Seed Stitch vs. Moss Stitch and How to Tell the Difference

I was reading a knitting book the other day that made it sound like seed stitch and moss stitch were the same knitting stitch, but that’s not actually true. I feel like there’s a lot of confusion because the same stitch might have different names in different countries, or just depending on who you ask.

In my world, seed stitch is worked on an even number of stitches. You repeat knit 1, purl 1 on the first row, then purl 1, knit 1 on the second row, so the knits and purls alternate from row to row.

I’m American, so I call this seed stitch. British knitters would call this moss stitch. So you might see it referred to as British moss stitch in patterns from the UK or elsewhere.

What Americans call moss stitch is a repeat of four rows, where the knits stack on each other for two rows, followed by a stack of purls for two rows. In other words, if you have an even number of stitches, knit 1, purl 1 across on the first two rows, then purl 1, knit 1 across on the next 2 rows.

Because you’re switching sides this will cause the knits and purls to stack for two rows, then switch positions.

To make it more confusing, American moss stitch is also sometimes called Irish moss stitch. It can also be called double moss stitch, which I think again is a British term but I’m not sure. (That’s two color moss stitch on the scarf shown above, changing colors every two rows in addition to which way the stitches go.)

No matter what you call it, these are both fun and easy knitting stitch patterns that give your project a lot of texture without a lot of work. They also give you lots of practice switching between knits and purls if you’re a newer knitter. And they lie flat because they have a balance of knits and purls across the fabric, so they’re great for scarves and other projects that won’t be seamed.

Check out some seed stitch knitting patterns and moss stitch knitting patterns (American terms there!) to learn more and play with these fun stitches.

Do you have a preference? I think I like seed stitch better, but they are both great.

Next Pattern:

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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