Leg warmers make great gifts for Christmas when the weather has turned cold. Here in the great northwest it's cold and rainy for more months than it's dry and warm so these are perfect.

I have made a pair of kids leg warmer's but by switching up to larger knitting needles you can easily make them for adults also. These are sized to fit a 4 to 6 year old.
You will need:

Yarn
size 7 and size 8 straight knitting needles
large sewing needle
scissors
thread
4 buttons

Step 1: Time to Knit

With size 7 knitting needles cast on about 36 stitches. Depending on the pattern you choose for the main body you may need to add or subtract a stitch or two but as long as they have about a 9" circumference they will work. I tried this sweet yellow pair on my six year old grandson just to make sure. He was a good sport and they were a perfect fit.

Knit 1, purl 1 across making a rib stitch for about 2".
Switch to the size 8 needles for the body of the leg warmer's
Here is where you can be creative and use your favorite knit stitch.
I used a moss stitch of k2, p2 across then on the next row I k2 in the purl stitches and p2 in the knit stitches.
Knit in pattern until the entire piece measures 8".

Switch back to the smaller needles and rib stitch, same as the top for about 3 1/3" making the total length 11 1/2".

You can sew them up at this point and add the buttons for decoration or make a flap with 2 buttonholes so they can be buttoned closed at the bottom.

Step 2: Putting It All Together

Thread some yarn onto a large eyed needle and sew up the sides. I just whip stitch them together close to the edge. I left mine open at the bottom ribbing so they could be buttoned up.