Honestly Simple Crochet Boot Cuffs

Hey, friends!  I’m super excited today to share a brand new, original crochet pattern with you!  Looking back at last year’s top 10 posts, 7 of them were crochet tutorials…which told me that’s something you all might like to see more of this year!  I resolved to try and come up with some more projects that build on those basic stitches I taught in the Crochet 101 series; things that look fabulous, but are seriously SO easy that they’re honestly doable for everyone {yes, even you}!  All you need to know is a chain stitch, a double crochet, and a slip stitch, all of which you can find instructions for right here on the blog if you need them.

As many of you know, this weekend, I’m headed to NYC for the filming of the P&G Beauty and Lucky Magazine “New Voices of Beauty” video.  YOUR votes got me that golden ticket {thank you times a million!!!}, and now I’m headed to the Big Apple.  The filming is going to happen outside in the cold and snowy NY weather, and we were told to wear our most comfortable shoes, which in my case, is my pair of brown boots.  I’ve been wanting a pair of boot cuffs to wear with them for awhile now, so it seemed like the perfect time to figure out how to make myself a pair.  Here’s what I did, and you can too!

Materials:
All you need is yarn and a crochet hook to make these.  You can also grab two buttons, a needle, and some thread if you want to add a little accent like I did.  One of the fun things about crocheting is that you can use any color and type of yarn you like and create all kinds of different looks.  If you totally love these as is, though, here are the exact things I used:

– Lion Brand Yarns Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn in Oatmeal {6 oz}
– size I/9 hook

You can see in the photo that I bought two skeins of yarn since I didn’t know for sure how much the project would take, but one ended up being plenty.  The extra great news is that it was on sale for just $5 a skein at Michaels this week!  So, this whole project cost me five bucks.  Love it.  I chose this particular yarn because I wanted that chunky fisherman’s sweater kind of look.  I’m somewhat allergic to wool if it’s in direct contact with my skin all day, but since these are going over jeans or leggings, it’ll treat me just fine.

Now, on to the pattern!  I’m going to write it out step by step since I know many of you are beginning crocheters.  Also, before you can do step one, you have to start your yarn…if you don’t know how, check out this “Starting and Slip Knots” post to get you going.

Step 1: Chain {ch} 35.
As a disclaimer, you may have to chain more or less for your own.  This worked for me for this yarn, this size hook, and the size of my legs.  This is the part that will circle your leg.  You can chain and then wrap and measure, but keep in mind that this will stretch as you continue.  Chain about 10 less than you think you need to get the two ends to meet {ask me how I know}.

Step 2: Ch 3 to serve as the first double crochet, then double crochet {dc} in each of the other chain stitches until you get back to the beginning.  Turn.

Step 3: Ch 3, dc in each dc.  Turn.  *Repeat Step 3 until you have 7 total rows of dc}.
You may choose to do more or fewer rows, depending on the size of your stitches as well as your boots.  Mine have a cut out spot in the back, so I wanted to be sure the cuffs were long enough that they filled the entire cutout.

Step 4: Fold your piece in half with the right sides together on the inside.  Chain 1. Slip Stitch {ss} in each stitch of the short sides, joining the edges together.  Tie off and cut your yarn.  

Step 5: Turn right side out and tuck in your ends.

To give mine a little extra personality, I chose two little wooden heart-shaped buttons and sewed them on the sides of my cuffs using a needle and some embroidery thread.

That’s all there is to it!   This has to be the simplest boot cuff pattern ever; just chain, double crochet, and slip stitches.  Easy peasy!

I find that it’s more fun for me to crochet when I’m watching something, so I worked on these while catching up on the last few episodes of the Big Bang Theory.  My best guess is that the pair of them took me somewhere between 30-40 minutes.  So there you have it.  Pretty quick, $5 cheap, and totally easy, even if you’re just starting out.  Lots of you successfully made the coffee cozies, and this is even simpler.  Think of it as a cozy for your leg.  Because it is.  At least I hope they’ll keep me cozy in NYC!!!

Think you’ll make yourself a pair?  Or two or ten?  I’m already thinking about getting some yarn in other colors…maybe some sparkles too!

Just in case you’re still not so sure you can crochet {Honestly, you CAN!!}, check out this pattern my friend Adrianne came up with using a kids’ knitting loom…no actual knitting or crocheting skills required.  Either way, make yourself a pair and stay warm!  Brrrrrr, it’s cold in Artsy Land!

Hugs & Glitter,