Since ancient times, stitching has been a part of our textile industry. It is a process of turning or looping the threads and yarns in a beautiful way to make various apparel.
Stitching includes weaving, knitting, sewing, embroidery, crochets and many more forms. Machine stitching and hand-stitching techniques make the stitching possible. There are many types of stitches, of which two are Moss stitches and Seed stitches.
Key Takeaways
- Moss stitch is a textured knitting pattern created by alternating rows of knit and purl stitches, while seed stitch is formed by alternating knit and purl stitches within the same row.
- Moss stitch produces a denser fabric with a more pronounced texture, whereas seed stitch produces a slightly more subtle texture and added stretch.
- Both moss stitch and seed stitch are reversible patterns, making them suitable for projects where both sides of the fabric are visible, such as scarves and blankets.
Moss Stitch vs Seed Stitch
Moss stitch is a type of stitching in which two rows of knit 1 and purl 1 are used. Two other knit 1 and purl 1 rows follow these two rows. There are a total of four rows. Its shape is like diamonds. Seed stitch is another type of stitching in which one row of knit 1 and purl 1 is used. This row is followed by one other knit 1 and purl 1 row. There are a total of two rows. Its shape is like a seed.
Moss stitch is a very familiar kind of stitch. It consists of two rows of Knit 1 and Purl 1 before two rows of Purl 1 and Knit 1. Moss stitch is two rows of ribbing shifted by one stitch. The simplest way to obtain a Moss stitch is to cast an even number of stitches.
The seed stitch is another kind of typical stitch. It consists of one row of Knit 1 and Purl 1 followed by one row of Purl 1 and Knit 1. In other words, the Seed stitch has single Knits stacked on top of single Purls, then single Purls piled on top of single Knits.
One can cast this type of stitch on an even number. But one can cast stitches on an odd number too.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Moss Stitch | Seed Stitch |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | It consists of two rows of Knit 1 and Purl 1 before two rows of Purl 1 and Knit 1. | It consists of one row of Knit 1 and Purl 1 followed by one row of Purl 1 and Knit 1. |
| Number of rows per stitch | 4 | 2 |
| Sets of Knits and Purls | 2 Knits and 2 Purls | 1 Knit and 1 Purl |
| Arrangement | stacked on one another | horizontal and vertical |
| Shape of stitch | small diamonds | seed like |
What is Moss Stitch?
Moss stitch, also known as American Moss stitch, is a stitch that has two rows of Knit 1 and Purl 1 followed by two rows of Purl 1 and Knit 1. Purl stitch and Knit stitch work together to obtain a pattern of knitting.
Moss stitch is of two rows of ribbing, shifted by one stitch. A simple technique for Moss stitching is to alternate Knits and Purls with every stitch and change their location after two rows.
This stitch makes a balance between Knits and Purls, which results in the non-curling of the knitting. It works in multiple of two stitches and four rows repeat. This stitch casts on an even number of sets.
Moss stitch doubles the number of rows of each Knit and Purl sequence. Two Knits stitches are stacked together. Then two Purls stitches are piled together. A complete set of the stitch looks like a diamond or square shape.
It is a reversible pattern; therefore, the knitting on both sides is the same. It gives a stretchy effect to the material. It is an easy and beautiful stitch. Moss stitch can knit sweaters, blankets, hats, vests, cardigans and scarves.
Presenting a simple explanation of how Moss stitch works-
Row 1 pattern – Knit 1, Purl 1 – Repeat across the row.
Row 2 pattern – Purl 1, Knit 1 – Repeat across the row.
Row 3 pattern – Purl 1, Knit 1 – Repeat across the row.
Row 4 pattern – Knit 1, Purl 1 – Repeat across the row.
To obtain the desired product, one has to repeat these four rows.
What is Seed Stitch?
One can understand Seed stitch as a stitch of one row of Knit 1 and Purl 1 followed by one row of Purl 1 and Knit 1. Purl stitch and Knit stitch work together to obtain a pattern of knitting.
Seed stitch is single Knits stacked on top of single Purls. Then the position of Knits and Purls is exchanged.
A simple technique for Stitch stitching is to alternate Knits and Purls with every stitch and change their location after one row, horizontally and vertically. It is close to Moss stitch, but the number of rows is different.
In the Seed stitch, every Knit stitch has a Purl stitch to the top, bottom, vertical and horizontal position, and every Purl stitch has a Knit stitch to top, bottom, vertical and horizontal placement.
An entire weaving of the stitch looks like a seed shape. This stitch casts on an even and an odd number of sets.
It is a reversible pattern; therefore, the knitting on both sides is the same. Seed stitch is an easy and beautiful stitch. Seed stitch can knit hats, scarves, pillow covers and sweaters.
Presenting a simple explanation of how Moss stitch works-
Row 1 pattern – Knit 1, Purl 1 – Repeat end to end
Row 2 pattern – Purl 1, Knit 1 – Repeat end to end
To obtain the desired product, one has to repeat these two rows.
Main Differences Between Moss Stitch and Seed Stitch
- Moss stitch is a texture of two rows of Knit 1 and Purl 1 before two rows of Purl 1 and Knit 1. On the other hand, a Seed stitch is a pattern of one row of Knit 1 and Purl 1 followed by one row of Purl 1 and Knit.
- Moss stitch completes one knitting by a total of four rows. On the flip side, the Seed stitch finishes one knitting by a total of two rows.
- In Moss stitch, the sets of Knits and Purls are 2 Knits and 2 Purls. Whereas, in Seed stitch, the presence of Knits and Purls is 1 Knit and 1 Purl.
- The knitting in Moss stitch is by piling on one another. The knitting in the Seed stitch is in horizontal and vertical form.
- The shape of the stitch in Moss stitch is in the form of tiny diamonds. On the other hand, the pattern of stitch in Seed stitch is in the format of seeds.
- https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1009&context=honorshelc
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=iT04AfeqKXgC&oi=fnd&pg=PA161&dq=moss+stitch+and+seed+stitch&ots=6OllZ-Aowq&sig=GgLb2v_9YBqZAnLRORrzgrYFlnU
Last Updated : 26 July, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
