Knitting Leg warmers
Stacey Budge
Skill level
Easy
Sizes
S/M (M/L)
Finished measurements
28″/71cm long
11″ /28cm circumference at ankle, 12″ (14.5)/30cm (37) at top
Materials
Moda Dea’s Sassy Stripes, 100% acrylic, 1.760z/ 50g = approx 152yd/140m, 4 balls
Knitting needles in size 5US/3.75mm or size to obtain gauge and short circular needle
Stitch markers
Row counter
Tapestry needle
Gauge
20 sts = 4″/10 cm
Remember, your gauge must match for your size to match.
Instructions
leg warmers (make 2) Using dpn, cast on 54 sts. K27, place marker, k27, place marker. Work in st st for 1 “/2.5cm. Work in 3×3 rib for 3″/75 cm.
Changing to st st. knit for 15″/38cm, increase 1 st before each marker every 30 (10) rows, 3 (9) times, switching to circular needle when you can.
Work in 3×3 rib for 3″/7.5cm. Work in st st for 1 “/2.5cm. Bind off loosely. Repeat for second leg warmer.
finishing Sew in ends.
yarn alternative
Many projects made with lightweight yarns, such as Sassy Stripes, can also be made in a heavier weight yarn as long as you take the time to get the right gauge. Lion Brand’s WoolEase worsted weight yarn (80% acrylic/20% wool, 30z/85g = approx 197yd/180m) was used in the swatch below.
Since Wool-Ease is a larger yarn, start by working with a size 4 needle to make a gauge swatch. Increase the needle sizes if needed until you match the gauge. You will need 3 balls of a main color and a ball each for stripes; if you don’t want stripes, you’ll need 4 balls.
tips
Cut the yarn for each stripe before you begin to knit to keep your yarns from tangling. Using cut lengths also makes the transition between colors more even by controlling the tension on that slipped stitch as you tie the two ends together.
If you make horizontal stripes while knitting in the round, you get a jog where the colors change. The easiest way to handle this problem is to slip the first stitch of the new color on the 2nd round of the new color