Learn how to knit the seed stitch knitting pattern for your next project, this post is perfect for beginners and people you want to learn how to knit!

Welcome, let’s chat about seed stitch! Seed stitch is one my favorite knitting stitches. I love it for a lot of reasons and I use is all the time in my projects.

What is seed stitch?

American seed stitch is a knitting pattern of alternating knit and purl stitches. They alternate both horizontally and vertically creating a kind of checkerboard pattern. Seed stitch is reversible, easy to knit and a great basic knitting stitch to know.

IMPORTANT NOTE: did you notice I said “American” seed stitch? In the UK they use seed stitch to describe what we here in the US call moss stitch. So, if you’re knitting a pattern that calls for seed stitch without further explanation, it may help to know where the designer lives!

Why is seed stitch awesome?

• Seed stitch is easy, all you need to know are basic knit and purl stitches.
• Seed stitch provides great texture and interest to your knitting without a lot of effort.
• Seed stitch is reversible, it looks the same on the right and wrong sides of your knitting.
• Seed stitch lays flat, that’s right, because of the alternating stitches, seed stitch doesn’t curl at the ends or edges, that makes it GREAT for flat knitting projects like scarves, for example.
• Seed stitch is equally easy to knit flat or in the round.

What does seed stitch look like?

Here is a photo of the right side of a swatch of seed stitch knitting.

Here is a photo of the wrong side of a swatch of seed stitch knitting.

As you can see, the texture is the same on both sides (reversible) and the swatch lays flat with no curling on its own without blocking!

Tips & Tricks for Knitting Seed Stitch

• Because you are alternating between knit and purl stitches, make sure your yarn tension is the same between the two types of stitches.
• Because seed stitch is reversible, you may find it helpful to place a stitch marker on the right side of your work so you know which side is which.

How do you count the rows in seed stitch knitting?

Check out my detailed post on how to count rows in knitting where I cover how to figure out how many rows of seed stitch you have already knit in detail (there are even diagrams)!

Seed Stitch Knitting Pattern (Knit Flat)

Cast on an odd number of stitches

All rows: (k1,p1) and repeat to the last stitch, then k1

Here is a chart for knitting seed stitch flat over an odd number of stitches

OR

Cast on an even number of stitches

Row 1: (k1, p1) and repeat to the end of the row

Row 2: (p1, k1) and repeat to the end of the row

Here is a chart for knitting seed stitch flat over an even number of stitches

Seed Stitch Knitting Pattern (Knit in the Round)

Seed stitch in the round works best with an odd number of stitches

Cast on an odd number of stitches and join to knit in the round, (k1, p1) and repeat for all stitches.

Here is a chart showing how to knit seed stitch in the round

Seed Stitch Video Tutorial

Yield: 1 swatch

How To Knit Seed Stitch

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Learn how to knit the seed stitch knitting pattern for your next project, this post is perfect for beginners and people you want to learn how to knit!

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn

Tools

• US 7 (4.5mm) straight knitting needles (for knitting flat)
• US 7 (4.5 mm) circular knitting needles

Instructions

Seed Stitch Knitting Pattern (Knit Flat)

1. Cast on an odd number of stitches
2. All rows: (k1,p1) and repeat to the last stitch, then k1

OR

1. Cast on an even number of stitches
2. All rows: (k1, p1) and repeat to the end of the row

Seed Stitch Knitting Pattern (Knit in the Round)

1. Seed stitch in the round works best with an odd number of stitches
2. Cast on an odd number of stitches and join to knit in the round, (k1, p1) and repeat for all stitches.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Lion Brand Yarn (1 Skein 860-108A Vanna's Choice, Dusty Blue Yarn
• 
  ChiaoGoo Single Point 9 inch (23cm) Bamboo Dark Patina Knitting Needle Size US 7 (4.5mm) 1031-7
• 
  Clover 3016/16-07 Takumi Bamboo Circular 16-Inch Knitting Needles, Size 7

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Cassie May

Craft and Knitwear Designer at Little Red Window Design

Welcome to Little Red Window! I’m Cassie, a professional craft and knitwear designer working in the field for more than 10 years. I have a degree in Art History from Northwestern University and a Master's Degree in Architecture and Design from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I've designed more than 300 separate knitting patterns, hundreds of craft projects, and I love to bring joy to your crafts and knitting with well-designed, easy to understand tutorials and patterns.

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