Beginner Basics...
Seed Stitch: Step-by-Step
Seed Stitch, also referred to as Moss Stitch in the UK, is one of the simplest of knitting stitch patterns, combining knit and purl stitches to create a seedy, textured fabric.
If you know how to knit and purl, you're ready to learn Seed Stitch. This versatile stitch pattern lays flat, without curling, and can be used to make clothing, home decor items and more.
For this tutorial, we're going to use Paintbox Cotton Aran yarn in color #637 Dolphin Blue -- part of the Tudor Garden Collection. This pure cotton yarn is great for new and experienced knitters alike and comes in a beautiful array of colors. We'll be working with a size US 7 (4.5mm) Denise2Go needle.
To begin, cast on any number of stitches. We chose to cast on 17 stitches. Seed stitch can be worked on an even or odd number of stitches. In this tutorial, we'll give instructions for working both.
Seed Stitch is an alternating repeat of knit and purl stitches. The goal in Seed Stitch is to always work a stitch the same way it was last worked. Let's take a look...
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If you're working on an odd number of stitches, begin with a knit stitch and alternate between knit and purl stitches to the end of the row. In the example shown, we worked as follows:
K P K P K P K P K P K P K P K P K
When you have an odd number of stitches, you should always begin and end the row with a knit stitch.
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If you're working on an even number of stitches, begin with a knit stitch and alternate between knit and purl stitches to the end of the row, the same as for an odd number of stitches. Only in this case, you will be ending the row with a purl stitch. For example, with 16 stitches, you would:
K P K P K P K P K P K P K P K P
When you have an even number of stitches, you should always end the row with the opposite stitch of the one you started with.
One row of Seed Stitch completed:
On your second row, if you have an odd number of stitches, work the row the same as the first row--beginning and ending with a knit stitch.
If you have an even number of stitches, begin with a purl stitch and alternate across the row, and end with a knit stitch.
For our 17-stitch row, we worked:
K P K P K P K P K P K P K P K P K
For a 16-stitch row, we would have worked:
P K P K P K P K P K P K P K P K
That's all there is to it! Just keep alternating your stitches on every row. A simple rule of thumb to remember is:
When working Seed Stitch (no matter how many stitches you have),
always start a row with the same stitch you ended the last row with.
If your last row ended with a knit stitch, begin your next row with a knit stitch. If your last row ended with a purl stitch, then begin with a purl stitch.
Alternating Yarn Positions
One of the common problems new knitters encounter when working Seed Stitch is the need to alternate the position of your yarn between each stitch, because knit stitches are worked with the yarn held in the back and purl stitches are worked with the yarn held in the front.
To have your yarn properly oriented for every stitch, you need to yarn forward and yarn back. These two simple techniques will come in handy for many other stitches you'll encounter in knitting.
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YARN FORWARD
After working a knit stitch, the yarn will be in the back of the work, as shown:
To prepare for the next stitch, bring the yarn from back to front between the two needle tips, as shown below. In knitting parlance, this maneuver is called a 'yarn forward'. Your yarn is now positioned in the front of the work, so you may purl the next stitch.
YARN BACK
After working a purl stitch, your yarn will be in the front of the work, as shown:
To work the knit stitch that comes next, you will need to bring the yarn to the back of the work.
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Exactly the opposite of a yarn forward, a 'yarn back' is done by bringing the yarn from front to back between the two needle tips.
Ways to Practice Working Seed Stitch
Seed Stitch is a great way for new knitters to practice combining knit and purl stitches. Here are some suggestions for a few easy projects you can make with Seed Stitch:
SCARF: A Seed Stitch scarf takes a little time to make, but well worth the effort! The textured pattern makes for warm, fashionable scarves. To get started, choose a soft worsted weight wool yarn and size US 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles. A pure wool yarn, such as Paintbox 100% Wool, Cascade 220 or Patons Classic Wool are ideal, because they're affordable and easy to work with. To begin, cast on 30 stitches (or more, if you want a wide scarf). Work in Seed Stitch until your scarf is your desired length, then cast off. You can embellish your scarf with fringe, by cutting and attaching 12" lengths of yarn to the ends of the scarf.
COWL: A fun, smaller alternative to a scarf--a cowl, is just as easy to make. Cast on 30 stitches and work in Seed Stitch until the piece is your desired size. Cast off and sew the two ends together.
SPA CLOTH: You haven't used a spa cloth until you've used a Seed Stitch spa cloth! Quick and easy to work, Seed Stitch creates the perfect exfoliating texture. The best yarn for this project will be a pure cotton yarn, such as the Paintbox Cotton Aran used in this tutorial. Grab some size US 7 (4.5mm) needles and cast on 50 stitches. Work in Seed Stitch until the piece is square, then cast off.
​Thank you for reading! We hope you enjoyed this tutorial and found helpful information for your next knitting project.
If you have questions, comments or ideas for tutorials you’d like to see, please leave us a comment below.