Gothic Flared Leg Warmers

Easy · Worsted Weight · Knitted in the Round

Dramatic yet beginner-friendly leg warmers with a moody gothic silhouette: snug ribbed cuffs at the upper calf, a smooth stockinette shaft, and a sweeping eyelet-flared hem that pools elegantly over boots or shoes. Worked seamlessly from the top down in worsted yarn—perfect in black, charcoal, deep plum, or blood red.

Materials

Yarn
Worsted weight yarn (approx. 9 wpi)

• 220 (250, 280) yd / 200 (230, 255) m per pair
  Suggested: 100% wool or wool-blend for warmth and stitch definition (e.g., Cascade 220, Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, or any solid/dark semi-solid).

Needles

• US 7 (4.5 mm) 12–16" circular or DPNs for ribbing
• US 8 (5 mm) 12–16" circular or DPNs for body
  (or sizes needed to obtain gauge)

Notions

• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Optional: ½" elastic for top cuff (if desired for extra stay-up power)

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rounds = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on larger needles, worked in the round.
Please swatch. Fit depends on gauge.

Sizes

S (M, L)
To fit upper-calf circumference: 12–13 (14–15, 16–17)" / 30.5–33 (35.5–38, 40.5–43) cm

Finished Measurements (after blocking)

• Top cuff circumference: 12½ (14¼, 16)" / 32 (36, 40.5) cm
• Bottom flare circumference: 17¾ (19½, 21¼)" / 45 (49.5, 54) cm
• Length: 16½" / 42 cm (adjustable)

Shown in size M. Choose size closest to your upper-calf measurement with 0–1" negative ease at the cuff for a secure fit; the flare is intentional and loose.

Abbreviations (US)

• BO – bind off
• CO – cast on
• k – knit
• k2tog – knit 2 together
• p – purl
• pm – place marker
• rep – repeat
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• St st – stockinette stitch (knit every round)
• yo – yarn over

Pattern Notes

• Leg warmers are worked in the round from the top cuff down.
• The flare is created with 6 decorative eyelet increase rounds (yo, k1, yo spacing) that add gothic lace character while remaining easy.
• Both leg warmers are identical.
• Length is easily customized: work extra plain St st rounds before beginning the flare, or stop short.
• For a more “vampire romantic” look, block the flared edge firmly so it ripples open.
• Keep marker at beginning of round throughout.

Inline stitch-count validation style used below: every increase round states starting count → ending count with check.

Instructions

Make 2 alike.

Top Cuff

With smaller needles, CO 56 (64, 72) sts using a stretchy long-tail or alternate cable cast-on.
Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist; pm for beginning of rnd.

Rib Rnd: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Work Rib Rnd until cuff measures 2½" / 6.5 cm from CO edge.

Leg Body (Upper Shaft)

Change to larger needles.
Knit 8 rnds plain (St st).
Stitch count remains 56 (64, 72).

Flare Section (Eyelet Increases)

You will work 6 eyelet increase rounds separated by plain knitting. Each eyelet round increases 4 stitches and creates small gothic “window” eyelets.

Eyelet Inc Rnd 1:
[K13 (15, 17), yo, k1, yo] 4 times.
(4 × 2 yo increases = +8? Wait—correction locked in plan: actually distribute 4 increase pairs.)

Corrected even distribution for +4 sts total per round (easy & even):

Standard Eyelet Inc Rnd (used 6 times):
K12 (14, 16), yo, k2, yo, k12 (14, 16); rep from * once more.
→ +4 sts per round.

Work as follows:

1. Work Eyelet Inc Rnd.
   56 (64, 72) → 60 (68, 76) sts ✓
   Knit 3 plain rnds.

2. Work Eyelet Inc Rnd.
   60 (68, 76) → 64 (72, 80) sts ✓
   Knit 3 plain rnds.

3. Work Eyelet Inc Rnd.
   64 (72, 80) → 68 (76, 84) sts ✓
   Knit 3 plain rnds.

4. Work Eyelet Inc Rnd.
   68 (76, 84) → 72 (80, 88) sts ✓
   Knit 3 plain rnds.

5. Work Eyelet Inc Rnd.
   72 (80, 88) → 76 (84, 92) sts ✓
   Knit 3 plain rnds.

6. Work Eyelet Inc Rnd.
   76 (84, 92) → 80 (88, 96) sts ✓

Lower Flare & Hem

Continue in St st (knit every rnd) until piece measures 15½" / 39.5 cm from CO edge, or 1" / 2.5 cm less than desired finished length.

Change to smaller needles.
Rib Rnd: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Work 6 rnds of 2×2 rib.
BO loosely in rib pattern (use a larger needle or sewn bind-off if needed so the flare edge stays elastic and open).

Finishing

• Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side.
• Block gently: soak in lukewarm water, squeeze out excess, and lay flat. Pin the flared hem outward into a gentle bell shape so the eyelets open and the gothic silhouette is emphasized. Allow to dry completely.
• Optional: Thread ½" elastic through the wrong side of the top cuff and sew ends for extra grip.
• Make second leg warmer identically.

Wear: Pull on over skinny jeans, tights, or bare legs; let the flared eyelet hem spill over boots or Mary Janes for maximum gothic drama.

Quick Reference Stitch Counts

Enjoy your hauntingly stylish leg warmers!