purlJam

# Textural Waffle Stitch Leg Warmers

**Description:**
These intermediate-level leg warmers feature a deep, squishy waffle texture that traps heat efficiently. They are knitted flat on two needles and seamed up the back using mattress stitch for a professional finish. Designed with sturdy ribbed cuffs at the top and bottom to ensure they stay in place on the calf.

**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate

**Sizes:**
*   **S/M:** To fit calf circumference 30–35 cm (Finished circumference approx. 29 cm).
*   **M/L:** To fit calf circumference 35–40 cm (Finished circumference approx. 32 cm).
*   *Note: Leg warmers are designed with negative ease to stretch snugly over the leg.*

**Finished Measurements:**
*   **Length:** 36 cm (adjustable).
*   **Circumference:** 29 cm (32 cm).

**Materials:**
*   **Yarn:** Approx. 250–300m of DK weight yarn (Wool or wool blend recommended for elasticity).
*   **Needles:**
    *   3.25 mm (UK 10 / US 3) knitting needles (for ribbing).
    *   4.00 mm (UK 8 / US 6) knitting needles (for main body).
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle (for seaming), scissors, tape measure.

**Tension (Gauge):**
22 stitches and 30 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm in Waffle Stitch pattern using 4.00 mm needles.
*It is crucial to check your tension to ensure the leg warmers fit correctly.*

**Terminology & Abbreviations (UK Terms):**
*   **k:** knit
*   **p:** purl
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **RS:** right side
*   **WS:** wrong side
*   **rep:** repeat

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### Instructions

**1. Bottom Cuff**

Using **3.25 mm** needles, cast on **64 (70)** sts.
*   *[Math Check S/M: 64 sts cast on]*
*   *[Math Check M/L: 70 sts cast on]*

**Row 1 (RS):** K1, *k1, p1; rep from * to last st, k1.
**Row 2 (WS):** P1, *p1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1.

Repeat these two rows until the ribbing measures **6 cm** from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

**2. Main Body (Waffle Stitch)**

Change to **4.00 mm** needles.
*The waffle pattern is worked over a multiple of 3 sts + 2, plus 1 edge stitch on each side for seaming.*

**Row 1 (RS):** K1 (edge), *k2, p1; rep from * to last 3 sts, k2, k1 (edge).
*   *[Math Check S/M: 1 + (20 repeats of 3) + 2 + 1 = 64 sts]*
*   *[Math Check M/L: 1 + (22 repeats of 3) + 2 + 1 = 70 sts]*

**Row 2 (WS):** P1 (edge), p2, *k1, p2; rep from * to last 1 st, p1 (edge).
*   *[Math Check: Stitch counts remain constant at 64 (70) sts]*

**Row 3:** Knit all stitches.

**Row 4:** Purl all stitches.

Repeat **Rows 1–4** until the work measures approximately **30 cm** from the cast-on edge (or desired length minus 6 cm for the top cuff), ending with **Row 4**.

**3. Top Cuff**

Change back to **3.25 mm** needles.

**Next Row (RS):** K1, *k1, p1; rep from * to last st, k1.
**Next Row (WS):** P1, *p1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1.

Continue in rib pattern as established for **6 cm**.

**Cast Off:**
Cast off loosely in rib pattern (knit the knits, purl the purls) to maintain stretchiness. A tight cast-off will make the leg warmer difficult to pull over the calf.

### Finishing

1.  **Blocking:** Wet block the flat pieces to the finished measurements (29cm or 32cm width). Do not over-stretch the width, or the waffle texture will flatten out.
2.  **Seaming:** Fold the leg warmer lengthwise with RS facing each other (or facing out if preferred for mattress stitch). Using the tapestry needle and mattress stitch, seam the long edges together.
    *   *Technical Tip: Use the single edge stitch reserved at each side to run your seam. This ensures the K2 column at the start of the row meets the P1 column at the end of the row flawlessly, maintaining the pattern continuity.*
3.  Weave in all ends neatly on the WS.

**Schematic Notes:**
*   Bottom Rib: 6 cm
*   Waffle Body: 24 cm
*   Top Rib: 6 cm
*   Total Length: 36 cm