What's that stitch? Seed stitch

Seed stitch creates raised bumps along the row.  I thought moss stitch and seed stitch were both the same just different names for the same stitch but I've since learnt that they aren't the same. Learn about this stitch, how to do seed stitch and get a few project ideas. 

[Start of image description for above image: A photo of a yellow knitted seed stitch square on a wooden table. On top of the photo is a white rectangle with the words "What's that stitch?". Underneath is as sage green rectangle with two white stripes and the words "Seed stitch". End of image description.]  

What is seed stitch?

Seed stitch creates a firm texture and adds a simple 3D look to any knitting project, creating raised bumps every 2nd stitch which looks a bit like grains of rice dropped with spaces in between. The raised bumps are created by the purl stitches. Seed stitch is slightly different from moss stitch, you can learn about moss stitch here. 

[Start of image description: a photo of a yellow knitted seed stitch square with a pair of double pointed needles (DPN'S) with needle point protectors on the ends of them on top of the knitted square along with the ball of yellow yarn. On top of the photo is a white rectangle with the words "What's that stitch?".  Underneath is a sage green rectangle with the words "seed stitch is an easy stitch for beginners. On even rows Row 1: *K1, P1* Row 2: *P1, K1*. On odd rows "Row 1: *K1, P1*

Row 2: *K1, P1*". End of image description.]

What does seed stitch look like?

Below are a few photos of what seed stitch looks like along with a close up to show the texture of the stitches in more detail which looks a bit like bits of rice every 2nd stitch scattered.

[Start of image description: A wooden table with a knitted dark blue seed stitch square on the top. End of image description.]

[Start of image description: A close up of the knitted dark blue seed stitch showing the raised bumps every 2nd stitch. End of image description.]

How do you do seed stitch?

To do seed stitch you only need to know how to:

• Knit 
• Purl

Knitting abbreviations

K - knit
P - purl

You can find our Free printable knitting abbreviations here

To do seed stitch on an even amount of stitches

Row 1: *K1, P1* 
Row 2: *P1, K1*

To do seed stitch on an odd amount of stitches

Row 1: *K1, P1*
Row 2: *K1, P1*

[Start of image description: A yellow knitted seed stitch square with a pair of double pointed needles (DPN'S) with needle point protectors on the ends of them on top of the knitted square along with the ball of yellow yarn. End of image description.]

Tips for doing seed stitch

• To keep track of the row mark the row repeats on paper or keep a track of the rows using a row counter. 
• You can add seed stitch for pretty much any project as its a versatile stitch. 
• Make sure you don't confuse this stitch with moss stitch which is similar too. 
• If you have and even number of stitches make sure you are following the stitch pattern for even rows, not odd rows so you don't end up with a rib stitch 
• If you cast off too tightly use a stretchy cast-off.
• Have fun knitting this stitch and/or learning how to do this stitch.

How to make your own patchwork square

You need to know how to:

• Cast on 
• Cast off
• Knit
• Purl 

Knitting abbreviations

K - knit
P - purl
Knitting abbreviations - Free printable knitting abbreviations sheet

You will need:

• 5mm knitting needles
• DK/8ply
• 25 grams of yarn (75.5 yards/69 metres) 
• Row counter (If you do not have a row counter you can use pen and paper).

Gauge:

10x10cm

18 stitches and 28 rows

If it is too big go down a needle size and if it's too small go up a needle size. 

Gauge is in stocking stitch (knit 1 row, purl the next row)

[Start of image description: A wooden table with a yellow knitted seed stitch square with a garter stitch border around it. End of image description.]

Pattern:

Cast on 40 stitches

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: Knit

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: K1, P1
Row 6: P1, K1

Row 7: K1, P1

Row 8: P1, K1

Row 9: K1, P1

Row 10: P1, K1

Row 11: K1, P1

Row 12: P1, K1

Row 13:K1, P1

Row 14: P1, K1

Row 15: K1, P1
Row 16: P1, K1

Row 17: K1, P1

Row 18: P1, K1

Row 19: K1, P1

Row 20: P1, K1

Row 21: K1, P1
Row 22: P1, K1

Row 23: K1, P1

Row 24: P1, K1

Row 25: K1, P1

Row 26: P1, K1

Row 27: K1, P1

Row 28: P1, K1

Row 29: K1, P1

Row 30: P1, K1

Row 31: K1, P1
Row 32: P1, K1

Row 33: K1, P1

Row 34: P1, K1

Row 35: K1, P1

Row 36: P1, K1

Row 37: K1, P1

Row 38: P1, K1

Row 39: K1, P1

Row 40: P1, K1

Row 41: K1, P1

Row 42: P1, K1

Row 43: Knit

Row 44: Knit

Row 45: Knit

Row 46: Knit

Cast off 

[Start of image description: a yellow seed stitch square with a garter stitch border with a pair of knitting needles on top of it. Next to it is a ball of yellow yarn, all items are sitting on top of a wooden table. End of image description.]

You could use your square to make:

• a blanket 
• a cotton dishcloth
• a cotton facecloth.
• a patchwork blanket using our what's that stitch post. 
• a scarf 

What can you make using seed stitch?

Seed stitch is so versatile and looks great on:

• Scarves
• Blankets
• A bunting
• Headbands 
• Jumpers
• Cardigans
• Socks, Slippers
• Bags
• Tops
• Mug cozy 

If you'd like to knit a headband you could knit our free headband pattern or Free seed stitch headband.

[Start of image description: A wooden table with two seed stitch squares one is yellow with a garter stitch boarder and the other is a seed stitch square knitted in dark blue. End of image description.]

Free printable handy stitch cards

We have made you a free printable seed handy stitch card for you, you could keep this in your knitting bag/basket, punch a hole and it on a key ring or get a piece of string and tie it onto the card. There are two seed stitch handy stitch cards to choose from a sage green background or a white background, each has how to do seed stitch on the back of the card.

Free printable handy stitch card in White 

Free printable handy stitch card in Sage Green

[Start of image description: A sage green background with a photo at the top centre. The photo is of a wooden table with a yellow square that has a garter stitch border around it and seed stitch inside. Underneath is two white stripes and then a white rectangle with the words "what's that stitch?" and at the bottom is the words "Seed Stitch" and the words "cozy woodland cottage knits. blogspot .com. End of image description.]

[Start of image description: A white background with a photo at the top centre. The photo is of a wooden table with a yellow square that has a garter stitch border around it and the seed stitch inside.   Underneath is two brown stripes and then a brown rectangle with the words "what's that stitch?" and at the bottom is the words "Seed Stitch" and the words "cozy woodland cottage knits. blogspot .com. End of image description.]

If you loved this post please pin it!

[Start of image description: a yellow seed stitch square on a wooden table at the top is a white rectangle with the words "what's that stitch?".  Underneath is a sage green background with two white stripes and the words "seed stitch. End of image description.]

Thank you for visiting Cozy Woodland Cottage Knits!

Have fun learning how to do basket stitch and making a project using this stitch. Don't forget to download your free printable basket stitch cards. Check our stitch library What's that stitch? for more stitch pattern posts like this one. 

[Start of image description: Arjaye's signature with two toadstools in between the letter j and the letter y. Next to it is a fairy with blue hair, a green wreath headband, blue lips and yellow wigs, she is wearing a sage green dress. The fairy sitting on top of a yellow toadstool with blue dots and blue underneath the toadstool. Next to the fairy is a black cat holding a turquoise ball of yarn. End of image description.]

Related posts

What's That Stitch? - Page of photos and links to all posts in the what's that stitch series.
Knitting Abbreviations - Free printable knitting abbreviations cheat sheet in downloadable pdf file
Free Printable Knitting Sheets - Free printable handy knitting sheets all in downloadable pdf files

Free Mug Cozy Knitting Pattern - Free pattern that uses seed stitch 

Free Headband Knitting Pattern - Free pattern that uses seed stitch

Free Fields Of Hope Knitting Pattern - Free pattern that uses seed stitch, stocking stitch and rib stitch