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New Pattern Release: The Grumpy/Sunshine Socks

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The Grumpy/Sunshine Socks, which are the second pair of socks in the Golden Honey Sock Club, are now available! Read on for more information about where to buy the pattern, details and specs, an easy shopping list, and more.

A pair of speckled socks is laid out out flat on a white marble countertop with the toes pointing to the left. The socks are knit in a pattern that alternates columns of stockinette stitch with columns of ribbed eyelets. The socks are surrounded by small eucalyptus branches, antique books, and a lace handkerchief.

Golden Honey Sock Club

You can find listings for the Golden Honey Sock Club membership in my Etsy shop and in my Ravelry shop. This is the most cost-effective way to buy this pattern along with four other patterns, a private Slack community, and monthly Zoom knit nights. For more information about how the sock club works, learn about the Golden Honey Sock Club here.

Etsy

Here’s where you’ll find the Grumpy/Sunshine Socks on Etsy.

Ravelry

Here’s where you’ll find the Grumpy/Sunshine Socks on Ravelry.

A pair of brown, pink, and gray speckled socks with contrasting tan cuff, heels, and toes are laid out flat on a countertop. The image is shot low from the heel of the right sock across toward the left sock, which blurs into the background. This image shows the construction of the whole foot with special attention on the slipped stitch flap heel.

About the Grumpy/Sunshine Socks

I love a good grumpy/sunshine pairing, which is where one half of a couple is an incorrigible curmudgeon and the other half is overpoweringly cheerful. Many of us carry elements of both personalities within us, and they emerge at different times. It’s extra fun to explore how that dynamic plays out when love and longing get involved.

When I started playing with design ideas for this sock, I knew I wanted to use this skein of beautifully speckled yarn. I also knew, though, that those speckles would make it too strong for a highly textured sock design. In fact, this gorgeous yarn was decidedly grumpy when I started working with it. It needed some sunshine for balance.

Two pairs of socks are laid out in an alternating pattern on a white marble countertop with the toes pointing to the right. One pair is knit in a tan yarn, while the other is knit in a brown, pink, and gray speckled yarn. The second pair has a contrasting cuff, heel, and toe knit with the same yarn as the first pair of socks. They are surrounded by a burgundy and white teacup full of milky tea, faded hellebores in shades of dark burgundy and green, and white puffy balls of snowball viburnum.

So I added a contrast cuff, heel, and toe on the main sample, and then I worked a second sample in the plain yarn. These two pairs of socks together are the perfect grumpy/sunshine partnership, and I plan to keep them together forever. What a splendid happily ever after!

These socks are knit from the cuff down and graded to five sizes. They feature a simple ten-stitch repeat that is very easily memorized. A heel flap and gusset provide an adjustable fit, while the socks are finished with a classic wedge toe.

Easy Shopping List

In case you want to knit these socks using the exact materials I did, here is a shopping list with easy links for you. Some of these are affiliate links, which means if you choose to buy something through those links, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I will always identify affiliate links for you. Thanks for supporting my work!

cowgirlblues Proper Sock in colorway Barbra Streisand

Chiaogoo US Size 1.5 (2.5 mm) short circular needles (affiliate link)

The DPNs I’ve used since 2009 (affiliate link)

Stitch markers (budget option) (affiliate link)

Stitch markers (fancy option) (affiliate link)

A pair of brown, pink, and gray speckled socks with contrasting tan cuff, heels, and toes are laid out flat on a countertop. The image is shot low from the heel of the right sock across toward the left sock, which blurs into the background. This image shows the construction of the whole foot with special attention on the slipped stitch flap heel.

Grumpy/Sunshine Socks Details and Specs

Here are all the nitty gritty details about the Grumpy/Sunshine Socks including their dimensions, materials, gauge, needles, and more.

Sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Finished sock dimensions: 6.25” (16 cm), 7.5” (19 cm), 8.75” (22 cm), 10” (25.5 cm), 11.25” (28.5 cm) circumference (Note: most people like their socks snug, so choose a finished sock size that is slightly smaller than your actual foot)

Materials: Two-colored version uses fingering weight yarn, main color 260-420 yds (238-384 m), contrast color 1 mini skein for a maximum of 115 yds (105 m) (sizes 1-3) or two mini skeins for a maximum of 230 yds (210 m) (sizes 4-5)

One-colored version uses fingering weight yarn, 280-440 yds (256-403 m)

Two-color sample shown knit in Cowgirl Blues Proper Sock, 75% Superwash Wool, 25% Nylon, 400 yds (366 m) per 3.5 oz (100g), colorway Barbra Streisand (main color); Regia 4-ply Solids, 75% Virgin Wool, 25% Polyamide, 459 yds (420 m) per 3.5 oz (100g) (contrast color)

Single-color sample shown knit in Regia 4-ply Solids, 75% Virgin Wool, 25% Polyamide, 459 yds (420 m) per 3.5 oz (100g)

A top-down image of the legs of two socks knit in the same pattern of columns of stockinette broken up by ribbed eyelets. The sock on the left is all tan. The sock on the right is brown, gray, and pink speckled, with a contrasting cuff and heel knit in the same yarn as the first sock.

Gauge: 4” (10 cm) square = 32 stitches x 41 rows in stockinette

Needles: One set of needles for your preferred style of small-circumference knitting in a size to match gauge listed above. Suggested needle size: US 1.5 (2.5 mm).

Tools: One stitch marker for beginning of round; optional additional markers between pattern repeats. Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Skill level: Intermediate. Techniques: decreases, knitting in the round, stockinette stitch grafting

A pair of brown, pink, and gray speckled socks with contrasting tan cuff, heels, and toes are laid out flat on a countertop. The image is shot low from the toe of the left sock up along the feet, which blur into the background. This image gives a detailed look at the wedge toe construction.

If You Like This Pattern, You’ll Also Like…

If there’s one thing I’ve discovered in my years as a knitter, it’s that many of us have favorite motifs we like to revisit. In case you’re the same, here are some suggestions based on this pair of socks.

  • The Comity Socks, which also use a style of ribbed eyelets in an unusual and visually pleasing way
  • The Plenitude Shawl, a similarly soothing knit punctuated by brief bits of pattern
  • The Abalone Socks, another pair of socks with a simple stitch pattern that’s one step up from a vanilla sock

DD

Friday 15th of December 2023

What is the pattern for those gorgeous copper socks?

Lauren Rad

Friday 15th of December 2023

Hi there! Not sure which socks you're talking about. Can you link to a photo?

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