Ornithopters were the most common small winged aerial vehicles used in the Imperium. They were jet propelled while wings mimicking bird flight maneuvered the vessel. The pattern naturally creates bumps between the ornithopters which represent the dunes on Arrakis. The alternating twisted stitch and knit 1 below stitch create the slipstream created by the ornithopter in flight.
The broken rib cuff is the city being left behind as it picks up
speed. Sock is worked top down with a strong heel for visual interest.