purlJam

# Textural Waffle Stitch Leg Warmers
**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate
**Method:** Knit Flat (Back and Forth) & Seamed

A cosy, structural pair of leg warmers featuring a classic 4-row waffle stitch. These are knit flat to make the texture easy to manage, then seamed using mattress stitch for a professional finish.

### Sizes
**Adult One Size**
To fit calf circumference: 34–40cm (13.5–15.75in)
Finished Circumference (unstretched): 30cm (11.75in)
Finished Length: 40cm (15.75in) (Adjustable)

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

### Tension (Gauge)
22 stitches and 30 rows = 10cm x 10cm over Waffle Stitch pattern using 4.00mm needles.
*Please check your tension. If you have more stitches than specified, switch to larger needles. If you have fewer stitches, switch to smaller needles.*

### Terminology & Abbreviations (UK Terms)
*   **RS:** Right Side
*   **WS:** Wrong Side
*   **k:** Knit
*   **p:** Purl
*   **st(s):** Stitch(es)
*   **rep:** Repeat
*   **Stocking Stitch:** Knit on RS, Purl on WS.
*   **Selvage St:** The first and last stitch of every row, kept in Garter Stitch (knit every row) to provide a firm edge for seaming.

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### Instructions

#### Top Cuff
Using **3.25mm** needles, cast on **66 sts**.

**Row 1 (RS):** K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end. [66 sts]
**Row 2 (WS):** P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end. [66 sts]

Repeat these two rows (2x2 Rib) until work measures **5cm** from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

#### Main Body
Change to **4.00mm** needles.
We will now establish the Waffle Stitch pattern. Note that we are adding 1 selvage stitch at each end (knit on every row) which is NOT part of the waffle repeat, to make seaming easier.

*Stitch Count Check: 1 Selvage + 64 Pattern Sts + 1 Selvage = 66 Sts.*

**Row 1 (RS):** K1, *k1, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k1, k1.
**Row 2 (WS):** K1, p1, *k2, p1; rep from * to last st, k1.
**Row 3 (RS):** Knit all stitches.
**Row 4 (WS):** K1, purl to last st, k1.

Repeat **Rows 1–4** until the work measures **35cm** from the cast-on edge (or 5cm less than desired total length).
*Ensure you end after completing a Row 4.*

#### Bottom Cuff
Change to **3.25mm** needles.

**Next Row (RS):** K2, *p2, k2; rep from * to end. [66 sts]
**Next Row (WS):** P2, *k2, p2; rep from * to end. [66 sts]

Continue in 2x2 rib as set for **5cm**.

**Cast Off:**
Cast off comfortably in rib (knit the knits and purl the purls) to ensure the edge is stretchy. Do not cast off tightly, or the leg warmer will dig into the ankle.

#### Second Leg Warmer
Repeat the instructions exactly for the second leg warmer.

### Finishing
1.  **Block:** Wet block or steam block the pieces gently to flat dimensions (approx 30cm wide x 40cm long). Do not over-stretch the width, as the texture should remain springy.
2.  **Seam:** Fold the leg warmer lengthwise with RS facing out. Using the tapestry needle and the mattress stitch technique, seam the edges together using the selvage stitches as guides. This creates an invisible vertical seam.
3.  **Ends:** Weave in all loose yarn tails on the WS.