Hi there, and welcome to Bernat Crochet Patterns! I am so happy you stopped by, because today we are working on one of my all time favorite stitches: the moss stitch. You may also see it called the linen stitch, the granite stitch or the woven stitch, and they all mean the same simple little pattern.
The whole thing is made with single crochets and chains. You work a single crochet, chain one, skip a stitch, and repeat. On the next row, every single crochet goes into a chain space, so the stitches stagger like bricks in a wall. The result is a flat, tidy fabric with a woven look that does not curl at the edges.
It is a wonderful stitch for beginners, because there is really only one row to remember after the first. It is also a great match for variegated and self striping yarns, which turn into little flecks of color instead of pooling into blobs. Dishcloths, scarves, bags and blankets all look lovely in moss stitch.
Below is a practice piece written row by row. The only things to watch are where the first and last stitches go, and I will walk you through both. Grab any smooth yarn you have on hand and let\’s make a few rows together.
Materials Needed
- Worsted weight (#4) yarn, solid or variegated
- 5.5 mm (I-9) crochet hook, or the size recommended on your yarn label
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Abbreviations (US terms)
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sk | skip |
| sp | space |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| * * | repeat the steps between the asterisks |
Pattern notes
- The foundation chain is any even number. The practice piece uses 24 chains.
- From Row 2 on, the ch 2 at the beginning of each row stands in for the turning chain plus the first ch-1 space. It does not count as a single crochet, and you never work a stitch into it until you reach it at the end of the next row.
- All single crochets from Row 2 on are worked into ch-1 spaces, not into the tops of stitches.
- The stitch count is the number of single crochets. With 24 chains, every row has 11 sc.
Instructions
Tick each step when you finish it: the page remembers where you stopped.
- Row 1 Ch 24. Sc in the 4th ch from the hook. *Ch 1, sk the next ch, sc in the next ch*. Repeat from * to the end of the chain. (11 sc)
- Row 2 Ch 2, turn. Sc in the first ch-1 space. *Ch 1, sk the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 space*. Repeat from * across. For the last sc, work into the space formed by the 3 chains you skipped at the start of Row 1. (11 sc)
- Row 3 Ch 2, turn. Sc in the first ch-1 space. *Ch 1, sk the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 space*. Repeat from * across. For the last sc, work into the space under the turning ch-2. (11 sc)
- Rows 4 and on Repeat Row 3 until the piece is as long as you like.
- Finish Cut the yarn, pull it through the last loop and weave in the ends with the tapestry needle.
Tip: Count your single crochets at the end of every row for the first few rows. If you have one too few, the last stitch into the turning space is usually the one that went missing.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
There you go, you have learned the moss stitch! I told you it was friendly. Once your hands get the feel of it, you can work row after row while chatting or watching your favorite show, and the fabric just keeps growing, neat and even.
To make something bigger, start with any even number of chains and follow the exact same rows. A long skinny piece becomes a scarf, a square becomes a dishcloth, and a big rectangle becomes a blanket that is soft enough to curl up with on a chilly evening.
Thank you for spending a little time with me today. Save this page for the next time you want a relaxing project, and do come back soon, because there is always another cozy stitch waiting for us here at Bernat Crochet Patterns.
