Seed Stitch Knitting What Is It? Do The Knitting Stitch Easily

This simple and elegant stitch pattern takes little time to make. I’ll answer how to knit the seed stitch knitting pattern. The seed stitch is a knitting stitches pattern like ribbing, as it alternates between knit and purl stitches.

I reviewed, fact checked and updated this post on May 17, 2023.

Table Of Contents

• What Are Seed Stitches In Knitting?
• How To Do Seed Stitches In Knitting
• Seed Stitches In Knitting In The Round
• Ideas For Projects Using Seed Stitching
• Seed Stitch Knitting Pattern Suggestions
• FAQS

What Is Seed Stitch In Knitting?

The seed stitch is a repeating pattern of the knit stitch and purl stitch. It’s known for the purl bumps. It’s great because it lies flat, like garter stitch. This stitch is used for borders for knitting projects that curl. It’s also reversible.

How To Do The Seed Stitch In Knitting

First, you want a skein and knitting needles. Cast on an even number of stitches.

For your first two rows

• Row 1: Knit 1, purl 1, repeat to the end
• Row 2: Purl 1, knit 1, repeat to the end

What if you want to add more rows? Keep repeating the sequence of knits and purls in each new row until it’s reached your desired length.

Here’s a visual tutorial by Studio Knit on YouTube.

Seed Stitch In Knitting In The Round

Have an even number of stitches in your round. The pattern is as follows.

• Knit 1, Purl 1 
• Repeat this pattern for the entirety of round 1
• Purl 1, knit 1
• Repeat this pattern for the whole of round 2
• Repeat this sequence as required.

Here is an excellent guide by knittingtipsbyjudy on YouTube.

How Do You Increase Seed Stitch Pattern In The Round?

To increase seed stitching in the round follow these instructions. At the beginning of the row you are creating a stitch before the first stitch of the row.

If the first stitch on your needle is a purl stitch then purl that stitch but don’t slip the stitch from the left hand needle. Bring the yarn to the back of the right hand needle and then knit into the next stitch.

You will then have increased one stitch and you’ll have two stitches on the right hand needle. Continue your row in the seed stitch pattern. To increase at the other end. If it is a purl stitch you want to create an extra stitch after this stitch.

So knit into the purl stitch, don’t slip the stitch, bring the yarn to the front and purl the next stitch. You’ve increased two stitches in this row.

Increase on alternating rows to create a better edge.

How Do You Reduce Seed Stitches In The Round?

To decrease seed stitching in the round, knit two together. Knit one stitch and insert your needle into the next as if to purl. Wrap the yarn around before pulling it through.

Here’s a video tutorial by Roxanne Richardson on YouTube.

Ideas For Projects Using Seed Stitching

• Scarf: It’s used for scarf knitting since it’s a fast and straightforward pattern. It makes a lovely texture.
• Cowl: This would also be great. Knit in the round until you reach your desired height.
• Dish Cloth: The feel makes scrubbing things easier.
• Baby Sweater: A baby sweater knit up using this technique makes a complicated project simple.
• Baby Toys: It creates a firm fabric that won’t unravel.

FAQS About Seed Stitch

Why Does My Seed Stitch Seem Tighter Than The One I’m Looking At In A Knitting Pattern?

The size of your needle and yarn affects how tight or loose the stitches are. Not to mention your gauge. Test out different sizes to see which feels best.

How Do You Knit A Seed Stitch Blanket?

The easiest way is knitting flat with circular needles. The cable will hold the bulk of the project in progress. Follow the pattern of knit 1, purl 1, repeat until the last stitch, then knit one.

How Do You Knit A Double Seed Stitch?

Double seed stitches are made the same way as the single seed stitches, but with two stitches and rows.

• Cast-on multiple of 4 sts + 2
• Rows 1 & 4: K2, P2, repeat until the last two, then knit those.
• Rows 2 & 3: K2, P2, repeat until the last two, then purl those.
• Repeat as necessary

This is easy to confuse with moss stitch (Irish moss stitch), but it’s another stitch pattern entirely.

Does Seed Stitch Use More Yarn?

Seed stitch doesn’t use more yarn than other knitting patterns.

Seed Stitch Vs Moss Stitch

These stitch patterns use alternating knit and purl stitches. But the difference is stitch seed uses one row of knit 1, purl 1, then one row purl 1, knit one. Moss stitch uses two rows of each instead of one. Moss stitch is also called British Moss Stitch or Irish Moss Stitch.

How Do You Knit Seed Stitch Faster?

By knitting the round with circular metal needles. The yarn loops slide across the needle easier.

Why Does Your Seed Stitch Look Like Ribbing?

If your Seed stitch looks like ribbing, it means you haven’t alternated the knit and purl stitches. In ribbing, the purl and knit stitches stack on top of each other rather than alternating.

How Do You Fix Seed Stitch Mistakes?

Conclusion

Seed stitch knitting is one of my favorite stitch patterns. If there are tips I didn’t mention here, let me know in the comments. Want to learn something else? Try the reverse stockinette knit stitch, or the Andalusian stitch.

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