Sadler's wells

Sadler's Wells Legwarmers and Boot Cuffs by Ella Austin

What is Being Made

Sadler's Wells is a knitted legwarmers and boot cuffs pattern designed by Ella Austin. This downloadable PDF project creates versatile leg accessories that can be worn as legwarmers or styled as boot cuffs. The pattern produces cylindrical knitted pieces worked in the round, combining textured stitch patterns for both visual interest and functional warmth.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is designed for DK weight yarn, though the designer notes that Sport weight yarn also works well with the pattern. The project calls for 2 x 55g skeins, providing sufficient yardage for the complete legwarmers. Needles required include 3.75 mm DPNs (double-pointed needles) or a circular needle for working the magic loop method. A stitch marker is needed to mark the beginning of rounds, though this is optional depending on your preferred knitting technique.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques and stitch patterns:

• Knitting in the round: The legwarmers are constructed as circular tubes using either DPNs or the magic loop method on a circular needle, eliminating the need for seaming.
• Chart reading: The pattern includes stitch charts that knitters must interpret and follow throughout the project.
• Lace Rib Stitch: The primary decorative stitch pattern combines knit and purl stitches with yarn overs and decreases to create an openwork ribbed texture. This stitch is worked over a 5-stitch repeat and includes yarn overs (yo), knit two together (k2tog), and slip-knit-pass (skp) decreases.
• Mock Cable Stitch: A secondary stitch pattern incorporated in the final section of the legwarmers for added textural variation.
• Basic decreases: The pattern uses k2tog (knit two stitches together) and skp (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) techniques to create the openwork elements of the lace pattern.
• Yarn overs: Used throughout the Lace Rib Stitch to create the characteristic holes and decorative openwork.

Pattern Construction and Gauge

The legwarmers are constructed by casting on 60 stitches and joining to work in the round. The pattern begins with 14 rounds of basic ribbing (K2, P1 repeat) to establish the cuff. Following the ribbed foundation, the Lace Rib Stitch is worked for 38 cm, creating the main body of the legwarmers with its distinctive openwork texture. The final 12 cm combines Lace Rib and Mock Cable Stitch for added visual interest and structural variation near the top edge.

Gauge: The pattern is worked to a gauge of 23 stitches and 30 rows measured over 10cm on unblocked Lace Rib Stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the legwarmers to fit correctly and display the stitch patterns as intended.

Skill Level

This is an intermediate-level knitting project suitable for knitters with foundational skills. The pattern requires comfort with knitting in the round, reading stitch charts, and executing decreases and yarn overs. While not a beginner project, it remains accessible to knitters ready to expand their technical repertoire beyond basic stockinette and simple ribbing.