Seed Stitch versus Moss Stitch

It has come to my attention that there is confusion about these two stitches.

It seems that some people understand Seed Stitch to be the same as Moss stitch.  Other people think that Moss stitch is a different stitch than seed stitch.

The ones who think Seed stitch and Moss stitch are the same, seem to have learned how to knit from British knitting instructors, or perhaps American knitting instructors who learned from British knitting instructors.  Or perhaps American machine knitters who learned from British books about machine knitting.

Here is the straight scoop:


Seed stitch aka moss stitch aka pearl stitch aka British Moss stitch aka single moss stitch aka single seed stitch

Worked over even number of stitches
Row 1: *K1, P1*, repeat to end

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Row 2 and every other row: same as row 1.


Moss stitch aka American Moss Stitch aka Irish Moss stitch aka double seed stitch aka double moss stitch

Worked over even number of stitches
Row 1: *K1, P1*, repeat to end
Row 2: *P1, K1*, repeat to end
Row 3: same as row 2
Row 4: same as row 1

Repeat for desired number of rows.

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When in doubt, look at the picture of the finished product or a chart!