How to Crochet the Moss Stitch

The moss stitch, also known as the granite stitch, is a simple crochet stitch that produces textured crochet pieces. You can use it to make just about anything and it is a beginner-friendly stitch. Learn this simple stitch and make your next scarf, blanket, hat, or washcloth in the moss stitch!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Working the Foundation Row

1. Choose your yarn. You will need at least one ball of yarn to work the moss stitch. You can choose any yarn texture or color. You can work the moss stitch in a single color or you can alternate colors as you start new rows to create a colorful pattern. Consider your desired results for your project to determine if you want to use one yarn color or multiple colors.
   
   • For example, you could work a project using only red yarn, or you could alternate red, yellow, and blue yarns for a colorful result.
2. Select a crochet hook that is appropriate for your yarn type. You may use any type or size of yarn to work the moss stitch, but you will need to ensure that the crochet hook you choose is appropriate for the yarn. Check the label on your yarn for hook size recommendations.
   
   • For example, if you are working with a medium worsted weight yarn, then a hook within the range of an I-9 (6.5 mm) through a K-10 (9 mm) will yield the best results.^[1]
3. Chain an even number of stitches. Start with an even number of chained stitches. To make a chain, loop your yarn around your finger twice, and then pull the first loop through the second loop. Transfer this loop to your hook and tighten it by pulling on the tail. Then, loop your working yarn over your hook and pull this yarn through the loop. This will create your first chain. To make another chain, yarn over the hook again, and pull through again.^[2]
   
   
   • Keep making chains until you have the desired number.
   • You may chain as many stitches as you like, as long as you chain an even number. For example, you might only chain 10 stitches if you just want to practice the moss stitch, or you might chain 120 stitches if you want to make a moss stitch blanket.
4. Single crochet into the 4th chain from the hook. To begin your 1st row, work a single crochet stitch into the 4th chain from your hook (not counting the chain that is on your hook).^[3] Insert your crochet hook into the 4th chain from your hook and then yarn over the hook. Pull the yarn through the chain and then yarn over again. Pull the yarn through both stitches on the hook to complete 1 single crochet stitch.^[4]
   
   
5. Chain 1. Next, chain 1 stitch. This stitch will form your first chain 1 space, which you will work into in your second row.^[5]
   
   
6. Skip 1. Skip the next stitch in your starting chain. This will be the chain next to the chain you just worked a single crochet stitch into.^[6]
   
   
7. Single crochet into the next chain. After skipping a chain, you will need to single crochet into the next chain. Work 1 single crochet stitch into this chain.^[7]
   
   
8. Repeat ch1, sk 1, sc to the end of the row. Keep repeating the sequence of chain 1, skip 1, and single crochet 1 all the way to the end of your starting chain. This will complete your first row.^[8]
   
   

[Edit]Working the Second Row

1. Turn and chain 2. To begin your second row and all other rows that you work in the moss stitch, turn your work around and then chain 2. This will serve as your turning chain.^[9]
   
   
2. Single crochet in the first chain 1 space. You created several chain 1 spaces when you worked the first row and you will need to single crochet into all of them. Locate the first chain 1 space in your row and single crochet into it.^[10]
   
   
3. Chain 1. Next, make a chain of 1. This will form one of the chain 1 spaces for your next row, which you will continue to work into as you continue the moss stitch.^[11]
   
   
4. Single crochet in the next chain 1 space. After you chain 1, single crochet into the next chain 1 space, just as you did the first time.^[12]
   
   
5. Repeat chain 1 and single crochet to the end. To continue working your second row, repeat the sequence of chaining 1 and single crocheting 1 to the end of the row.^[13]
   
   
6. Finish the row with a single crochet stitch in the chain 2 space. Your last stitch in the row should be a single crochet stitch into the last chain space in the row, which will be a chain 2 space.^[14]
   
   

[Edit]Completing Your Project

1. Repeat row 2 until your project is the desired length. To continue working the moss stitch, keep repeating the sequence for row 2. You can continue to work the moss stitch for as many rows as you want or need to for your project.^[15]
   
   
2. Tie off the final stitch when you are done. When you are happy with the length of your project and finish the last stitch in your last row, simply chain 1 and tie off the final stitch. To do this pull, out the loop so that it is several inches wide. Then, cut it in the center. Tie the end of the yarn through the last stitch you made and cut the excess.
   
   
3. Weave in the tail. If desired, you can also weave the tail into the edge of your work using a yarn needle. Thread the tail through the eye of the yarn needle and then weave the yarn in and out of the edge of your project. Tie the end of the tail through one of the stitches and cut the excess when the yarn gets too short to weave it through any more.
   
   

[Edit]Things You'll Need

• Yarn
• Crochet hook that is appropriate for your yarn type
• Scissors
• Yarn needle (optional)

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary