Seed Stitch (US) / Moss Stitch (UK): How to Do It Step by Step

Seed Stitch is a knitting stitch that makes pebbly, reversible, lies flat, firm. Makers reach for it for borders, washcloths, cowls, textured accents. It is rated beginner here, so it is a good stitch to learn early and practice on a small swatch before a real project.

1. Cast on an odd number of stitches. 2. Every row: k1, *p1, k1; repeat from * to the end. 3. Check the stitch below: knit the purl bumps and purl the knit Vs. 4. Move the yarn between the needles before each change from knit to purl. Work slowly for the first few repeats, keep your tension even, and check the result against the steps before continuing across a whole row or motif.

US patterns abbreviate seed stitch as seed st. UK patterns write it as moss st, so always check whether a pattern uses US or UK terms before you start, because the same abbreviation can mean a different stitch. Pattern keys list every abbreviation used, usually near the materials list.

The most common problems are: knitting the knits instead, which makes ribbing; forgetting to move the yarn and adding strands across the front; losing the pattern after a count error on an even number of stitches. Most are easy to spot if you pause after a few repeats and compare your work with the steps. Good light helps a great deal, especially with dark yarn or thread.

Stitches closely related to seed stitch include Moss Stitch, 1x1 Rib, Garter Stitch. Learning them together makes patterns easier to read, because many designs switch between related stitches to change texture, height or line. Each has its own step-by-step page in the stitch dictionary.