Leg Warmers Like Lea's

Leg Warmers Like Lea's by Shannon Squire

What is Being Made

Leg Warmers Like Lea's is a knitted accessory project designed to recreate the style of long, stretchy leg warmers. These are extended leg coverings inspired by the designer's mother's best friend Lea's signature leg warmers. The pattern produces notably long leg warmers that provide both style and functionality as a layering piece.

Knitting Techniques Used

This beginner-friendly knitting pattern incorporates several fundamental techniques suitable for those new to the craft. The project features a super stretchy bind off method, which is a specialized finishing technique that creates elastic edges. This bind off method involves working stitches in a specific pattern and transferring worked stitches back to the left needle to create a k2tog decrease, resulting in a flexible edge that maintains the garment's stretch and comfort.

The pattern uses circular needles for construction, which allows for seamless knitting in the round—a technique that eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, continuous fabric ideal for leg wear.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs basic knitting stitches appropriate for beginners:

• Knit stitch - the fundamental stitch used throughout the main fabric
• Purl stitch - used as an option in the bind off pattern
• K2tog (knit two together) - a decrease stitch used in the super stretchy bind off technique

Materials and Specifications

The leg warmers require approximately 425 yards of sport-weight yarn. The designer used Zauberball Starke 6 in colorway 2092 Attractive Side for the sample project. Sport-weight yarn is a lightweight option that creates a fabric with excellent drape and stretch, making it ideal for fitted leg wear.

Construction requires US5/3.75mm circular needles measuring 24 inches or longer to accommodate the circumference needed for leg wear. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Pattern Details

This is a downloadable PDF pattern created by independent designer Shannon Squire. The pattern is intended for personal use only and represents an original design from Shannon Squire Designs, 2017. The beginner difficulty level makes this project accessible to knitters who have mastered basic knit and purl stitches and are ready to tackle a simple in-the-round project with a specialty finishing technique.