How to Make Legwarmers
Article by KarensVariety.com
 

Leg warmers are a fashion accessory and also have a practical use. Originally, they were worn by dancers and athletes to prevent their legs from cramping after exercise. In the 1980s, the movies Fame and Flashdance introduced leg warmers as a fashion and at the same time aerobics became popular. The fad died down but made a comeback in early 2000.

Leg warmers are socks without the foot. They can be loose or tight fitting, worn knee high or thigh high. Wear them scrunched or flared at the bottom. Wear them as a subtle accessory or as a stand out accessory by choosing neon colours, unique patterns or materials. They can be knit, crocheted or sewn.  Since they are actually just tubes, they are quite easy to make.

If you decide to knit a pair, you don't need a pattern. Measure around your calf, choose a design, knit a gauge swatch and figure out how many stitches you need. Begin with some ribbing using a smaller needle, then knit the leg warmer with the larger needles the length you wish, and finish off with more ribbing.

If you wish a more fitted leg warmer, you will need to measure your ankle and below or above the knee and decrease as you go down.

You can also recycle old sweaters to make leg warmers. Use a stitch ripper to remove the sleeves from the sweater or cut them. Hem the ends of the sleeves to keep them from unravelling. The cuff of the sleeves will be worn at the ankle.

If you don't have ribbing at the top of the stocking, there are two other ways to keep the top part of the leg warmer from falling, whether you knit, crochet or use an old sweater.

Fold the top of the stocking over and stitch. Insert ribbon and tie. Use ribbon, yarn, fabric or leather ties.

Add a row of knit or crochet beading to the top of the stocking. This will leave a series of holes in which to weave your ties. You can make your beading holes as large or as small as you wish. Below are examples.

Knit: K 2, * YO, K 2 tog. Repeat from * across row ending with K 1.
Crochet: Sc around the top of the stocking. Ch 2, * skip 2 sc, 2 dc. Repeat around top.

You can also sew a pair of leg warmers from any fabric you wish, fur, soft leather, denim, vinyl.