Legwarmies

Legwarmies
by Alana Dakos

These are the perfect cool weather accessory for the "little legs" in your life. I love to put my 2 year old in those cute short skirts and dresses for spring, but I worry about her little legs being too cold. These are great for chilly mornings because they are so easy to slip off when the sun comes out. She also wears them over tights for added warmth on an extra cool day.
Legwarmies are practical and a fun and funky fashion statement. You can knit them to match all your favorite outfits. They make great last minute gifts because it only takes a weekend to whip up a pair. Legwarmies stretch to fit most children from about 3 months to 3 years old. This yarn is wonderfully soft and warm against your little ones skin and, guess what moms, you can even machine wash them!

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Cuff Circumference: 5 inches unstretched, 10 inches stretched
Length: 9 inches (This measurement can be adjusted by lengthening or shortening St st panel.)

MATERIALS
Version A (Solid Color): Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino [55% Merino wool, 33% Microfibre, 12% Cashmere; 137yd/125m per 50g skein]; color: #600, Dusty Pink; 1 skein
Version B (Thin Stripe): [MC] Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino [55% Merino wool, 33% Microfibre, 12% Cashmere; 137yd/125m per 50g skein]; color: #503, Apple Green; 1 skein [CC] Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino color: #013, Grape; 1 skein
Version C (Wide Stripe): [MC] Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino [55% Merino wool, 33% Microfibre, 12% Cashmere; 137yd/125m per 50g skein]; color: #007, Magenta; 1 skein [CC] Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino color: #101, Off White; 1 skein
#1 set US #3/3.25mm double-point needles
Stitch Marker
Tapestry Needle

GAUGE
28 sts/36 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch

PATTERN NOTES
2x2 Rib (Worked over a multiple of 4 sts)
Round 1: [K2, p2] to end.
Every round is the same.

Elizabeth Zimmerman's Sewn Cast off:
(This produces a nice stretchy cuff that won't be too tight and cut off circulation!)
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle. Insert needle purlwise into first stitch then move it to be the last stitch on the final needle. It will then become the final stitch to be cast off. This gives a neater finish to the end of the round. Continue with the following instructions:
*Sew purlwise (right to left) through 2 stitches, leave the stitches on the needle. Sew knitwise (left to right) through the first stitch and then remove stitch from the needle. Repeat from * for the entire circumference. You will have one stitch remaining. Insert needle purlwise into last stitch and remove from the needle.

PATTERN
With [MC] loosely cast on 44 stitches. Divide stitches evenly between 3 double pointed needles. (15 stitches on needles 1 and 2, 14 stitches on needle 3.) Join into a round being careful not to twist your stitches. Mark first stitch for beginning of round. Work 6 rounds in 2x2 Rib.
Version A (Solid Color): Switch to St st and work until piece measures 8 inches from cast on edge. Work 6 more rounds in 2x2 Rib. Loosely cast off using Elizabeth Zimmerman's Sewn Cast off method.
Version B (Thin Stripe): *Drop [MC] switch to [CC] and work 2 rounds in St st. Drop [CC], pick up [MC] and work 2 rounds in St st. Repeat from * continuing in this manner until you have 35 stripes total ending with a [CC] stripe. Cut [CC] leaving a long tail to weave in the end. Pick up [MC]. Knit one round. Work 6 rounds in 2x2 Rib. Loosely cast off using Elizabeth Zimmerman's Sewn Cast off method.
Version C (Wide Stripe): *Drop [MC] switch to [CC] and work 4 rounds in St st. Drop [CC] pick up [MC] and work 4 rounds in St st. Repeat from * continuing in this manner until you have 17 stripes total ending with a [CC] stripe. Cut [CC] leaving a long tail to weave in end. Pick up [MC] Knit one round. Work 6 rounds in 2x2 Rib. Loosely cast off using Elizabeth Zimmerman's Sewn Cast off method.


FINISHING
Weave in ends using a tapestry needle. Block lightly.

By the way, my daughter has been wearing these a lot lately and they look super duper cute on her and everyone comments on them!

I'm happy to report that Legwarmies is also available in French and Hungarian!