Saturday, February 23, 2013

DIY Knitted Boot Cuffs


It's winter. It's cold. You're sad. Time to make something! I was having a conversation with a coworker the other day trying to explain what boot cuffs were.

"Are they socks?" 
"No, they're cut off so it only looks like you're wearing socks." 
"Like legwarmers?" 
"Tiny ones, yes." 
"So…they're leg bracelets."  
"…yes."

This is a fun and simple knitting pattern for cozy, cabled leg bracelets boot cuffs. Enjoy!


What You'll Need:

Bernat Roving (half a ball used for one pair)
US 11 (8mm) needles
Cable needle
Yarn needle

Make two.

Cast on 47

Rows 1 and 16: K1, P1, rep and end on K1

Rows 2 and 17: P1, K1, rep and end on P1 (this will create two rows of 1x1 rib at the bottom and top of your cuff)

Rows 3, 7, 9, 11 and 15: P3, K8, repeat 3 more times, end with P3

Rows 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14: K3, P8, repeat 3 more times, end with K3

Rows 5 and 13: P3, cable 4 forward (slip 4 stitches onto your cable needle, hold in front of your work, knit 4, knit the 4 off of your needle), repeat 3 more times, end with P3

Bind off. Measures 14 x 4.5 inches. Using a yarn needle, stitch together to form the cuff; weave in the ends. 

Make a pair in every colour!

26 comments:

  1. haha, "It's cold. You're sad." that pretty much sums it up for me.
    also, lovely work. as usual!

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  2. So pretty, I think I might make some of these puppies!

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  3. LOL... leg bracelets! That's the best.

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  4. I think these are so cute. I am going to make some for myself. Thank you for the pattern.

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  5. If you need to make this larger, what is the multiple to add?

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    Replies
    1. You would need to add 11 since the pattern is k/p3, p/k/c8

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  6. These are so pretty, but soooo big! Do they really stay up for you? I'm very athletic (read - large calves) and they still fall down. I've already gone down several sizes in my needles :(

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    1. You could arguably cut it down by 2 or 3 stitches.

      If you take out 3 stitches, make the following adjustments:
      For Rows 1, 2, 16 and 17; Start with a K stitch and end with a P stitch (removing 3 stitches leaves you with an even number of stitches so following the original pattern would leave you without a rib)
      For rows 3-15, K or P only 1 stitch at the beginning and K or P only 2 stitches at the end (since you're going to sew them into circles, it would keep the k/p3, k/p8 pattern intact)

      If you take out 2 stitches, make the following adjustments:
      For Rows 3-15, K or P only 2 stitches at the beginning and K or P only 2 stitches at the end.

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    2. Thank you so much for replying! I've fallen off the wagon lately ;)

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    3. Simply use a smaller needle - a 7mm? Make a sample first.

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  7. Thank you for publishing these. They are so cute, fast and easy! And the perfect gift for my sister for Christmas!

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  8. I kooked up the yarn and there are several types. Am I to use a chunky type yarn? Thank you

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Bernat Roving is a chunkier weight. Very cozy, too!

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  9. they are so cute but they turned out soooo big I was dissapointed

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    1. Really? Honestly these were a bit snug for me and I am not athletic in the slightest haha. It's totally possible it's a personal gauge thing! What needles/yarn did you use?

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    2. Love them, going to adapt the pattern to a pair of socks ... The young lady I am knitting for will adore ...she tells me the colour but I get free reign with the design. A winter sock for sure, boot height. Lovely and thanks.

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  10. I hate stitching... Could these be knit in the round?

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    1. I'm with you, Anastasha! I will leave a project unfinished for days because I don't want to stitch them together. I'm sure if you had small circular needles you could stitch them in the round. I personally found it helpful to have them flat as I worked so I could see the pattern better.

      Thanks!
      Beth

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    2. I worked them up in the round without any problems. Didn't even bother with trying them flat. I did remove a stitch from the end, so that the ribbing would work out.

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    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  11. Beth, I'm extremely impressed with you replies to everyone's comments and question. You are so precise. I can't wait to knit these as my first cable project.

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    1. Thanks, Bobbie! I hope you enjoy the pattern!

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  12. These are adorable! They'll be perfect for my sister.

    And I have had that EXACT conversation with people! I never thought boot cuffs would be so hard to understand. :P

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  13. Hi Beth-
    I started and ripped out the first cuff before settling on your original 47 stitches. The size works with the yarn I am using which is thick and thin, and 10 1/2 needles. But with 47 stitches working k1, p1 rib, I end with a p stitch, not a k stitch. Shouldn't the multiples of 11 mean using 44 or 55 stitches? Only with odd numbers you end in a p stitch. What do you think?
    Thanks so much-
    Catherine

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  14. So easy to make up, pattern easy to follow, I made them in an afternoon! Planning on making a bunch to go with the cable cows I'm making! Thanks for sure h an easy to read & quick pattern!!

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