The secret to a pair of luminous leg warmers? A carry-along reflective thread! What is a carry-along thread? It is when you crochet with two strands of fiber as if they are one. Check out Kreinik’s Reflective Yarn and turn any crocheted, knit, or woven piece of clothing into a nighttime safety garment! (Please make sure this is NOT the only thing you will wear at night for safety – get some lights and reflectors too!) You will not believe how bright your hats, cowls, and leg warmers can be with this simple addition to your projects.
In my search for reflective fibers, I also found Red Hearts Reflective Yarn which is made with a reflective thread already woven in! If you do not want to use the carry-along method and love their bright color options like I do (its a good idea to be seen in the daylight when biking around town) then give this yarn a try! Its also a category 5 bulky yarn, so you are set to use it with this pattern.
I am on the board of a local community bike shop, and it was at our most recent meeting that I had the idea for creating fun and easy nighttime safety bike wear that people might want to actually wear. I know the importance of feeling safe on the road when biking in the dark. I also know that not everyone wants to wear a giant, orange safety vest or reflective spandex. But that’s OK! I want to make safety gear fun and stylish. Bikers and walkers should feel comfortable in what they are wearing and also feel visible and safe. Hence, the Luminous Leg Warmers pattern! The best of both worlds.
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DESCRIPTION
These cozy and oh-so-warm leg warmers can be easily customized to fit any leg. A nice, tight cuff keeps them upright just below the knee, and the textured main section will keep you warm on the coldest mornings or evenings. Pair them with leggings for a morning yoga session, or wear them on your bike commute to work and home. They are versatile and can be worn all year!
MATERIALS
- Lion Brand Scarfie Yarn (Weight: 5/bulky – 5.4 oz/312 yd) *Optional use Lion Brand Yarn Hue and Me (Weight: 5/chunky – 4.4 oz/ 125g) for a solid color.
- Small 1.5 oz per leg warmer
- Medium: 2 oz per leg warmer
- Large: 2.5 oz per leg warmer
- Size J (6 mm) crochet hook
- Carry-along Kreinik Reflective Thread
- Finishing needle
ABBREVIATIONS
- ch: chain
- st: stitch
- Slip Stitch Crochet Ribbing: (tutorial)
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- dc2tog: double crochet two stitches together
- Puff Stitch: YO, insert hook into designated stitch, YO and pull up a loop. YO, insert hook into same stitch, YO and pull up a loop. YO, insert hook into same stitch, YO and pull up a loop. YO, and pull through all seven loops.
- fpdc: front post double crochet (tutorial)
GAUGE
4 inch by 4 inch square = 12 st by 18 rows of double crochet
DIRECTIONS
I only used the carry-along reflective thread on a few rows at the top of the main portion of the leg warmers for extra visibility. You can choose how and where you would like to use the reflective thread, but it does not come in large spools and is bright enough that you can pick and choose the most visible spot to incorporate it into the pattern. UPDATE: Kreinik does carry large spools.
CUFFS (MAKE 2)
This piece is worked flat. You can follow my directions for small, medium, and large leg warmers below or *customize yours to fit you exactly.
*To customize for this step, you will crochet until the ribbed cuff can wrap tightly, but comfortably around your upper calf, just under the knee. My upper calf measures 12 inches and I crocheted 36 rows of ribbing – same as the directions for size medium – I made mine slightly loose because I knew that I would be wearing them over my jeans and leggings when biking and walking.
A note on sizing: After biking with my leg warmers for the past week, I find that my right leg warmer sometimes get caught on my chain ring. To avoid this I would size down to create a slimmer leg warmer, or stick a band on your lower right leg while you bike as you would for pants with the same problem.
If you have not used this slip stitch ribbing technique, follow the Youtube tutorial by Hopeful Honey below! Remember to keep it loose!
SIZE SMALL
ch 12
Finish off and leave a long tail for sewing. Whip stitch or slip stitch the two edges of your cuff together – seam inside, right side out.
SIZE MEDIUM
ch 12
Finish off and leave a long tail for sewing. Whip stitch or slip stitch the two edges of your cuff together – seam inside, right side out.
SIZE LARGE
ch 12
Finish off and leave a long tail for sewing. Whip stitch or slip stitch the two edges of your cuff together – seam inside, right side out.
MAIN LEG WARMER
To customize the length, simply reduce or increase the number of repeats of rows 6 and 7. I like a nice long, bunched up leg warmer that I can pull over pants when I am biking, but you may want a shorter length for yoga or wearing around the house!
Fasten on at the seam of your cuff. You will now be crocheting in the round; chaining and slip stitching at the beginning and end of each row. Stitch counts will be given in parentheses for the three sizes above in order of small, medium, and large. (If you have customized yours from the step before, you should have as many stitches in your first row, as total rows in your cuff.)
Finish off and weave in ends. Repeat rows above for the second leg warmer and you are finished!
Ride or walk at night confident you will be warm, chic, and visible!
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