Seed Stitch
Seed stitch is made by alternating knit and purl stitch by stitch and row by row, giving the fabric an even, textured, grain-like surface.
Explanation
Seed stitch (also called moss stitch) is worked by alternating knit and purl stitches within the same row, then working the opposite of what you see (purl over knit, knit over purl) in the next row, so each stitch always meets the opposite type in the neighboring row. The result is a dense, textured surface resembling small seeds or grains, which lies completely flat without curling the way stockinette does. Seed stitch is often used for borders, entire garments with a rustic look, or as a contrast to smooth sections within a pattern.
Also known as: Moss stitch
How it is worked
Seed stitch alternates one knit and one purl across the row, and on the next row the pattern shifts so you purl over knits and knit over purls. The result is an even, speckled texture.
That shift is the entire difference from ribbing: there knits stack over knits, here knits sit over purls.
Properties and uses
Seed stitch lies completely flat, looks identical on both sides, and gives a substantial texture without pulling in the way ribbing does. That suits it to borders, button bands and whole garments where you want structure without elasticity.
It uses more yarn than stockinette and is slower to work, since you swap between knit and purl on every stitch.
The seed stitch and moss stitch confusion
Seed stitch alternates knit and purl across the row, and then offsets on the next row so that knits sit above purls. The result is a reversible, non-curling fabric with a scattered pebbled texture.
The naming is a genuine transatlantic trap. What US patterns call seed stitch is what UK patterns call moss stitch; and what US patterns call moss stitch (worked over four rows rather than two) is UK double moss stitch. Neither convention is wrong, and neither is going anywhere. Where it matters, ignore the name and read the row-by-row instructions — two rows of instructions means one fabric, four rows means the other.
Common mistakes
- Knitting over knits, which produces ribbing instead.
- Underestimating how much longer seed stitch takes.
Keywords
- seed stitch
- moss stitch
- textured knitting
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between seed stitch and ribbing?
In ribbing knits stack over knits in vertical columns. In seed stitch the pattern shifts every row, so knits sit over purls.
Does seed stitch curl?
No. It lies completely flat, which makes it a good choice for borders and button bands.
Why does my seed stitch look like ribbing?
Because the offset was lost. Seed stitch only works if each row is displaced by one stitch relative to the last, so that a knit sits above a purl. If you knit the knits and purl the purls as they present themselves, the columns line up and you have produced ribbing instead. On an odd number of stitches every row starts and ends with a knit, which removes the chance to get it wrong.