When I was first learning to crochet, probably the first stitch pattern I learned beyond working a single stitch for a project was crochet moss stitch.
Also known as granite stitch, linen stitch or woven stitch, moss stitch crochet is simple to do and makes a very cool textured fabric. Even though I know other stitch patterns now, I always seem to come back to moss stitch when I want a simple but pretty project.
What is Crochet Moss Stitch?
Moss stitch crochet is a one-row repeating pattern that combines single crochet stitches and chains.
In the first row you make a single crochet stitch, chain 1, skip the next chain, make another single crochet.
Continue in this way across, then in the second row you work single crochets in the chain spaces and chain and skip over the single crochets from the previous row.
We’ll go through it step by step below, but the main idea is alternating single crochet stitches and chains across the fabric.
This gives it a kind of woven look that’s lovely in a multicolored yarn or a solid.
How to Work Moss Stitch Crochet
To begin, chain an even number of chains. Here I have 18. For reference I’m working with Lion Brand Basic Stitch and a Clover size J/6mm hook.
Work a single crochet stitch in the fourth chain from the hook, which makes those first 3 chains like a single crochet plus a chain.
Chain 1.
Skip the next chain.
Work a single crochet in the next chain.
Chain 1 and skip the next chain.
Continue in this manner across the row. You should end with a single crochet in the last chain.
Chain 1 and turn.
Because you worked a single crochet in the last stitch of the previous row, you’ll skip that stitch and work your first single crochet into the chain 1 space from the previous row.
Then chain 1 and skip the stitch from the last row. Work your next stitch into the next chain space.
Continue in this manner across. Make sure at the end of the row you are working a single crochet in the chain 1 space at the end of the row (the turning chain).
Chain 1 and turn. Repeat this row as long as you want across.
If you were to see this written in a pattern it would say something like:
Row 1: single crochet in the fourth chain from the hook. *Chain 1, skip 1, single crochet in the next chain. Repeat from * across. Chain 1 and turn.
Row 2: Skip the single crochet stitch from the end of the previous row and work a single crochet into the chain space. *Chain 1, skip 1, single crochet in the next chain space. Repeat from * across. Chain 1 and turn.
Repeat row 2 for pattern.
Moss Stitch Crochet in the Round
You can also work moss stitch crochet in the round in the exact same way. For this sample I worked 20 stitches of foundation single crochet (using Lion Brand Wool-Ease and a size J/6mm hook). You could of course also do this just with a chain, but I like having those stitches to make it more stable as I’m joining the round.
Use a slip stitch to join the stitches into the round.
Chain 1 and skip the first stitch, working a single crochet into the second stitch (or chain if you did a normal chain) in the round.
Continue to work chain 1, skip 1, single crochet 1 around.
When you get to the end of the round you’ll continue in the same manner. You don’t even have to pay attention to where you are in the round, just make sure you’re always working single crochets into the chain spaces and chaining over the single crochets from the previous round. It’s a good idea to use a locking stitch marker when working moss stitch crochet in the round so you know where the end of the round is.
Once you get the hang of it, moss stitch crochet goes really fast and I just love the look of it.
Patterns Using Moss Stitch
If you’d like to try moss stitch crochet in a pattern, here are a few great options.
A blanket is a great place to start when learning a new stitch pattern, and this Speckled Moss Stitch Blanket from Daisy Farm Crafts is a great one to try. Using multiple colors doesn’t make this stitch any more difficult, but it does make it really dynamic (and will stitch up super fast because it’s so fun to see how the stripes interact). It calls for medium weight yarn in five colors.
If you want to try a bigger blanket with fewer colors, check out the Maggy Moss Stitch Blanket from Jen’s Web of Yarn. This one looks like it uses bulky weight yarn in three colors, so it will go a little faster. This is still a small blanket but it includes instructions to adjust the size if desired.
My favorite thing about crochet moss stitch is how it looks in multicolored, scrappy projects. Quarter Moon Crochet has a great pattern for making a rectangular moss stitch blanket using a magic ball of all your colorful leftovers.
I love the Copper Penny Pullover, a free crochet pattern from Mason Jar Yarn Designs. I’ve actually made this one, though I did make the body and the sleeves longer and added a few stripes for extra fun. This sweater is so comfortable and it’s a great first sweater project because the body panels have no shaping and there’s just a little increasing on the sleeves.
I’m thinking of making a multicolored moss stitch crochet scarf, but I haven’t done it yet so in the meantime check out this pattern from This Pixie Creates. This one has stripes and calls for four colors of worsted/medium weight yarn.
Left in Knots has a great pattern for moss stitch mittens using a multicolored ball of yarn. There’s also a matching hat and cowl pattern if you want to make a whole set!
Or you can give your moss stitch a square twist with this fun moss stitch in a square washcloth pattern. This would be fun to include in a granny square blanket, or to make a big version to be a blanket by itself, once you get the hang of the technique. This pattern is from Made by Gootie.
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