I have a love / hate relationship with my 7/8 length leggings. When I wear them with boots or taller socks, there’s no issue at all. Wearing them with a sneaker profile presents some small problems. In colder weather, this style leaves the tiniest bit of my ankles exposed. Enter SNUG LIFE: a shorty legwarmer with an adjustable drawstring top. Inspired by detailing in my cowl design Drawn Together, this functional pair of legwarmers uses a drawstring closure for an adaptable calf fit and 1×1 knit and purl ribbing at the ankle for a bit of a cozy hug. Pull them up to their full length for more leg coverage or slouch them down for a stylish look. Choose your favorite contrast color for a fun pop of color at the drawstring. This pattern requires 1 skein of DK weight yarn and less than a mini skein of fingering weight yarn for the pair of drawstrings. Pattern includes links to video tutorials for all techniques included in this design.
Find full gallery images here.
YARN
MC: Queen City Yarn Biddleville DK, 100% Superwash Merino, 250 yd / 229 m per 115 g, or similar DK weight yarn, 1 skein, www.queencityyarn.com.
CC: Queen City Yarn Noda Sock, 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon, 463 yd / 423 m per 100 g, or similar fingering weight yarn, approximately 6-8 g required for a pair of drawstrings
YARN ESTIMATE PER SIZE
MC: 174 (196, 217) yd / 159 (179, 199) m
80 (90, 100) g
CC for all sizes: 32 yd / 30 m (7 g)
Estimate includes 10% buffer.
Colors in sample (shown in Size 2):
MC: Pollen Season 178 yd / 162 m (82 g)
CC: Mint to Be, 28 yd / 25 m (6 g)
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Sizes 1 (2, 3)
Top circumference: 10.7” (12”, 13.3”) / 27 (30.5, 34) cm
Bottom circumference: 9” (10.25”, 11.25”) / 23 (26, 28.5) cm
Height for all sizes: 9” / 23 cm
Height is adjustable. Adding additional length will require more yarn.
GAUGE & NEEDLES
21 stitches & 28 rounds = 4” / 10 cm in [P3, K4] in the round, blocked
US 6 / 4.0 mm circular needle, 32” / 80 cm or double-pointed needles or size needed to get gauge for main body
US 5 / 3.75 mm circular needle, 32” / 80 cm or double-pointed needles or 1 size smaller than main needle for ribbing
US 2 / 2.75 mm needles for drawstrings
ADDITIONAL TOOLS
Spare circular needle in same size as main needle
Smooth waste yarn for provisional cast-on
Crochet hook in size similar to main needle for provisional cast-on
TECHNIQUES
Provisional cast-on, joining folded hem, knit stitch, purl stitch, icord
PATTERN ATTRIBUTES
This is a written pattern with links to video tutorials.
EXPLORE ON INSTAGRAM
#SnugLifeLegwarmers
Tech editing: Bronwyn Hahn
Test knitting: Lisa M., Diem N., Emily O., Marieke vB. & Emily W. (knitwitte8).
From Patti N.
Shana’s pattern was clear and easy to follow. Her patterns are always fun to knit! Her responsiveness was quick and friendly. She is always happy to help. It is a pleasure to test knit for such a delightful person.
Patti test knit Keep on Striping.
From Lynn C.
I have made a couple of Shana’s designs and love them. Her patterns are clear, knit up perfectly and are unique. I always learn something new and enjoy both the process and the final product. I look forward to knitting more of her designs.
Lynn has knit Moduloncho and Coin Flip Hat, and was a test knitter for Side Hustle Wrap (Light).
From Nan P.
Shana consistently produces engaging and fun to knit designs, and offers great pattern support. She is really fun to test knit for, as well. I love the playful and meditative aspects of her knits.
Nan test knit Coexist, and has knit other Shanalines Designs patterns.
From Tina P.
I have knit many of Shana’s patterns and never been disappointed! Her patterns are always fun to knit with really interesting construction so they’re never boring to knit (sometimes I can be a short attention span knitter!) She provides really clear instructions for techniques and great tutorials as well. Shana is one of my very favorite designers and I am always excited when I see she has a new pattern.
Tina has knit many Shanalines Designs patterns!
From Lynn C.
I have made a couple of Shana’s designs and love them. Her patterns are clear, knit up perfectly and are unique. I always learn something new and enjoy both the process and the final product. I look forward to knitting more of her designs.
Lynn has knit Moduloncho and Coin Flip Hat, and was a test knitter for Side Hustle Wrap (Light).
From Jen G.
Shanalines Designs patterns are clever in their design and enjoyable to knit. I’ve had the opportunity to take a class from Shana at Zombie Knitpocalypse and she is encouraging and patient and always open to feedback. I especially enjoyed knitting her Shoulder Season top. It is a lovely knit and easy to adjust to a longer length which I prefer. I’m never disappointed when I choose to knit one of Shana’s patterns.
Jen was a test knitter for Modular Coffee Cup Cozy, Shoulder Season, and Reach For It.
From Eimear B.
I only recently became aware of Shana’s patterns and I chose to knit Recalibrate. I’m usually a top down in the round kind of knitter so I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy this pattern – wow was I wrong! It was so enjoyable! A fun well written pattern that I just flew through! I really love the end result too!
I then was lucky enough to meet and take a class with Shana at SSK this year and all I can say is she’s an all round great person and fantastic teacher! If you get the chance to knit a Shana pattern, meet or take a class with Shana then don’t hesitate.
Eimear has knit Recalibrate, and attended a class at Super Summer Knitogether (SSK) retreat in Nashville, TN in July, 2023.
From Katie B.
The Side Hustle Cuffs are a simple, clear, and customizable pattern with an infinite amount of possibilities! Shanalines Designs patterns always allow for personalization, and these cuffs are no exception. Simple and adjustable, this pattern is definitely one that I will return to again and again for the people in my life.
Katie B. test knit Side Hustle Cuffs.
From L. Taylor
Love the process and finished product. Will knit this again. Great combination of conversation knitting and some interesting details. Was the perfect vacation project.
L. Taylor test knit Athleisure Cowl.
From Sara D.
I had the pleasure of testing this pattern for Shana. She is very responsive, and receptive to feedback. I would definitely work with her again.
Sara test knit Athleisure Cowl.
From Madeline J.
I have made two different Shanalines tops and one I made twice (and I generally don’t like repeating patterns!).
Her patterns are super clear and easily customizable. She offers a lot of size options, but also shows you how to make adjustments.
She is an architect by trade and you can absolutely tell – the patterns I made (Recalibrate and Shoulder Season) are modular and interesting. They are not your typical sweater construction, but the design makes sense and the pattern is not difficult to follow.
She’s very open to feedback and quick to help if you run into an issue. Cannot wait to see what else she comes out with!
Madeline was a test knitter for Shoulder Season, and has also knit Recalibrate.
From Lisa M.
Shana’s deigns are addictive. They are easy to follow, look great in all types of yarn (handspun and commercial) , and make great gifts.
Lisa has test knit many Shanalines Designs patterns including L’dor Va Dor Shawl, Tater Tots Bandana, Coexist, and Always Forward Poncho.
From Allena W. / Starknits
Shana is such a fun person and I enjoy spending time with her. Her energy comes through in classes and her patterns. I love the modular knitting and how her patterns are written. I love how open to making it your own Shana is. I’ve test knit a few of her patterns and she always is down for using handspun or different yarn or adding a detail to make it specific to the knitter.
Allena was a test knitter for Semantics, Modular Coffee Cup Cozy, Shoulder Season and Split Decision Mitts.
From TheKnittedBean
I appreciate the recipe or blueprint-like quality of the Shanalines Designs patterns which leave space for the maker to get truly creative and give each piece their own touch whether that be by substitution of yarns, or by the ease with which this allows the use of handspun that might have varying gauge, or even modular play with color. Ten different people can make a pattern by Shana and it can look like ten different patterns, there are no cookie cutters here!
TheKnittedBean test knit Share the Fun.
From Kim C-G.
I have knit many of Shana’s designs, and they never disappoint. I’m at a place where I want to create more hand knit garments as I move into a capsule wardrobe, and I love that each of her patterns are size inclusive. I know I will not need to make adjustments to the stitch count to fit around my chest or hips. There is enough size range to satisfy preferences for oversized fit and more form fitting, well into a 60″ chest. Moreover, there is so much flexibility with color patterning that stripes, variegated or tonal all work well. I also love the modular construction which is elegant but easy enough for a beginner. Stitch patterns are well defined, and links to tutorials are provided where having a video-based tutorial is beneficial. I recommend Shanalines Designs every opportunity I get because of the creative construction, unlimited styling/color options and size inclusivity.
Kim has knit many Shanalines Designs patterns and has test knit Doubled Up Hat, Semantics, Coin Flip Hat, Shoulder Season, and Split Decision Mitts.