Cap a Chinos Legwarmers- Adult sizes

Cap-A-Chino Legwarmers by Melissa Schaschwary

What is Being Made

The Cap-A-Chino Legwarmers are knitted leg warmers designed for adult wear, available in three size options: Small, Medium, and Large. These legwarmers combine practical warmth with a stylish ribbed texture, making them suitable for both athletic and casual wear. The pattern creates a fitted tube that covers the lower leg and can be paired with boots or worn over pants.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques. The pattern begins with a cast-on followed by a decrease row using knit two together (K2tog) to reduce stitches and create shaping. The main body is constructed using stockinette stitch combined with ribbed stitch patterns, which creates both texture and stretch in the finished garment. The ribbed sections alternate between knit and purl stitches in a repeating pattern, providing the characteristic fitted appearance of legwarmers. A cable stitch element runs vertically down the center front, adding visual interest and structural definition to the piece. Finishing techniques include seaming and weaving in ends with a darning needle.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used for the main body, created by alternating knit rows and purl rows to produce a smooth, flat fabric
• Ribbed Stitch: A combination of knit and purl stitches (K2, P2 pattern) that creates vertical lines and provides elasticity for a snug fit
• Knit Two Together (K2tog): A decrease stitch used in the first row to shape the legwarmer from the cast-on edge
• Cable Stitch: A decorative vertical element running through the center of the legwarmer, created using a cable needle to twist stitches for dimensional texture

Materials and Tools

The Cap-A-Chino Legwarmers are knitted using super chunky weight yarn, specifically Brown Sheep Lambs Pride. The pattern requires three skeins of yarn, though knitters may be able to complete the project with two skeins depending on yarn yardage and personal preference. Two sets of needles are required: US size 10½ needles for the main knitting and US size 9 needles for sections requiring tighter gauge control. A cable needle is essential for working the cable stitch detail. A darning needle is needed for seaming the legwarmer tube and weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 15 stitches and 21 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. This gauge is achieved using US size 10½ needles and super chunky yarn. The legwarmers are available in three adult sizes with the following stitch counts after the initial decrease row: Small (48 stitches), Medium (50 stitches), and Large (54 stitches). Maintaining accurate gauge is important for achieving the proper fit and finished dimensions of the legwarmers.