Burrr! It's getting chilly out there. So what's a skirt-loving woman or a leggings-clad lounger to do? The answer is leg warmers.

Buying a pair of leg warmers seem like the obvious way to go, but then you'll have a pair just like a bunch of other people. If you want a fab pair of one-of-a-king leg warmers that are eco-friendly and will cost you a fraction of the store-bought kind, think DIY.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Find a Sweet Sweater

Head to your local thrift shop and look for a ski sweater--you know, the ones with the snowflakes and deer--and pay special attention to the sleeves, as that's the part you'll be upcycling into leg warmers.

In terms of size, you'll want the arm to comfortably sit on your lower leg. If you feel silly about trying to shove your leg through the sleeve of a sweater, well, that's why they have change rooms. Another great place to scrounge for a sweater: the back of relatives' closets!

Cut the Sleeves Off

Turn the sweater inside out. Use a piece of chalk or seamstress pencil to mark the length you'll want for each leg warmer, measuring up from the cuff of the sweater. Cut the sleeve along the line, making sure your cut is steady and even. (Note: If the sweater is a loose knit, cut and finish one leg warmer before cutting the second to prevent unraveling.)

Sew Sister, Sew Sister

There are two finishing options for the leg warmers: rustic or refined.

The rustic look is defined by embracing and highlighting the raw, unfinished edge. Mark a line one-half inch below the unfinished edge. Using the zig-zag stitch, sew along the line (the seam will keep the leg warmer from unravelling). Turn the leg warmer right-side-out and you're done!

For the refined look, fold the raw edge over twice, pinning the folded knit in place, and sew along the edge. Turn the leg warmer right-side-out, and the edge will be hidden within the seam for a more refined finish.

If you're really sewing savvy, you can make anything from mittens to a Christmas stocking.

Cara Smusiak writes on behalf of Naturally Savvy.com about how to live a more natural, organic and green lifestyle.