The Seed Stitch is a beautiful and easy-to-make textured knitting pattern. With its appearance similar to seeds, it is a wonderful look for baby garments, hats, dishcloths, scarves to large blankets. The stitch can be easily knit with any knitting needles (straight or circular) and yarn easily by beginner knitters while seasoned ones have been making them in many of their projects. The beauty of the simple pattern is such that it will only enhance the beauty of your knitted fabric.
A completely reversible pattern with both the right and wrong sides identical, the Seed Stitch is made with alternating Knit and Purl Stitches, creating little bumps that look like seeds. It is a favored choice for the borders of blankets, dishcloths, scarf and similar flat patterns because it easily lies flat and does not tend to curl up.
All knitting patterns are based on knit and purl stitches and the seed stitch is no different. It follows the pattern of single knit and purl stitches in a row or round. The seed-looking stitches alternate both horizontally and vertically whether you are knitting back and forth or in the round. In this blog, let’s explore the steps of knitting the seed stitch, both even and odd seed stitches. The stitch pattern is so simple that you won’t find many knitting patterns even explaining the steps.
So, let’s begin.
The Seed stitch pattern can easily be worked on an even as well as an odd number of stitches. It will still be a two-row repeating pattern and still produce the reversible fabric.
Row 1- k1 (knit one), p1 (purl one) to the end of the row.
Row 2: Purl 1, knit 1 to the end of the row.
Row 1: Knit 1, purl 1 and end the row with knit 1.
Rows 2 and beyond: Knit 1, purl 1 repeat and end the row with knit 1.
The stitch pattern remains the same even if you are knitting in the round. Be it circular knitting needles or double-pointed ones, the instructions are the same. While working in rounds, it is recommended to always place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round so that you can remember to knit1 in case of odd numbers or stitches.
As we discussed above, seed patterns are possible for both even and odd numbers of stitches. Use your favorite cast-on method to cast the stitches according to the pattern or the design you’ve planned. Some patterns count the slip knot as the first cast on stitch while many don’t. Double-check before you cast the stitches. While you can knit the seed stitch pattern with any needles and for any pattern, using circular knitting needles has an added bonus as you can knit both back and forth as well as in the round with the same pair. Also, with the interchangeable circular needles, you have the choice of changing cords according to the need of the project.
The instructions for knitting the seed stitch depend on whether you are knitting an even or odd number of stitches. Do not count the cast-on row or the row to bind off.
When you have knit according to the instructions or your own design, it is time to bind off. Like cast on techniques, there are a variety of methods of bind-off. Bind every stitch knit-wise or purl-wise according to the stitch pattern.
Once your project is securely off the knitting needles, wash and block your knitted fabric. Make sure to use proper blocking pins and mats. Do not stretch the fabric, just follow the instructions on the yarn label.
After you’ve blocked your project, the yarn blooms. Now, all you need to do is thread your darning needle and secure every yarn tail.
Even if it's a gauge swatch or your project, follow these steps. Seed stitch can be easily worked on double-pointed, single-pointed, or fixed circulars needles too. Learning a new pattern becomes much easier when you knit it back and forth. This way you notice the appearance of the pattern as you are working on it.
Whenever you select a seed stitch knitting pattern, read through the instructions first. The seed stitch in US terms is different in UK patterns. A common confusion is between Seed Stitch and the Moss stitch which have similar instructions and appearances.
Seed and Moss are two textured knitting stitch patterns that are commonly used by knitters. Both are ideal reversible stitch patterns that work for various knitting projects. Either of the stitches is great for knitting a project or to use as a border or hem! To know more refer to our guide on knitting the moss stitch in easy steps.
Here’s a table to understand the differences.
| Seed Stitch |
Moss Stitch |
|
Looks like seeds hence the name |
Looks like two rows of ribbing shifted one stitch. |
|
Single knit and purls, alternating horizontally and vertically |
Works on multiples of two knit stitches followed by two purl stitches and includes a four-row repeat |
|
Comprises one row of knit 1, purl 1 followed by one row of purl 1, knit 1 |
Comprises two rows of knit 1, purl 1 before two rows of purl 1, knit 1 |
|
Can be worked on even as well as odd stitches with a slight variation or modification |
Works only on even number of stitches |
Hopefully, you liked our tutorial on knitting the seed stitch patterns in easy steps. Give it a try for your next project. Start with a simple dishcloth or a scarf that will give you enough practice. After a few projects, you can try different colors of yarn in alternating rows. Experiment with patterns of double seed stitches (k2 and p2) by following the same steps but making quite a different fabric. Whatever you decide, make sure to work with knitting needles that you enjoy and have the best results. Stainless steel knitting needles from the Mindful Collection offer a smooth surface, pointy tips and an inspirational word for the knitter to focus on and enjoy the mindful blessings of knitting.
By: Mindful | Date: 19-Oct-2022
Textured stitches add fun to your knitting projects. From baby blankets to dishcloths, hats to scarves, textured knitting makes them special. And, even though it adds so much to the beauty of patterns, all you need is your knitting needles, yarn and the knowledge of knit and purl stitches.
By: Mindful | Date: 30-Nov-2022
Brioche is a general term used for a variety of stitch patterns worked in similar ways with any knitting needle and yarn. Brioche knitting is believed to have originated in the Middle East however, the name "brioche" seems to have derived from French slang for "mistake".
