Crochet Moss Stitch - Made Easy for Beginners

Is there such a thing as crochet moss stitch? Yes, indeed there is! Moss stitch is not reserved for knitters only! In fact, crochet moss stitch looks very similar to knitted moss stitch. It is extremely easy to work and results in a lovely textured fabric that is stretchy and warm. It is also known as Granite Stitch, Linen Stitch, or Woven Stitch.

Crochet Moss Stitch Tutorial

The crochet Moss Stitch is made up of just chain stitch and single crochet so is ideal for beginners. It is a great stitch for advanced crocheters too, because of its wonderful texture.

It is one of those super stitches that can be crocheted without too much concentration, so can be done while chatting or watching TV! Moss stitch is beginner-friendly and suitable for anything, from blankets to scarves to entire garments.

Crochet Moss Stitch - Supplies

Yarn of your choice and a crochet hook in a size suitable for that yarn.

Crochet Moss Stitch - Abbreviations

This tutorial and most patterns using moss stitch will use the following abbreviations. All stitches are in US crochet terms.

• Ch- chain stitch
• St(s)- stitch (es)
• Sc- single crochet
• Sl st- slip stitch
• Sk- skip a stitch
• Sp- space

How To Crochet Moss Stitch

Foundation Chain

Make your foundation chain stitch with an even number of stitches.

Row 1

• Single crochet in the fourth chain from hook.

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

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

Row 2

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 counts as 1 single crochet.)
• Single crochet in first chain space.

• *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.

Row 3

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

Continue Crochet Moss Stitch

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 in Crochet Moss Stitch

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 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 mine in my photo example! My tube is rather narrow!

How to Do Crochet Moss Stitch in the Round

Foundation Ring

• Make your foundation chain with an even number of stitches.
• Slip stitch into the first chain to close your circle. Be careful that the chain does not become twisted before you join it up!

Round 1:

• Chain 2. (One chain is a turning chain, the other is for the chain space.)
• Crochet a single crochet into the second chain of the foundation chain.
• *Chain 1, skip 1, single crochet into next chain.
• Repeat from * to the end of that round.
• Your last stitch should be a single crochet into the last foundation chain before your starting chain 2 of this round.
• Slip stitch into the second chain of the turning chain to join the circle.
• It may be a good idea to mark the joining slip stitch with a stitch marker, so you know when you get to the end of each round.

Round 2:

I will now start using abbreviations to make the instructions a little shorter. Refer to the abbreviation section at the top if necessary.

• *Ch 2, sk first sc, make sc into first ch1 sp.
• Repeat from* until the end of the round.
• Ch1, sk1 sc into next ch sp.
• Last st will be ch 1.
• Sl st into first ch from ch 2 at the beginning of the round.

Round 3:

• * Ch 2, sc in first ch sp,
• Repeat the ch 1 sc 1 sequence to the end of the round.
• Close round with a sl st as before.
• Continue with round 3 until the ‘tube’ is the desired length.

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!)

How to Crochet Moss Stitch in a Square

Foundation

• Start with a magic ring.

Round 1

• 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.

These instructions look awfully complicated when reading them in words, but if you just follow step by step, crocheting as you go, you will see that all you are doing is following the basic moss stitch pattern until you get to a corner, where you ch 2 to form the corner. Once you get going, you will pick up the pattern really quickly!

Crochet Moss Stitch - In Conclusion

Now you have not only found out that you can crochet a Moss Stitch, but have learned how to do a few variations on this attractive stitch. What interesting items are you going to make with the crochet moss stitch?