From the pattern description:

The instant I saw this stitch pattern, I fell in love! The strong, sinuous lines just beckoned to be made into a pair of socks.

I had just dyed up several new colorways, and the variegated one pictured begged to be knit in this pattern. After knitting the socks, top down, the pattern continued to enchant me, and I just had to see what they would look like in a ‘Just About’ solid yarn.

I am thrilled with the way the lines carve out their pattern and travel down the leg and foot.

I particularly like the one twisted knit stitch on the sides that flows out of the pattern and down the foot to visually separate the top of the foot from the bottom. The stitch pattern to me suggests hourglass timers, and thus the name.