The approach of the thermometer to zero makes women put aside summer clothes and pull out warm sweaters and tights. And those ladies who love knitted accessories should pay attention to leggings - they not only protect their feet from the cold, but also add an interesting accent to the women's toilet.
Leg warmers are among the simplest products, and even a beginner who has mastered only direct knitting of scarves and hats can handle them. They represent a single piece that does not require complex measurements and cutting. Their implementation should begin with the choice of knitting needles. For the most inexperienced, an ordinary pair is suitable, and for those who are not afraid of difficulties, it is worth taking stockings. When using the latter, the canvas will be closed in a circle and without a seam, so the finished gaiters will be absolutely symmetrical. This will save the needlewoman from the need to monitor the accuracy of the seam when wearing.
The length of the product depends on the preference of its owner: leggings can start above the knee or in the middle of the calf. The optimal length is from the top of the calf to the transition of the ankle to the foot, since the canvas can stretch on the knees. Starting work is from the top, since the typesetting side is always narrower than the row closed at the end, and it is she who will keep the product on the leg, regardless of the elasticity of the pattern. Beginners are advised to choose an elastic band - this simplest pattern is a relief alternation of the front and back loops.
You should not knit leggings only with facial loops - a hosiery fabric that fits the calf muscle from above will hang bag-like on the ankle, while the elastic repeats the anatomical shape of the leg.
The calculation of the loops is carried out by multiplying the girth of the leg at the top of it by the number of loops in one centimeter. To find the last value, a small sample is knitted, after which the number of loops collected, not counting the edge ones, is divided by its width. The loops are cast on two simple knitting needles folded together, then one is removed. This is necessary so that the first row does not turn out to be too tight. When using stocking needles, the number of loops dialed in multiples of 2 is evenly distributed into four parts.
The last loop of each of the 4 sections should be purl - this will facilitate the transition from one knitting needle to another.
Each row is knitted with an elastic band until it reaches the bottom edge of the product. Its length is measured with a tailor's centimeter, but it is better to put the canvas on the leg during work: expanding, the elastic band can shorten its length. The last row is closed. It turns out to be slightly flared and wide enough to overlap with shoes.
The pattern can be complicated by using crossed loops instead of regular loops in each 2nd row, or replacing the front loops with a small tourniquet. To complete it, you need to stock up on an auxiliary knitting needle or crochet. The number of loops dialed in this case should be a multiple of 4.
The tourniquet is performed as follows: the 1st loop is removed on the auxiliary knitting needle located in front, the 2nd is knitted with the front one, then the 1st loop goes back to the 3rd one and they are sequentially knitted with the front ones. The second row is according to the picture. In the third row, the 1st loop is knitted with the front one, and the 2nd is removed on the auxiliary knitting needle located behind the canvas. Next, the 3rd and the 2nd returned back are sequentially knitted. The fourth row is according to the picture. The scheme is repeated throughout the entire work.
