Londonderry Leg Warmers in Lion Brand Homespun – Free Knitting Pattern (90642AD)
The Londonderry Leg Warmers are a cozy, beginner-friendly knitting project from Lion Brand Yarn, offered as a free downloadable PDF pattern (Pattern Number: 90642AD). Designed to be worked up quickly, these leg warmers are a practical and stylish addition to any cold-weather wardrobe. The pattern produces a single size with a finished circumference of 9 inches (23 cm) that stretches comfortably to fit a range of leg sizes, and a finished length of 14 inches (35.5 cm) — ideal for wearing over leggings, boots, or layered with tights.
What Is Being Made
This pattern calls for knitting two identical rectangular leg warmer panels, each seamed along the sides to form a tube. The result is a pair of classic, pull-on leg warmers that sit from the ankle to the knee. Their stretchy, seamless-looking construction makes them flattering and functional, providing warmth without bulk. Because the finished circumference stretches generously, these leg warmers suit a wide variety of wearers, making them an excellent gift project as well as a personal wardrobe staple.
Techniques Used
- Casting on – The pattern begins by casting on 32 stitches, establishing the foundation row for each leg warmer panel.
- Stockinette stitch (St st) – The entire body of each leg warmer is worked in Stockinette stitch, knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side. This creates the smooth, classic V-stitch fabric on the public-facing side.
- Binding off – Each panel is bound off with a long tail left intentionally for seaming.
- Seaming – The sides of each flat panel are sewn together using the long tail and a Large-Eye Blunt Needle to form the tube shape of the finished leg warmer.
- Weaving in ends – All remaining yarn tails are neatly woven in to finish the project cleanly.
Stitches Used
- Knit (k) – Worked on every right-side row to create the smooth face of the Stockinette fabric.
- Purl (p) – Worked on every wrong-side row to complete the Stockinette stitch structure.
- Stockinette stitch (St st) – The combination of knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, stretchy fabric that is both visually appealing and comfortable to wear.
Because the pattern relies entirely on knit and purl stitches — the two most fundamental stitches in knitting — this project is rated Easy by Lion Brand and is perfectly suited to beginners who have mastered basic knitting skills. The straightforward, flat construction eliminates the need for circular needles, double-pointed needles, or complex shaping techniques, making it an accessible and confidence-building project for newer knitters.
Materials and Yarn
- Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun (Article #790) in colorway Plum – 1 ball required. Lion Brand Homespun is a bulky weight yarn with a uniquely textured, almost woven appearance. It is composed of 98% acrylic and 2% polyester, making it machine-washable, durable, and budget-friendly. Each skein contains 6 oz / 170g (185 yards / 167m) and is packaged as a pull skein for easy use.
- Knitting Needles: Lion Brand Knitting Needles – Size 10 [6 mm] straight needles. The larger needle size works harmoniously with the bulky Homespun yarn to produce a fabric that is both quick to knit and appropriately stretchy for leg warmers.
- Finishing Tool: Large-Eye Blunt Needles (Set of 6) for seaming and weaving in ends.
Gauge
The recommended gauge
Specifications
| Brand: | Lion Brand |
| Featured Products: | Lion Brand Homespun |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |