The twists and turns of these intricate-looking socks are a tribute to the meandering paths and brooks that crisscross the Irish countryside, where footbridges and one-lane roads are the most common thoroughfares and meandering sheep may be the most likely cause of a traffic jam.

Ballantyre combines two unusual cables, neither of which is formed in a true cable manner. Instead, these motifs make interesting use of increases, decreases, slipped stitches, and PSSOs. The two patterns—one larger, one smaller—alternate to form an eye-catching all-over texture. Ballantyre is knit toe-up, with a flap-and-gusset heel that looks traditional but is accomplished in the reverse manner from most flap-and-gusset heels.

Stitch patterns are both written and charted.