Box stitch, also called double seed stitch, is seed stitch made bigger: blocks of 2 stitches by 2 rows that alternate between knit and purl. It is reversible, lies flat and shows up well in solid colours.
| Stitch count | Flat: multiple of 4 + 2. In the round: multiple of 4 |
|---|---|
| Level | Beginner |
| Curls at the edges | No |
| Reversible | Yes |
| Yarn use | About 15% more than stockinette |
| Good for | Baby blankets, dishcloths and men's scarves. |
How to knit box stitch flat
- Rows 1 and 4: k2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
- Rows 2 and 3: p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
- Repeat rows 1–4.
How to knit box stitch in the round
- Rounds 1–2: *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
- Rounds 3–4: *p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
- Repeat rounds 1–4.
Chart
Tips
- Think of it as 2×2 rib that switches every 2 rows.
- A chunky yarn makes the boxes really stand out.