Moss Stitch Crochet Tutorial (Linen Stitch ... - Stitching Together

Learn the crochet moss stitch with this helpful, step-by-step moss stitch tutorial which includes photos for both the right-handed and left-handed crocheters! Grab some yarn and a coordinating hook and let’s get started!

(Loving that hook? It’s the Furls Odyssey Crochet Hook in Purple)

Table of Contents

• What is a moss stitch in crochet?
• How to Crochet the Moss Stitch
• Moss Stitch Crochet Diagram
• Written Instructions
• Moss Stitch Crochet Photo Tutorial: Step by Step photos for right and left-handed crocheters.

What is a moss stitch in crochet?

The moss stitch is a combination of basic crochet stitches made by switching between single crochets and chains and then working in the chain spaces of the previous row. It is a beginner-friendly crochet stitch pattern that you can easily learn once you’ve mastered the single crochet stitch, chains, and skipping chains/stitches.

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Then what is the linen stitch in crochet?

Great question! This stitch pattern goes by many different names and one of the most familiar names is the crochet linen stitch. It is also known as the granite stitch and the woven stitch. (If you search these stitches on google to find patterns, you’ll want to be sure to specify that you are looking for patterns with crochet stitches since there are knit stitches with the same names too!)

Where can I use the moss stitch?

I love using this stitch combination pretty much anywhere in any crochet project! It creates a gorgeous flat and flowy fabric. Even though you are creating little boxes of space by skipping stitches, the fabric is still solid, but it isn’t as dense as fabric worked in all single crochets.

The moss stitch really shines when doing any sort of color stripe work. By varying how wide your strips are, you can create a completely different and modern look.

After you’ve learned how to crochet the moss stitch, check out some fun projects where you can use this versatile stitch pattern:

• Moss stitch scarf pattern
• Moss stitch ear warmer pattern
• Moss stitch dishcloth
• Multicolored scarf

How to Crochet the Moss Stitch

Below you’ll find the written tutorials where the step-by-step instructions are written out in complete sentences followed by the abbreviated version like you would see in a crochet pattern. All instructions use US terms.

This is to help those of you still learning to read patterns. By seeing the written instructions next to the abbreviations you can start to better understand how to read patterns!

I should also point out that the way I start and finish each row is a bit different than you normally see.

Most moss stitch crochet instructions will start each row with a chain 2 and will count that as the first single crochet and chain 1. When you get to the end of that row, you work into the space created from the starting chain 2.

Starting with a chain 2 creates a rather uneven and bumpy edge in the fabric which isn’t as desirable especially if you don’t plan on putting a border around your project.

As you read through the tutorial, you’ll notice that you start the row with a chain 1 (the turning chain) and work the last stitch of each row into the turning chain of the row below. This gives a nice and clean edge to the fabric!

I encourage you to look for another tutorial that uses the chain 2 method and make swatches using both methods to see which you prefer.

Moss Stitch Crochet Diagram

Please save this tutorial on Pinterest and share it on Facebook! Head down to the comments section if you have any questions.

Written Instructions

To start chain an even number

Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from hook, chain 1, skip a chain stitch, and single crochet in the next chain. Repeat chaining 1, skipping a chain stitch, and single crocheting in the next chain until the end of the row. The last stitch will be a single crochet into the last chain. Turn

Row 2: Chain 1 (this is your turning chain), single crochet into the first chain 1 space in the row below, chain 1, skip the single crochet in the row below, and single crochet into the next chain space. Repeat chaining 1, skipping the single crochet in the row below and single crocheting into the next chain 1 space until the end of the row. The last stitch will be a sc into the turning chain.

To continue the pattern simply repeat row 2 until your project reaches the desired length.

Abbreviations

sc: single crochetch: chainsk: skiptc: turning chain

Crochet Moss Stitch Pattern Abbreviated Instructions

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc, repeat from * to the end of the row, (The last st should be a sc into the last ch), turn

Row 2: *ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, repeat from * to the end of the row, putting the last sc in the tc, turn.

Repeat row 2

Moss Stitch Crochet Photo Tutorial: Step by Step photos for right and left-handed crocheters.

Right Handed Tutorial

To start chain an even number

Row 1:

Single crochet in the 2nd chain from hook (sc in 2nd ch from hook)

Chain 1, skip a chain stitch, and single crochet in the next chain. (ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc)

Repeat chain 1, skip a chain stitch, and single crochet in the next chain. (ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc) until the end of the row. The last stitch should be a single crochet into the last chain.

Row 2:

Turn, chain 1 (this is your turning chain) (turn, ch 1)

Single crochet into the first chain 1 space in the row below. (sc in ch-1 sp)

Chain 1, skip the single crochet in the row below and single crochet into the next chain 1 space. (ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp)

Repeat chain 1, skip the single crochet in the row below and single crochet into the next chain 1 space until the end of the row. The last stitch will be a sc into the turning chain.

(turning chain for the end of the 3rd row)

To continue the pattern simply repeat row 2 until your project reaches the desired length.

Left Handed Tutorial

To start chain an even number

Row 1:

Single crochet in the 2nd chain from hook (sc in 2nd ch from hook)

Chain 1, skip a chain stitch, and single crochet in the next chain. (ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc)

Repeat chain 1, skip a chain stitch, and single crochet in the next chain. (ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc) until the end of the row. The last stitch should be a single crochet into the last chain.

Row 2:

Turn, chain 1 (this is your turning chain) (turn, ch 1)

Single crochet into the first chain 1 space in the row below. (sc in ch-1 sp)

Chain 1, skip the single crochet in the row below and single crochet into the next chain 1 space. (ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp)

Repeat chain 1, skip the single crochet in the row below and single crochet into the next chain 1 space until the end of the row. The last stitch will be a sc into the turning chain.

(turning chain for the end of the 3rd row)

To continue the pattern simply repeat row 2 until your project reaches the desired length.

The same idea can be used with half double crochet and double crochet stitches to create even more open and flowing fabrics.

Ready to learn some other great crochet stitches? Don’t miss these tutorials:

Suzette Stitch

Alpine Stitch

Double Crochet Ripple Stitch

Bean Stitch

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