Free pattern: Sweetheart Legwarmers

An attempt to use up some scrap yarn and make something girly resulted in these cute legwarmers. They coordinate with my Sweetheart Skirt that can be bought from my Ravelry store. 

One size fits most girls from 4-12 years old, length is easily adjustable. If following the pattern exactly you will end up with 25 cm (10 in) long legwarmers. The legwarmers flare out at the bottom and have details to make them super sweet and girly, perfect for any little sweetheart <3

The pattern is written without considering any colour changes, however I encourage you to look through your scrap yarns and go nuts with colours. Use my photos as inspiration, I changed colour at the start of each different pattern section.

General information:

Size: One size fits most young girls, approximately 4-12 years old. Knit rib section longer for older girls. 
Yarn: DK or light worsted yarn, amount depending on length of legwarmer. Assuming 20 cm (8 in) rib section gives yarn requirement of 155 m (170 yds).
Needles: 3.5 mm (US6) and 4 mm (US7) DPN's or long circular needles if using magic loop.
Gauge: 18 sts per 10 cm (4 in) in stockinette on larger needles.
Notions: stitch marker and darning needle.

Abbreviations:

BO - bind off
CO - cast on
DPN - double pointed needles
k - knit
k2tog - knit 2 together
M1 - make 1, recomend backward loop method or by picking up the yarn running between the stitch just knit and the one about to be knit, bringing the lefthand needle from front to back. Knit the picked up st through the back loop so that it twists.
p - purl
PM - place marker
st(s) - stitch(es)
YO - yarn over

Pattern:

With the smaller needles, CO 44 sts. PM and join to work in the round being careful not to twist the sts. 

Work k1, p1 rib until piece measures 20 cm (8 in). 

Note: If you would like longer leg warmers, add length now. Measure your child's leg from just above the ankle and upwards to where you want the leg warmer to stop, this will be the length of the ribbed section. 

Change to larger needles. Next step is the first eyelet section. 

Eyelet section:
Round 1: knit
Round 2: purl
Round 3: knit to end, then M1 (45 sts on the needles)
Round 4: * k1, k2tog, YO, repeat from * to end of round
Round 5: knit
Round 6: purl

Next is the stockinette section with increases to make it flare out.

Round 1: * k11, M1, repeat from * 2 more times, k11 (48 sts on the needles)
Round 2: knit
Round 3: * k12, M1, repeat from * to end of round (52 sts on the needles)
Round 4: knit
Round 5: * k13, M1, repeat from * to end of round (56 sts on the needles)

Next is another eyelet section. Repeat rows 1 to 6 of eyelet section above, only difference is stitch count after row 3 should be 57 sts. BO after the last purl row.

Picot bind off:
Using cable cast on method, CO 2 sts. BO 4 st, move last st back onto left needle. CO 2 more sts, BO 4 sts etc. Continue in this manner until all stitches have been bound off and you'll have a nice picot edge. 

Weave in loose ends, block lightly, wear and enjoy!

HAPPY KNITTING!

~Cecilie