Knit Seed Stitch the Easy Way (Step by Step Tutorial)

In this post, I’ll show you the easiest way to knit seed stitch.

The best part?

This method doesn’t involve keeping track of a pattern.

All you need to do is recognise knits and purls. That’s it!

First I’ll show you the classic method that involves following a pattern. Then I’ll go over the hack method that does away with the pattern (this is the easiest way to knit seed stitch).

Let’s get started!

Seed Stitch Video Tutorial

This step-by-step video tutorial goes over how to knit seed stitch flat and in the round, using the pattern method and my favourite hack method.

Seed Stitch Pattern (Classic Method)

To knit seed stitch flat, cast on an ODD number of stitches

Row 1: *K1, P1; repeat from * to last st, K1

Repeat Row 1 until piece is desired length

Seed Stitch Hack Method

To knit seed stitch the easy way, cast on ANY number of stitches. They can be odd of even.

Set-up Row: *K1, P1; repeat from * to end of row. The last stitch can be a knit or purl.

After the set-up row is complete, all you need to do for all future rows is this:

Knit the purl stitches and purl the knit stitches

That’s all. That’s the secret to knitting seed stitch without a pattern!

This hack method requires recognising your knits and purls, so here’s a refresher:

Knits look like flat V-shapes while purls look like little bumps.

For a more detailed overview of the knit and purl, check out the second half of this video where I go over the anatomy of the purl stitch and its exact opposite, the knit stitch!

Once you can easily recognise your knit and purl stitches, then just do the opposite of the stitch.

Instead of knitting a knit stitch, do the opposite: purl the knit stitch.

Instead of purling a purl stitch, do the opposite: knit the purl stitch.

This is the easiest way to knit seed stitch!

Once you’re finished knitting, cast off in pattern and you’re done!

Seed Stitch in the Round

To knit seed stitch in the round, cast on an ODD number of stitches

Round 1: *K1, P1; repeat from * to last st, K1

Round 2: *P1, K1; repeat from * to last st, P1

Repeat Rounds 1-2 until the knitting is your desired length.

Seed Stitch Hack Method in the Round

To use the same hack method for knitting in the round, cast on an ODD number of stitches

Round 1: *K1, P1; repeat from * to last st, K1

All future rounds: knit the purl stitches and purl the knit stitches

Once the first round is complete, follow the seed stitch hack rule of doing the opposite of the stitch (see above for more detail).

And that’s the easiest way to knit seed stitch in the round!

Why Does My Seed Stitch Become Ribbing?

Seed stitch turning into rib stitch is common problem for new knitters. 

Thankfully there’s an easy solution!

While rib stitch requires you to knit the knits and purl the purls, seed stitch requires the exact opposite.

If your seed stitch is turning into ribbing that means you’re knitting the knits and purling the purls.

To remedy this, remember the magic line: knit the purls and purl the knits. 

Do the opposite of the stitch, and you’ll find the knitting return to seed stitch!