Fruity Striped Leg Warmers

Leg warmers are a great way to show off the patterning in this striped yarn because the width is narrow enough that the stripes don’t look too thin.

Self-striping yarn is fun to knit with, usually it’s just random colour combinations, but the fact that the colours in this yarn are designed to pattern like fruit is SUPER FUN!

I mean Banana Leg Warmers – Come on! I’m going to wear the heck out of these this winter.

I’m a big fan of circular knitting, which means no seaming at the end. I’m comfortable with using DPNs (Double Pointed Needles), but much prefer the magic loop method with a long flexible cable.

If you haven’t tried the magic loop method, I’d highly recommend it. I’m notorious for dropping those small needles in between the sofa cushions!

Magic loop using interchangeable needles and a long soft cable is ideal for this project as you can just clip in the new needle size when changing from the rib to stockinette section.

I swear by my Addi Click needle set with a 100cm super flexible red lace cord.

If you aren’t comfortable with circular knitting, I’ve added some pattern conversion suggestions below, for straight needle knitters.

You may also enjoy:

• Classic Leg Warmer Knitting Pattern
• Super Scrunchy Extra Long Ribbed Knitted Leg Warmer Pattern
• Fuse Bead Fruit Key Chains
• Pomegranate Espadrilles

Fruity Leg Warmer Knitting Pattern

Pictured above: Banana print size (Small/Med), Dragonfruit print size (Med/Large)

Finished length: 33cm (13″)

Diameter un-stretched: Small/Medium 27cm, Medium/Large 30cm

You will need:

• 1 ball x Premier Sweet Roll Fruits
• 4.5mm circular needle or DPNs (US 7)
• 5.5mm circular needle or DPNs (US 9)
• Stitch marker (optional)
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

Stitches used:

K Knit

P Purl

CO cast on (long tail)

BO Bind off

Gauge for stockinette: 13st and 20 rows in 10cm/4″ (with 5.5mm needles)

Pattern note: These two legwarmer sizes fit most and are designed with negative ease to help them stay up. To increase or decrease width, add or reduce CO stitches in groups of 4. Legwarmers will comfortably stretch another 5-8cm in diameter.

Length can be adjusted as desired but keep in mind you may need extra yarn if you make longer legwarmers.

Depending on the pattern repeats in the yarn cake, some of the yarn balls may lend themselves to making an identical pair of legwarmers. You may choose to plan your stripes and/or choose to band your ribbing to match the colour changes, or just let the stripe patterns develop as you knit.

Each leg warmer uses just under half a ball of yarn. You can split the ball ahead of time if you wish – I like to use kitchen scales to accurately weigh out half the ball.

Legwarmer Pattern instructions:

SIzes: Small/Med (Med/Large)

For each legwarmer

• CO 36 (40) stitches onto 4.5mm needle. Add marker if desired and work the following in the round using your preferred circular knitting method.
• Ribbed section – K2, P2 for 6cm/2.5″ (or one colour section)
• Change to 5.5mm needles
• Stockinette stitch (K all) for 23cm/9″ (or for desired color sections)
• Change to 4.5mm needles
• Ribbed section – K2, P2 for 6cm/2.5″ (or one colour section)
• BO loosely or using a stretchy bind method – This is a good one
• Break off yarn and weave in ends.

Repeat for 2nd legwarmer.

TIPS FOR STRAIGHT NEEDLE KNITTING: Add an extra stitch on front and back of cast on (ie 38 (42) total) to allow for seam. Knit 2×2 rib, stockinette is K then P alternating rows, then finish with 2×2 rib. cast off and sew up side.

Will you be making your own pair of fruity legwarmers?