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Moss Stitch Crochet Tutorial (Linen Stitch, Woven Stitch, Granite Stitch)

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Learn the crochet moss stitch with this helpful, step-by-step moss stitch crochet tutorial which includes photos for both the right-handed moss stitch and left-handed moss stitch! Grab some yarn and a coordinating hook and let’s get started!

Moss stitch crochet tutorial showing stitches and hook

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

What is a moss stitch in crochet?

The moss stitch in crochet is a combination of basic crochet stitches made by switching between single crochets and chains and then working in the chain spaces of the previous row. It is a beginner-friendly crochet stitch pattern that you can easily learn once you’ve mastered the single crochet stitch, chains, and skipping chains/stitches.

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Where can I use the moss stitch?

Pretty much ANYWHERE in any crochet project!  The moss stitch creates a flat and flowy fabric. Even though you are creating little boxes of space by skipping stitches, the fabric is still solid, but it isn’t as dense as fabric worked in all single crochets. Unless you are wanting lots of texture and a piece of super dense fabric, the moss stitch will work!

The moss stitch really shines when doing any sort of color stripe work. By varying how wide your strips are, you can create a completely different and modern look.

swatch of stripes in crochet moss stitch with hook

After you’ve learned how to crochet the moss stitch, check out some fun projects where you can use this versatile stitch pattern. If you are looking for a free pattern that uses the moss stitch, check out the moss stitch scarf pattern, the moss stitch ear warmer pattern, the moss stitch dishcloth, or the Multicolored scarf, and use the crochet moss stitch!

Then what is the linen stitch in crochet?

Great question! The moss stitch goes by many different names and one of the most familiar names is the crochet linen stitch. It is also known as the crochet granite stitch and the crochet woven stitch. (If you search these stitches on google to find patterns, you’ll want to be sure to specify that you are looking for patterns with crochet stitches since there are knit stitches with the same names too!)

How to crochet the Moss Stitch

Below you’ll find the written tutorials where the step-by-step instructions are written out in complete sentences followed by the abbreviated version like you would see in a crochet pattern. All instructions use US terms.

This is to help those of you still learning to read patterns. By seeing the written instructions next to the abbreviations you can start to better understand how to read patterns!

I should also point out that the way I start and finish each row of the moss stitch is a bit different than you normally see.

Most moss stitch crochet instructions will start each row with a chain 2 and will count that as the first single crochet and chain 1. When you get to the end of that row, you work into the space created from the starting chain 2.

Starting with a chain 2 creates a rather uneven and bumpy edge in the fabric which isn’t as desirable especially if you don’t plan on putting a border around your project.

As you read through the tutorial, you’ll notice that you start the row with a chain 1 (the turning chain) and work the last stitch of each row into the turning chain of the row below. This gives a nice and clean edge to the fabric!

straight edges of moss stitch

I encourage you to look for another moss stitch tutorial that uses the chain 2 method and make swatches using both methods to see which you prefer.

Moss Stitch Crochet Diagram

crochet diagram of the moss stitch

Please save this tutorial on Pinterest and share it on Facebook! Head down to the comments section if you have any questions.

Pin image for moss stitch crochet tutorial

Moss Stitch Crochet Written Instructions

To start chain an even number

Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from hook, chain 1, skip a chain stitch, and single crochet in the next chain. Repeat chaining 1, skipping a chain stitch, and single crocheting in the next chain until the end of the row. The last stitch will be a single crochet into the last chain. Turn

Row 2: Chain 1 (this is your turning chain), single crochet into the first chain 1 space in the row below, chain 1, skip the single crochet in the row below, and single crochet into the next chain space. Repeat chaining 1, skipping the single crochet in the row below and single crocheting into the next chain 1 space until the end of the row. The last stitch will be a sc into the turning chain.

To continue the pattern simply repeat row 2 until your project reaches the desired length.

Abbreviations

sc: single crochet
ch: chain
sk: skip
tc: turning chain

Crochet Moss Stitch Pattern Abbreviated Instructions

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc, repeat from * to the end of the row,  (The last st should be a sc into the last ch), turn

Row 2: *ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp, repeat from * to the end of the row, putting the last sc in the tc, turn.

Repeat row 2

Moss Stitch Crochet Photo Tutorial: Step by Step photos for right and left-handed crocheters.

Right Handed Moss Stitch Crochet Tutorial

To start chain an even number

crochet chain and hook

Row 1:

Single crochet in the 2nd chain from hook (sc in 2nd ch from hook)

single crochet and chain one for moss stitch

Chain 1, skip a chain stitch, and single crochet in the next chain. (ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc)

showing where to skip a chain

Repeat chain 1, skip a chain stitch, and single crochet in the next chain. (ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc) until the end of the row. The last stitch should be a single crochet into the last chain.

row 1 completed for the moss stitch

Row 2:

Turn, chain 1 (this is your turning chain) (turn, ch 1)

showing chain 1 space for moss stitch

Single crochet into the first chain 1 space in the row below. (sc in ch-1 sp)

Chain 1, skip the single crochet in the row below and single crochet into the next chain 1 space. (ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp)

showing which chains to skip

Repeat chain 1, skip the single crochet in the row below and single crochet into the next chain 1 space until the end of the row. The last stitch will be a sc into the turning chain.

showing the turning chain
completed 2nd chain of the moss stitch crochet

(turning chain for the end of the 3rd row)

showing the turning chain
completed third row of the moss stitch

To continue the pattern simply repeat row 2 until your project reaches the desired length.

completed swatch of the crochet moss stitch

Left Handed Moss Stitch Crochet Tutorial

To start chain an even number

crochet chain and hook

Row 1:

Single crochet in the 2nd chain from hook (sc in 2nd ch from hook)

single crochet and chain one for moss stitch

Chain 1, skip a chain stitch, and single crochet in the next chain. (ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc)

showing where to skip a chain

Repeat chain 1, skip a chain stitch, and single crochet in the next chain. (ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc) until the end of the row. The last stitch should be a single crochet into the last chain.

row 1 completed for the moss stitch

Row 2:

Turn, chain 1 (this is your turning chain) (turn, ch 1)

showing chain 1 space for moss stitch

Single crochet into the first chain 1 space in the row below. (sc in ch-1 sp)

Chain 1, skip the single crochet in the row below and single crochet into the next chain 1 space. (ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp)

showing which chains to skip

Repeat chain 1, skip the single crochet in the row below and single crochet into the next chain 1 space until the end of the row. The last stitch will be a sc into the turning chain.

showing the turning chain
completed 2nd chain of the moss stitch crochet

(turning chain for the end of the 3rd row)

showing the turning chain
completed third row of the moss stitch

To continue the pattern simply repeat row 2 until your project reaches the desired length.

completed swatch of the crochet moss stitch

Now that you’ve mastered the moss stitch, why don’t you try them in some moss stitch free crochet patterns? Head over to the moss stitch scarf pattern, the moss stitch ear warmer pattern, or the Multicolored scarf, and put your new stitches to work! Are there any other moss stitch crochet patterns you’d like to see? Let me know in the comments!

The same idea can be used with half double crochet and double crochet stitches to create even more open and flowing fabrics.

Ready to learn some other great crochet stitches? Don’t miss these tutorials:

Suzette Stitch

Alpine Stitch

Double Crochet Ripple Stitch

Bean Stitch

Save the moss stitch crochet tutorial on Pinterest

crochet moss stitch in progress