les cables de faux

Hey gang, it's a pattern and I made it myself.

Warm, versatile and slightly kitschy, these leg warmers were inspired by late 1970's, early 1980's European Ski Bunnies (as seen on the pages of Elle France), slouchy Harajuku leg warmer socks and most importantly by a need to look cute and fashionable and to wear skirts at all times, especially during the frigid winter in rural Quebec. The leg warmers can be worn pulled up covering the calf from ankle to knee, cuff turned up or down, or scrunched down around the ankles just like we did in Ballet-Jazz class in high school. So adaptable, they are ideal accessories for trudging through snowbanks on the way to the market, dancing all night to Abba in the hippest clubs or drinking hot chocolate with Sven and Jean-Pierre in a cozy ski chalet. Oh and they make a swell gift too.


[photographer: Jacqueline Blackman]

The slightly drunken faux cable or "fable" design is perfect for the knitter who has mastered DPNs but isn't ready to make the leap to cables. The stitch pattern is a multiple of 5 stitches so you can make the legwarmers as fitted or slouchy as you wish.


[photographer:Jacqueline Blackman]

SIZE
S [M, L] (shown in size M)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference 10 [11, 12] inches and very stretchy
Length: 20.5 inches

MATERIALS
[MC] Patons Classic Wool Merino [100% wool; 223yd/204m per 100g skein]; color: Marl; 2 skeins

1 set(s) US #5/3.75mm DPNs (or size needed to achieve gauge)

notions required: stitch marker, darning needle

GAUGE
24 sts/28 rows = 4" in 2x3 Rib (Gauge swatch highly recommended as I am a pretty loose knitter)

DIRECTIONS

CO 65 [70, 75] stitches (I used the long tail method)

Divide stitches on 3 dpns, needle 1: 20 (20, 25) needle 2: 20 (25, 25)
needle 3: 25 (25, 25)

Join round being careful not to twist , place marker at beginning of round

Work 16 rows of P2 K3 rib

Rows 1-2 P2 K3
Row 3 *P2, K2tog, YO, K1
Rows 4-6 P2 K3
Row 7 *P2, K1, YO, SL1, K1, PSSO,
Row 8 P2 K3

Repeat these 8 rows 15 times (or however many times to achieve desired length)

Work 4 rows of P2 K3 ribbing

Bind off in rib pattern

FINISHING
Weave in ends and apply legwarmer to leg.


[photographer:Jacqueline Blackman]

*thanks to Jacquie for her mad photography skills and to Peggy Wai for test knitting the size large(not shown)

© 2007 Needle Addict, intended for personal use only