Leg Warmers Pattern Maker
Leg warmers are a stretch tube, so what matters is the ankle and calf measurement and how far up the leg they reach. Choose a size or enter your own measurements, set the length and the ease, and pick folded cuffs or a hem.
It is the same pattern as the fingerless gloves, switched to legs, with starting points for plain, slouchy and child sizes.
Make it yours: Measure your own arm or leg, then change the length, width and thumb opening.
Make this pattern in your size →When to choose this one
Choose this one for legs. The ankle and calf measurements set the size, and the starting points cover plain, slouchy and child sizes. There is no thumb to deal with, only a stretch tube with folded or hemmed ends.
For hands and wrists, use the fingerless gloves.
What you can change
Size
- Finished length: 6–75 cm (2⅜–29½″). End to end, cuffs included. Wrist warmers about 18 cm (7″); to the elbow about 35 cm (14″); leg warmers 35–45 cm.
- Cuff depth: 1–12 cm (⅜–4¾″). How deep the folded cuff or hem is at the top end.
Sizes are typed in centimetres, millimetres or inches. The starting size is Finished length 40 cm (15¾″), Cuff depth 5 cm (2″).
Options
- For: hands and arms or legs
- Size: 0–6 months, 6–12 months, 1–2 years, 3–4 years, 5–6 years, 7–8 years, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL or measured
- Ends: folded cuffs or hemmed
- Measurements and counts: Ankle, Calf, Ease
Starting points
These are sizes and settings to begin from, and every one stays fully editable. Type your own measurements, or start from the nearest one.
| Starting point | Finished size, cm | Same starting point in round inches |
|---|---|---|
| Leg warmers | ankle 22.5 cm − 2 cm · 40 cm long | ankle ≈8⅞″ − ¾″ · 16″ long |
| Slouchy leg warmers | ankle 24 cm + 3 cm · 45 cm long | ankle ≈9½″ + 1¼″ · 18″ long |
| Child leg warmers | ankle 15 cm − 1 cm · 25 cm long | ankle ≈5⅞″ − ⅜″ · 10″ long |
The warmers pattern has 10 starting points in all; the other 7 are in the maker.
Cutting list
At the starting size (Finished length 40 cm (15¾″), Cuff depth 5 cm (2″)) the pattern has these pieces. Fabric sizes include seam allowance, interfacing is cut to the stitching line, and pieces cut on the fold are shown opened out. Each size is the width and height of the piece as cut.
| Piece | Fabric | Cut | Size to cut | How |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leg tube | Main fabric | 2 | up to 36 × 32 cm (up to ≈14⅛ × ≈12⅝″) | Shaped: cut from the printed piece |
| Top cuff | Main fabric | 2 | 32.6 × 12 cm (≈12⅞ × ≈4¾″) | Rectangle: cut by measurement or from the print |
| Ankle cuff | Main fabric | 2 | 22.7 × 12 cm (≈8⅞ × ≈4¾″) | Rectangle: cut by measurement or from the print |
You will also need: Thread. The cover page and materials list give the amounts for your size.
The maker’s fabric estimate at this size: Main fabric about 0.5 m of 112 cm fabric.
How it goes together
These are the maker’s own instructions at the starting size. They change with the options you pick, and the PDF carries the full set with the cover, cutting list and materials list.
- Check the stretch: wrap the knit round your ankle, stretched as it will be worn. The finished ankle end is 23 cm round and the top 34 cm; it has to stretch over your heel too.
- Fold each tube right sides together, long edges level, and sew the side seam at 1 cm with a stretch stitch. Press it open, or finish the edges together.
- Cuffs: fold each band right sides together, short ends meeting, and sew the ends at 1 cm to make a ring. Fold it in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, raw edges level. Mark quarters on the band and on the tube’s end (the side seam, the opposite notch and halfway between).
- Pull each band over the right side of its end of the tube, raw edges level, band seam at the side seam, quarters matching. Sew at 1 cm with a stretch stitch, stretching the band to fit. Press the seam towards the tube.
- Try them on. They should stay up on the calf; fold the top cuff down if they are long.
Fabric suggestions
Outer: Sweater knit, rib knit, jersey with some spandex, fleece or stretch velour.
Lining: None: one layer of knit. Fold the cuffs from ribbing or the same knit.
Interfacing, padding or other layers: No interfacing, except small squares behind any snaps or buttons.
How each fabric family suits it
- Stable woven: not recommended. Cut smaller than the body, a woven can’t stretch on over the hand or heel. Choose a knit.
- Heavy or stiff: not recommended. Too stiff to hug and to pull on. Choose a knit.
- Stretchy knit: great choice. A knit hugs at negative ease and stretches over the hand or heel. Sew with a narrow zigzag or stretch stitch.
- Slippery or fine: possible, with care. Stretch velvet or stretch satin works if it stretches well; plain satin or nylon won’t.
The maker’s advice adjusts to the fabric family you pick in the Fabric tab.
Printing it
At the starting size the printed pieces take 5 A4 pages, taped together using the page labels, alignment marks and page map. For a print shop, choose a sheet from A0 to a 36″ roll: the pieces are packed onto as few sheets as they will fit on, and if one is too big for the sheet the maker says so. How printing, tiling and the test square work.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure for leg warmers?
Measure round the ankle at its narrowest and round the widest part of the calf, then decide how far up the leg they should reach. The pattern is drawn from those two measurements, with the ease you set.
How long should leg warmers be?
Ankle to just below the knee suits most people. Longer ones slouch down, which is why there is a slouchy starting point, and the length is a setting of its own.
What size can I make?
The leg warmers pattern takes finished length from 6–75 cm (2⅜–29½″); cuff depth from 1–12 cm (⅜–4¾″). It starts at Finished length 40 cm (15¾″), Cuff depth 5 cm (2″), and you can work in centimetres, millimetres or inches. This page starts from Leg warmers, Slouchy leg warmers and Child leg warmers. Every starting point stays fully editable.
Which fabric suits the leg warmers pattern?
Sweater knit, rib knit, jersey with some spandex, fleece or stretch velour. In the maker’s fabric advice, stretchy knit is a great choice; slippery or fine is possible with care; stable woven and heavy or stiff are not recommended.
Are there child or baby sizes?
Yes: Child leg warmers (ankle 15 cm − 1 cm · 25 cm long). They are starting points, not a promise of fit, and every measurement can be changed. Check the fit yourself, and check the finished item for anything small, loose or long enough to catch, before a child wears or uses it.