Stitch guide · Textured stitches
Moss Stitch
Moss stitch alternates single crochet and chains to create a woven, tweedy texture. It’s reversible, forgiving and perfect for blankets and bags.
On this page
- US abbreviation
- —
- UK name
- moss stitch
- Skill level
- Beginner
- Stitch multiple
- An even number of foundation chains
- Turning chain
- Ch 2 at the start of each row
- Height
- Single crochet height
Moss stitch — also called linen stitch or granite stitch — uses nothing more than single crochet and chains. Because each single crochet sits in the chain space of the row below, the stitches stagger like bricks and create a flat, woven-looking fabric that looks the same on both sides.
It is a lovely choice for blankets, bags, pillows and scarves, and it looks especially good in stripes.
How to crochet the moss stitch
- 1
Chain an even number
Make a foundation chain with an even number of chains.
- 2
Set up the first row
Sc in the 4th chain from the hook. The three skipped chains act as your edge stitch and first chain space.
- 3
Work the repeat
Chain 1, skip the next chain, then sc in the following chain. Repeat to the end of the row.
- 4
Stack into the spaces
On every following row, work each sc into a chain-1 space and chain 1 over each sc below. The last sc of the row goes into the space under the turning chain.
Practice swatch
Work this small swatch to get comfortable with the stitch before starting a project.
- Foundation
- Ch an even number, for example ch 20.
- Row 1
- Sc in the 4th ch from the hook, *ch 1, sk the next ch, sc in the next ch; rep from * to the end. Turn.
- Row 2
- Ch 2, sc in the first ch-1 space, *ch 1, sk the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 space; rep from * across, working the last sc into the turning-chain space. Turn.
- Following rows
- Repeat Row 2.
Tips
- Work into the chain spaces rather than into the chains themselves — it’s faster and keeps the texture neat.
- Two-color stripes look especially lovely in moss stitch.
- Count the single crochet in each row; the number should stay the same.
Common problems (and fixes)
- My piece is getting narrower
- The last sc of each row was probably missed. It goes into the space under the turning chain of the row below.
- The texture looks messy
- Check that you skip each sc and work into the chain space. Stitches worked into the tops of the sc break the pattern.
Common questions
Is moss stitch the same as linen stitch?
Yes — moss stitch, linen stitch and granite stitch are common names for this same single crochet and chain pattern.
Is crochet moss stitch the same as knitted moss stitch?
No. They share a name but are different techniques that happen to produce similar-looking textures.
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Put it into practice
Patterns using the moss stitch
Free pattern
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