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When knitters get together online to talk shop, it can be confusing to have to make international conversions. One place where talks tend to really break down, though, is on seed stitch and moss stitch. Not least because many knitters on both sides of the Atlantic don't realize that there is an international difference.

For whatever bizarre reason, what we call seed stitch they call moss stitch, and vice versa. How did this happen? It is a question for the ages. Why don't we come up with a third set of independent terms for these stitch patterns that everyone can follow? Because I don't rule the world (yet), that's why.

In America, seed stitch is where you alternate K1 P1 so that the knits and purls are opposite one another. It's a nice, simple pattern, kinda nubbly looking, and it's balanced which means that it won't curl. This stitch pattern is called moss stitch in the UK and Europe.
Cast on an even number of stitches
Row 1: k1 p1 across
Row 2: p1 k1 across
(Once you have established the first row, just knit the purls and purl the knits.)

In America, moss stitch is where you double the seed stitch pattern so that you get two "seeds" (purl stitches) stacked vertically. In the rest of the world, this is called double moss stitch.
Cast on an even number of stitches
Row 1: k1 p1 across
Row 2: k1 p1 across
Row 3: p1 k1 across
Row 4: p1 k1 across

And to add one final bout of confusion to the issue, we call an entirely different pattern double moss stitch. In Britain, this is what they call double seed stitch.

Cast on an even number of stitches.
Row 1: k2 p2 across
Row 2: p2 k2 across
(Once you have established the first row, just knit the purls and purl the knits.)

It can be tricky to figure out which one is being talked about, especially on forums. At least with knitting patterns you can find out where the designer lives and take an educated guess. Luckily, all three of these stitch patterns are attractive and non-curling.

Image courtesy Flickr/{ philistine made }