adjusting the face opening on a ski mask

[dakatzmeow]

inspired by the vintage red cross patterns someone recently posted, i've cast on in olive green for a wwi balaclava for my dad. it's basically a straight ribbed hat with an opening for your eyes, and a 'dickey' that extends down the front and back to tuck into your coat.

i think i'd like to modify this though. the pattern instructs the knitter to cast off and knit back/forth for 2 inches, then cast on again and continue in the round down to the bottom of the hat.

in looking at pictures of people who have knit this on ravelry, the opening appears to stretch tremendously and i don't think i want that. i think what i want is basically a single slit for the eyes.

my question is: do you think i could accomplish this by casting off in one row, then casting back on again in the very next row, basically only leaving an opening for the eyes? the examples i saw left a huge amount of forehead/cheek/nose exposed.

my dad takes care of his dogs morning and night and he likes to minimize exposed skin in the harsh winters we have here.

any help is greatly appreciated.