One Skein Knit Leg Warmers Pattern for Beginners

Keep cozy and happy all winter long with these chunky knit leg warmers snug around your legs. Leg warmers are great for dancers. I love thick white wool against delicate ballet pink, and the porcelain look of a dancer’s limbs. However, you can wear these leg warmers for a lot more than dancing. They are lovely with a dress, a skirt, or even your favorite skinny jeans! This knit leg warmers pattern includes six sizes, all designed to use 100 yards of gorgeous super bulky wool. The pattern is great for beginners! For your convenience, I have designed a PDF Pattern of these Leg Warmers here in my shop, but the full pattern is available for free below.

I used Knit Collage Spun Cloud in French Vanilla for the leg warmers. This yarn is 100% wool with 2 skinny strands of sparkly lurex plied around it in a subtle thick and thin texture. The sparkle threw Allie into fits of excitement. But, it wasn’t too much for me, either.  The yarn holds the perfect amount of shine.

Leg warmers are one 80’s fashion statement that I think is worth coming back.  If you’ve never worn them, I recommend giving them a try. They are oddly comforting and warming of your whole body. The perfect winter addition to your wardrobe, honestly!

This chunky knitting pattern knits up flat with one seam and no shaping, making it a perfect project for beginners. But, certainly, knitting these in the round would be a great way to skip that bothersome finishing that knitters tend to avoid.

One Skein Chunky Knit Leg Warmers Pattern for Beginners

For your convenience, I have designed a PDF Pattern of these Leg Warmers here in my shop, but the full pattern is available for free below.

Yarn

Knit Collage Spun Cloud in French Vanilla (100% wool; 100 yds, 200g), 1 skein (For a replacement, look for 100 yards of a large super bulky yarn, something that gets 1.5 to 2.0 stitches to the inch in stockinette stitch)

Needles

US 11 (8 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions

Darning Needle

Gauge

10 sts and 15.5 rows to 4″ in Knit 1, Purl 1 rib pattern on US 11 needles

Sizes & Measurements

Size Options: Youth (XS, S, M, L, XL)

Diameter 11.5″ (12″, 13″, 13.5″, 14.5″, 15″)
Length 13.5″(12.5″, 11.5″, 11″, 10.5″, 10″)

Pattern

Cast on 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) stitches.

Row 1: *(Knit 1, Purl 1)  Repeat from * across row.

Repeat ribbing pattern for every row until piece measures approximately 13.5″(12.5″, 11.5″, 11″, 10.5″, 10″) or desired length.

Bind off. Cut end and bring tail through last stitch, leaving a 1 yard length to seam up leg warmers.

Seam two sides together with the mattress stitch. Weave in all ends.

NOTE: Consider splitting the skein in advance, by weight (use a postal scale to split the weight of your skein in half) or by measurement (with yard stick or measuring tape). That way, your leg warmers will end up of equal size, even if the gauge wasn’t measured quite right, or if you’re knitting off-gauge.

Whip up a pair from this cozy knit leg warmers pattern, and you’re sure to stay warm and cozy this winter!

Anne Weil of Flax & Twine created this post on behalf of MarthaStewart.com as a freelance contributor on February 12, 2017.  Have fun exploring her profile and other projects there.