New Hampshire

New Hampshire Socks by Melissa Metzbower

Project Overview

New Hampshire is an intermediate-level knitted sock pattern designed by Melissa Metzbower of That Metzbower Girl Designs. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a pair of women's socks in three sizes (Small, Medium, and Large) that showcase the natural beauty of New Hampshire's fall foliage through an elegant toe-up lace construction. The design celebrates the state's quaint towns, rugged forests, and wildlife through its decorative leaf motif.

What Is Being Made

These are women's knitted socks available in three size options: Small (US women's sizes 5–7½), Medium (US women's sizes 8–9½), and Large (US women's sizes 10+). The foot circumference measurements are 7½ inches (19.1 cm) for Small, 8 inches (20.3 cm) for Medium, and 8½ inches (21.6 cm) for Large. The socks feature a decorative lace pattern inspired by autumn foliage, making them both functional and visually striking.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Toe-Up Construction: The socks are worked from the toe upward, allowing for easy customization of length and a seamless fit. The pattern references specific toe-up cast-on methods for achieving the proper foundation.
• Knitting in the Round: The socks are knitted circularly, creating seamless construction throughout the foot and leg.
• Lace Patterning: A decorative leaves chart is incorporated to create the foliage-inspired design. Each leaves chart repeat measures 3 inches wide by 1¼ inches long (7.6 cm wide by 3.2 cm long).
• German Short Rows: This advanced shaping technique is used in the pattern, likely for heel construction or other fitted sections.
• Stretchy Bind-Off: A stretchy bind-off method ensures the sock cuff remains elastic and comfortable against the leg.

Stitches and Stitch Work

The pattern is worked primarily in stockinette stitch when knit in the round, which provides a smooth, classic fabric base that allows the lace pattern to stand out. The gauge is 26 stitches by 36 rows per 4-inch (10 cm) square in stockinette stitch knit in the round. Slipped stitches are used throughout the pattern and are slipped purlwise unless otherwise noted, a technique that creates clean edges and helps with stitch definition in the lace sections.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

This pattern calls for sport weight yarn, a lightweight yarn that creates a delicate, refined fabric ideal for socks. The yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires 266 yards (244 meters), Medium requires 296 yards (271 meters), and Large requires 328 yards (300 meters) of sport weight yarn. The pattern is worked on circular needles appropriate for the sport weight gauge, and knitters will need to select needles that achieve the specified gauge of 26 stitches by 36 rows in a 4-inch square.

Difficulty Level

New Hampshire is rated as an intermediate skill level pattern. This classification reflects the combination of techniques required: toe-up construction, lace patterning, German short rows for shaping, and circular knitting. While not suitable for absolute beginners, knitters with foundational skills in circular knitting and basic lace techniques will find this pattern achievable and rewarding.