Leg warmers are a great winter accessory, and I’ve been wanting some cute ones for a long time. Unfortunately, I could never find any in the store that I liked enough to buy. So of course I thought, why don’t I just make them myself?
Well, these are not quite “leg warmers”. They are really meant to just peek out of the top of your boots, appearing as leg warmers, which is why I call them “boot cuffs”. The reason I made them like this is because I wear tall boots and short boots, and just by sliding them up or down, these will work for either length. Also, my tall boots have a zipper, and there is nothing more annoying than not being able to zip them up because you have too much crammed into them. But, if you prefer them to be full leg warmers, no problem: just keep knitting until they are as long as you want them to be.
I have included a pattern for you and it’s so easy. This would be a great project for a beginner. All you need to know how to do is knit and purl, also known as a stockinette stitch. Keep in mind that however many stitches you cast on will determine the width, or circumference, and you want them to be able to fit comfortably around any part of your legs. This pattern is what I chose to do, but it is very easy to tailor it to yourself!
Needle size: 10.5 US
Yarn: Tender Touch by Yarn Bee
Color: Dove
I hope you enjoy knitting these boot cuffs, and have fun rocking them through the rest of the season!
Pingback: 108 Boot Cuff Knitting Patterns - The Knit Wit by Shair
December 9, 2015 at 12:50 pm
Awesome, thank you!! I’ve been looking for a simple pattern for these – basically just needed to know how many to cast on, as I think I’m going to just do 2×2 ribbing for the entire length… or possibly adding a few small cables, as I’m doing a coordinating cowel with cables. I have some beautiful multi-color yarn with long color changes that will be best without a fancy stitch pattern (Chunky Mochi in “Crystal Palace” colorway). I am making for my son’s GF, who is probably a size 5 (if not 0 or 3!)… tiny little thing! With a bulky yarn, would 40 stitches still be about right, do you think? (I kind of don’t want to ask her to measure her leg, as she’d prolly figure out what I’m making… LOL Thank you!
Pingback: knitting patterns using large needles | scarf
August 25, 2015 at 6:38 am
If you wanted to make these longer,
would you decrease due to the calf being larger compared to the ankle portion.
January 2, 2015 at 11:04 pm
What is a magic loop
December 12, 2014 at 11:57 pm
For those who made these with double pointed needles: What size needle did you use? Most of the double pointed needles that I have are fairly small…
January 1, 2015 at 6:04 pm
I would still use the size circulars as she used in regular needles.
December 11, 2014 at 1:01 pm
What yarn weight are you using? I have a lot of yarn at home and don’t know where to buy yarn bee. I think I’ve seen it somewhere. One more thing. By CO 40 do you know what circumference it turns out to be. New to knitting boot cuffs.The other ones I tried on Ravelry turned out way too big and the other ones way too small. Do you measure the biggest part of the leg?
December 13, 2014 at 4:20 pm
Hi, Tamara..I did a revised pattern for boot cuffs that makes it a lot easier to size right! Go to my categories, click on knitting, and it will come up. I hope it helps you!
December 22, 2014 at 11:57 pm
Yarn bee is sold at Hobby Lobby stores.
January 1, 2015 at 6:05 pm
Yarn Bee can be found at Hobby Lobby stores.
January 1, 2015 at 6:10 pm
I plan to also do 8 rows of ribbing before I cast off. I think that will help the cuff stay where it needs to be.
December 6, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Another new knitter here. What size needles would be best to use with a medium weight (#4) Red Heart worsted yarn?
December 29, 2014 at 10:42 pm
4mm
December 5, 2014 at 12:42 am
If your knitting on circular needles you would not k 1 row and purl the other. U would just knit in the round
November 27, 2014 at 4:56 pm
If i used size 10 us needles can i still follow the same pattern?
November 24, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Thank you! My sister has been begging me for cuffs (just started knitting 7 months ago) and this is a PERFECT PATTERN!
November 19, 2014 at 7:48 am
I’m new at this and learner the lingo. I’m confused as to what to do by sewing ends together. I am using a circle loom.
November 19, 2014 at 7:51 am
I’ve also done pretty much the whole pattern, and it’s very long. Doesn’t look long in your picture. And i only did 28 cast on. I’m sure i did something wrong.
November 19, 2014 at 8:09 am
You most likely are using a circle loom that is too big for the pattern.
November 19, 2014 at 8:08 am
Kelly, if you’re using a circle loom, then you won’t need to worry about sewing the ends together. Also, this pattern is meant for straight knitting needles. I’m pretty sure that circle looms come in different sizes, and it’s possible that the one you have is too big for this pattern.
December 6, 2014 at 12:09 pm
Kelly, You have it easy. The cuff is already the cylinder and all you need to do is bind off. No sewing the side seams. Using the cirle loom eliminates that step. Enjoy
Pingback: Free Pattern: Knitted Boot Cuffs//Revised Version | Wake and Whimsy
November 12, 2014 at 11:36 am
Besides not having to sew up the edge, would this pattern change if you did it on a circular needle and if so, how?
November 13, 2014 at 8:53 am
You may want to read the comment thread, because a lot of others were going to use circular needles as well. But I believe the only thing you would change is that instead of K 1 row, P1 row…you would just knit every row. I think everything else would stay the same.
November 13, 2014 at 10:35 am
Thank you very much. That is exactly what I thought. Easier that way.
December 8, 2014 at 7:18 pm
Personally, I’m surprised that a circular needle would work w/only 40 stitches… but, great if you can do it. (unless, of course you are knitting on them like they are straight needles, which I often do) If I want to knit in the round, I personally use double pointed needles on patterns with these few stitches and circular needles on larger projects, because I hate seams. Totally agree Alicia, the stitches would remain the same on circular or Dbl Pt Needles, except you just need to knit every row, and there will be no seams to sew. Just as an added note; Double Pointed Needles this large, >10 come in packs of 5 instead of the usual 4. Thanks, Alicia, for your really EASY pattern and explanations. Great job!!
January 1, 2015 at 6:13 pm
There are also short cables available for circular needles, if you don’t want to battle the standard cable length.
November 10, 2014 at 10:27 am
Thank you for the pattern…I am assuming you did these on straight needles correct
November 11, 2014 at 8:12 am
yes, I used straight needles
November 4, 2014 at 10:48 pm
Thank you for sharing these. I would like to make them for my five year old granddaughter. How do I scale them down? Thanks in advance.
November 5, 2014 at 9:05 am
Bev, I’m not sure since I do not know her size. It might be best to get a measurement, preferably around her knee and thigh, then adjust accordingly. Just remember, you must cast on in a multiple of 4.
October 21, 2014 at 12:33 am
How I would love a video of this!
August 31, 2014 at 1:10 pm
How much yarn do I need for this pattern
August 31, 2014 at 2:52 pm
Hi, Nancy! I can’t remember exactly how much, but I do know that I didn’t even use a whole skien, and still had a lot left over
March 14, 2014 at 8:17 pm
hi Alicia i made the boot cuffs useing a wool with added little flower bits on single thread with the wool turned out beautiful ,daughter very happy with them THANK YOU FOR PATTERN .i prefer straight needles .Dorothy
March 14, 2014 at 11:25 am
Can you use circular needles? I’m so bad about closing off my seams. Love to make things hate to finish the seams 🙂
March 14, 2014 at 5:41 pm
Of course! If you go through some of the other comments on this thread, they may be helpful. I know some others were planning on using circular needles as well.
January 1, 2015 at 6:23 pm
You could also use a “three-needle bind off” if you knit the cuff on straight needles. This makes an invisible bind-off without having to sew a seam. If you look it up in You Tube, there will be a video showing the technique.
February 27, 2014 at 2:52 am
*I said “magic ring” and I think the right word is “magic loop” (sorry)
February 26, 2014 at 12:08 pm
I noticed that several people suggested knitting these cuffs on round needles. Pardon my ignorance but if you do decided to use round needles, would you just cast on the same number of stitches and follow the pattern exactly as is except you wouldn’t have to sew them up at the end?
February 26, 2014 at 4:52 pm
To be honest I’m not entirely positive but it seems like you can use the same pattern. I haven’t tried circular needles or double pointed needles yet! And seams don’t really bother me 🙂 I’m sure I’ll get around to it eventually, but for now I only use straight needles. If anyone can help answer this question please feel free to do so!
January 1, 2015 at 6:19 pm
You will not need to Purl, except in the ribbing portion of the cuff, if you use circulars or four needles. For whatever reason, the boot cuff will look like you followed the pattern exactly.
February 27, 2014 at 2:51 am
Hi, Perri-Anne 🙂
I’m currently knitting something similar to these cuffs in 4 double-pointed needles – I find them easier than round needles, because due to the size of the cuffs I’d need to use a method called magic ring and I don’t enjoy it much.
If you knit this in the round, all you need to do is change Step 3 on this pattern, and instead of knitting one row and then purling one row, you’ll just be purling or knitting (whichever is easiest for you) to get a stockinette stitch. When knitting in the round, you’re not turning the work so you don’t need to worry about “the other side” of your pattern.
I hope this helps! I’ll soon be finished with my leg warmers and knitting with double-pointed needles has been easy and very satisfying 🙂
December 8, 2014 at 8:12 pm
Yes, Peri-Anne, just follow the exact same pattern, same size needles, yarn, and cast on stitches. Only difference of course is when you get to the row pattern, you will not have to purl, you would just continue to knit around each row. (that’s where the term “knitting in the round” comes from) I like to put a marker where I begin, to remind me that I have finished a row. To create a pattern, when knitting in the round, such as the cuff part of this pattern, you will knit exactly as the pattern calls for, ie: K2P2 for cuff part. Personally, I hate seams… but that’s just me, so I use circular or double pointed needles for any pattern that calls to be joined. For this pattern because of so few stitches, I would recommend using double pointed needles. I read several comments above where they are using circular needles. With these few stitches I would think, doing so, would make it very difficult in the beginning, because it would be so tight, but maybe they know something I don’t. *I would love to find out. I have seen other patterns recommend knitting back and forth for a few rows to get some stretching ability, when you are wanting to be knitting in the round with just a few stitches. The only problem with doing this, is you then have to sew up that part, after you are finished, thus creating a seam. In my opinion this defeats the purpose of knitting in the round. The most important part, in any craft, is to have fun. So, whatever works best for you, is the best way to do it. *Those of you that have used circular needles for these cuffs, with only 40 cast on stitches, were you able to knit in the round from the beginning row?? Looking forward to hearing your comments. Thanks! Huge THANKS to Alicia Kellum for this pattern and for this dialog from others. You do such a great job Alicia. 🙂
December 9, 2014 at 11:45 am
Thank you so much for your reply. Round needles come in different sizes and they also come in larger and smaller, meaning the wire or nylon connecting the needles can be shorter or longer. I am using a short one for this pattern and though it is a tiny bit tight at the very beginning, I do not have any troubles at all.
February 23, 2014 at 6:42 am
I’m sorry if I sound daft, but being a beginner myself, there’s always the little detail which eludes me: why does the casting-on need to be in multiples of 4?
Also, I’m assuming you used circular or double-pointed needles – did you use the magic circle or just plain “normal” knitting?
Anyways, I love grey so I’m a bit in love with your boot cuffs 🙂
February 23, 2014 at 3:08 pm
Hi, Leonor! You need to cast on in multiples of 4 for the pattern to work out correctly. You knit2 then purl2 which equals 4 stitches all together. If you cast on an odd number then the knit2 purl2 pattern will not work out evenly. Same as if you were going to do knit 1 purl 1–that equals 2 stitches so you would need to cast on a multiple of 2. Of you were to just do a garter stitch or purl the whole thing, then it wouldn’t matter as much. Does that make sense? 🙂 Also, I just used straight needles and then sewed the ends together creating a seam.
February 23, 2014 at 3:53 pm
Oh duh, of course. Now I get it! Sorry for asking something so obvious, Alicia, and thanks for taking the time to reply 🙂
I am feeling so tempted to do this in straight needles, but I need to learn how to knit in the round, so I think I might go crazy and just use my newly bought double-edged needles and wish for the best 😀
February 23, 2014 at 8:41 pm
I’m glad I could help, and good luck! 🙂
February 24, 2014 at 6:07 am
Thanks! I’ve since started and it’s going well so far 🙂
February 23, 2014 at 12:13 am
wonderful just what i needed for daughter THANK YOU
February 16, 2014 at 11:01 am
I will use circular needles, no seams, cannot wait to start a pair
February 16, 2014 at 11:03 am
Have Granddaughters up north, they will love these
February 15, 2014 at 8:52 pm
about how much yarn does it take? is there another brand I can use?
February 15, 2014 at 9:30 pm
it didn’t even take one skein! You can use whatever yarn you’d like! Just remember how different weights determine different sizes. Like I stated in the pattern, this is just what I chose to do based on what fits my body the best, but everyone is different and you might can find something that works better for you!
February 15, 2014 at 10:24 pm
Thanks very much – I’ll give it a try with what I have on hand.
February 15, 2014 at 1:43 pm
What a wonderful idea, one could knit lots of these for family, friends,etc. with left over yarn. I might try this pattern
in the round.
February 15, 2014 at 1:30 pm
Love this pattern it is quick will be making alot of these for friends and family members Thank you!
February 15, 2014 at 9:38 am
How about knitting in the round (magic loop)?
February 15, 2014 at 11:48 am
I haven’t learned that trick yet, but I’m sure it will work! 🙂
February 14, 2014 at 4:59 pm
My granddaughter lives in Juneau, Alaska. I’m sure she will love a pair. I will use circular needles, that way I won’t have to sew them. Thanks for the easy pattern.
February 14, 2014 at 9:45 pm
awesome 🙂 You’re welcome!
February 14, 2014 at 3:19 pm
My niece just asked yesterday for boot cuffs. So much easier to use your pattern, rather than taking the time to create my own. Thanks!
February 14, 2014 at 9:45 pm
no problem 🙂
February 3, 2014 at 9:41 pm
JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR THAMKS
February 4, 2014 at 12:27 pm
you’re welcome!
January 31, 2014 at 10:35 am
My granddaughter will be visiting for spring break. This is a perfect project for her. Thanks
January 31, 2014 at 9:17 pm
great 🙂 You’re welcome!
January 27, 2014 at 4:18 pm
How funny, I started to make some boot cuffs over the weekend too. I love the yarn you used. 🙂
January 27, 2014 at 4:27 pm
Great minds think alike! 🙂