Crochet Moss Stitch Pattern for Beginners

The crochet moss stitch creates textured crochet fabric using alternating single crochet stitches and chain spaces. Also known as granite stitch, linen stitch, or woven stitch, this beginner-friendly crochet pattern produces flexible, reversible fabric with beautiful drape and subtle woven texture. Moss stitch is popular for blankets, scarves, shawls, garments, dishcloths, and modern crochet projects because it is easy to memorize and relaxing to crochet. This tutorial will show you how to crochet moss stitch in rows, in the round, and in squares.

What is Moss Stitch?

The crochet moss stitch is a dense crochet stitch pattern made by alternating chain stitch and single crochet. It is an ideal skill level for beginners. It is a great stitch for advanced crocheters, too, because of its wonderful texture. Moss stitch is not reserved for knitters only! In fact, crochet moss stitch looks very similar to the knitted moss stitch. It is one of those super stitches that can be crocheted without too much concentration, so it can be done while chatting or watching TV! Moss stitch is beginner-friendly and suitable for anything, from baby blankets to scarves to entire garments.

Crochet Moss Stitch (Step by Step)

Here is a moss stitch chart so you can see how the single crochet and chain stitches are interlocked.

1. First Moss Stitch

• Create a slip knot and make your foundation chain stitch with an even number of chains.
• Single crochet in the 4th chain from hook.

• *Chain 1. Skip 1.
• Single crochet in the next chain stitch.

2. Rest of Row 1

• Repeat from *  to the end of the row.
• End with a single crochet into the first chain space from the foundation row. (You will have a row of single crochet stitches separated by chain spaces.)
• Turn.

3. Row 2 of Moss Stitch

I have changed colors for row 2 just so you can see the stitches more clearly. Moss stitch crochet can be done in rows of color or in the same yarn.

• Chain 2. (This is your turning chain, and it counts as 1 single crochet.)
• Single crochet in the first chain space of the previous row.

• *Chain 1, skip 1, single crochet in next chain space.
• Repeat from * to end of row.
•  End with a single crochet into turning chain from row 1. Turn.

4. Continue Crochet Moss Stitch

1. Chain 2. Single crochet in first chain space.
2. *Chain 1, skip 1, single crochet in next chain space.
3. Repeat from * to end of row. Turn.

Repeat row 3 until the fabric is the required length.

Here is what the crochet moss stitch looks like when done in all one yarn. It is quite plain-looking in comparison.

This stitch has the added advantage that it will give you a nice straight edge without having to add a border. So your moss stitch scarf will have smooth edges, and it is completely reversible.

How to Join a New Color

Crochet the moss stitch until you get to the end of the row. On the final single crochet stitch, insert the hook and pull through the loop so you have 2 stitches. Wrap the new color around the hook and pull it through the 2 stitches for the final part of the single crochet. Continue with the new color as normal.

Crochet Moss Stitch Variations

Crochet Moss Stitch In The Round

This method of crocheting moss stitch makes a tubular shape, not a flat crochet circle. The size of the tube will depend on your original foundation chain. Moss stitch crocheted in the round can be used for things like beanie-style hats, tea cozies, a cowl, a bag, or the sleeves of a garment. Of course, if you are making any of these moss-stitch crochet patterns, your foundation chain needs to be way longer than the one in my photo example! My tube is rather narrow!

Begin with an even-numbered foundation chain and join with a slip stitch to form a ring, being careful not to twist the chain.

• Round 1: Chain 2, then work, single crochet into the next chain, chain 1, skip 1 chain. Repeat around and join with a slip stitch.
• Round 2: Chain 2, then work single crochet stitches into each chain-1 space from the previous round, separating each stitch with chain 1. Join with a slip stitch at the end of the round.
• Repeat Rounds: Continue repeating Round 2 until the tube reaches the desired length.

Working moss stitch in the round creates the same woven texture as flat moss stitch while forming stretchy seamless fabric.

Crochet Moss Stitch In a Square

To make squares of Moss Stitch, you can crochet ‘in the round’ with corners, like a granny square. The advantage of these squares is that they are more solid, and don’t have the large spaces in between clusters that Granny squares have. My daughter always complains that my granny square blankets are not really warm as they have too many holes in them! (I disagree!)

• Round 1: Start with a magic ring. Ch 1 (1sc ch2) x 4 times into the ring. Sl st into first sc. Pull ring tight
• Round 2: Sl st to next ch 2 sp. Go all the way to the actual space, not to the stitch before it. Ch 1(counts as sc), ch2 (counts as a space), 1 sc into the same ch2 gap. This is forming a corner. *Ch1, skip sc, (1sc, ch2, 1sc) into ch 2 space. Repeat from * 3 times. Ch1, skip sc. Sl st to ch 2 space.
• Round 3: Ch 1 (counts as sc), ch2, 1 sc into same space. *Ch1, skip sc,1 sc into ch1 gap, ch1 skip sc (1 sc, ch2, 1 sc) into ch 2 gap. Repeat from * 3 times. Ch 1 skip sc, 1 sc into ch 1 sp, ch 1 skip sc (first ch 1 of the round) . Sl st to ch 2 space.
• Round 4: Ch 1 (counts as sc), ch2 1 sc into ch 2 gap. *( Ch 1 skip sc, 1 sc in ch space) Repeat (…) until last sc before ch2 space, which is your corner. Ch1, skip sc (1 sc, ch2 1 sc) into corner space. Repeat from * 3 times. (Ch 1 skip sc, 1 sc in ch1 sp,) Repeat until last sc before corner, ch1, skip sc. Sl st to ch2 space.
• Repeat round 4 until your square is the required size.

You can make multiple squares to sew together to form a blanket or keep going around to form one huge, blanket-sized square. Color changes will add interest to your blanket.

Moss Stitch Tips

• Work into the chain spaces rather than the chains themselves.
• Use stitch markers while learning the repeat.
• Keep chain stitches loose and even.
• Count rows carefully when changing colors.
• Blocking helps smooth the woven texture beautifully.

I find moss stitch especially relaxing because the repeating rhythm becomes easy to memorize after only a few rows.

Moss Stitch Projects

The crochet moss stitch works especially well for:

• blankets
• scarves
• shawls
• garments
• dishcloths
• washcloths
• cowls
• bags

Because moss stitch creates soft reversible fabric with beautiful drape, it is ideal for both lightweight and cozy crochet projects.

Moss Stitch vs Seed Stitch

Moss stitch and seed stitch are often confused because both create textured crochet fabric.

Moss Stitch	Seed Stitch
Alternates sc and chain spaces	Alternates sc and dc stitches
Light woven texture	Raised textured bumps
More flexible and airy	Denser textured fabric
Also called linen stitch	Also called lemon peel stitch

Both stitches are beginner-friendly and work beautifully for blankets and scarves.

Moss Stitch FAQs

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Conclusion

The crochet moss stitch creates beautiful crochet fabric using alternating single crochet stitches and chain spaces. Although the stitch pattern looks textured and decorative, it is surprisingly easy and quickly becomes relaxing to crochet after a few rows. Because moss stitch creates soft, reversible fabric with beautiful drape and subtle texture, it is especially suitable for blankets, scarves, garments, shawls, dishcloths, and cozy crochet projects.

More Basic Stitches

• Single Crochet (sc)
• Double Crochet (dc)
• Half Double Crochet (hdc)
• Treble Crochet (tr)
• Slip Stitch Crochet (sl st)
• Chain Stitch Crochet (ch)