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.
Amelia says
This makes me kind of sad. Please remember that many ballet dancers are black or brown and their legs don’t look like porcelain- at least in the way most porcelain looks.
flaxandtwine says
Hi Amelia, Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I really appreciate it. I am so sorry if my words hurt you in any way. I think brown legs in pink tights look like porcelain too, but I’m so sorry if my words offended you. In the future, I will try to be more sensitive. Thanks again for your your opinion. Anne
Lynne Watson says
I was wondering why the larger sizes have less length at the end?
flaxandtwine says
Hi Lynne,
Thanks for your comment. The reason that they get shorter is that all the pattern sizes use only 100 yards. So as they get wider, they get shorter. If you want them longer, just knit until you get to desired length. You’ll just need more yardage.
B Stewart says
Hi! If I uses dpns, would they be the same size US11? New-ish to knitting and not sure how to figure that out. I have knit in the round on dpns and like the method since I am not great at seaming yet.
Thank you!
flaxandtwine says
Hi! Yes, that should work! I’m just not sure on your gauge compared to mine. But, in theory, that should work to just switch!
Dixie Shoup says
Love your website
flaxandtwine says
Thanks so much Dixie!
E Kennedy says
Hello, what is the best way to work out which size of legwarmers to choose? I’m new to knitting and I have my measurements, but should I choose a smaller size so that they don’t fall down? Thank you!
flaxandtwine says
Yes, I would go down a little bit – they are ribbed so will stretch.
Cree says
Want a pattern to knit leg warmers for girl age 8 she is on the slim size 10 “ circumference for the top . How many sts should I cast on
flaxandtwine says
Hi Cree, It totally depends on what yarn you are using and what needles. I would knit a swatch in the pattenr and measure to reach the size you desire.
Anne