How to Crochet the Moss Stitch (Simple Woven Texture)
The moss stitch is a favorite among crocheters who want a simple, relaxing stitch that produces beautiful, flat, woven looking fabric. Also known as the linen stitch or granite stitch, it is made from nothing more than single crochets and chains, which makes it wonderfully beginner friendly. It lies flat, looks lovely on both sides, and has a soothing rhythm that is perfect for blankets and scarves. This guide shows you how to crochet the moss stitch step by step. It is part of the crochet stitch library.
What Is the Moss Stitch?
The moss stitch is a textured stitch pattern created by alternating a single crochet and a chain one across the row, then offsetting the pattern on the following rows. The result is a flat fabric with a subtle woven or linen like texture, which is why it also goes by the names linen stitch and granite stitch. Because it uses only the single crochet and the chain, it is one of the easiest textured stitches to learn, yet it looks far more advanced than it is.
When to Use the Moss Stitch
The moss stitch is ideal whenever you want flat, drapey, tidy fabric that looks good on both sides. It is a top choice for blankets and afghans, scarves and cowls, dishcloths, and simple garments. Because it resists curling and has a relaxing, repetitive rhythm, it is especially popular for large projects where you want an easy, meditative stitch. It also shows off variegated and self striping yarns beautifully, so it is a great way to let a special yarn shine.
What You Need
Use a smooth, medium weight yarn and a 5.0 mm hook to practice the moss stitch. Any beginner friendly yarn works well, and because the stitch is flat and even, it is forgiving of small tension differences. You should be comfortable making single crochets and chains, which you can learn in the crochet basics, before starting. Once you can do those two stitches, the moss stitch is simply a matter of alternating them and learning to spot the chain spaces.
Step by Step: How to Crochet the Moss Stitch
Start with a foundation chain of an even number. Row one: single crochet into the second chain from the hook, then chain one and skip the next chain, and repeat single crochet, chain one, skip across, ending with a single crochet. Row two: chain one and turn, then single crochet into the first chain one space from the row below, chain one, and continue working a single crochet into each chain space and a chain one over each single crochet across. Every following row repeats row two. The key is to always work your single crochets into the little chain spaces, not into the single crochets themselves.
Finding the Chain Spaces
The one skill that makes the moss stitch click is learning to see the chain one spaces from the previous row, because that is where your single crochets go. Each chain one creates a small gap, and if you work your single crochet into that gap rather than into the top of the stitch, the pattern stays neat and offset. If your fabric starts to look wrong or your count drifts, you are probably working into the stitches instead of the spaces. Going slowly until you can spot the gaps easily is worth it, and it soon becomes automatic.
Common Moss Stitch Mistakes
The most common mistake is working single crochets into the tops of stitches instead of into the chain spaces, which loses the woven texture and can change your stitch count. Another is miscounting at the ends of rows, so the edges drift, which counting each row prevents. Make sure you start with an even number of chains so the pattern lines up. If your edges are uneven, the guide to why are my crochet edges not straight will help.
Best Projects for the Moss Stitch
The moss stitch is perfect for blankets, baby blankets, scarves, cowls, dishcloths, and simple garments, thanks to its flat, drapey, two sided fabric. It is a wonderful project stitch for relaxing, repetitive crocheting, and it makes the most of beautiful yarns. Pair it with a simple border and it looks polished with very little effort. Explore more easy textured stitches in the crochet stitch library, and find projects to make in the beginner pattern hub.