Christmas might have come and gone for another year, but that doesn’t mean we don’t still have plenty of cold weather ahead of us!
Where we live, this is actually the chilliest part of the year, so we’re always looking for new ways to put our DIY skills to good use in order to help ourselves and our loved ones keep a little warmer. Lately, we’ve been really obsessed with how helpful and cute leg warmers are, so we’ve been keeping our eyes peeled for awesome homemade leg warmer concepts that we’ve never tried before.
If you’re feeling just as enthusiastic as we are, if not more, about the idea of learning how to make DIY leg warmers this winter, check out these 15 fantastic ideas, designs, and tutorials that we’ve come across so far in our search for inspiration and guidance.
1. Single shaped button sweater leg warmers
In addition to being a craft lover, are you also a total enthusiast for all things based in upcycling? Well, if you happen to have an old sweater that you don’t wear anymore lying around, then perhaps this adorable and very simple design from Fireflies and Jellybeans would be right up your alley! We love the way they embellished the pieces nice and simply with a singe shaped button on each one.
2. Triple button sweater sleeve leg warmers
Have we really got your attention with this whole idea of making leg warmers from sweater sleeves but you’re just not sure that the design we showed you above has quite enough embellishment for your tastes even though you really like the idea of adding buttons? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Show Me Cute made these pretty cable knit sweater sleeve leg warmers, finished the cut edge to keep them from unravelling, and added three buttons to each!
3. Grommet denim and ribbon leg warmers
When we started talking about “leg warmers”, did your mind actually wander to the design and fashion based side of things, rather than the warm, knitted winter section of the same idea? Then we have a feeling you might get along a little better with something like this tutorial from Minnekota Living instead! Their cool tutorial shows you how to use metal grommets and ribbon to make corset tie style denim leg warmers.
4. No sew, extra long, multi button leg warmers
Do you actually love the idea of making sweater arm leg warmers with button details so much that you kind of wish yo could ad a whole string of buttons? Then maybe you’ll get more of a kick out of this extra long design from La Vie DIY! This option sits somewhere between style and warmth since it’s made from knitted sweater leftovers but the concentration is clear how the many buttons add an almost Victorian looking vintage chic style to whatever outfit you wear them with.
5. Leg warmers from jacket sleeves
Have you been feeling a little bit stuck because you don’t actually have any old sweaters to work with, so you don’t have any knitted sleeves available even though that kind of upcycling has been your favourite idea so far? Well, if you can get your hands on an old jacket instead, then you’re still in business! This tutorial from Bonzai Aphrodite shows you how to make it happen just as simply but with stiffer fabrics than machine knitting’s soft stitches.
6. Old school ankle charm leg warmers
Are you actually fully prepared to make yourself a pair of upcycled knitted leg warmers from an old sweater and you do like the idea of embellishing them, but you’re just not sure that buttons are the way you want to go? Well, if you’re planning on wearing the leg warmers over things and not tucked into boots where lower leg details might pinch inside your shoe, then we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Ibikeubike made these leg warmers that feature a small, simple ankle charm!
7. Faux fur boot topper leg warmers
Are you actually so interested in the idea of making super warm leg warmers for winter that you’d rather embrace the wintery season and make something that goes all out and will grab people’s attention? In that case, we have a feeling you’ll get a real kick out of the way Instructables made these awesome faux fur boot toppers that will amp up any winter outfit!
8. Kids’ leg warmers from old tights
Have you actually already decided that upcycled leg armers are the ay you want to go, but you love a pair that you already have so much that now you can’t help wondering whether you can’t make something similar for your kids? Well, thanks to Karima’s Crafts, you totally can! Their tutorial walks you step by step through the process of making kid sized leg warmers from an old pair of thick tights.
9. Thigh high sock style no-sew leg warmers
Have you been scrolling through our list and hesitating over some of the designs you like best because a few of them involve a needle and thread for finishing cut edges and you don’t actually have any sewing experience? Well, lots of these things make great beginner projects, so you might benefit from bookmarking a couple for later when you’re feeling ready, but for now we’ve found you a no-sew leg warmer tutorial from YoursTrulyNB that gives you a finished look akin to thigh high socks!
10. Long crochet leg warmers
Perhaps you’ve actually been holding out on making a decision because your very best and most practiced DIY skills lie in the yarn crafting world and you’ve been hoping to put your crochet hook to good use? Well, we’re very pleased to report that your patience has finally paid off! Check out this pattern from Cottage Art Creations to see how easily these basic crochet leg warmers were made. We adore the idea of using a self striping yarn on a project like this, since they’ll perfectly showcase the whole colour way.
11. Funky patterned fabric leg warmers
If you’re going to make cool leg warmers for your kids like we mentioned before, would you actually really lean into the idea of using bright colours and fun patterns and just choose materials they really like from the fabric store, since you’re quite confident in and experienced with your basic sewing skills? In that case, you just might be the perfect person to give this simple leg warmer sewing pattern from Scattered Thoughts of A Crafty Mom a try!
12. DIY slouched denim leg warmers
Have we actually still got you thinking about how much you loved the basic concept of making awesome denim leg warmers but you’d rather make a style closer to the classic slouching ones you see most often than the corset tied kind we showed you earlier? In that case, we think you simply must take a look at the way Lookbook outlines the simple process of making precisely that!
13. Thigh high gartered leg warmers
Do you love the idea of wearing thigh high knitted leg warmers under a winter skirt but you’re concerned about them falling down because all of your longest socks do? Then we’d be willing to bet that you’ll get along a little better with something like these extra long upcycled sweater sleeve leg warmers that Outsapop shows you how to affix garter tops too. Clip them to the hems of your undergarments to stop them from falling down. They’re a great alternative to knitted tights for those who hate the feeling of elastic waistbands.
14. Doggy leg warmers
Are you absolutely the kind of enthusiastic pet owner who will totally make your dog their very own version of whatever you’ve just made yourself, proudly showing your new matching pieces off at walk time? In that case, we think you just might be the perfect person to give these hilarious little doggie leg warmers a try! Dollar Store Crafts shows you how to make them from upcycled fuzzy socks.
15. DIY ruffle leg warmers with lace tops
Have you already for the tube pieces from a sweater’s sleeves or an old pair of tights or leggings in a pattern you love ready to be turned into leg warmers, but you just haven’t yet seen an embellishment suggestion that’s really held your attention? Then here’s one last, slightly fancier idea for your consideration! Take a better look at this tutorial from Glimmer and Grit to see how they made ruffled leg warmers with pretty DIY lace tops.
Have you made other kinds of awesome leg warmers before that you were very happy with indeed but that you don’t see anything quite similar to here on our list? Tell us all about how you did it or link us to photos of your finished pieces in the comments section!
