Gründl
German sock yarn with color gradient – handcrafted since 1933, with passion and thoroughness.
What makes Gründl special
Gründl is a family-run German yarn company with a tradition. Since 1933 – now in its fourth generation – the brand stands for one thing: thoroughness. For Gründl, this means not only quality but also approachability, personality, and a special dose of passion. The company offers over 1,300 products related to knitting and crochet – and understands that it’s about more than just materials: it’s about inspiration, the joy of creating, the moment when simple threads turn into something wonderful.
At BONIFAKTUR, we carry the Hot Socks line – Sock Yarns that perfectly capture Gründl’s philosophy: high-quality, accessible, and with a very special detail – beautiful, self-patterning color gradients that emerge while knitting. Light Fingering weight, durable thanks to polyamide reinforcement, and simply made with love.
An overview of the two Yarns
Gründl HOT SOCKS MADENA
HOT SOCKS MADENA is the most colorful Sock Yarn in the Hot Socks family. The yarns come with beautiful, vibrant Color Gradients – gentle transitions, harmonious nuances, melange-like effects that naturally unfold while knitting. Each Color Gradient is unique, every Ball a small work of art. The blend of Virgin Wool and Polyamide makes the yarn durable and shape-retaining – perfect for Socks that stay beautiful for a long time. With over 920 projects on Ravelry, MADENA is the Favorite Yarn of many knitters who love color.
Gründl HOT SOCKS SIMILA
HOT SOCKS SIMILA is the "intelligent" sister of MADENA. This yarn also features beautiful color gradients – but with a clever detail: a marker thread runs through the yarn. This means that if you knit two Socks from one Ball – one from the inside, one from the outside – you get two almost identical Socks without having to unravel them. That’s thoroughness in detail. With four harmoniously coordinated color options, SIMILA offers a smaller but carefully selected palette – for those who love color but also prefer clarity.
Which Gründl HOT SOCKS yarn for which project?
HOT SOCKS MADENA: If you love color and enjoy options. Eight different color gradients, vibrant shades, maximum variety. Perfect for anyone who likes to be surprised while knitting – each ball is a little different.
HOT SOCKS SIMILA: If symmetry matters to you and you like to knit "pair-accurate." The marker thread makes it possible – two socks, one ball, same colors in the same spots. Four harmonious color variants, clear choice, perfect pairing.
Both yarns: Durable thanks to Polyamide, skin-friendly, shape-retaining, and well made from the ground up – just as you expect from Gründl.
Care Tips
Machine Wash: 30°C, wool program, with Wool Wash. Wash in a laundry bag to reduce mechanical stress.
Hand Wash: lukewarm, about 30°C, mild detergent. Do not wring or twist – gently squeeze.
Drying: Roll out in a towel, dry flat. Do not dry in the sun or on the heater.
Tip: Yarns from different baths can have slightly different shades – buy all balls for a project from the same Dye Lot and regularly alternate between the balls while Knitting to achieve an even color distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Gründl come from?
Gründl is a German yarn company with a long tradition. Founded in 1933, it is now family-run in the fourth generation. The company offers over 1,300 products related to knitting and crochet – and understands that quality and passion go hand in hand.
What is the difference between MADENA and SIMILA?
Both yarns have an identical fiber composition and meterage (approx. 75% Virgin Wool, 25% Polyamide, 420m/100g). The difference lies in two details: (1) Color selection – MADENA has eight options, SIMILA has four. (2) The marker thread in SIMILA allows knitting pairs from one ball with identical colors in identical places. MADENA does not have this thread – each ball is unique.
Are the Hot Socks machine washable?
Yes. Both yarns (MADENA and SIMILA) can be washed at 30°C in the wool program of the washing machine. Use a laundry bag, Wool Wash, and then dry flat. Hand Wash is also possible and recommended for maximum Durability.
Why do the color gradients have different shades?
Because every ball is handcrafted – with Gründl, it’s no different than with other artisanal yarns. Color gradients arise from dyeing processes that cannot be standardized by machines. This also means: The richness of the color is always authentic. For projects that need to be consistent in color, buy all balls from the same Dye Lot.
Is one Ball of HOT SOCKS enough for a pair of Socks?
HOT SOCKS SIMILA: Yes – that’s exactly the point. One ball, two Socks, thanks to the marker thread with identical Colors. MADENA: 420m is tight for a pair of adult Socks (standard is about 400–450m), so plan carefully. For large sizes, it can be tight.
Why does SIMILA have a marker thread?
The marker thread allows you to knit two socks from one ball – one from the inside, one from the outside – and still get exactly identical colors in exactly the same places. This is true thoroughness: problem-solving in detail. The two threads are automatically knitted in during knitting and pulled out at the end.
Discover all Gründl HOT SOCKS
MADENA and SIMILA – colorful from Germany, with thoroughness since 1933, all Colors immediately available.
To the Gründl range