by Monika Sirna

Legwarmers are a necessity when temperature drops, but have you ever thought about keeping knees warm as well? Well now you can with this full-length legwarmer! Legwarmers are not just for cold weather, but are a must for every fashionable woman in your life!

The inspiration behind this project is one little girl. As a true princess, she will wear only skirts and dresses whether that be for playing in the snow or attending a tea party. Like all fashionable young ladies she is very opinionated about her wardrobe. She made it very clear what is the proper length for legwarmers: 'No mommy, longer...', 'No mommy, do it again, you HAVE TO make them longer'! And the pattern is sized to fit that little girl, right up to adults.

This design features the twisted rib cuffs and beautiful Lace Twist that flows up the side. The legwarmers have discreet shaping to ensure the perfect fit for babies through to adults. The length and fit at the thigh is easy to customize.

SIZE
XXS[XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL]
baby[toddler, small child, child, teen, small adult, adult]
Calf circumference: 7[8.5, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17] inches
Low thigh circumference: 8.25[9.5, 10.5, 12, 13, 15, 17] inches
Shown in size S in red, and XL in green.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Calf circumference: 7[7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 11.25, 12.75, 14.5] inches
Low thigh circumference: 8[9, 10, 11.25, 12.75, 14.24, 16] inches
Length: 8.75[13.25, 14.5, 16.5, 20, 24, 25] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Green version:
Madelinetosh Tosh DK [100% Merino; 225yds/206m per 100g skein]; color: Filigree; 1[1, 2, 2, 3, 3] skeins

Red version:
Colour Adventures Dia Merino DK [100% Merino; 231yds/211m per 100g skein]; color: Garnets; 1[1, 2, 2, 3, 3] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #6/4mm needles for working in the round
US #4/3.5mm needles for working in the round

Notions
3 stitch markers
cable needle
elastic yarn thread or cord (optional)
yarn needle

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Sizing is based on calf circumference, which is measured at the widest part of the calf.
An additional measurement: the low thigh circumference is measured right above knee.
The length is measured down to the floor. This allows the bottom cuff to cover top of the foot (if the CO is stretchy enough), or gives the legwarmer positive ease lengthwise if the cuff falls at the ankle.

The legwarmers are worked in the round, bottom up. The left and right legs differ subtly due to the different cable turns in the Left and Right versions of the pattern.

Tip: To make sure the legwarmers stay up, you can use a fine elastic yarn thread or a heavier elastic cord. Work the top cuff while holding the yarn and the elastic yarn thread at the same time, or weave the elastic cord through the stitches on the WS once the top cuff is finished.

Recommended stretchy CO: Jeny's Stretchy Slipknot CO. Note: This cast on is followed by a Set-up rnd with ALL sts worked tbl to correct the positioning of the sts, as the sts are twisted with this CO method.

Recommended stretchy BO: Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy BO.

C6R: sl 3 sts on cn and hold to back, k3, k3 from cn
C6L: sl 3 sts on cn and hold to front, k3, k3 from cn

Left Lace Twist
Rnd 1: K1, k2tog, yo, k6, yo, skp, k1.
Rnd 2 and all following even rnds: Knit.
Rnd 3: K2tog, yo, k1, C6L, k1, yo, skp.
Rnd 5: As Rnd 1.
Rnd 7: K2tog, yo, k8, yo, skp.
Rnd 9: K1, k2tog, yo, C6L, yo, skp, k1.
Rnd 11: As Rnd 7.
Rnd 12: Knit.

Right Lace Twist
Rnd 1: K1, k2tog, yo, k6, yo, skp, k1.
Rnd 2 and all following even rnds: Knit.
Rnd 3: K2tog, yo, k1, C6R, k1, yo, skp.
Rnd 5: As Rnd 1.
Rnd 7: K2tog, yo, k8, yo, skp.
Rnds 9: K1, k2tog, yo, C6R, yo, skp, k1.
Rnd 11: As Rnd 7.
Rnd 12: Knit.

DIRECTIONS
Bottom cuff:
Using smaller needles and stretchy CO method, loosely CO 36[40, 44, 50, 60, 68, 78] sts. Distribute across needles as you prefer and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Set-up rnd: [K1 tbl, p1 tbl] around.
Note: if you used a different CO than Jeny's (see Pattern Notes), proceed straight to Ribbing rnd.

Ribbing rnd: [K1 tbl, p1] around.

Work ribbing as set for 1.5[1.75, 2, 2, 2.5, 3, 3] inches.

Leg:
Set up rnd: K13[15, 17, 20, 25, 29, 34], pm, k3, m1R, k4, m1L, k3, pm, k13[15, 17, 20, 25, 29, 34]. 38[42, 46, 52, 62, 70, 80] sts.
Change to larger needles.

Tip: It's helpful to keep the stitches between the markers grouped together on one needle.

Left Legwarmer only:
Leg rnd: K to m, work Left Lace Twist over next 12 sts, k to end

Right Legwarmer only:
Leg rnd: K to m, work Right Lace Twist over next 12 sts, k to end

Note: Your legwarmer length should reach just below the knee at this point. If necessary add length here before continuing on to the increases.

Rnd 1: Work as established until 1 st rems, m1R, k1. 1 st increased.

Rnd 2: K1, m1L, work as established to end of round. 1 st increased.

Rnd 3: Work even in pattern as set.

Repeat Rnds 1-3 2[3, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3] more times. 44[50, 56, 62, 70, 78, 88] sts.

Work even in pattern as set until the legwarmer measures 7.5[11.75, 12.75, 14.5, 17.75, 21.5, 22.5] inches from the CO edge, or desired length less 1.25[1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.5] inches, ending with with rnd 4 or 10 of Lace Twist pattern.

Top cuff:
Change to smaller needles. Add elastic yarn thread if desired -- see Pattern Notes.

Set-up rnd: K to m, remove m, k4, skp, k2tog, k4, remove m, k to end. 2 sts decreased. 42[48, 54, 60, 68, 76, 86] sts.

Ribbing rnd: [K1 tbl, p1] around.
Work ribbing as set for 1.25[1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.5] inches.

BO using a stretchy BO method.

FINISHING
Lightly steam block or wet block, shaping with fingertips to help open the lace. Weave in ends.

Monika Sirna is a full time mom and designer. She studied Textile Engineering and worked in fashion industry in Europe before she moved across the ocean. She dreams that knitting and designing will become her 'real' job one day.

Find her on Ravelry.