Dunn's River by Deb Barnhill

My marriage began with a terrific “weddingmoon” in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, a highlight of which was climbing the beautiful Dunn’s River Falls.  The falls are spectacular to view, with tumbling water emptying into the serene Caribbean Sea.  Similarly, this sock’s stitch pattern expands to cascade down the foot, then narrows away to stockinette.

For this design, I broke with my toe-up tradition and played with the sock’s construction elements.  Its shape most closely resembles the “Sky” architecture from Cat Bordhi’s New Pathways for Sock Knitters:  Book One, with a few tweaks to keep you guessing.  Feather and fan gets a boost with widening repeats that form the arch expansion, then taper away to stockinette to minimize shaping distortion on the foot.  Do give it a good steam block before wearing, as this architectural interest may look a bit scrunchy off the needles.

The pattern is written with a traditional slipped-stitch heel.  For a sexy sandal sock, continue the leg pattern on the back needle until the end of the arch expansion.

In tribute to their sky architecture, Cristi Brockway photographed the socks shown at Kerry Park, with views of the Seattle skyline.

Photo credit:  Cristi Brockway, Cheri Jackson

Sizes

One Size
Length: to fit (sock shown measures 9 inches)
Circumference around leg: 8 inches, stretches to 10 inches
Circumference around foot: 7.5 inches, stretches to 9 inches
(All measurements taken after blocking)

Yarn

The Unique Sheep Tinsel Toes (50% merino, 50% tencel); 367 yards [336 meters]/100 grams); Color: Andrea Gradiance; 1 “sock set” of 4 x 25 g skeins

Needles

2 US#1 (2.25 mm) circular needles, 20 inches or longer

Gauge

32 sts and 48 rows = 4" in St st

Notions

Tapestry needle