Head into a deep, dark forest where nighttime critters get into mischief. These adorable socks, a collaboration between Andrea and Catherine at Gauge Dye Works, are inspired by sweet striped raccoon tails, their cute little faces, and trouble-making, dextrous hands. Get into a relaxed knitting vibe with the engaging striped legs, and enjoy a bit of delightful raccoon colourwork on the toes. A contrasting short row heel accents the socks perfectly.

This pattern is the June design for the 2025 Gauge Summer Yarn + Pattern Club. It’s sold out for 2025, but the pattern and yarn will be available separately in the summer of 2026.

If you already signed up, here’s a link to the KAL.

Like my designs? Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get updates, exclusive sales, and recommendations, plus the Mill Hill Toque pattern free!

Sizes
Finished Foot Circumference:
7.5(8.5, 9.5) in/19(21.5, 24) cm

Yarn
Yarn quantities are approximate.

312(351, 390) yd/285(321, 357) m
fingering weight yarn

Gauge Dye Works 4-ply Sock
(75% superwash Merino wool, 25% nylon; 465 yd/425 m per 100 g skein)

Colourways:
Forest Floor (brown; sample colour)
Midnight Paws (grey)
Witching Hour (purple)

Blocked Gauge
34 sts/40 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in Stockinette stitch with smaller needle

34 sts/36 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in stranded colourwork with larger needle

Needles
Use set double pointed needles, long circular needle for magic loop method, or other preferred small circumference knitting method.

Ribbing & single-colour Stockinette Stitch: Suggested Size US 1/2.25 mm needles

Stranded Colourwork:
Suggested Size US 2/2.75 mm needles

Notions
tapestry needle
stitch marker
waste yarn (optional)

Skills
I consider this an intermediate level pattern. Techniques used include working stranded colourwork from charted instructions with shaping in the chart, wrap-and-turn short row shaping, decreasing, and grafting.