Spiral Rib Leg Warmers
For many of us, the mere mention of leg warmers conjures up vivid images of ripped sweatshirts and really big hair.
Having grown up in the eighties, I love Olivia Newton John as much as the next person, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I want “Let’s Get Physical” to be my theme song for 2010. However, I’m not so curmudgeonly that I can’t appreciate new takes on old trends.
So, instead of acrylic and rainbow stripes, these 21st century leg warmers are super soft merino and naturally subtle colors. Hand dyed by Manos del Uruguay’s cooperative of local craftswomen, this 5-ply Merino is perfectly now. A South American rural community sustaining itself through its traditional crafts sounds like a very beautiful future to me! -Whitney
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoSpiralRibLegWarmers. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 2 skeins of Manos del Uruguay’s 5 Ply Merino, 100% Pure Extrafine Merino Wool. Approximately 482 yards required. This color is Cinnamon #512. (NOTE: We no longer offer Manos del Uruguay’s 5 Ply Merino, but choose from one of our other worsted weight yarns.)
- A US 7 (4.5 mm), 12-inch circular needle OR a set of US 7 double pointed needles
Gauge
24 stitches = 4 inches in spiral rib pattern
Finished Size
8 inches in circumference unstretched / 16 inches in circumference stretched and 30 inches long
NOTE: This size is for extra small to small women. To make bigger sizes, simply add a multiple of 4 stitches. Each additional 4 stitches will add 2/3 inch to the final unstretched circumference and 1 1/3 inch to the final stretched circumference. (Please note that if you increase the size, 2 skeins probably won’t be enough yarn to make your leg warmers quite 30 inches long. You can either make them a little shorter or buy an extra skein.)
Pattern
With US 7 needle (either 12 inch circular or double pointed), cast on 48 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Place a stitch marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.
Rounds 1-3: *P2, k2, repeat from * to end of round.
Rounds 4-6: K1, *p2, k2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p2, k1.
Rounds 7-9: *K2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Rounds 10-12: P1, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k2, p1.
Repeat Rounds 1-12 until piece measures 30 inches from the cast on edge.
Bind off loosely in pattern.
Make another leg warmer identical to the first.
Weave in the ends and you’re done!
I guess I have one item for clarification about which size we are supposed to cast on. For the 8″/16″, which the pattern calls for, is said to be for smaller legs, what would be the size of the leg- 8″ in circumference? What is the ratio between un-stretched and stretched size in relation to the circumference of the persons leg?
Like a few comments above, the circumference of my calf at the largest point is 16″. However I am a larger woman, and so the 8″/16″ for the pattern i dont believe would work since it is stated it would fit a 12 year old. Because, referencing Cassy’s response to Clarrisa:
“To accommodate for larger calves, I would measure your leg and base the cast on on the stretched measurement. For example, if your leg measures 20 inches, you would want the unstretched circumference to be 10 inches. ”
So I am confused how my circumference being 16 stretched would still be 8 un-stretched, yet it is for smaller legs.
How many more inches should i allow for accommodation on the stretched circumference so that the leg warmers are not too tight, but do not fall off?
Hi LeAnna,
Thanks for writing in! I am happy to help! The size that these are written for will accommodate a 16 inch calf measurement because the stitch pattern itself if quite stretchy! However, if you feel that that 8 inch stretching to 16 inch would be too small, you can certainly size up. Each additional 4 stitches will add 2/3 inch to the final unstretched circumference and 1 1/3 inch to the final stretched circumference. So if you add 4 stitches, the unstretched circumference will be 8 2/3 inches and the stretched circumference will be 17 1/3 inches.
Molly did note earlier that she thought that the original size could fit a 12 year old but everyone is different! The sample size that we knit was for an adult woman with more slender legs but does stretch to accommodate up to 16″. For the leg warmers, we do like a fair amount of negative ease so that they will stay on. With that in mind, if the largest part of your calf measures 16 inches, I would not suggest going up more than additional 4 stitches if you are on gauge to ensure that it hugs your leg in a pleasing way!
Best,
Cassy
Hello,
I am interested in knitting this and have looked at Purl Soho’s selection of worsted/aran weight yarn. However, are there any in particular you’d recommend specifically for this project? As they’re leg warmers that possibly may be stuffed into a boot, I’m thinking a more sturdy type of yarn that may not pill as easily.
Thanks!
Hello Sara,
Thank you for reaching out- this is such a fun pattern. Though all natural fibers will pill, I would reccomend looking at Anzula’s for better or worsted which has a bit of Nylon in it. This will give it more longevity.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi!
I tend to have a tight cast-on edges. Can you recommend a stretchy cast-on for these legwarmers? Would knitting regular 2×2 rib at the ends of the legwarmers help with the stretchiness and ability to not slip down?
Thanks,
Michelle
Hello Michelle,
Thank you for reaching out! While this is a stretchy fabric, adding a rib at the ends would add a bit of security. Particularly if you go down a needle size or two. What type of cast on do you typically do? A long tail tubular cast on is going to give you the most stretch, but a standard long tail cast on is always a good option.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi –
I’m planning to make these for my niece, who has skinny 13″ calves and lower thighs. Should I reduce the pattern by four stitches to make sure they’re not too big, or do you think it’ll be fine as written?
Thanks so much!
Hello Lauren,
Thank you for reaching out! I think these will be fine for your niece as written.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi, I’d like to make these in the size given in the pattern.
Would Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist be too heavy a yarn? If this yarn would work, how much yardage would I need?
Are there other yarns you’d recommend, either in Merino or Alpaca?
Hi Marly,
Thanks for reaching out! Although it is always a good idea to knit a gauge swatch when substituting yarns, Worsted Twist should work out quite well for this pattern! The original yarn was worsted weight, so some other good options would be our Understory, Manos del Uruguay Maxima, Madelinetosh Tosh Merino, or Brooklyn Tweed Ranch 01.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Hello! I have 5 skeins of good wool that I intended for a wrap, but find it too itchy. I’m wondering if I can use some or all of it for these legwarmers instead of returning it all. Would 2 skeins of good wool be enough?
Also, sizing: I would normally consider myself on L/XL end of things so I’m surprised to find my calves measure 16″ with skinny jeans on. However, if I did want them to go over my knee, I measure 18″ just above my knee.
Thank you!
Hi Shira,
Thanks for reaching out! Good Wool has quite a bit more yardage than the yarn we originally used for these leg warmers, so you should have plenty of yarn, even if you increase the size a bit. The spiral rib stitch is quite elastic, so I would suggest knitting them to fit your leg above the knee, and they should still hug in nicely to fit your calf.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi! I’d love to make these for my 6 year old for ballet class…do you know how I would have to adjust the pattern to fit a child? Thank you!!
Courtney
Hi Courtney,
Great question! You can make this pattern larger or smaller by adjusting the cast on in increments of four stitches. I would suggest measuring your daughter’s leg circumference at the largest point where the leggings will fit, dividing that measurement in half, and multiplying that number by our gauge of 6 stitches per inch. You can then round to the nearest multiple of four and cast on! Since this is a big jump from our original pattern, it would be a good idea to try the legwarmers on your daughter once you have a few inches done to make sure they will fit.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
It would be so helpful of you could give the yardage requirements in the materials section so we don’t have to look up the yarn to find out the yardage if we are going to substitute. Thanks!
Hi Paisley,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately with some of our older patterns, like this one, we don’t have the yardage available to include in the pattern. However, we have started to include the yardage requirements in all of our newer patterns!
Warmly,
Gianna
The cast off instructions are to “bind off loosely in pattern”. Would that be like rounds 10-12 of which I just finished 3 rounds, or would it be like rounds 1-3 which I would be doing if I were continuing with more rounds?
Hi Margaret,
Thanks for reaching out! Binding off in stitch pattern simply means you work the stitch based off what it is, for example if it is a knit stitch you will knit it, if its a purl stitch you will purl it. So for this pattern you would k2, pass 1st stitch over 2nd and off needle, p1 pass 1st stitch over and off, p1 pass 1st stitch over and off, k1 pass 1st stitch over 2nd and off needle and so on.
I hope this clears things up!
Gianna