Lesson 5: How to Knit Seed Stitch for Beginners

Inside: Instructions and tutorial video to learn how to knit seed stitch for beginner knitters.

Once you know the basics of knitting the real fun begins.

In previous lessons you learned how to knit some basic stich patterns like garter, stockinette and ribbing. They are all useful in different ways, but now it’s time to start getting more adventurous.

Some stitch patterns combine knits and purls to create beautiful textures and visual designs. The easiest one of these for a beginner knitter is the seed stitch.

The seed stitch alternates knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard pattern to make a nubby fabric. Because this stitch pattern doesn’t curl up at the edges it’s perfect for full projects or to use a border.

I’ll have a link below to the pattern that goes with this lesson so you can practice how to knit seed stitch either as a border or across the whole project.

Even vs. Odd

Some knitting instructors teach seed stitch one way only, but there are two different sets of instructions depending on whether you are knitting an even or odd number of stitches.

When you have an odd number you can repeat the same set of instructions and end up with seed stitch. However, when you have an even number this doesn’t work. You need to reverse the instructions in order to keep the knits and purls offset to create the checkerboard pattern.

I’ve included row instructions for both even and odd stitch counts so no matter the project you’ll be able to knit the seed stitch with ease.

How to Knit Seed Stitch (Odd Stitch Count)

Cast on an odd number of stitches.

Row 1 (RS): K1,P1. Rep from * to last st. K1.

Repeat Row 1 until knitting reaches desired length. Bind off in pattern.

Bind off in pattern means that as you bind off you keep the stitch pattern going. For seed stitch you knit the first stitch, purl the second, then lift the first stitch over the second and off your needle. You continue binding off alternating knit and purl stitches.