How to Crochet the Moss Stitch

A Tutorial for beginners

I love the moss stitch for its beautifully textured look and relaxing, repetitive rhythm. Also known as the linen stitch, woven stitch or granite stitch, this beginner-friendly crochet stitch creates a woven, knit-like fabric using just basic stitches—the single crochet and chain stitches. It looks beautiful worked up with one or multi colored yarn. The moss stitch creates a tight stitch that is great for useful home decor projects like dish cloths and place-mats.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly how to crochet the moss stitch, including the ideal foundation chain count, turning and row repeats. If you have not yet learned a these basic stitches please refer to my tutorial How to Crochet for the Absolute Beginner. Thanks for joining me, lets get started!

Materials for the Moss Stitch

-Any color worsted weight (medium, #4) yarn.

-hook size recommended on yarn packaging.

-Scissors

Stitches and Abbreviations

• single crochet (sc) – Insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop. (2 loops on hook) Yarn over, pull through 2 loops. (one loop on hook)
• chain stitch (ch)
• chain 1 space (ch-1 sp) – this is the space created when you chain 1 and skip a stitch.

Moss Stitch Set up

1. To begin, create a slip knot and foundation chain of any even number. In this tutorial I chained 14.

Row 1

Now, we will begin working row one in the chain.

1. 1 SC in the 2nd ch from the hook.
2. *Ch 1, skip 1ch, 1sc in the next ch*. Repeat from * to * until you reach the end of the chain.

Row 2

This is what we call our repeat row, because we will continue repeating this row for every subsequent row of your moss stitch project.

1. Ch1, turn and skip the first sc. (This creates our first ch1 sp)
2. *1sc in the ch-1 sp, ch1, skip 1sc*. Repeat from * to * until you reach the last ch1.
3. 1sc in the last ch1 sp.
4. Repeat Row 2 until your crochet moss stitch project is as long as desired.

Lastly . . .

I hope you enjoy the rhythmic repetition of the moss stitch and find ways to utilize it in your crocheting projects. Thank you for letting me teach you! Please leave a comment below to help me understand what I’m doing right and how I can improve my tutorials. I’d so appreciate it!

Now that you have mastered the moss stitch, here are some pattern recommendations.

The Drawstring Treasure Pouch pattern is a quick project that is so adorable. It makes a great gift bag for a gift or card, jewelry or other small items. My littles love to keep their small special treasures in it.

I love this place mat by Nordic Hook.

Moss stitch table mat

Here’s a lovely blanket from Daisy Farm Crafts.

Crochet Modern Moss Stitch Blanket

The moss stitch repetition is a wonderful way to crochet for rest. I hope you find ample time to slow down and stitch your way to a more fulfilling leisure. If you’d like to learn more about crocheting for rest as a way to gain true, soul nourishing leisure, read my previous work Crocheting for Rest.

Thank you for visiting The Restful Stitch!

My name is Heather and I have been crocheting for over 20 years and making up my own patterns for almost as long. As a home school mother, heavily influenced by Charlotte Mason, I have a passion for mother culture – that is the continued self education of mothers. Through learning useful skills, creating art and reading great literature, all who so desire can continue to grow in wisdom and virtue. I believe that for mothers this is especially important as an example to our children and for the nourishing of our souls.

Through these free crochet tutorials and free crochet patterns I hope to share the joy and rest that I find in this art. In this space I pray to form a community of like minded woman, who are inspired to live up to their potential as whole people formed in the image of a wise, creative and good God.

-Heather