Is this a 3x3 seed stitch?

[Namwan]

I'm doing a 3x3 seed stitch for the border of the bottom of my sweater. I have never done a seed stitch before, but I saw a picture of a sweater that used 3x3 seed stitch for the border and it looked ok (it wasn't a close-up image though). So far, it's turning out weird, and I don't know whether it's correct or not.

I'm knitting in the round with 228 stitches starting with k3,p3. Then on the next round I just knit the purl stitches and purl the knit stitches.

[lakeout]

Off the top of my head (without swatching to verify this), it looks like you got the first 2 rows right

Problem you had is here:
Third row, purl the knit stitches and knit the purl stitches....you need to alternate your pattern.
Fourth row, same as your 2nd row.

SO..on whatever number of stitches divisible by 6, your pattern would as follows:

Row1: k3, p3, REPEAT to end
Row 2: p3, k3, REPEAT to end
Row 3: p3, k3, repeat to end
Row 4: k3, p3, repeat to end
repeat these 4 rows .

Hope that helps,

Linda in NC

[Namwan]

Thanks for helping

I'm wondering though, why the third row has to be p3, k3? Because so far I've been knitting the purl stitches and purling the knit stitches as they face me..isn't that right?

[Namwan]

From the book that I saw that used this as a border, the instructions were:

CO 180 sts.

*Rnd 1: (K3, p3) to end of round.
Rnd 2: (P3, k3) to end of round.

Rep from * 7 times total (14 rows). This results in a 3 x 3 seed stitch border along the bottom of the sweater.

From this, I'm thinking that I should be repeating round 1 and 2 so it becomes

Rnd 1: (K3, p3) to end of round.
Rnd 2: (P3, k3) to end of round.
Rnd 3: (K3, p3) to end of round.
Rnd 4: (P3, k3) to end of round.

[lakeout]

I didn't realize that you were following a specific pattern, I thought you were trying to imitate a seed stitch border that you had seen somewhere.

You are casting on 228 stitches, or 38 repeats of "k3p3" stitches. Does the pattern you are following ALSO have an even # of stitches divisible by 6? Or perhaps it has an extra 3 stitches cast on? I'm just guessing here...

For seed stitch, you can alternate knitting the purl stitches and purling the knit stitches (1)Every Row, or (2)Every OTHER Row, depending on what look you prefer. Variations in stitches are what makes knitting so much fun
But unless you alternate your stitches I don't see how you'd end up with a seed stitch.

If the pattern you are following casts on a number divisble by 3, but not divisible by 6, I can understand. In that case, you are alternating your knit/purl stitches every row instead of every other row.

Try this: cast on 9 stitches, then follow your pattern. Next, cast on 12 stitches, and again follow your pattern. *don't worry about knitting purl stitches or any of that, just follow the pattern you listed above*

Hope I haven't confused the issue -

Linda

[lakeout]

I JUST figured out the difference....sorry for not noticing the caston 180 stitches in your followup ...

Were the directions for knitting in the round, and you are knitting flat?

BIG duh on my part!

[debinoz]

It looks right to me. It's hard to tell, but it looks like you have 3 purls and 3 knit on alternating rows. It takes a few for the pattern to really look like anything.

[Namwan]

I'm knitting in the round, and the directions are also for in the round.

Thanks for the help..I hope I won't have to unravel this

[Susan P.]

lakeout..you are being waaayyyyy too hard on yourself. I assumed there was no pattern at first also.

[Susan P.]

Namwan..How are you keeping track of what row you have done and are about to do? Do you tick off a sheet of paper or...??