Spiral Legwarmers
OK, I’ve been making legwarmers as gifts for my daughter’s dance teachers, so I have for you here another legwarmer pattern. They are worked in the round with a simple spiral lace pattern which wraps up the legs in opposite directions.
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft (Worsted / 10 ply)
Needle: size 8 – 5mm(circular or DPN for your preferred method of working in the round) I used 2 circular needles, but 2 at a time (on 1 circular with Magic Loop or 2 circulars) doesn’t work because of the lace pattern.
Gauge: 5 stitches per inch in stockinette
Sizing: Average adult woman [infant and child sizes below]
yo: yarn over
k2tog: knit next 2 stitches together
ssk: slip next 2 stitches one at a time as if to knit, Insert the left needle into the fronts of these two stitches and knit them together.
CO 48 and join to work in the round
Work in 2×2 rib for 4.5 inches.
Knit the next round
For Right Legwarmer work chart “Spiral A” 4 times (after round 13 you will have to move your stitch marker one stitch to the left). Worked over 14 rounds, all even rounds are knit. I have also written out the lace pattern for those who do not prefer charts:
Round 1: k6, k2tog, yo (repeat to end of round)
Round 3: k5, k2tog, yo, k1 (repeat to end of round)
Round 5: k4, k2tog, yo, k2 (repeat to end of round)
Round 7: k3, k2tog, yo,, k3 (repeat to end of round)
Round 9: k2, k2tog, yo, k4 (repeat to end of round)
Round 11: k1, k2tog, yo, k5 (repeat to end of round)
Round 13: k2tog, yo, k6 (repeat to end of round)
For Left legwarmer Work chart “Spiral B” 4 times. (after round 13 you will have to move your stitch marker one stitch to the right)
Round 1: yo, ssk, k6 (repeat to end of round)
Round 3: k1, yo, ssk, k5 (repeat to end of round)
Round 5: k2, yo, ssk, k4 (repeat to end of round)
Round 7: k3, yo, ssk, k3 (repeat to end of round)
Round 9: k4, yo, ssk, k2 (repeat to end of round)
Round 11: k5, yo, ssk, k1 (repeat to end of round)
Round 13: k6, yo, ssk (repeat to end of round)
Work 2×2 rib for 4.5 inches.
Cast off using sewn bind off (or your preferred stretchy bind off method) and weave in ends.
Infant/toddler (child) size
CO 24 (36), join to work in the round
10 rows ( 3 inches) of 2×2 rib
For right legwarmer work “Spiral C” twice (4 times), for left legwarmer work “spiral D” twice (4 times)
10 rows ( 3 inches) of 2×2 rib
Finish with sewn bind off – http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/howto/archive/2008/05/15/sewn-bind-off.aspx
Weave in ends
Lilliputian Stitches 
SassySean on Ravelry replied:
Thanks so much for the pattern it is soooo cute!!! I just finished test knitting a spiral hat it is cute too!!
April 24, 2010 at 6:16 am. Permalink.
Fran replied:
Hi. I’m in NZ, and don’t recognize Caron brand of knitting wool. I don’t think it’s sold locally. What ply is it please? Thanks.
May 6, 2010 at 10:34 am. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
Hi…sorry about leaving that bit of information out. It is a Worsted / 10 ply yarn.
May 6, 2010 at 11:45 am. Permalink.
Lisa replied:
I can’t wait to make these legwarmers! They are beautiful. However, I do have a question. The pattern says that the even rows are knit, but to be stockinette stitch, wouldn’t they have to be purled? I’m new to knitting, so forgive me if I’m wrong.
May 7, 2010 at 3:36 am. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
These legwarmers are knit in the round (on circular needles or DPNs) You are always knitting on the right side, so in order to get stockinette you have to knit the even rounds. (If you’re knitting a swatch flat, then you do need to purl the wrong side rows)
May 7, 2010 at 11:59 am. Permalink.
Cindy replied:
Thanks for sharing your lovely pattern. My daughter takes Irish Dance and I think these will be nice for her during the warm up.
June 11, 2010 at 12:54 pm. Permalink.
melanie replied:
I’m not skilled in knitting in the round… and modified the pattern to knit on regular needles by purling the even rows, and sewing them together.
still looks great, thanks!
December 13, 2010 at 1:58 am. Permalink.
Marie replied:
These look great! I’ve been looking all over for a legwarmer pattern to make as a birthday present for my mom and this is perfect. I have a quick question though. Do you have any idea roughly how much yarn it takes to knit this pattern? Thanks!
June 11, 2010 at 6:22 pm. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
I used a little less than 300 yards.
June 11, 2010 at 7:18 pm. Permalink.
Nina (Belenina on Ravelry) replied:
I CO 42 sts; used Berroco Vintage in red, size 8 DPN, and used almost all of the 217 yards
July 26, 2010 at 4:18 am. Permalink.
dominique replied:
HI i really like these but if i want to make the pattern a bit longer, would i just repeat the spiral once more? (i’m a beginner at knitting so still not sure how to modify on my own : )
thanks
July 12, 2010 at 11:43 pm. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
Absolutely – you can repeat the spiral pattern, also you could make the ribbing sections longer if you wanted to give it some more length.
July 13, 2010 at 1:16 am. Permalink.
Nina (Belenina on Ravelry) replied:
Hi – I really loved this pattern. They knitted up so quickly (once I got the pattern repeats down). I had a hard time after the 13th round. I moved the st-m over as you mentioned in your pattern but I still got a jagged flow of the eyelettes. I finally finished the legwarmers by moving one st over to the last dpn at the end of every K round. How can I measure the no of STS to CO according to number of inches my calf measures? Is the pattern a mult of 8 for adults and 6 for children?
Thank you for sharing your pattern!
Nina
July 26, 2010 at 4:14 am. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
Hi Nina,
Thank you for trying my pattern. Yes, the pattern is a multiple of 8 for the adult size, and a multiple of 6 for the child size. As for the jagged eyelet pattern…I think I need to knit up a sample to see if I can replicate your problem and explain how I did it. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
July 27, 2010 at 9:13 pm. Permalink.
NewToKnitting replied:
Hi, I’m quite new to knitting….. so I don’t understand what you mean when you say you’ll have to move your stitch marker one stitch to the left? How do you do that, and what will it do? 🙂
Thanks
September 22, 2010 at 9:30 am. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
When you finish the round you’ll physically move the stitch marker one stitch over (you’ll be changing the spot that is the beginning of the round) Then the lace pattern will be uninterrupted when you start the next repeat.
November 8, 2010 at 1:20 pm. Permalink.
Rebekah replied:
Does this mean that you will have to move the stitch marker 4 times at every repeat of the spiral pattern? Or do you just move it the one time for the rest of the pattern?
January 19, 2011 at 5:59 am. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
You will have to move the stitch marker at every repeat of the spiral pattern.
January 19, 2011 at 1:08 pm. Permalink.
Monica replied:
I’m a bit confused too. So would the instruction read something like this?: Knit to the end of round, remove marker, slip 1 stitch from R to L needle, replace marker
November 21, 2013 at 2:09 pm. Permalink.
Rebelita replied:
Love these! I’m making them for myself in a pink baby yarn
November 3, 2010 at 8:52 pm. Permalink.
Mel replied:
Hi, I live in the UK, you say to use size 8 needles. What size is this in metric please?
November 6, 2010 at 11:38 pm. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
US8 needles = 5mm. Sorry for the oversight!
November 7, 2010 at 12:36 am. Permalink.
Gabbigail replied:
Love the pattern …. am knitting them for Christmas gifts and ready to knit the second ribbing … but have two questions …. I know this is subject to personal preference , but what is the finished length ? Also …. not familiar with ” sewn bind off ” … and can’t find a listing anywhere on Ravelry .
Thank you for sharing
November 8, 2010 at 7:25 am. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
The finished length was about 14 inches for the adult size, if I remember correctly. And I added a link to the sewn bind off instructions. You can also use a different bind off if you have a stretchy one that you like.
November 8, 2010 at 12:52 pm. Permalink.
Gabbigail replied:
Boy , do I feel dumb !!!!! Can’t for the life of me figure how I missed the link …. thank you so much for the timely reply …. Am off to finish my first one … which is good since today I was asked if another pair could be added to my Christmas list ( that makes 4 ) ….. YIKES !! Only 46 days ……
November 9, 2010 at 2:50 am. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
No worries – you didn’t miss it…I added it after you asked 🙂
November 9, 2010 at 3:26 am. Permalink.
Tutorial Spotlight – Leg Warmers, by Lilliputian Stitches | replied:
[…] Lilliputian Stitches – Spiral Legwarmers […]
November 11, 2010 at 5:36 pm. Permalink.
Laura replied:
Can you do these on a single size 8 cn? What length would I use?
November 16, 2010 at 4:44 am. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
It’s pretty narrow, so I don’t know if you can use one circular without using magic loop. I have 32″ length circulars and that would work for magic loop.
November 17, 2010 at 8:17 pm. Permalink.
Cindy replied:
I was wondering if anyone else had an issue with row 1 having 4 left over stitches at the end? I think this may be because of the yo as it’s increasing by one stitch so when i started out with 8 stitched now I have 9.
November 28, 2010 at 3:56 am. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
Each increase is paired with a decrease. On the right legwarmer, before you make the yo you need to knit 2 stitches together. This maintains the stitch count and creates the ridge along the spiral.
November 28, 2010 at 2:15 pm. Permalink.
Su replied:
Hi! Love the pattern! I’m assuming that you say that 2 circs for 2 at a time knitting won’t work because the pattern must be worked differently for each leg. Is there another reason? If Ipay close attention to which leg I’m working on, and don’t mind frogging when I inevitably goof, 2 at a time shoiuld work, shouldn’t it? I ask because I’ve been known to knit the second of a pair (or sleeves, for that matter) at slightly different guages and while it’s not enough to affect the fit, it could be enough to affect the pattern. If there’s another reason for not doing them 2 at a time, please let me know. I consider myself an intermediate knitter and adventurous by nature, but not expert enough to be sure I’ve not missed some subtlety in the construction that really would make 2 at a time impossible. Thanks!
February 5, 2011 at 8:30 pm. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
Actually, it won’t work 2 at a time because the beginning of the round changes after each repeat and a stitch needs to be moved from one needle to the other to complete a k2tog/ssk…which I wasn’t able to do when I tried it 2 at a time.
February 5, 2011 at 8:54 pm. Permalink.
Su replied:
Aha! Thank you for enlightening me. I’d have been in sad shape for sure had I started them 2 at a time. Now, off to cast on and get started! I’m using KnitPicks Andean Silk in a mauve-gray and can’t wait to see how they look on my friend!
February 6, 2011 at 6:12 pm. Permalink.
Shanaz replied:
I love the pattern. Can I make the leg warmers without using Circular or Double pointed needles?
thanks
February 6, 2011 at 11:46 pm. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
You can’t make them with straight needles as the pattern is written. You’d have to add some edge stitches to adjust the lace pattern for working flat and then seam it up.
February 8, 2011 at 1:58 pm. Permalink.
Cat replied:
Thanks for the pattern. I’m new to knitting and I’m making these legwarmers for a friend who takes ballet. I’m a little confused though, aren’t they going to turn out to be very long legwarmers? I’m already through 3 repeats of the spiral on the first leg and getting worried. With 2 x 4.5 inch cuffs, plus the spiral repeats at around 11 inches, the finished leg warmer will be 20inches long. Maybe I am short, but doesn’t that seem long for a legwarmer? Does it shrink when washed? If not I may shorten it up a bit.
I’m also knitting using 4 DPN (16 stitchs on 3 needles) and have somehow got to a point where I don’t need to move the stitch marker and just repeat round 1 over and over. I’m assuming it’s because I lose a stitch at the end of each DPN for the k2tog, then add a stitch to the next DPN with my yo. Whatever I’m doing it makes remembering it a lot easier!
April 7, 2011 at 10:59 pm. Permalink.
Katrin Choate replied:
I fell in love with this pattern. Here is the result:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/113431606/leg-warmer-size-s-to-l
I gave credit in my listing. Thank you for sharing!
Kat
October 29, 2012 at 1:08 am. Permalink.
Anonymous replied:
Such a cute pattern. Will try to use it for a matching hat.
Do you have a pattern for that already.
February 3, 2014 at 12:09 am. Permalink.
lilliputianstitches replied:
Thanks! No, I don’t have a matching hat pattern. This one looks like a match if you don’t want to figure it out on your own: http://filambulle.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-noro-hat-free-form-recipe.html
February 9, 2014 at 11:14 pm. Permalink.