 1dbc x 13, 3 dbc
11. Turn, ch 3, 2 dbc from 4th stitch, 1dbc x 15, 2 dbc
12. Turn, ch 2, 2sc from 3rd stitch, 1sc x 3, 2 sc, 1sc x 4, 2sc, 1sc x 4, 2sc, 1sc x 3, 2sc
13. Turn, ch 3, 2 dbc from 4th stitch, 1dbc x 3, 2 dbc, 1dbc x 3, 2dbc, 1dbc x 6, 2dbc, 1dbc x 3, 2 dbc, 1dbc x 3, 2dbc
14. Turn, ch 2, 2 sc from 3rd stitch, 1sc x 28, 2sc
15. Turn, ch 3, 1 dbc from 4th stitch x 32

Make two and follow further instructions below.

Small Crochet Face Mask Pattern

1. Chain 10
2. Turn, 1sc x 8 from 3rd stitch
3. Turn, ch 3, 1 dbc from 4th stitch x 8
4. Turn, ch 2, 1 sc from 4th stitch x 7, 2 sc
5. Turn, ch 3, 1 dbc from 4th stitch x 8, 2 dbc
6. Turn, ch 2, 1 sc from 3rd stitch x 9, 2 sc
7. Turn, ch 3, 1 dbc from 4th stitch x 10, 2 dbc
8. Turn, ch 2, 1 sc from 3rd stitch x 11, 2 sc
9. Turn, ch 3, 2 dbc from 4th stitch, 1dbc x 13, 3 dbc
10. Turn, ch 2, 2sc from 3rd stitch, 1sc x 14, 2 sc
11. Turn, ch 3, 1 dbc from 5th stitch, 1dbc x 17
12. Turn, ch 2, 2sc from 3rd stitch, 1sc x 2, 2sc, 1sc x 4, 2sc, 1 sc x 4, 2sc, 1sc x 2, 2 sc
13. Turn, ch 3, 1dbc from 4th stitch x 4, 2dbc, 1 dbc x 5, 2dbc x 2, 1dbc x 5, 2dbc, 1dbc x 4
14. Turn, ch 2, 2 sc from 3rd stitch, 1sc x 24, 2sc
15. Turn, ch 3, 1 dbc from 4th stitch x 29

Make two of these and sew zigzag down the middle like this:

Tidy off your ends by weaving in.

Ear loops

Large: Chain 40.

Small: Chain 30.

Make two for each end. It should be just right, not too tight and definitely not loose. Adjust the length accordingly. Alternatively, use an elastic band.

Filter holders

1. Chain 18, make two and attach about 1/3 the way from each end.

This makes it easy to change out filters when it gets dirty. (For the filters itself, I chose Tea Towels because of this article here where the brilliant author goes into detail on which materials cotton, t-shirt, pillowcase, vacuum bag filter compare with a surgical mask. https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/)

My personal thoughts are tea towels are affordable, durable, dry quickly and quite breathable and comfortable. The crochet yarn acts as the first layer and the tea towel is the second.

I make at least two filters per mask but if you are making for someone who are out all day, they will need more.

More sizes to come!

By the way, it is obvious to point out that these masks are not medical devices. Observe good personal hygiene like frequent hand-washing and social distancing is the best way to fight this virus!