Blurred Lines Bandana Style Shawlette from Yarn & Stitches--Day 2

Seed vs. Moss...

 Section three gives us a straightforward patch of K1,P1.  Essentially, you are alternating the knits and purls so that knits stack on top of purls and purls stack on top of knits.  The result is a bumpy texture that offers nice contrast to the smooth stockinette of section one and the open texture of section two—each separated by a “line” of garter stitch.  Since you’re swapping back and forth between knits and purls, this goes much faster in Continental style knitting—another benefit to being “ambikniterous.” While the designer does not name it as such, I have always thought of this stitch as the “Seed Stitch.”  

This got me thinking about seed stitch vs. moss stitch—I have always thought them interchangeable, but are they really?  High time to find out, so I did a little research.  

a black-and-white shot so you can really see texture

“Seed stitch” is universally recognized as knits on top of purls and purls on top of knits, alternating every row, giving us the flexible but bumpy texture we see here.  It’s also identical on both right and wrong sides.

“Moss stitch" is close or identical—depending upon the American or British versions.  American moss stitch is different; it goes in two-row alternations. You stack knits-on-knits and purls-on-purls for two rows, then switch for the next two rows.  The effect is that your “bumps” are two rows high rather than one.  

Brits are simpler: British moss stitch is identical to seed stitch.  So, when a pattern calls for moss or seed, you ought to take a minute and consider the source material’s country of origin so you know what’s expected.   That being said, the difference is slight enough that I can’t imagine lives would be at stake should you misinterpret.

In either case, these stitches have some admirable virtues.  

• they can add density and durability—especially useful for sock heels!  
• they are reversible  
• as we learned in the Celtic Princess scarf, they are very useful as a non-curling border

Here, though, they create a lovely contrast to both stockinette and more complicated stitch patterns.

Brady Scarf from Ruhama's - Day 5

The Knitting Prize Patrol...

I thought I’d be so much farther along by now!  This is our fifth of six installments and I’ve got a clear foot--if not more--to go.  On itty bitty #3 needles, no less.  I’m such an impatient knitter!

I’ve discovered that being what I call “ambikniterous” is an advantage on this project. “Ambikniterous” is my self-coined term for being able to knit both Continental (or “pick) and English (or “throw”) styles.  I consider it one of the best tools you can add to your toolbox as a knitter.  A smart knitter can wield both.  

Briefly put, Continental is faster, but English is more consistent.  I don’t purl well in Continental, nor do I handle tricker stitches like yarn-overs, or pass-overs.  On those long stretches of garter, however, Continental is the speed demon of knitting.

The good news is this isn’t an all-or-nothing endeavor.  No stitch police will bang on my door for doing some rows in Continental and some in English.  You can’t look at my scarf and tell I’ve switch hit.  On the contrary, I think they ought to come applaud me for my inventive use of multiple skills.  Rather like the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol, only with chocolate and yarn instead of flowers and a gigantic check.  Don’t you think that’d be wonderful?

For the rows involving cast on and bind off stitches, I use American style.  For the rows of garter in between, roar through using Continental.  The only other trick I’ve adopted is that I can’t talk to you while doing the bind off or cast on rows, because I’ve proved--quite competently--that I can’t talk and count at the same time.

As it has all along, this continues to be a show-stopper.  Tomorrow is Knit In Public day, and I’ll be taking this out and about.  Everyone remarks on it--fellow knitters ask questions, people admire the color and pattern, everyone wants to touch it.  I expect the same will be true when I finally do finish this scarf and I wear it, and that’s a good thing.