Seed Stitch

Seed Stitch, or Moss Stitch is a simple yet stunning option in knitting

Once you learn the knit and the purl, seed stitch is a great new option for your knitting projects. Sometimes referred to as Moss Stitch (mostly by our friends across the pond), you can work this stitch flat or in the round.

The main characteristic of seed stitch is the bumps that are created by alternating knits and purls. It creates a beautiful texture and it’s easy to do.

Working seed stitch flat:

To work this back and forth or flat, you need a simple two row repeat. It’s helpful to cast on an odd number of stitches, but you can work it across an even number as well. I’ll give instructions for both below.

Even Numbers:

Row 1: *K1, P1* Repeat to the end of the row
Row 2: *P1, P1* Repeat to the end of the row.

By casting on an even number of stitches, you’ll end on a purl stitch. The purl stitch will create the bump on the right side of the work. So when you turn your project over, this bump now is in the back and now you need to Purl that stitch on the next row to create the bump on the wrong side of the work.

Seed stitch basically knits the knit stitches and purls the purl stitches in the row before.

In an odd number of stitches:

Row 1: *K1, P1* to the last stitch, K1

In odd number, you’ll always end on a knit stitch, creating the bump on the back side of the row. So you’ll Knit the first stitch again on the next row.

Working Seed Stitch in the Round

Working seed stitch in the round kind of blows the “knit the knits, purl the purls” adage out the window. Because you are knitting in one direction continuously, you’ll need to the the opposite of what you did in the round before.

Even Number of Stitches:

You’ll still work the same two rounds as the flat option in the round, just in the same direction. So, if you have a knit stitch in the last round, you’ll now purl that to bring the bump to the front of the work in the new/next round.

Round 1: *K1, P1* Repeat to end of round
Round 2: *P1, K1* Repeat to end of round

Odd Number of Stitches:

Round 1: *K1, P1* Repeat to last stitch, K1
Round 2: *P1, K1* Repeat to last stitch, P1