Perfect to knit while watching Downton Abbey or any other British Victorian saga.
Striping on the foot is a simple 2 rounds per color affair.
The toe and heel are done in one color and the leg is worked in a simple 15 st undulating lace pattern that gives the effect that your leg is wrapped in a pretty Victorian style garland.

You will need about 200 yards of each color.

This is a toe-up sock on two circulars, although dpns can be substituted.
Sizing is done with a simple percentage system that you are walked through so the sock fits the person being gifted.