How to Knit Seed Stitch – A Tutorial for Beginners

Seed stitch is made by alternating knit stitches with purl stitches, one by one, across a row of knitting. Then, on the next row, you come back and do the same thing. What gives seed stitch its unique texture is that, when a stitch on the previous row was a knit stitch, you’ll knit it in the current row, too. When that stitch was a purl stitch on the previous row, you’ll purl it in the current row.

Arrow

The easiest way to knit seed stitch is to cast on an odd number of stitches. Then do as follows. Row 1: *k1, p1; repeat from * to last stitch, k1. Row 2: Repeat Row 1. Just keep repeating Row 1 until your project has grown to the desired length.

How to Knit Seed Stitch - The Easy Way

How to Knit Seed Stitch – The Slightly Harder Way

You can also knit seed stitch across an even number of stitches, but you'll need to keep track of which rows are odd and which are even. Cast on an even number of stitches. Then work the following: Row 1: *k1, p1; repeat from * to end of row. Row 2: *p1, k1; repeat from * to end of row. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until your project reaches the size you’d like.

How to Knit Seed Stitch in the Round

Knitting seed stitch in the round is pretty similar to knitting it flat, but it’ll depend on how many stitches you cast on. If you cast on an odd number of stitches, your seed stitch in the round will go as follows. Round 1: *k1, p1; repeat from * to last stitch, k1. Round 2: *p1, k1; repeat from * to last stitch, p1. Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until your project reaches its desired size.

If you cast on an even number of stitches, your seed stitch in the round will go as follows. Round 1: *k1, p1; repeat from * to end of round. Round 2: *p1, k1; repeat from * to end of round. Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until your project reaches its desired size.

Extra Stitches

Knitting seed stitch in the round might leave you with a column of bumps where the end of one round meets the beginning of the next, especially if you have an odd number of stitches. If that happens, you can increase and add one stitch just for the seed stitch portion, and then decrease that stitch when you’re done. The one additional stitch won’t hurt your gauge too much, unless you are working in super bulky yarn.

Why Use Seed Stitch?

Seed stitch is a great way for beginner knitters to branch out from simple garter stitch or stockinette stitch.  The texture of the knitted fabric created with seed stitch is also really pleasant. When you run your hands over the fabric, all the little purl bumps create this deliciously knobby surface.

Curious to learn more about knitting or to dig deeper into seed stitch? Click on through for tutorials, free patterns, technique tips, and more.

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