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Moss stitch (linen stitch)

A fine woven-looking texture of sc and single chains, each row's sc sitting in the chain spaces of the row below; also called linen, granite or woven stitch.

What you work it with

Crochet · Tools: A hook one or two sizes larger than usual keeps it soft; smooth yarn; stripes look good in it.

Symbol chart

One or two repeats of the stitch pattern, in standard crochet symbols.
1234Chain (ch)Single crochet (sc)Read from the bottom: each row starts at its number, with its turning chain.

Steps

  1. Chain an even number.
  2. Row 1: sc in the 4th ch from the hook, *ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in the next ch*; repeat.
  3. Row 2: ch 2, turn, sc in the first ch-1 space, *ch 1, sc in the next ch-1 space*; end with sc in the turning space.
  4. Repeat row 2.

The full card

What it looks like
A fine woven-looking texture of sc and single chains, each row's sc sitting in the chain spaces of the row below; also called linen, granite or woven stitch.
How it behaves
Flat, reversible and soft, with more drape than plain sc.
How it works
Each row alternates sc and ch 1; on the next row the sc go into the ch-1 spaces and the chains go over the sc, so the stitches interlock in a brick pattern.
Tools
A hook one or two sizes larger than usual keeps it soft; smooth yarn; stripes look good in it.
Parameters
Base chain: an even number. Turning chain: 2 ch.
Steps
1) Chain an even number. 2) Row 1: sc in the 4th ch from the hook, *ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in the next ch*; repeat. 3) Row 2: ch 2, turn, sc in the first ch-1 space, *ch 1, sc in the next ch-1 space*; end with sc in the turning space. 4) Repeat row 2.
Charting
Crosses are sc and ovals are the ch-1; read from the bottom, each sc sits over a chain of the row below.
Limits and common problems
Working into the stitch instead of the space breaks the pattern. Tight work loses the drape: go up a hook size.
Combines with
Single crochet, Crab stitch edge (reverse single crochet), Tapestry crochet
Pieces and assembly
Scarves, blankets, bags; it takes stripes well and makes a neat border.

Written in our own words from machine manuals, knitting references and swatching. Knit a test swatch before a whole piece.

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