Switch A Roo Legwarmers in Spud & Chloe Fine and Stripey Fine - Downloadable PDF

Switch A Roo Legwarmers by Sarah Smuland – Free Knitting Pattern Summary

The Switch A Roo Legwarmers is a free knitting pattern designed by Sarah Smuland and published by Spud & Chloë. This beginner-friendly project produces a pair of cozy, ribbed legwarmers with a clever reversible design — knitters can wear them with a wide rib facing out or flip them around to show a narrow rib instead. That built-in versatility makes these legwarmers a fun and functional wardrobe accessory for all ages.

What Is Being Made

The pattern instructs knitters to make two matching legwarmers, worked identically from cast-on to bind-off. The finished pieces feature alternating sections of ribbing and smooth stockinette-style stripes, created through a two-color approach using a main color (MC) and a contrast color (CC). The stripe sequence is repeated multiple times along the length of the legwarmer, giving the finished piece a bold, graphic look.

Construction and Techniques

Both legwarmers are worked entirely in the round from cast-on to bind-off, making them seamless and smooth on the inside — ideal for wearing against the skin. The construction is straightforward and well-suited to knitters who are new to working in the round or to colorwork basics.

• Cast on: Each legwarmer begins with 70 stitches cast on and divided evenly across four double pointed needles (dpns).
• Joining in the round: Stitches are joined carefully to avoid twisting before the pattern begins.
• Ribbing sections: The legwarmer opens with a 2-inch section of k5, p2 rib worked in the main color, establishing the wide rib that defines the reversible character of the design.
• Stripe sequence: A repeating stripe block is then worked — 8 rounds of knit every round in the contrast color, followed by 3 rounds of knit every round in the main color. This 11-round sequence is repeated six additional times for a total of seven full stripe repeats.
• Closing rib: The legwarmer ends with another section of k5, p2 rib in the main color, worked for seven rounds, before binding off in pattern.
• Finishing: Ends are woven in and the pieces are blocked as desired.

Stitches Used

The Switch A Roo Legwarmers rely on just a handful of fundamental knitting stitches, making this an excellent pattern for newer knitters looking to build confidence:

• Knit stitch (k) — used throughout the stripe sections and within the rib pattern
• Purl stitch (p) — used in the ribbing sections to create the k5, p2 rib texture
• Knitting in the round — all rounds are worked circularly on double pointed needles
• Bind off in pattern — the final bind-off mirrors the active stitch pattern for a neat, elastic edge

The Reversible Rib Design

One of the most appealing features of this pattern is its reversible ribbing. The k5, p2 rib used at both ends of the legwarmer creates two distinct visual effects depending on which side faces outward. Worn one way, the knitter shows a wide rib; flipped around, the same fabric reveals a narrow rib. This design detail effectively gives the wearer two different looks from a single knitted piece — a clever and practical touch that adds real value to a simple construction.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The pattern is designed for use with Spud & Chloë Fine yarn, a 4-ply weight yarn with a fiber content of 80% superwash wool and 20% silk. This blend offers a beautiful combination of softness, durability, and a subtle sheen from the silk content. The superwash treatment makes the finished legwarmers easy to care for. Two colors are required — a main color (MC) and a contrast color (CC)