Moss Stitch, Double Moss Stitch, Seed Stitch, Double Seed Stitch

This stitch is a hot topic.  Some use it interchangeably, others will argue til they are blue in the face that they are not interchangeable.    Some say the difference is terminology is just whether it is used in the US or UK.   You can find identical instructions in one book as one name, but another name in a different book.  The purpose of this post is not to determine a correct name or settle the debate one way or another.  I am just presenting different variations on some lovely needle work.

Honestly, I do not know the correct name and corresponding method, if there is one.  I also really don't care.  What I know as Seed Stitch - K1, P1 on every row - is what I often use as a border to keep fabrics laying flat, or just for a neat edge.

Below, I have given the instructions and names given them by five different stitch dictionaries.  I have several other books, but I didn't look through those because I am sure they are all the same or similar as what I show here.  Call them what you will.

From the Essential Stitch Collection:

Seed Stitch:
Multiple of 2+1

Row 1: K1, P1
Repeat for pattern

Fiber created using the above pattern

Moss Stitch:
Multiple of 2+1

Row 1: K1, P1
Row 2: P1, K1
Row 3: P1, K1
Row 4: K1, P1

Fiber created using the above pattern

From Super Stitches Knitting:

Moss Stitch:
Multiple of 2

Row 1: K1, P1
Row 2: K1, P1
Row 3: P1, K1
Row 4: P1, K1

Fiber created using the above pattern

       
        OR

Multiple of 2+1


Row 1: K1, P1
Row 2: P1, K1
Row 3: P1, K1
Row 4: K1, P1

From The Harmony Guides Knit and Purl:

Double Moss Stitch:
Multiple of 2+1


Row 1: K1, P1
Row 2: P1, K1
Row 3: P1, K1
Row 4: K1, P1

Moss Stitch:
Multiple of 2+1


Row 1: K1, P1
Repeat for pattern

From The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knit and Crochet Stitches:

Seed Stitch:
Multiple of 2+1


Row 1: K1, P1
Repeat for pattern

Moss Stitch:
Multiple of 2+1


Row 1: K1, P1
Row 2: P1, K1
Row 3: P1, K1
Row 4: K1, P1

From the First Walker Treasury:

Seed Stitch:
Even number of sts

Row 1: K1, P1
Row 2: P1, K1

Fiber created using the above pattern

Moss Stitch:
Even number of sts


Row 1: K1, P1
Row 2: K1, P1
Row 3: P1, K1
Row 4: P1, K1

Double Seed Stitch
Multiple of 4

Row 1: K2, P2
Row 2: K2, P2
Row 3: P2, K2
Row 4: P2, K2

Fiber created using the above pattern

Here is a video showing all of these variations.

Ornamental Stitch

Sample knit with Knit Picks Chroma Worsted on US Size 7 needles

This is an easy stitch, but you may find a crochet hook useful in pulling up the loops on the flower, or daisy.  This is a stocking stitch fabric and curls, so you may want to add some extra stitches for a border to help it lay flat.

To make the daisy:

Insert right needle into the third stitch down from the second stitch on left needle.  Draw up a loop, K2, draw up another loop from same stitch as before, K2, and draw one more loop through that same stitch.

Multiple of 10 + 8

Rows 1, 3, 5: Knit

Rows 2, 4, 6: Purl

Row 7: K2, Make daisy *K6, make daisy * repeat to last 2 sts, K2

Row 8: P2 *(P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog, P5* repeat to last 9 sts, (P2tog, P1) three times

Rows 9, 11, 13: Knit

Rows 10, 12, 14: Purl

Row 15: K7 *make daisy, K6* repeat to last st, K1

Row 16: P2 *P5, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog* repeat to last 6 sts, P6

Repeat these 16 rows for the pattern.

Here is the video.  I am only showing Rows 7 and 8, since most of this is stocking stitch.  Rows 15 and 16 are basically the same as those shown in the video, just off-set a bit.

Happy Knitting, and Enjoy!

Indian Cross Stitch

Sample knit with Cascade 220 on US Size 8 needles

This is easier to do than it looks, I promise.  It might feel awkward at first, but with practice you will be able to do this in no time.  Practice and patience.

Multiple of 8 stitches

Rows 1-4: Knit 

Rows 5 and 11: K1 *Insert needle into next stitch, wrapping yarn 4 times before pulling the yarn through* Knit last stitch

Row 6: *Slip 8 stitches, dropping the extra wraps as you do so.  Be sure the yarn is held to the back of the work when slipping.  Insert left needle into the first four slipped stitches, and pass them over the last four stitches and onto the left needle.  Now, slip the other four stitches to the left needle.  Knit these eight stitches. *

Rows 7-10: Knit

Row 12: (To be worked as in Row 6 ) Slip 4 stitches to right needle, dropping extra wraps.  Cross first two stitches over the last two, placing them on the left needle; place last two stitches on left needle and knit all four stitches. *Slip eight, cross four, placing all stitches back on left needle and knit* Slip 4, cross two, knit last four stitches.

Repeat these 12 rows for the pattern.  Here is the video.

Happy Knitting!

Bead Stitch

Sample knit with Rowan Kid Classic
on US size 8 needles

I love this stitch!

I always encourage knitters, both new and old, to step outside their comfort zone.  This is one of those stitches.  It is challenging, but I wouldn't say hard.  A bit tricky, yes.  Hard, no.

Truly, it is not hard, but may take a little practice and extra effort if you aren't familiar with some of the steps.  The one that might cause the most trouble is the purl 2 together through the back loop.  If you can purl one through the back loop, you can do two. I have a separate video for that HERE, if you have never done it before.   The other tricky bit is purling 3 together.  If you can purl, you can purl two together,  and if you can purl two together, you can do three!  If you find it hard because you are a tight knitter, loosening up on the row prior will help, as will using a pointy tip needle.

Special Abbreviations in this stitch:

P2tog tbl = purl the next two stitches together through the back loop.
P3tog = purl the next three stitches together as if they were one
PSSO = pass the slipped stitch over the stitch just knit
Sl = slip the next stitch to the right needle without working it

Multiple of 7

Row 1 (RS): K1, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, Sl 1, K1, PSSO *K2, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, Sl 1, K1, PSSO*, Knit last stitch

Row 2: *P2tog tbl, YO, P3, YO, P2tog,*

Row 3: K1, YO, Sl 1, K1, PSSO, K1, K2tog, YO *K2, YO, Sl 1, K1, PSSO, K1, K2tog, YO *, Knit last stitch

Row 4: P2, YO, P3tog, YO *P4, YO, P3tog, YO*, Purl last 2 stitches

Repeat these four rows for the pattern.

Happy Knitting!

Herringbone Lace Rib

Sample knit with Malabrigo Worsted on US Size 8 needles

Multiple of 7 + 1

Row 1: (RS) K1 *P1, K1, YO, P2tog, K1, P1, K1*
Row 2: P1 *K2, YO, P2tog, K2, P1*

Repeat these two rows for the pattern