Off the Rails is designed for the Canadian Crazy Train on Ravelry. A large broken rib represents the rails and the cabled circles are reminiscent of the wheels of the train and the steam engine.
WARNING: It’s always risky to cross railway tracks! Railway crossings and unconventional symbols will keep you from going Off the Rails!

Techniques
Ability to understand charts, work in the round, work cables, and work short rows for toe and heel. Due to cabling and changes in number of stitches per round, this is an advanced sock pattern. The pattern is written toe-up. If you want to adapt to top-down, please read the whole pattern to note heel placement.

Suggested Yarn
Any stretchy sockweight yarn. Pictured socks were knit using 2 skeins of Louet Gems Merino: 166m (185yds), 50g, per skein on 2.25mm needles for the foot and 2.5mm-2.75mm for the leg. Finished length: 47cm, 18”. Finished circumference: 16cm, ~6.5”. Adjust needle size for thicker yarns.

Suggested Needle Size & Notions
2.25 mm and 2.5mm to 3.25mm and 3.75mm according to gauge and yarn size. Five double pointed needles or two circular needles as preferred. Cable needle.
Gauge on 2.75mm needles over leg motif: 5.5cm/22stitches, 6.25cm/28rows.

NOTE: The cables and short row heel make this sock fit much tighter than normal gauges, adjust your normal needle size up and/or consider using a gusseted toe-up heel.