Leg Warmers - Lots of Love & a Little Extra Ribbing

Leg Warmers - Lots of Love & a Little Extra Ribbing!

Marilynn Blacketer '13

Taking inspiration from the Sweater - Lots of Love project (March '13), I decided to knit a pair of leg warmers for my roller derby daughter.  She loves them, and says they stay up while walking (not skating) 5 miles.

Leg Warmers - Lots of Love & a Little Extra Ribbing work well in a wool blend.

The heart chart is fun to work, and the leg warmers can be knit in a weekend or two

making them the perfect gift or accessory.

The pattern is written for worsted weight (with DK in parentheses). (Notes are in italic.)

Finished size: 11”(10”) flat, stretch 14”circumference, leg height 22”(21”)

Gauge: 5(5.5) stitches = 1” Adjust needle size, and row count to match gauge.

Materials:

Yarn: wool blend in worsted weight, (DK weight)

Photo: Plymouth Encore 75%acrylic/ 25%wool; 210yards/100g 2 skeins = 400 yards

Needles: Size US#7(5) and US#8(6), 16”and/or 24” circular needles

or size US#7(5) and US#8(6) set double pointed needles

(I prefer to knit both leg warmers at the same time on two circular needles. KNITTING circles around SOCKS by Antje Gillingham is an excellent resource for getting started.)

tapestry needle, stitch markers

Abbreviations: CO=cast on      k = knit      p= purl      k2tog=knit 2 stitches together

k2tog tbl= knit 2 stitches together through the back loop      k3tog= knit 3 stitches together Rnd/s=round/s       sts=stitches       yo= yarn over       m1=make one stitch

(Helpful hint: I prefer the M1 (m1tbp): place point of working (right-hand) needle behind other needle, inserting needle from the top through the purl stitch below next stitch, and knit, then knit the stitch above.)

Directions:       (Make two leg warmers.)

Top Cuff:

With size US#8(6) needles, use the long-tail cast-on method. Cast on 78 stitches.

Place marker & join together by knitting first stitch being careful not to twist.

Rnds 1-4: Knit

Rnd 5: * Knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end (52sts)

Rnds 6-20: With US#7(5) needles, *Knit 1, purl 1; repeat from * to end (3”(2”)from CO)

Rnds 21, 22: Changing to size US#8(6) needles, * Knit 13, (p1,k1)6 times, p1; repeat from * to end (26sts per needle) (If using double pointed needles, divide 13sts per needle on 4 needles; or 26sts on 1^st needle for the leg front; 13sts on 2^nd needle, 13sts on 3^rd needle for the leg back .)

Leg:

Rnds 1-110(130): Work (26sts)heart chart twice around for each leg. (52sts)

Work the heart chart through rnd 40, repeat chart rnds 21 to 40 to desired length, then complete rounds 41-50. Work heart chart, until leg measures about 20” from CO, remembering to complete the heart chart through rnd 50.

Ankle Cuff:

Change to size US#7(5) needles.

Rnds 1-10: * Knit 1, purl 1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 11: Changing to size US#8(6) needles * Knit 1, m1; repeat from * to end      (78sts)

Rnds 12-15: Knit

Finishing: Use size US#8(6) needle, bind off loosely in pattern. Weave in tails.

Make the second leg warmer.

Work (26sts)heart chart twice around for each leg. (52sts)
Follow the heart chart from the bottom up and right to left.
You'll be working on the leg warmers upside down! 

to follow the Key, please look at rnd 3, remembering to read the chart from right to left.
Rnd 3: K2tog, yo, k3, yo, k3tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog tbl, (p1, k1)6times, p1

Here are are a few photos of the project in process:

I like to work both leg warmers on two sets of circular needles. I printed a copy of the chart, and drew a highlighted line after 13 stitches dividing the chart in half .  I'll place a green marker after the first 13sts, and  purple markers for the others.  I also marked the chart after rounds 20 and 40 because rounds 21-40 are the pattern repeat to create desired length.

I took a good look at my work, weighed the remaining yarn, did some math, and decided to solve that problem by buying another skein of yarn.  This project takes 400 yards, 200 for each leg warmer.

 I started again because I only wanted one join in one leg warmer, and  I've just finished the ruffle and top ribbing.  Now, moving to the larger needles, I'll knit 13sts, place marker, & rib 13 sts, and set up for the chart work.    Sorry, after that point, I didn't take  photos of the work.

  Here are the finished leg warmers. I worked 90 rounds of the chart, counting 4 hearts vertically.  They're ready for the modeled photo, and to be given as a gift.

This pattern is available on marilynnsgardenknitdesign.blogspot.com
Leg Warmers - Lots of Love pdf is available on Ravelry  (login needed) 

Copyright 2014, Marilynn Blacketer. All rights reserved. 1/1/14

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com