Crunch Stitch and Even Moss Stitch Crochet Tutorial

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Have you noticed that sometimes the EXACT same stitch will have a different name, or in the case of the crochet moss stitch, many different names? The Crunch Stitch and the Even Moss Stitch almost fall into this category. They are practically the same stitch and look almost identical when worked up.

Don’t forget to save this on Pinterest so you can refer back to it!

What’s the difference between the Even Moss Stitch and the Crochet Crunch Stitch?

Really, there isn’t much difference between the two stitches expect for the way you start and end each row.

Both stitch patterns use alternating half double crochets and slip stitches to form a beautiful and unique texture. (I have even seen these stitches referred to as the half double crochet moss stitch, but that is what I would call the stitch pattern like the regular moss stitch but done with hdcs.)

The Even Moss Stitch starts each row with a chain 1 and ends with a slip stitch in that chain 1 from the previous row. Whereas the Crunch Stitch starts with a chain 2, which counts as a half double crochet and ends with a slip stitch in the top of the chain 2 from the previous row.

The edges actually look very similar between the two variations, but the starting row and the ending row of the Even Moss Stitch seem to pull in a bit.

Since you are only chaining one at the beginning of the row and then skipping that stitch, your yarn pulls in more than it does with the chain 2 of the Crunch Stitch.

Once you’ve practiced both of them, you can decide which you like better and can easily adapt a pattern to use the one you favor. The Crunch Stitch starts with one more chain than the Even Moss Stitch, so you will want to keep that in mind.

Ready to Learn the Crunch Stitch and the Even Moss Stitch?

Once you learn one of them, the other will be a breeze to pick up! Grab some yarn and a corresponding hook and let’s get started on the Even Moss Stitch and Crunch Stitch crochet tutorials!

Below you will find the written instructions for the crochet Crunch Stitch followed by the written instructions for the crochet Even Moss Stitch.

After those, there are step by step photo instructions for both stitches for right handers. I am trying to add left handed pictures as well, but I am having trouble with the pictures!

As you work through the photo tutorial you’ll notice the instructions are written out without abbreviations with the abbreviated instructions in parenthesis. The goal there is to help you read patterns if that is an area where you struggle. Sometimes seeing the abbreviated instructions next to the written instructions can help you grasp pattern writing even more.

(Loving that hook? It’s the Furls Odyssey Crochet Hook in Purple)

Crunch Stitch Written Instructions

Chain a multiple of 2 + 1.

Row 1: Slip stitch into the third chain from the hook, [half double crochet into the next chain, slip stitch into the next ch,] repeat to ending with a slip stitch in the last chain, turn.

Row 2: chain 2, counts as your first half double crochet, skip the first stitch, [slip stitch into the next stitch (the half double crochet of the row below), half double crochet into the next stitch (the slip stitch of the row below)] repeat ending with a slip stitch in the top of the turning chain, turn.

Repeat row 2 to continue the pattern.

Even Moss Stitch Written Instructions

Chain an even number.

Row 1: Slip stitch into the second chain from the hook, [half double crochet into the next chain, slip stitch into the next ch,] repeat to ending with a slip stitch in the last chain, turn.

Row 2: chain 1, skip the first stitch, [slip stitch into the next stitch (the half double crochet of the row below), half double crochet into the next stitch (the slip stitch of the row below)] repeat ending with a slip stitch in the turning chain, turn.

Repeat row 2 to continue the pattern.

Crunch Stitch Crochet Tutorial – Right Handed with Pictures

1. Chain a multiple of 2 + 1

Row 1

2. slip stitch into the third chain from the hook, which counts as your first hdc (sl st into 3rd ch from hook, counts as your 1st hdc)

3. half double crochet into the next chain (hdc into next ch)

4. slip stitch into the next ch (sl st into the next ch)
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the end of the row ending with a slip stitch in the last chain, turn (repeat 3 and 4 ending with sl st in last ch, turn)

Row 2

6. chain 2, counts as your first half double crochet, skip the first stitch (ch 2, counts as your 1st hdc, sk 1st st)

7. slip stitch into the next stitch (the half double crochet of the row below)  (sl st into next st)

8. half double crochet into the next stitch (the slip stitch of the row below) (hdc into next st)

9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 ending with a slip stitch in the top of turning chain (repeat 7 and 8 ending with sl st in top of tc)

To continue the pattern, repeat row 2.

Even Moss Stitch Tutorial – Right Handed with Pictures

1. Chain an even number

Row 1

2. slip stitch into the second chain from the hook (sl st into 2nd ch from hook)

3. half double crochet into the next chain (hdc into next ch)

4. slip stitch into the next ch (sl st into the next ch)

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the end of the row ending with a slip stitch in the last chain, turn (repeat 3 and 4 ending with sl st in last ch, turn)

Row 2

6. chain 1, skip the first stitch (ch 1, sk 1st st)

7. slip stitch into the next stitch (the half double crochet of the row below)  (sl st into next st)

8. half double crochet into the next stitch (the slip stitch of the row below) (hdc into next st)

9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 ending with a slip stitch in the turning chain (repeat 7 and 8 ending with sl st in tc)

To continue the pattern, repeat row 2.

Now that you know how to crochet the Crunch Stitch and how to crochet the Even Moss Stitch, do you have a favorite?  I think I prefer working the Crunch Stitch by just a bit! You can practice the Crunch Stitch in the Over the Ridge Crochet Boy Scarf and see the texture pop with the chunky yarn and fun color changes.

Save the Crunch Stitch Tutorial on Pinterest