Learn how to crochet moss stitch with this easy step-by-step tutorial! I’ll show you how to crochet the moss stitch two ways: in flat rows and in the round.

Whether you call it the moss stitch, linen stitch, granite stitch, or woven stitch, you’ll love using this texture in all sorts of crochet patterns.

Moss stitch is a beginner-friendly crochet stitch made from an alternating pattern of chain stitches and single crochet. It’s very easy to work, and the perfect stitch to learn after you’ve masted the basic crochet stitches.

You might have seen the moss stitch called by other names. It’s most often referred to as moss stitch, but it is also called linen stitch, granite stitch, and woven stitch.

Whatever you like to call it, moss stitch is one of my favorite crochet stitches. It has a great modern texture that lies flat and looks beautiful on both sides.

And, since the moss stitch pattern incorporates chains and skipped stitches, the resulting fabric has a nice drape without being too lacy or open.

Moss stitch is very versatile too. It’s perfect for scarves, headbands, and sweaters. Personally, I love using it in patterns that call for stripes like this modern crochet can cozy and this striped temperature blanket.

crochet moss stitch in smooth teal yarn with pink crochet hook

How to Crochet the Moss Stitch

The moss stitch has a very simple pattern, so it’s easy to learn and memorize. If you know how to make chain stitches and single crochet, you’re ready to learn moss stitch.

To crochet moss stitch, work a row of alternating single crochet and chain stitches. Then, in the next row, work the same pattern in reverse. In short, you’ll be making single crochet stitches into the chain spaces, and chain stitches above the single crochet stitches.

Let’s talk about it in more detail, shall we?

Working in Chain Spaces

In the moss stitch tutorial that follows, you’ll see the instruction to work single crochet stitches in the “chain-1 space”, abbreviated as “ch-1 sp”.

black pencil pointing to chain space between two single crochet stitches in moss stitch — pencil points to chain space between single crochets

A chain space refers to the space underneath the chain stitch in the previous row. A chain space is formed when you work a stitch, make a chain stitch, skip a stitch, and then work into the next stitch. The space underneath the chain, where you skipped a stitch, is called the chain-1-space.

In the moss stitch pattern, you’ll work the single crochets into the chain-1 spaces from the previous row.

Moss Stitch in Rows

Stitch Abbreviations

ch = chain(s);
sc = single crochet;
sk = skip
st(s) = stitch(es);
* = repeat whatever follows the * as
indicated.

Materials

In the photos that follow, I’m using Bernat Maker Home Dec yarn and a size L (8.0mm) crochet hook. You can, of course, use any kind of yarn you like.

Moss Stitch Instructions

Here is the most common way to crochet moss stitch.

Note: In the instructions that follow, I’ll write out the abbreviations to help beginners who are just starting to read crochet patterns.

Chain an even number of stitches. (To copy my swatch, chain 14)
Row 1: Single crochet in the 4th chain from the hook, *chain 1, skip 1 chain, single crochet in next chain, repeat from * to the end of the row. The last stitch will be a single crochet in the last chain.
Row 2: Chain 2, and turn. Single crochet in the chain-1 space from the previous row, *chain 1, skip 1 single crochet, single crochet in next chain-1 space, repeat from * to the end of the row. The last stitch will be a single crochet worked into the space between the chain-2 turning chain and the single crochet from the previous row.
Repeat row 2 until your piece is as long as you want.

Here is that same pattern instruction, written with the usual abbreviations.

Ch an even number of sts.
Row 1: Sc in 4th ch from the hook, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc in next ch, repeat from * across.
Row 2: Ch 2, turn. Sc in the next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk 1 sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, repeat from * across.
Repeat row 2.

Stitch Chart

Here is a stitch chart for crochet moss stitch worked flat in back-and-forth rows.

Moss Stitch in the Round

Now that you know how to crochet moss stitch back and forth in flat rows, let’s talk about how to crochet moss stitch in the round.

Crocheting moss stitch in joined rounds is very similar to crochet moss stitch in flat rows, so this will look familiar.

First, chain an even number stitches, and join with a slip stitch.
Round 1: Ch 2, skip the very first stitch, and single crochet in the next stitch. (In this step, the 2 chain stitches are acting as a turning chain plus the first chain-1) Then, *chain 1, skip the next stitch, single crochet in the next stitch; repeat from * around. The last stitch will be a single crochet. Join with a slip stitch into the chain space created at the beginning of the round.
Round 2: Ch 1, single crochet in the first chain-1 space, chain 1, skip the next stitch, *single crochet in the next chain-1 space, chain 1, skip the next stitch; repeat from * around. The last stitch will be a chain-1. Join with a slip stitch into the first single crochet.
Alternate rounds 1 and 2 until you reach the desired length.

Projects Using Moss Stitch

Moss stitch is well suited to all sorts of projects. If you are looking to practice crocheting moss stitch in the round, let me suggest this modern can cozy pattern. It’s a quick project that’s super functional, too!

More Easy Crochet Stitches

If you’re interested in learning even more unique crochet stitches, check out these related articles.

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