Kalaloch

I planned these leggings carefully. The features listed above are just a few that make these a wonderful winter garment. The seat is shaped to give more room in the hips, as most ladies require, and has an engaging and beautiful cable pattern that draws the fabric in to give the legs a custom fit. The ribbed cuff adds to this comfortable, customized fit.

Yarn choice is also vital in making these work well for the wearer. I chose Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Heavyweight for lots of reasons. First, it’s soft merino wool, which matters because these are worn right next to the skin, not only on the legs, but at the more sensitive waist. I’d hate to have an itchy waistband. The wool content is also vital, not only because it’s cozy warm, but because it stretches beautifully and keeps its shape (even when you sit on it repeatedly.) The yarn is also machine washable, a feature I appreciate in anything that’s going to be worn so close to the body. And lastly, I love the structure. It’s densely plied, which adds to the durability and gorgeous stitch definition. Some other yarns that share these features (and that I’m itching to try these in!) are:

1: Hazel Knits DK Lively (90% Superwash Merino, 10% Nylon; 275yd), which comes in fantastic colors (I’m thinking Fudge for my next pair)

2: Madelinetosh Tosh DK (100% Merino; 225yd)

In choosing other yarn substitutes, I’d avoid blends with much plant fiber, alpaca or silk because I really don’t want any drape with this garment. It’s all about snug fit. I’d also avoid single ply yarns because, though the colors can really pop, they pill more readily and aren’t quite as durable.

Kalaloch

10/17/11

Kalaloch in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Heavyweight (100% Merino; 350yd/320m per 198g skein)

Yes, these are knitted leggings. With awesome cables and short row shaping in the seat! And, to add to their functionality, a knitted-in encased elastic waistband. The photos all show these worn with a tank top, but really I wear these with dresses and skirts to make my wardrobe warm for the winter.

I’ve been a bit fixated on knitting pants for several years. I worked on a crocheted pair than never really got past the Victorian bike shorts look (no, I didn’t really ever wear those), and then made my Zoe Beach Shorts, which definitely worked, but didn’t really count strictly as pants. But then, I created Miss Bloomers Bifurcated Ensemble. I definitely think these count, though they are pretty much lounge or costume wear. (Although, now that I think about it, they would be adorable underneath a lacy skirt...) So, when I sketched out Kalaloch, I was hopeful that I’d get closer than ever to real, functional, wearable pants. And they turned out just like my sketch, but better.

For some construction specifics, these are worked top-down. One leg is worked first, and then the second is worked from held stitches and stitches picked up on the inside of the first leg. They’re totally seamless, and the only finishing required is weaving in ends and blocking!

As with all the patterns in the Lenke Collection, this one is available as an individual PDF download or as a part of the Lenke Collection ebook, which is all ten patterns for just $20.

Pattern Specs

★Sizes & Finished Measurements:
• XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] (shown in size XS)
• Wear with 3-5 inches of negative ease; choose size 3-5in smaller than desired low waist circumference
• Low Waist: 22.5(25.5, 28.25, 30.5, 33.5, 36.25, 39.25)in/57(65, 72, 77.5, 85, 92, 99.5)cm
• Full Hip: 29(32, 35, 37.75, 39.25, 42.25, 45)in/73.5(81.5, 89, 96, 99.5, 107.5, 114.5)cm

★ Yarn:

• 831(942, 1043, 1126, 1237, 1339, 1450)yds/760(861, 954, 1030, 1131, 1224, 1326)m dk weight yarn

• Shown in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Heavy- weight (100% Merino; 350yd/320m per 198g skein); Color: Deep Unrelenting Gray; 3(3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins

★ Gauge:

• 22 sts/32 rows = 4”/10cm in St st

★ Recommended Needles:

* Needle Sizes are recommendations only. Always use needle size necessary to obtain gauge.

• 2 24-inch US #6/4.0mm circular needles

• Set US #6/4.0mm double pointed needles or 32in or longer

circular needle for magic loop

• Optional for larger sizes: 32-40” US #6/4.0mm circular

needle (use for hips)

• Size F/3.75mm Crochet hook

★ Skills:

provisional cast on, knitting in hem while encasing elastic, cables, working in the round, shaping, picking up stitches

Buy the pattern here or on Ravelry.

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Kalaloch Leggings Pattern

$7.00 PDF Download