YouTube video tutorial will be available Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 @ 11 AM EST!
Simple and Easy Leg Warmers Knit Flat
Fully customizable to ANY SIZE and HEIGHT!
In this step-by-step knitting tutorial and free pattern, Madeline from Knitting House Square shows how to knit a simple and easy set of leg warmers flat!
Flat knitting is where a piece is knit flat, rather than in the round on circular or double-pointed knitting needles, then seamed up the side to create a circular piece.
In this tutorial, we will start by calculating the number of stitches you need to cast-on based on your measurements. Once we have the cast-on number we will work a simple cast-on and repeat pattern for the desired length. Once complete we will cast-off and seam the leg warmer into its tube shape.
Disclaimer: Some links provided are affiliate links and I receive a small commission when used. These commissions help to support the free content I offer!
YouTube step-by-step video tutorial coming October 8th 2024 @ 11 AM EST!
Pattern: Ribbing
Skills shown in the video:
Backward loop cast on
Knit stitch
purl stitch
Cast-off
Mattress stitch for seaming knitwork
Materials
US 7 (4.5 mm) Straight knitting needles (or a circular knitting needle)
minimum 200 yds (183 m) worsted weight yarn (also known as medium weight or #4)
If there is a yarn that you already have that you would like to use for this project I would recommend taking the yarn and splitting it into two yarn balls of equal weight. Then knit each leg warmer out of one ball, and cast off just before you run out. This way you can maximize the leg warmer height you can get from the yarn you have!
Tapestry needle Amazon
Gauge: 10 sts x 11 rows = 2” x 2” ribbing pattern unstretched on US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles
Step 1: Measurements & Calculations
Measurements
To determine how many stitches you need to cast on you need two measurements described below.
Measurement [A]: Circumference around the widest part of the calf in inches
Measurement [B]: Circumference around the ankle in inches
Once you have measurements [A] and [B], average them together by adding [A] and [B] and dividing the sum by 2. We will call this average [C].
Measurement Resources
If you are making these as a gift and are unsure of the measurements, I have included a few resources below:
Women’s Medium Calf Circumference: 12.9 - 14.1 inches (Source: Vionic How to Measure Calf Size)
Women’s Wide Calf Circumference: 14.6 - 16.1 inches (Source: Vionic How to Measure Calf Size)
Nocturnal Knits Calf Size Survey based on shoe size, weight, or height
If you utilize one of the above resources to determine an estimated calf circumference, and do not know an ankle circumference, use the below formula to determine [C].
[C] = Estimated Calf Circumference * 0.85
Cast-On Calculation
Number of Stitches to Cast-On [D] = [C] * 4.5 = _____ stitches
Take your answer and round it up to the nearest number divisible by 2 (if your answer was already divisible by 2 you can leave it as it is), we will call this final value [D].
Yarn Yardage Calculations
In order to estimate the yardage, you first need to determine how tall you would like to knit your leg warmers. I have included the heights of the samples I show in the video below. Once you determine the height you would like, call this measurement [E].
Total Yardage Estimator (for TWO leg warmers): 1.64 * [C] * [E] = _____ yards
Note: in the above formula, [C] and [E] are measured in inches, and the final answer is given in yards.
Curious about the size I made in the video? Here are the details of the leg warmers I knit!
Pink Version
[D] stitches cast on = 54 stitches
[E] height knit: 9.5” (7 repeats)
Worsted weight yarn used: Loop Yarn Petal
Yardage Used: 180 yds (total for two leg warmers)
Purple Version
[D] stitches cast on = 54 stitches
[E] height knit: 21” (14 repeats)
Worsted weight yarn used: Joann Big Twist Value
Yardage Used: 370 yds (total for two leg warmers)
Step 2: Cast On
Use the backward loop cast on method (or an alternative stretchy cast on method such as the long-tail or German twisted cast on) to cast on [D] stitches.
Step 3: Ribbing Pattern
Ribbing Repeat Row Version A: *Knit 1, Purl 1* repeat between the *’s across the row
Repeat Ribbing Repeat Row Version A a total of 8 times.
Ribbing Repeat Row Version B: *Purl 1, Knit 1* repeat between the *’s across the row
Repeat Ribbing Repeat Row Version B a total of 8 times.
Continue alternating between working Ribbing Repeat Row Version A 8 times total, and Ribbing Repeat Row Version B 8 times total until your leg warmer has reached the desired length [E].
Step 4: Cast Off
Loosely cast off all stitches. Cut the yarn leaving a long tail to use for seaming. I recommend approximately 2x the length of the height of your leg warmer.
Step 5: Seaming
Use mattress stitch to seam up the edge of the leg warmer.
Once you have finished the seaming, weave in the ends and repeat Steps 2 - 5 for the second leg warmer!