Wisconsin

Wisconsin Socks by That Metzbower Girl Designs

Project Overview

Wisconsin is a downloadable knitting pattern for women's socks designed by Melissa Metzbower. This project celebrates Wisconsin's iconic cheese and beer culture through its "Mac n Cheese" colorway. The socks feature a charming combination of Swiss cheese-inspired lace wedges paired with functional ribbing at the cuff, making them both visually interesting and wearable for everyday use.

Skill Level and Sizing

Rated as Advanced Beginner difficulty, Wisconsin socks are accessible to knitters with some foundational experience who are ready to tackle lace patterning. The pattern is available in three sizes to accommodate women's US shoe sizes 5-7 (Small), 8-9.5 (Medium), and 10+ (Large), with finished circumferences of 7½ (8, 8½) inches respectively.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This sock pattern employs several key knitting techniques that work together to create visual interest and proper fit. The cuff utilizes ribbing, a textured stitch pattern that provides stretch and helps the socks stay in place on the leg. The leg features Swiss cheese lace wedges, which are decorative openwork sections created through yarn overs and decreases that form the characteristic holes resembling Swiss cheese. The body of the sock is worked in stockinette stitch, the fundamental smooth fabric created by alternating knit and purl rows.

The socks are knit in the round using the circular construction method, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a seamless, comfortable fit. Pattern notes indicate that instructions for left and right socks are identical except for the Leg Set Up Rounds, simplifying the knitting process.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Tosh Merino Light by madelinetosh in the Mac n Cheese colorway (100% merino wool; 420 yards / 384 meters per skein; one skein required)
• Needles: US Size 1 [2.25 mm] double-pointed needles in a set
• Notions: Yarn needle for weaving in ends and 5 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction points

Yarn Weight and Gauge

Wisconsin socks are worked with 4-ply yarn, a lightweight fingering-weight yarn that creates a fine, durable fabric ideal for sock knitting. The pattern is designed to achieve a gauge of 30 stitches by 44 rows over a 4-inch square when knit in stockinette stitch in the round. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the socks to fit correctly and for the lace pattern to display as intended.

Construction Details

The pattern begins with a cast-on of 57 (60, 63) stitches depending on size, establishing the foundation for the cuff. Stitch markers are placed to denote pattern sections and assist with tracking rounds throughout the construction. The straightforward instructions make this an excellent project for advancing knitters looking to build confidence with lace techniques in a practical, wearable project.