Seed Stitch Knitting Pattern For Beginners - Nimble Needles

Step-by-step tutorial on the seed stitch. A simple reversible knitting pattern perfect for scarfs and other beginner projects

Are you planning to knit a scarf and now wondering how to knit the seed stitch? Well, you came to the right place! In this tutorial, I will show you everything you need to know about this simple yet effective knitting stitch pattern.

The seed stitch creates a lovely structured and reversible fabric. Unlike stockinette stitch, it doesn’t curl in on the edges (read how to keep knitting from curling here). It lays perfectly flat and is moderately stretchy.

You only need to know the knit stitch and the purl stitch. So, it’s a great pattern for beginners. Not only because it’s easy to knit but also because it’s quite forgiving when it comes to hiding smaller mistakes or sections with a slightly different tension.

So, let’s show you how to knit it, eh?

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Active Time 5 minutes Total Time 5 minutes

Materials

• Any yarn works. I am using the Schachenmayr Catania Grande in this tutorial

Tools

• Any type of needle. I am using the Knitter's Pride Dreamz here in size 6/4.0mm

Instructions

1. Step: Cast on an even number of stitchesYou can use any cast-on technique you like. A standard longtail cast-on works perfectly in this case as it's neither too stretchy nor too solid for this pattern.
2. Step: *Knit 1, purl 1* across all stitches of the first rowAfter your cast on, turn your work around, bring the yarn to the back, and then knit into the first stitch. Then, bring the yarn to the front, and purl the next stitch. And from here, it's rinse and repeat: Knit the next stitch, then purl the next, and so on until you come to the end of the row. And remember to keep bringing the yarn back and forth as required.
3. Step: *Purl 1, knit 1* across all stitches of the second rowTurn your work around, and now the repeat is exactly the other way round. So, start with a purl stitch, followed by a knit stitch, purl, knit and so on.
4. Repeat those two rows until you reached the desired lengthAs I said, the seed stitch is an easy 2-row repeat. You simply have to repeat steps 2+3 over and over again. It does not matter, by the way, with which row you end your project. You can easily remember the repeat like this:Every odd-numbered row starts with a knit stitch and every even-numbered row with a purl stitch. Or just as easy - lead with a knit stitch on the right side and a purl stitch on the wrong side.

Notes

Be careful not to create an accidental yarn overas you move the yarn to the back. This happens, when the right needle is in the way and a bit of yarn gets snagged (see picture below showing you how NOT to do it).

If you want to go the extra mile, you can alternate between casting on a regular stitch and a purl stitch. This will create an edge that has a totally seamless transition if you treat the cast on already as your row #1. Here's how to cast on purlwise.

Also, instead of always counting stitches, you can learn to read your knitting. For a seed stitch, you are basically knitting every stitch that looks like a purl stitch, and you are purling every stitch that looks like a knit stitch.

So, if the next stitch has a little bump around its base, then knit it. And if it looks like a V, purl it.

How do you knit a seed stitch with an odd number of stitches

You can also knit the seed stitch with an uneven number of stitches. There’s only one slight adjustment. In fact, it may be even easier because it has the same repeat across all rows.

• Row 1: *Knit 1, purl 1*, knit 1

So, all you need to remember is that you have to knit one final stitch at the very end. And that’s it.

What is the difference between Moss stitch and Seed stitch?

The moss stitch has a four-row repeat, while the seed stitch has only two rows. A moss stitch alternates between knit and purl stitches as well, but it keeps that pattern for two rows. As a result, you can see two knit stitches/purl stitches stacked upon each other before the pattern changes again.

If you look really closely at the fabric, you will notice that they do indeed look similar and they are in fact related. So, a moss stitch is, if you will, a seed stitch where you duplicate all rows. If you double the core repeat (*k1, p1*) into *k2, p2* on top of that, you create the double moss stitch.

Reading tip: Seed stitch is also one of the best edge stitches in knitting.

Why does my seed stitch look like ribbing?

This is a common problem that occurs when you accidentally cast on an even number of stitches but use the repeat for the uneven number or vice versa. The result will be a 1×1 rib stitch. Both patterns alternate between one knit stitch and one purl stitch. But in a ribbing, you stack the respective knit and purl stitches upon each other when seen from the right side. The seed stitch has a 1-stitch offset.

How to avoid that? Two things: Count your cast on properly and make sure you learn how to read your knitting. Remember, if it looks like a purl stitch, you have to knit it, and if it looks like a knit stitch you purl it. There is, alas, no way to fix that. You have to unravel and start over again.

How to knit the seed stitch in the round

Of course, you can also knit the seed stitch in the round. It can be a great pattern for a simple hat, etc and it’s just as easy to knit. Just remember to place a stitch marker at the beginning of your round, so you don’t get confused.

• cast on an even number of stitches
• Round 1: *k1, p1*
• Round 2: *p1, k1*
• Repeat those two rounds until you’ve reached the desired length

It has to be noted that this is not the only way to knit it in the round. You can also knit it with an odd number of stitches. Simply add a knit stitch in the first round as the last stitch, And a purl stitch in the second round (so, *k1, p1*,k1 & *p1, k1*, p1). I am utterly undecided, about which version looks better.

You see, when you are knitting in the round you always create a little jog around the beginning/end of your round (well, at least if you don’t know my simple technique for creating jogless stripes). In this case, that final knit stitch of the repeat messes up the uniformity of the seed stitch a bit.

An even number of stitches is a bit less likely to create ladders in my experience, even though you end up with two purl stitches next to each other. The version with an uneven number is a bit more in pattern. However, I feel it ends up looking a bit wonky. I leave it up to you.

Anyway, that’s how to knit the seed stitch knitting pattern. Feel free to comment below if you have any questions.