How to Knit a Diagonal Seed Stitch

This stitch requires a knowledge of how to do a knit and a purl stitch and creates striking diagonal lines to spice up anything from a dishcloth to a scarf, a blanket to a hat.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• yarn
• knitting needles

1. Choose the yarn you want to work with and needles that match the weight of your yarn (see yarn packaging for needle size suggestions).

2. Cast on your stitches in multiples of 5 in your preferred method of casting on (example: 5 x 4 = 20 stitches).

3. Row 1: (Right Side) Knit 4, Purl 1, repeat these 5 stitches to end.

4. Row 2: Purl 1, Knit 1, Purl 1, repeat these 5 stitches to end.

5. Row 3: Knit 2, Purl 1, Knit 2, repeat these 5 stitches to end

6. Row 4: Purl 3, Knit 1, Purl 1, repeat these 5 stitches to end.

7. Row 5: Purl 1, Knit 4, repeat these 5 stitches to end.

8. Row 6: Knit 1, Purl 4, repeat these 5 stitches to end.

9. Row 7: Knit 3, Purl 1, Knit 1, repeat these 5 stitches to end.

10. Row 8: Purl 2, Knit 1, Purl 2, repeat these 5 stitches to end.

11. Row 9: Knit 1, Purl 1, Knit 3, repeat these 5 stitches to end.

12. Row 10: Purl 4, Knit 1, repeat these 5 stitches to end.

13. Repeat these 10 rows until your piece reaches desired length.

14. Bind it off, preferably using the basic bind-off.

Tips & Warnings

• Diagonal patterns tend to stretch on the bias. To minimize this, choose firmly twisted yarns, not soft ones, and don't wring the fabric when washing it.