The knit seed stitch is another knit (Tutorial Series: Knit and Tink) and purl (Tutorial Series: Purl and Un-purl) stitch pattern that lays flat and is created by alternating the knit and purl stitches in a row. The right side row alternates between a knit and a purl stitch similar to the 1 x 1 rib stitch (Tutorial Series: The 1 x 1 Rib Stitch). However, unlike the 1 x 1 stitch, in the next row (wrong side), the knit stitches are purled and the purl stitches are knit. The seed stitch creates a lovely textured pattern and is often used to knit blankets, sweaters, scarves, dishcloths etc.

The Knit Seed Stitch:

With a cast on of even number of stitches the knit seed stitch is a 2 row pattern repeat:

• Row 1 (RS): [K1, P1], repeat […] till end of row
• Row 2 (WS): [P1, K1], repeat […] till end of row

With a cast on of odd number of stitches the knit seed stitch is a 1 row pattern repeat:

• Row 1 (RS): [K1, P1], repeat […] till one stitch before last, K1 the last stitch
• Row 2 (WS): [K1, P1], repeat […] till one stitch before last, K1 the last stitch

Abbreviations: K1 (knit one), P1 (purl one), RS (right side of the work), and WS (wrong side of the work)

I have used the knit seed stitch in many of my patterns including Mitered Seed Stitch Dishcloth, Towards Center Mitered Dishcloth, Everyday Occasion Cowl, Goes with Everything Earwarmer etc.

The video below shows how to knit the seed stitch for right handed knitting. Odd number of stitches were cast on making this a one row repeat.

The Knit Seed Stitch (Row 1):

Row 1 (RS): [K1, P1], repeat […] till the last stitch, K1 the last stitch

The Knit Seed Stitch (Row 2):

Row 2 (WS): [K1, P1], repeat […] till the last stitch, K1 the last stitch

Written Steps for the Knit Seed Stitch:

Cast on an odd number of stitches with any cast-on method of choice, I used the thumb cast on method (Tutorial Series: The Thumb Cast-on Method)

First Row:

1. Knit (Tutorial Series: Knit and Tink) the first stitch – insert the right knitting needle from back to front of the first stitch on the left knitting needle
2. Take the working yarn around the top of the right knitting needle and wrap it between the two needles on top of the first stitch
3. Catch and pick up the working yarn loop (the new stitch) with the right needle
4. Slip the first stitch off the left knitting needle and onto the right knitting needle for the new knit stitch
5. Bring yarn from the back of the right knitting needle to the front of the work
6. Purl (Tutorial Series: Purl and Un-purl) the second stitch – insert the right knitting needle from front to back of the second stitch on the left knitting needle
7. Wrap the working yarn around the inserted right knitting needle
8. Catch the loop made by the working yarn (the new stitch) with the right knitting needle
9. Slip the loop (the new stitch) onto the right knitting needle and the first stitch off the left knitting needle
10. Bring yarn from the front of the right knitting needle to the back of the work
11. Repeat steps 1 to 10 above of alternating between the knit and purl stitches [K1, P1] till one stitch remains on the left knitting needle.
12. Repeat steps 1 to 4 to knit the last stitch of the row

Second Row and all Subsequent Rows:

• Repeat steps 1 to 12 for the Knit Seed Stitch