January 2024 update: I am working on revising all my patterns and my Ravelry shop, and so all my patterns are currently unavailable to download. They will be back soon, once they’ve been edited, corrected, and updated! Watch this space…

This design also has matching patterns: the Nikiya Cowl, and the Solor Socks! You can find them in my Ravelry store: If I Might Say A Word Designs.

I was inspired by brilliant cinema screenings of both the Royal Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet’s versions of “La Bayadère” to design these legwarmers.

Gamzatti is one of the two lead female roles in the ballet, La Bayadère: the daughter of the Rajah, she is jealous of the temple dancer Nikiya for her relationship with Solor, Gamzatti’s betrothed… and such stories sadly never end well.

These legwarmers are bright and colourful with cosy ribbing, so are perfect for staying warm if you should ever find yourself dancing Gamzatti’s steps… or if you just want to keep the heat in on cold days.

YARNS, NEEDLES AND THE LIKE

You will be using both a DK and a 4-ply/fingering yarn in this pattern.

Approximately 170 metres of DK, such as…

• West Yorkshire Spinners Wensleydale Gems DK (225m per 100g skein, 100% Wensleydale wool) (shown in Zircon)

Approximately 200 metres of 4-ply/fingering, such as…

• Regia 4-fädig Brasil Color (421m per 100g, 75% Wool, 25% Manufactured Fibers - Nylon / Polyamide) (shown in Multi - this exact yarn is discontinued, but any similar sock yarn will work too!)

…or any other similar weight yarn.

Note: check your tension carefully, as the wide variety of different double knitting and 4-ply/fingering yarns means that depending on what you choose together, your tension might not be quite what you were expecting!

Suggested needles are…

• 3mm circular needles, 25-30cm long OR 3mm DPNs
• AND 3.5mm circular needles, 30cm long OR 3.5mm DPNs

SIZES, MEASUREMENTS AND TENSION

The pattern is written in one size, which is very easily adjustable for different sizes. It will fit a calf size of approximately 12.5” to 16.5” (32-42cm). In the photographs, I am modelling the leg warmers on a 15” calf.

(measurements taken after blocking)

Height, measured flat: 41cm/16”
Width of ribbing, measured flat: 9cm/3.5”
Width of widest part, measured flat: 12.5cm/5”

Tension: 32 stitches and 38 rows = 10cm in two-colour slipped stitches and ribbed pattern, after blocking.

If you knit this pattern, I’d love to see it! Share your WIPs and finished objects on Instagram with the hashtag #IIMSAWdesigns so I can see it!