Broken seed stitch is a beautiful and fun stitch to knit—and super easy. It’s almost like knitting seed stitch with two colors.
In this step-by-step tutorial, I will show you how to knit broken seed stitch. This playful and fun pattern is easy to learn and it’s a great way to incorporate some color and texture into your knitting. It looks absolutely amazing on socks, hats, or mittens.
So grab your needles and let’s get knitting!
What Is a Broken Seed Stitch?
Broken seed stitch is a variation of a seed stitch. The difference compared to the traditional seed stitch is that you will just insert a knit row between each seed stitch row. It’s simple as that!
In addition, you will be changing the color of the yarn at the beginning of each new row, meaning that the fabric will be colorful. If you want, you can also use only one colored yarn to get a twist on the traditional seed stitch!
Broken seed stitch works best when knitting in the round. It’s a great way to add some color into your knitting without doing stripes or actual colorwork.
The fabric this colorful stitch creates is moderately stretchy, making it perfect for socks, mittens, and hats or beanies.
To be honest, broken seed stitch is my favorite way to add texture and color into my knitting. It’s an easy 4-row repeat with nothing more complicated than knit and purls. It’s so simple that you don’t really even have to pay attention to what you’re working on.
How To Choose the Yarn for Broken Seed Stitch?
You will need two different colored yarns to knit broken seed stitch. The more balanced and peaceful look you are aiming for, the more composed color combination you should use.
At least one of the yarns should be one-colored, or that’s what I recommend. I personally like to choose a simple main color, such as white, gray, or black. The other yarn can be gradient, self striping, multi-colored, or otherwise more showy yarn.
If you want a more serene look, choose one-colored yarn with a slightly brighter color as the other yarn. You shouldn’t choose two very showy yarns because in that case, the broken seed stitch will not stand out that much.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Broken Seed Stitch
Learning how to knit broken seed stitch is very easy. That’s why this stitch is perfect also for beginners.
In its simplicity, you just add a row of knit stitches between every seed stitch row: Knit a row. K1, P1 for a row. Knit a row. P1, K1 for a row. Then repeat these four rows.
The broken seed stitch stretches slightly in the width in the use, so reduce the number of stitches a bit from what you usually use. That is, if you are not using a pattern that also uses broken seed stitch.
You can knit broken seed stitch both in the round or in the flat. Usually, it’s worked in the round as it’s easier that way. Changing the yarn can get a bit complicated when working in the flat but it’s still fun stitch to knit that way too.
Let’s take a closer look at how to knit the broken seed stitch in the round and in the flat.
Knitting in the Round
You will be knitting every other round with the main color (color A) and every other round with the colorful yarn (color B).
Remember to place a stitch marker when joining in the round with circular needles to mark the beginning of rounds. Since you will not turn your work in between the rounds, a stitch marker will tell you where one round ends and another begins or, in other words, where to switch the yarn.
I recommend casting on an odd number of stitches. This way, the transition between the rounds will look neat and almost unnoticeable.
Here’s how to knit broken seed stitch in the round with odd number of stitches:
- Round 1: Knit all stitches with main color (color A).
- Round 2: Knit 1 stitch and purl 1 stitch with colorful yarn (color B). Repeat until you reach the last stitch. Knit the last stitch.
- Round 3: Knit all stitches with main color (color A).
- Round 4: Purl 1 stitch and knit 1 stitch with colorful yarn (color B). Repeat until you reach the last stitch. Purl the last stitch.
Continue repeating these four rounds until your work reaches the desired length.
If you’re knitting with even number of stitches, here’s how to do it:
- Round 1: Knit all stitches with main color (color A).
- Round 2: Knit 1 stitch and purl 1 stitch with colorful yarn (color B). Repeat to the end of the row.
- Round 3: Knit all stitches with main color (color A).
- Round 4: Purl 1 stitch and knit 1 stitch with colorful yarn (color B). Repeat to the end of the row.
Continue repeating these four rounds until your work is the desired length.
Knitting in the Flat
You can knit broken seed stitch also in the flat. However, it can be a bit trickier as you will need to change the color on each row.
But the basic instructions for knitting in the round also apply when knitting in the flat. This means that you will be repeating four rows until you are happy with the size.
If you have an odd number of stitches:
- Row 1: Knit all stitches with main color (color A).
- Row 2: Knit 1 stitch and purl 1 stitch with colorful yarn (color B). Repeat until you reach the last stitch. Knit the last stitch.
- Row 3: Knit all stitches with main color (color A).
- Row 4: Purl 1 stitch and knit 1 stitch with colorful yarn (color B). Repeat until you reach the last stitch. Purl the last stitch.
Continue repeating these four rows until your work reaches the desired length.
If you have an even number of stitches:
- Row 1: Knit all stitches with main color (color A).
- Row 2: Knit 1 stitch and purl 1 stitch with colorful yarn (color B). Repeat to the end of the row.
- Row 3: Knit all stitches with main color (color A).
- Row 4: Purl 1 stitch and knit 1 stitch with colorful yarn (color B). Repeat to the end of the row.
Continue repeating these four rows until your work reaches the desired length.
Knitting with two different colored yarns can get a bit complicated as you will need to change the yarn at the beginning of each row. You can always cut the yarn after each row and start every row with a new string. But then you need to weave in a lot of tail ends.
You can solve this problem by knitting always two consecutive rows on the right side and two consecutive rows on the wrong side. This way, both yarns will always be where you need them to be! You will want to use double pointed needles so that you can knit from both ends of the needle.
Here’s how to do it when you have an even number of stitches:
- Row 1: On the right side, knit all stitches with main color (color A). Do not turn the work.
- Row 2: On the right side, knit 1 stitch and purl 1 stitch with colorful yarn (color B) and repeat until the end of row. Start knitting from the same edge as you did on row 1. Turn the work.
- Row 3: On the wrong side, purl all stitches with main color (color A). Do not turn the work.
- Row 4: On the wrong side, purl 1 stitch and knit 1 stitch with colorful yarn (color B) and repeat until the end of row. Start knitting from the same edge as you did on row 3. Turn the work.
Continue repeating these four rows until you’re happy with the length.
When using this method, always remember to keep the yarn on the wrong side so that the right side will look neat.
Conclusions
Broken seed stitch is a versatile and fun knitting pattern that can add a pop of color and texture to any project. It’s super easy to learn, making it a great choice also for beginners.
With its bumpy and colorful fabric, broken seed stitch is perfect for socks, hats, and other cozy accessories. Whether you’re looking to spice up your knitting routine or trying a new technique, broken seed stitch is definitely worth a try.
So, grab your needles and yarn, and let your creativity run wild with this vibrant and textured pattern. Happy knitting!
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