How to Make Crochet Leg Warmers for Adults and Newborns
Size Information
Size: Adult
Upper Leg Measurement: 14" (stretches to 16", and holds OK on tights)
Length: approx. 26"
Size: Newborn
Upper Leg Measurement: 7" (stretches to 8", and holds OK on tights)
Length: 6"
Materials Required
- 1 ball of yarn that is lightweight #3; I used Lion Brand Yarns, Mandala, Unicorn color; 100% acrylic; 5.3 oz/150 g; 590 yds/540m (if you want to match up variegated colors, you will need 2 balls)
- Hook size 5mm
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Gauge Information
Gauge: 4"x4" = 12 dc sts x 7 dc rows
Abbreviations
- ch - chain
- dc - double crochet
- hdc - half double crochet
- sc - single crochet
- fpdc - crochet dc through front post of dc from previous row
- bpdc - crochet dc through back post of dc from previous row
- join - join with a slip stitch
Step-by-Step Instructions
Adult Leg Warmers
Make 2
Foundation: ch50, join
Work on Your "Ribbing":
Rnd 1: ch3 (counts as dc), then 1 dc into next 49 consecutive ch sts, join (total 50 sts)
Rnd 2-10: ch2 (counts as dc), then *[1 fpdc, 1 bpdc]* - 24x; then 1 fpdc, join to ch2 (total 50 sts)
Work on Your Pattern:
Rnd 11: ch3, then 3 dc in the same base as ch3 (4dc-cluster), skip 4 sts, 4 dc in 5th ch st, *[skip 3 sts, 4 dc in 4th ch st]* - repeat 10x = until last 4 sts, skip these 4 sts, join into ch3 (total 12 "4dc-clusters")
(Note: if you will make foundation with multiples of 4, then you will always skip only 3 sts and make 4 dc in 4th st)
Rnd 12: ch2, *[skip 3 sts, 1 dc in 4th st, ch2, 1 dc in first skipped st]* - repeat 11x OR until you have 3 sts left - skip these 3 sts, make 1 dc into the base of ch2 in the beginning of the row, ch2, then 1 dc into first skipped st and join into 2 chain sts (in the spot where first dc and ch2 meet)
Continue the Pattern:
Note: from now on you will repeat Rnd 13 & 14 until your desired length
Rnd 13: slip stitch into ch2 space; then start your first cluster with ch3, then 3 dc in the same base as ch3 (4dc-cluster), *[skip 3 sts, 4 dc in 4th ch st]* - 11x; join (total 12 "4dc-clusters")
Rnd 14: ch2, *[skip 3 sts, 1 dc in 4th st, ch2, 1 dc in first skipped st]* - repeat 11x OR until you have 3 sts left - skip these 3 sts, make 1 dc into the base of ch2 in the beginning of the row, ch2, then 1 dc into first skipped st and join into 2 chain sts (in the spot where first dc and ch2 meet)
Repeat Rnd 13 & 14 as many times as needed.
Finishing the Adult Leg Warmers:
After you finish your desired length, your last row should be the "criss-cross" row. To make the bottom flare out a little, first you will work your dc-cluster differently then finish with a tiny scalloped edge created by slip stitches, single crochet stitches and half double crochet stitches this way:
Rnd 1: slip stitch into ch2 space; then start your first cluster with ch3, then 4 dc in the same base as ch3 (5dc-cluster), *[skip 3 sts, 4 dc in 4th ch st, skip 3 sts, 4 dc in 4th ch st]* - alternate these 4- and 5-dc clusters to end; join (total 12 "dc-clusters")
Rnd 2: In 5-dc clusters make *[1 sc, 2 hdc, 1 sc, sl st]*; and in 4-dc clusters make *[1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, sl st]* - alternate to end
Newborn Leg Warmers
Make 2
Foundation: ch28, join
Work on Your "Ribbing":
Rnd 1: ch3 (counts as dc), then 1 dc into next 27 consecutive ch sts, join (total 28 sts)
Rnd 2-5: ch2 (counts as dc), then *[1 fpdc, 1 bpdc]* - 13x; then 1 fpdc, join to ch2 (total 28 sts)
Work on Your Pattern:
Rnd 6: ch3, then 3 dc in the same base as ch3 (4dc-cluster), *[skip 3 sts, 4 dc in 4th ch st]* - repeat 6x = until last 3 sts, skip these 3 sts, join into ch3 (total 7 "4dc-clusters")
(Note: if you will make foundation with multiples of 4, then you will always skip only 3 sts and make 4 dc in 4th st)
Rnd 7: ch2, *[skip 3 sts, 1 dc in 4th st, ch2, 1 dc in first skipped st]* - repeat 6x OR until you have 3 sts left - skip these 3 sts, make 1 dc into the base of ch2 in the beginning of the row, ch2, then 1 dc in first skipped st and join into 2 chain sts (in the spot where first dc and ch2 meet)
Continue the Newborn Pattern:
Note: from now on you will repeat Rnd 8 & 9 until your desired length
Rnd 8: slip stitch into ch2 space; then start your first cluster with ch3, then 3 dc in the same base as ch3 (4dc-cluster), *[skip 3 sts, 4 dc in 4th ch st]* - 6x; join (total 7 "4dc-clusters")
Rnd 9: ch2, *[skip 3 sts, 1 dc in 4th st, ch2, 1 dc in first skipped st]* - repeat 6x OR until you have 3 sts left - skip these 3 sts, make 1 dc into the base of ch2 in the beginning of the row, ch2, then 1 dc in first skipped st and join into 2 chain sts (in the spot where first dc and ch2 meet)
Repeat Rnd 8 & 9 as 2x (or as many times as needed).
Finishing the Newborn Leg Warmers:
After you finish your desired length, your last row should be the "criss-cross" row. To make the bottom flare out a little, first you will work your dc-cluster differently then finish with a tiny scalloped edge created by slip stitches, single crochet stitches and half double crochet stitches this way:
Rnd 1: slip stitch into ch2 space; then start your first cluster with ch3, then 4 dc in the same base as ch3 (5dc-cluster), *[skip 3 sts, 4 dc in 4th ch st, skip 3 sts, 4 dc in 4th ch st]* - alternate these 4- and 5-dc clusters to end (you will finish with 5-dc cluster); join (total 7 "dc-clusters") - weave in all ends.
