The Varsity Beekeeper Socks combine two techniques that seem daunting but are surprisingly simple to work: brioche and vertical stranded knitting. The vertical and horizontal stripes together remind me of a varsity sweater. Maybe, if beekeeping was a school sport, you could earn one if your bees made the best honeycomb, like the honeycomb brioche on these socks.

These socks are knit in two colors from the cuff down. They feature a ribbed cuff with contrast stripes, a honeycomb brioche pattern along the front of the leg and instep, and two vertically stranded contrast stripes framing the brioche. They are worked with a contrast heel flap, a gusset, and a wedge toe.

Yarn

437 yd (400 m) / 100 g of fingering weight yarn in a main color.
66 yd (60 m) / 15 g of fingering weight yarn in a contrast color.

Pictured in Enchanted Knoll Farm Superwash Sock in colorway Roses in the Snow (MC) and undyed Arbor Twist Sycamore Sock (CC).

Needles

US 0 / 2mm circular needles or set of DPNs (or size needed to obtain gauge).
Since brioche is stretchy and often works up at a looser gauge than stockinette, you may want to go down a needle size from your usual sock needle.

Gauge

34 stitches and 48 rows per 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch.

Finished Measurements

S (M, L): 6.5 (7.5, 8.5) in / 16.5 (19, 21.5) cm foot and leg circumference.
Length and height are adjustable.
Choose a size that will fit with about 1 in / 2.5 cm of negative ease.