The Sunglasses At Night Socks are inspired by the song of the same name by Corey Hart. Now, before you decide that I’m an 80s-synthesizer-music fan, I’m definitely not! I wasn’t even born when this song came out. But where I first heard the song was on my first day at the University of Guelph. On your first night of O-Week at Guelph, traditionally they get all the new first-years together for a pep rally, where (among other things) the “OVs”
 (Orientation Week Volunteers) perform a big group dance.

My years at the University of Guelph provided me with a lot of education about social justice, especially as it relates to the LGBTQ+ community. After years of court battles and debates, same-sex marriage was finally legalized in Canada shortly after my first year at university (July 2005), and I spent my second year as a Residence Assistant, which included extensive training on diversity and inclusivity.

With that in mind, at least 40% of the proceeds of all purchases of this pattern go to Friends of Ruby, which is an organization that provides a welcoming space for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Based in Toronto, they offer counselling, transitional housing, and social services for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and gender non-conforming young people seeking community and support.

Pattern Description

These colourwork socks feature a fun 8-bit-style motif of sunglasses and sparkles. The left and right socks are worked identically, and they feature a roomy Chinstrap short-row heel. The pattern offers three adult sizes and the socks are adjustable in length and height. Both toe-up and cuff-down instructions are provided. Corresponding written instructions are provided for the charts.

This pattern requires the knitter to be able to knit stranded colourwork on a small circumference in the round (the pattern is written in a method-neutral manner and is suitable for any sock knitting technique). It provides video assistance for all non-basic required techniques.

Yarn Requirements and Sizing

Sizes available: Adult Small (Medium, Large) — 58 (66, 74) st — for foot circumferences of 18 (20.5, 23) cm / 7 (8, 9) inches; foot lengths and leg heights are adjustable

Approximate yarn requirements:

• Colour A: 200 (220, 240) m / 220 (240, 260) yards
• Colour B: 120 (130, 140) m / 130 (140, 150) yards

If you want a similar effect to the sample socks, try using a self-striping yarn for Colour A! Since the colourwork flows smoothly around the heel, which is worked in Colour B, the stripes will run uninterrupted from toe to cuff.

These socks are rated 4/5 — Adventurous — on my sock pattern difficulty scale. This is because although nearly half of the rounds are plain knitting, in the colourwork rounds they require managing some longer floats while maintaining stretch.