What is a seed stitch?

How-to Questions
1

I can do only very basic knitting stitches. I found a pattern listed as “easy”, but I am already confused.

It says to cast on 20 sts. CHECK!

ROW 1: Work in Seed st. WHAT? So I looked all over the 'net, and am more confused. I assumed “Seed st” was a certain stitch, but I am getting conflicting info–possibly it is K1 P1? But then why doesn’t it just state that.

ROW 2 and 5: (K1 P1) in first st 1 increase made; Seed st across.

ROW 3 and 4: (P1 K1) in first st, Seed st across.

I am more than 30 miles from a yarn store, and don’t have any close friends who knit. HELP!

2

The majority of knitting stitches ARE made up of knits and purls. That’s why you learn those and you can make most anything. Just throw in some increases and decreases and you have a sweater. :thumbsup:

So seed stitch is k1, p1 across the row. Then on the next row you knit purl stitches and purl the knit stitches.

For that you have to know what the stitches look like which is one of the most important things you need to learn. Knits look like the smooth v stitches and the purls are bumpy…each one looks like it’s wearing a scarf backwards. Here’s a sample of what the stitches look like -

3

There’s a video of seed stitch on the Tips page under Basic stitches.

It seems like k1 p1 ribbing, but it’s not. Try this on a sample first of about 12 sts without the increases.

R 1, k1 p1, and repeat across, end with p1.
R2, p1 k1 and repeat across, end with k1.
R3, same as row 1
R4, same as row 2.

You see how you start the row with the same stitch you ended the previous one.

4

Follow what the girls say. They are right.

If you want to find out (after you have gotten comfortable with your stitch) why you have gotten conflicting info there is an article on ravelry about seed stitch in particular. But do not try to learn it from there. It is an article for when you have done some work since it is not an instruction.

http://www.ravelry.com/twir/79/ask-a-knitter-21

oh yeah: just because something is called a “stitch” that does not mean just one stitch is worked to make it. Stitch patterns can span big sections of actual stitches and rows to complete. It is some more of that non-standardised language that comes from hundreds of years and world wide developement of knitting. Sorry, it is just something to get used to, but then it all makes sense!

5

Jan, the “wearing a scarf backwards” description of a purl stitch is the best I’ve ever heard! The same would hold true for a knit stitch, (only opposite). Looks like wearing a scarf forwards…around your shoulders.(Coming together to form a “V” in the front.) The more you knit and practice, the easier it will be to distinguish between the two stitches. Practice, practice, practice…enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!! :knitting: Good Luck! Jeanie in TX