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.

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns!

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil.

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn.

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point.

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up.

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.

Have you read?