Leg warmers are one of the best small projects in knitting. They are just tubes, so you get to practice knitting in the round, try a new stitch pattern, and finish a useful pair in a weekend or two. They look great over leggings, tights, boots, or slouched down at the ankle.
Below you will find 14 free knit leg warmer patterns we checked one by one. There are simple ribbed pairs for beginners, chunky cables, airy lace, and a few with fun colorwork. Each one lists the yarn weight, needle size and where to get the free pattern.
Knit Leg Warmers Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- 16-inch circular knitting needles in your pattern size
- Double-pointed needles (or a long circular for magic loop)
- Worsted or DK wool-blend yarn
- Stitch markers
- Cable needle for the cabled pairs
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Soft tape measure
1. Olallie Legwarmers
Photo: Rachel Kieselburg (Tolt Yarn and Wool) / Ravelry
Olallie is a cozy, outdoorsy pair made for camping trips and chilly evenings by the fire. They are knit in the round from the bottom up, and the pattern gives you a short and a long version, plus matching gaiters. The worsted-to-aran yarn makes a thick, warm fabric. Pick these if you want leg warmers you will actually wear for warmth, not just for looks.
- Designer: Rachel Kieselburg (Tolt Yarn and Wool) / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran / worsted
- Needle size: US 6 (4 mm) and US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Some Cloudy Day
Photo: Tiny Owl Knits / Ravelry
Some Cloudy Day is a classic for a reason: hundreds of knitters have made it. The pair is worked bottom-up and seamless in the round, with a pretty lace detail running up the leg. Sport weight yarn keeps them light enough to wear under jeans or with a skirt. It is a good choice if you want a dainty, feminine look and a gentle first step into lace.
- Designer: Tiny Owl Knits / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport
- Needle size: US 4 (3.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Everlong
Photo: Lisa Mutch (Northbound Knitting) / Ravelry
The designer calls Everlong her all-time favorite leg warmers, and it is easy to see why. They are long (about 26 inches) and roomy at the thigh, so you can wear them over tights, under track pants, or scrunched over cold feet. They are knit top-down in the round with ribbing and stripes or simple colorwork. Great for using up leftover worsted yarn.
- Designer: Lisa Mutch (Northbound Knitting) / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted
- Needle size: US 7 (4.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Mosey Legwarmers
Photo: Susan Power / Knitty
Mosey has a slight flare at the bottom so it sits nicely over a boot. A 2×2 rib cuff leads into a cabled leg with a special cable motif at the back, and i-cord ties with pompoms hold them up. This is a fun pick for knitters who already know basic cables and want a pair with a little personality.
- Designer: Susan Power / Knitty
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: see pattern (Patons Classic Wool Merino)
- Needle size: US 7 (4.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Nozky
Photo: Monika Sirna / Knitty
Nozky leg warmers go all the way over the knee. They are worked bottom-up in the round with twisted rib cuffs and a lace twist panel running up the side. The pattern covers sizes from baby to adult, and it is easy to change the length and thigh fit. Make a matching mommy-and-me set if you like.
- Designer: Monika Sirna / Knitty
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK
- Needle size: US 6 (4 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Cable Knit Leg Warmers
Photo: Joanne Loh / Craft Passion
These chunky cable leg warmers are knit seamlessly in the round with twisted cables and 2×2 ribbing. Bulky ombre yarn makes the colors shift as you go, and you can add elastic at the top so they stay up. They are quick because of the thick yarn, but the cables make them better for knitters with some practice.
- Designer: Joanne Loh / Craft Passion
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Bulky (#5)
- Needle size: US 9 (5.5 mm), 16-inch circular
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Wisteria Leg Warmers
Photo: Melody Rogers / Melody’s Makings
This pattern stands out for its size range, which goes from baby (6–12 months) all the way to adult 3XL. A ribbed trim frames a lacy panel worked in the round. DK yarn gives a soft, light fabric that is easy to layer. If you want matching pairs for the whole family, this is the one to bookmark.
- Designer: Melody Rogers / Melody’s Makings
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free (ad-free PDF optional)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Faux Cable Legwarmers
Photo: A H (Hyde Co. Designs) / Ravelry
Love the look of cables but not the cable needle? These snug, stretchy leg warmers use a faux cable stitch that gives the same twisted look with simple moves. The designer says they work for all skill levels and fit under jeans in winter or with a skirt in spring. Worsted yarn makes them quick.
- Designer: A H (Hyde Co. Designs) / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted
- Needle size: US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Lace Legs
Photo: BlueBetty / Blue Betty Blog
Lace Legs pairs a 2×2 rib cuff with a fishtail lace panel worked from a short six-round chart. The designer says they are simple to knit if you know yarn overs and a basic decrease. Sock-style sport yarn with nylon makes them hard-wearing. A nice pick for spring, when you want a little warmth without bulk.
- Designer: BlueBetty / Blue Betty Blog
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport
- Needle size: US 4 (3.5 mm), 16-inch circular
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Scrunchable Leg Warmers
Photo: Chandi / Expression Fiber Arts
If you can knit, purl and work in the round, you can make these. Scrunchable leg warmers are designed to slouch nicely, and the size and length are easy to change. Knit them short and they become boot toppers. The pattern uses one skein of DK, but worsted works too. This is our top pick for a true beginner.
- Designer: Chandi / Expression Fiber Arts
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: DK (worsted also works)
- Needle size: US 9 (5.5 mm)
- Price: Free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Modern Legwarmers
Photo: For Making’s Sake (blog)
Sometimes plain is best. This pair is pure 2×2 rib knit in the round, about 18 inches long, finished with a stretchy bind-off so they stay comfortable. Hand-dyed DK yarn does all the work here, so pick a colorway you love. It is a relaxing, mindless knit for TV time.
- Designer: For Making’s Sake (blog)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK
- Needle size: US 5 double-pointed needles
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Estonian Rib Legwarmers
Photo: Gail Tanquary (Crystal Palace Yarns) / Ravelry
These seamless top-down leg warmers use a diagonal rib, and two colors alternate in bands for a checkered look. They come out about 17 inches long. The original yarn company page is gone, but Ravelry still links a free archived copy. Choose these if you like geometric texture without colorwork floats.
- Designer: Gail Tanquary (Crystal Palace Yarns) / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran
- Needle size: US 4 (3.5 mm) and US 6 (4 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Toasty Legwarmers
Toasty legwarmers were made to wear over short yoga pants, and they work just as well tall or slouched. Chunky yarn means they knit up fast. Make them in one solid color, add stripes, or let a variegated yarn do the pattern for you. Download the PDF for $0 from the shop page.
- Designer: Knit-O-Matic
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Bulky / chunky
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8) double-pointed needles
- Price: Free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
14. Spiral Legwarmers
Photo: Lilliputian Stitches (blog)
A spiral lace line wraps around each leg in opposite directions, so the pair mirrors nicely when you wear them. The pattern includes adult and child sizes, with 2×2 rib cuffs. Soft acrylic worsted makes them washable. You will move a stitch marker as the spiral travels, so read that part carefully before you start.
- Designer: Lilliputian Stitches (blog)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted
- Needle size: US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- Brand new to knitting in the round? Start with #10 Scrunchable. It is just knit and purl.
- Want a fast weekend project? Try #13 Toasty or #6 Cable Knit Leg Warmers in bulky yarn.
- Ready to try lace? #2 Some Cloudy Day and #9 Lace Legs both use short, easy repeats.
- Knitting for the whole family? #7 Wisteria goes from baby to adult 3XL, and #5 Nozky covers baby to adult too.
- Got lots of scraps? #3 Everlong is made for stripes and leftovers.
FAQ
How much yarn do I need for knit leg warmers?
It depends on length and yarn weight. Short sport or DK pairs may use 150–300 yards, while long or chunky pairs can use 250–400 yards. For example, Some Cloudy Day uses about 390 yards of sport yarn. Always check the pattern and buy one extra skein if you plan to make them longer.
Do leg warmers need to be knit in the round?
Most patterns are knit in the round on a 16-inch circular, double-pointed needles or magic loop, so there is no seam. You can knit some flat and sew a seam up the back, but in-the-round is easier to wear and looks neater on the inside.
How do I keep my leg warmers from falling down?
Use a snug ribbed cuff at the top, go down a needle size for the ribbing, or thread a thin elastic through the top rows. Wool and wool blends grip better than slippery cotton or acrylic. Measure your calf or thigh and pick a size with a little negative ease.
Pick a pair, grab a skein, and you will have warm legs by the weekend.
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