Green and pink are one of my favorite color combos, from the brightest shades to the subtlest. Combining these two colors with a fun brioche motif resulted in a look that reminded me of a forest with lollipops in pink. Inspired by bubble motifs that resemble lollipops, these socks are like Candyland and fairy tales for grownups! Choose two colors that either really ‘pop’ for ultimate wow-factor, or a color combo that appears more muted for a more mature look.
These socks are meant to be more slipper-socks than boot socks; worked in a sport-weight yarn, they yield a squishier sock that’s perfect for wearing around the house. Since they’re worked in brioche, I wouldn’t suggest planning a project that’s going to get lots of wear. Make these as a treat for your feet!
Size
Finished Foot Circumference (5.75, 7, 7.75)” [16, 18.5, 20.25 cm] to fit foot circumference (7, 8, 9)” [17.75, 20.25, 23 cm]
1-1.5” [2-2.5 cm] negative ease recommended.
Shown in size 5.75”
Yarn
Space Cadet Yarn Lyra (100% superwash merino; 270 yards [247 meters]/100 grams): Longing (MC), (1, 1, 1) ball; Poppet (CC), (1, 1, 1) ball
Thanks, Space Cadet Yarn, for providing the yarn for Lollipop Forest! And because they’re just fabulous to work with, they’ve also created kits for Lollipop Forest as well!
Needles/Hook
Size US 2 (2.75 mm): 40” circular
Notions
Stitch markers for heel shaping
Locking stitch marker for brioche double decrease
tapestry needle
Gauge
26 sts and 36 Rounds = 4” [10 cm] in St st worked in the rnd after wet blocking.
22 sts and 64 Rounds = 4” [10 cm] in brioche rib worked in the rnd after wet blocking.
Abbreviations
Please see our standard abbreviations.
Brk1: brioche knit 1 (knit into slipped st and its yo ‘shawl’, as in a k2tog).
Brp1: brioche purl: purl slipped st and its yo ‘shawl’ together, like for a p2tog.
Sl1yo: move yarn to front, slip st from LN to RN pwise, bring yarn over needle and to the back if working a k st next or all the way back to the front if working a p st next.
2-st brioche inc: knit into slipped st and its yo ‘shawl’, yo, and knit into same st again (2 sts inc).
4-st brioche inc: knit into slipped st and its yo ‘shawl’, *yo, knit into same st again, rep from * once more (4 sts inc).
4-st brioche dec: slip next 2 sts from LN to RN (slipping brioche st with its yo), k next st, move st just knitted to LN, pass second st on LN over first st, move st on LN to RN, pass second st on RN over first st, move st to LN, pass second st on LN over first st, move st back to RN, pass second st over first st (4 sts dec).
BrRsl dec: brioche right-leaning decresae: slip next brioche st (slipped st and its yo ‘shawl’) to RN, k next st, pass slipped st and its shawl over st just knitted, place this st on LN, pass second st and its shawl over st on end of LN, replace st to RN (2 sts dec).
BrLsl dec: brioche left-leaning decrease: slip next brioche st (slipped st and its yo ‘shawl’) to RN, k next 2 sts tog (including the yo ‘shawl’ with the 2nd st on LN), pass slipped st and its shawl over st just knitted (2 sts dec).
DS: double st (see tutorial on German short rows)
There are some helpful video tutorials for these increases and decreases here.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked toe-up with Magic Loop. You are welcome to substitute another favorite method of knitting socks (ie: two long circulars, dpns, etc); however, please note that the heel shaping is most easily worked on one circular. The instructions are most easily followed this way.
The cast on for this project is Judy’s Magic Cast On, but you are also welcome to change this to any other cast on for toe-up socks as you desire.
Given these socks are toe-up, they avoid the challenge with Brioche stitch and a cast-on that isn’t stretchy enough.
The foot and cuff of this sock feature brioche rib in two colors, worked entirely in the round.
For best results, be sure to bring your yarn to the front of your work and let it hang after every round. This will ensure that your round transitions will be entirely invisible.
Written directions are given for the Right sock Instep only.
Charts
Given the charts are a bit large (not hard – just very detailed), we’re giving you a PDF of each size.
Sock instructions
Right Sock
With MC, CO (8, 10, 12) sts on each needle using Judy’s Magic CO; (16, 20, 24) sts total.
Rnd 1: K.
Rnd 2: *K2, kfb, k to last 3 sts on needle, kfb, k2, rep from * on second needle; (20, 24, 28) sts.
Rep Rnds 1-2 (6, 7, 7) times total; (40, 48, 52) sts.
Transition (Decrease) Rnd
Size S: *K3, k2tog, rep from * to end; 32 sts.
Size M: *K3, k2tog, rep from * to last 4 sts, k1, k2tog; 38 sts.
Size L: *K3, k2tog, rep from * to last 2 sts, k2; 42 sts.
Begin Brioche Rib
Setup Rnd 1: With CC, *sl1yo, p1, rep from * to end.
Setup Rnd 2: With MC, *brk1, sl1yo, rep from * to end.
Rnd 1: With CC, *sl1yo, brp1, rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: With MC, *brk1, sl1yo, rep from * to end.
Rep Rounds 1-2 22 times, then rep Rnd 1 once more.
Begin Brioche Lollipop Pattern (Right Sock) from chart according to sock size or written directions.
Rnd 1: With MC, brk1, sl1yo, brRsl dec, sl1yo, 4-st brioche inc, sl1yo, brLsl dec, sl1yo, *brk1, sl1yo, rep from * to end.
Rnd 2 and all even rnds to 16: With CC, *sl1yo, brp1, rep from * to end, working a p1 in every yo from the 4-st brioche inc.
Rnd 3, 7, 11, 15: With MC, *brk1, sl1yo, rep from * to end.
Rnd 5: With MC, brRsl dec, sl1yo, brk1, sl1yo, 4-st brioche inc, sl1yo, brk1, sl1yo, brLsl dec, sl1yo, *brk1, sl1yo, rep from * to end.
Rnds 9 and 13: With MC, 2-st brioche inc, sl1yo, brk1, sl1yo, 4-st brioche dec, sl1yo, brk1, sl1yo, 2-st brioche inc, sl1yo, *brk1, sl1yo, rep from * to end.
Rep Rounds 1-16 until foot measures (6, 7, 8)” [15, 18, 20 cm], or until 2” [5 cm] shorter than desired length, ending with an even round.
Heel Shaping
With MC, work next odd Brioche Lollipop Rnd across instep. You will now transition to St st for the heel and will leave the brioche on the instep to continue once the heel is complete.
Set-up
Size S: *Kfb, k3, rep from * to last st on needle, turn; 20 sts on heel.
Size M: *Kfb, k3, rep from * to last 3 sts, kfb, k to last st on needle, turn; 24 sts on heel.
Size L: *Kfb, k3, rep from * to last 5 sts, kfb, k to last st, turn; 26 sts on heel.
Heel Section A
Row 1 (WS): DS, p to last st, turn.
Row 2 (RS): DS, k to DS, turn.
Row 3 (WS): DS, p to DS, turn.
Rep Rows 2-3 until there are (6, 8, 9) DS on left side and (5, 7, 8) DS on right side, with 9 sts in center of heel, ending with WS Row 3.
Heel Section B
Row 1 (RS): DS, k to last DS, pm before DS, turn.
Row 2 (WS): DS, p to last DS, pm before DS, turn.
Row 3 (RS): DS, k to 1 st before DS, turn.
Row 4 (WS): DS, p to 1 st before DS, turn.
Heel Section C
Row 1 (RS): DS, k to m, rm, k1, turn.
Row 2 (WS): DS, p to m, rm, p1, turn.
Row 3 (RS): DS, k to DS, k both legs of DS together, k1, turn.
Row 4 (WS): DS, p to DS, p both legs of DS together, p1, turn.
Rep Rows 3-4 until 3 sts rem at each end: 2 DS and 1 edge st left unworked.
Next Row: K across needle with heel sts.
Setup Rnd: With CC, work in patt across instep, then work decs over heel as foll:
Size S: *K2tog, k3, rep from * to end; 32 sts total.
Size M: *K2tog, k3, rep from * 4 times, k2tog, k1; 38 sts total.
Size L: *K2tog, k3, rep from * 5 times, k1; 42 sts total.
Cuff
Work in patt to end of Rnd 16 of Brioche Lollipop Pattern. Then work Rnd 17 of chart to transition to full cuff pattern. Begin Cuff chart for Right sock and work until 1” [2.5 cm] shorter than desired length.
Work Brioche Rib as above for 1” [2.5 cm].
With MC, BO all sts loosely, working a brk1 in every sl1yo and a p1 in all brp1 sts.
Left Sock
Follow instructions for Right Sock to Brioche Lollipop Pattern, working Left sock charts as for size.
Finishing
Weave in all ends.
Wet block lightly to measurements.
About the Designer: Emily Connell
About the Designer: Emily ConnellEmily Connell is an instructor and designer in Baltimore, Maryland. She likes to design sweaters in particular, but also, more recently, shawls with intriguing constructions and clever techniques. Short rows, stripes, and lace are her favorites.
You can find her with her current project and her cat, Curious, who is always trying to steal or sleep on the yarn.
Hello,
I’ve some troubles with the pattern charts : I don’t understand the transition row 17 of right instep. it seem to me there is some errors.
Would you please bring some light to me ?
thanks a lot
Shah
You work the Transition rnd 17 at the beginning of the cuff section, after completing the heel. This rnd has decreases and increases to set up for working the Cuff charts. It is different for each size. Which size are you working and what do you think the errors are?