This design is inspired by the novel Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. I love the look of Victorian hot air balloons. I imagine a midnight ride, the buzz of excitement as the balloon lifts higher into the stars. Compass roses adorn the front and back of the sock. This design is a collaboration with Crafty That Way.

These socks are knit cuff down, increasing stitches and changing needle size for the colourwork on the leg and foot to accommodate the less stretchy fabric of stranded knitting. I started with a US1 (2.25 mm) needle and increased to a US1½ (2.5 mm) for the colourwork. If your gauge is the same for both stranded and plain stockinette then switching needles may not be necessary but I do recommend increasing stitches.
The heel is a slipped stitch heel flap and the toe is grafted together with Kitchener stitch.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Approx. circumference in stranded, not stretched, after blocking: 7 (8, 9) inches/17.5 (20, 22.5) cm

YARN USED in photo:
MC: Crafty That Way Crafty Sock fingering yarn, 80% superwash merino wool/ 20% nylon, 420 yds/115g, Myrtle Green
CC: Crafty That Way Crafty Sock fingering yarn, 80% superwash merino wool/ 20% nylon, 420 yds/115g, Arcadian Green

YARDAGE:
Approximate yardage used (for medium circumference and 9 inch (22.5 cm) foot):
MC: 220 yds/202 m
CC: 140 yds/128 m

Needles:
For ribbing, heel, and toe: US1 (2.25mm) dpns or circular needles for preferred method of knitting, or size needed to obtain gauge
For colourwork: US1½ (2.5mm) dpns or circular needles for preferred method of knitting, or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge:
Using US1½ (2.5 mm) after blocking, over stranded pattern knit in the round: 36 sts x 39 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm)

There are two documents. One has the traditional white with black charts. The other has inverted charts, black with white.

This pattern has been tech edited by Sigrun Jones and tested by volunteers.