Snug Life

I have a love / hate relationship with my 7/8 length leggings. When I wear them with boots or taller socks, there’s no issue at all. Wearing them with a sneaker profile presents some small problems. In colder weather, this style leaves the tiniest bit of my ankles exposed. Enter SNUG LIFE: a shorty legwarmer with an adjustable drawstring top. Inspired by detailing in my cowl design Drawn Together, this functional pair of legwarmers uses a drawstring closure for an adaptable calf fit and 1x1 knit and purl ribbing at the ankle for a bit of a cozy hug. Pull them up to their full length for more leg coverage or slouch them down for a stylish look. Choose your favorite contrast color for a fun pop of color at the drawstring. This pattern requires 1 skein of DK weight yarn and less than a mini skein of fingering weight yarn for the pair of drawstrings. Pattern includes links to video tutorials for all techniques included in this design.

YARN

MC: Queen City Yarn Biddleville DK, 100% Superwash Merino, 250 yd / 229 m per 115 g, or similar DK weight yarn, 1 skein, www.queencityyarn.com.

CC: Queen City Yarn Noda Sock, 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon, 463 yd / 423 m per 100 g, or similar fingering weight yarn, approximately 6-8 g required for a pair of drawstrings

YARN ESTIMATE PER SIZE

MC: 174 (196, 217) yd / 159 (179, 199) m

80 (90, 100) g

CC for all sizes: 32 yd / 30 m (7 g)

Estimate includes 10% buffer.

Colors in sample (shown in Size 2):

MC: Pollen Season 178 yd / 162 m (82 g)

CC: Mint to Be, 28 yd / 25 m (6 g)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Sizes 1 (2, 3)

Top circumference: 10.7” (12”, 13.3”) / 27 (30.5, 34) cm

Bottom circumference: 9” (10.25”, 11.25”) / 23 (26, 28.5) cm

Height for all sizes: 9” / 23 cm

Height is adjustable. Adding additional length will require more yarn.

GAUGE & NEEDLES

21 stitches & 28 rounds = 4” / 10 cm in [P3, K4] in the round, blocked

US 6 / 4.0 mm circular needle, 32” / 80 cm or double-pointed needles or size needed to get gauge for main body

US 5 / 3.75 mm circular needle, 32” / 80 cm or double-pointed needles or 1 size smaller than main needle for ribbing

US 2 / 2.75 mm needles for drawstrings

ADDITIONAL TOOLS

Spare circular needle in same size as main needle

Smooth waste yarn for provisional cast-on

Crochet hook in size similar to main needle for provisional cast-on

This is a written pattern with links to video tutorials.

Share your work on Instagram: #SnugLifeLegwarmers

Tech editing: Bronwyn Hahn

Test knitting: Lisa M., Diem N., Emily O., Marieke vB. & Emily W. (knitwitte8).