| CASTSON | Makes the first row of stitches |
| CASTINGON | Making first row of stitches in knitting (7,2) |
| STALLONE | Actor in the first row of seats? (8) |
| ZZTOP | Rock band whose name is suggested by the first row of this puzzle |
| WALE | A raised line or ridge, whether on the skin, the surface of corduroy or in the form of a row of stitches (4) |
| SUTURE | A row of stitches holding together the edges of a surgical incision (6) |
| TOPSTITCH | Row of stitches on right side of garment (9) |
| COUNTERTOP | Kitchen surface, and a hint to the words in the first row |
| RINGSIDE | Call team for the first row! (8) |
| SEAM | A stratum of coal, gold or other ore; or, a line where two fabric pieces are joined by a row of stitches (4) |
| SUTURES | Rows of stitches holding together the edges of surgical incisions (7) |
| KNIT | Make a row of stitches |
| COURSE | A row of stitches in knitting (6) |
| CASTINGOFF | Finishing a row of stitches (7,3) |
| CASTOFF | Term meaning to reject; to release a boat, hawk or hound; or, to finish a final row of stitches and remove from a knitting needle (4,3) |
| FUTURE | Female has row of stitches with section missing in time ahead (6) |
| DARN | Mend with rows of stitches (4) |
| OPENER | The first in a series of events or games; a player who starts the betting or makes the first bid; or, a utensil for de-lidding a bottle or tin (6) |
| LETTER | A different one (or two) of this makes the first sound in the theme entries' words, despite their alliteration |
| ROW | A spell of sculling; the distance oared; a raucous quarrel; or, a drill of vegetable plants, line of stitches, queue of people, rank of chess squares, tier of seats or other orderly file (3) |
