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I’ve always loved the double crochet moss stitch for so many reasons. Whilst I enjoy working the more traditional single crochet moss stitch, I feel like the double, sometimes referred to as the extended moss crochet stitch is much more versatile.
As with lots of things in crochet, nobody can decide what to actually call it so you might see it also referred to as the linen stitch or the granite stitch.
It’s also important to make sure make sure you know whether you are working in US or UK crochet terms. For the written pattern here, I’ll add both versions so in US terms you’ll be working double crochet stitches and UK terms you’ll be working treble crochet stitches.
I was asked by the lovely folks at Annie’s Catalog recently to do a live video tutorial for them and this is the stitch that I chose! It features in a few of my designs already and I’m definitely planning more!
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Why I love the double crochet moss stitch so much
The more commonly used single crochet moss or linen stitch creates quite a dense stitch and therefore fabric which is beautiful but I much prefer the double crochet moss stitch.
The longer stitches have that extra yarn over and pull through the hook giving loads more texture to the fabric and also a bit more ‘freedom’ which means that although the fabric stays fairly dense, it has a beautiful drape to it.
This is why I love using it for blankets, garments and other wearables.
Another great thing about it is that it’s just as lovely on the wrong side as it is on the right side. This is so important to me when I’m designing (especially blankets).
The final thing that I absolutely love about it is how versatile and easy it makes colour work!
It might look like it’s really complicated but you only ever need to use one colour per row but because the stitches drop down into two rows below it gives the illusion of tricky colour changes, perfect!
What projects can I crochet with the moss stitch?
Anything you like! Of course as a designer I would say that but you really can go for it with this stitch.
Depending on what you’d like to make, just think about how dense you’d like the fabric to be. If you’re planning a sturdy basket (which would look fabulous I think) then you’re going to wanted it to be thicker than a lacy scarf (also a lovely idea!).
So, here comes the hook and yarn magic – make a gauge swatch and see the difference!
If you’d like to use a certain yarn for the basket idea (I really want to design this now), then I would go down a few hook sizes until the swatch becomes as firm as you’d like it. Another great trick is to double the yarn too.
If you’d like the fabric looser then go up a hook size or two and it will magically get soft and have lots more drape.
My favourite designs (so far) using the double crochet moss stitch (aka linen stitch) are these:
You can find both my Barcode Poncho pattern and Peaches and Teal Blanket pattern (along with lots of lovely other ones!) over on the Annie’s Catalog site. I’m so excited to be collaborating with them!
Materials
I used Stylecraft Bellissima for the tutorial photos which is a lovely, bouncy, 100% acrylic double knit yarn, 268m/100g.
You’ll need a crochet hook that works with the yarn that you choose (remember to experiment if you want to change the drape). I used my 4.5mm/G+ wooden streamline crochet hook from Furls which worked brilliantly with this yarn weight.
The only other things you’ll need is a pair of sharp scissors and a darning needle to weave in your ends.
Crochet Terms You Need To Know
For the written pattern you’ll need the following terms:
ch(s) – chain(s)
st(s) – stitch(es)
RS – right side
Yrh – yarn round hook
rep – repeat
sp – space
| UK Crochet Stitches | US Crochet Stitches |
| dc – double crochet | sc – single crochet |
| htr – half treble | hdc – half double crochet |
| tr – treble | dc – double crochet |
Special Stitch:
moss st – work a standard UK tr/US dc into skipped stitch 2 rows below, working around the ch-sp in row below to enclose it.
Written Pattern
Notes
You can work the double crochet moss stitch in any multiples of 2 + 1 (if you want to be more adventurous with blocks of stitches then just jot it down on some graph paper first to check it works).
If you decide to work with multiple colours then change colour on the final yrh on the last stitch of the row before you then turn and work the next row with the new colour.
A ch1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch.
This is the example I have worked in the photo tutorial to show you how adding a few multiples of stitches can really change the look of the stitch.
Crochet Moss Stitch in US Terms:
Foundation chain: ch 21
Row 1: sc in 2nd and each ch across [20].
Row 2: RS: ch1, hdc in next, (ch1, skip 1, hdc in next) 3 times, ch2, skip 2, hdc in next 2, ch2, skip 2, (hdc in next, ch1, skip 1) 3 times, hdc in last.
Row 3: ch1, hdc in next, (moss st in next, ch1, skip 1) 3 times, moss st in next 2, ch2, skip 2, moss st in next 2, (ch1, skip 1, moss st in next) 3 times, hdc in last.
Row 4: ch1, hdc in next, (ch1, skip 1, moss st in next) 3 times, ch2, skip 2, moss st in next 2, ch2, skip 2, (moss st in next, ch1, skip 1) 3 times, hdc in last.
Rows 3 and 4 create the set pattern.
Repeat the set pattern as many times as you like.
Final row: rather than working chain spaces in the final row, replace them with a hdc instead to finish.
Crochet Moss Stitch in UK Terms:
Foundation chain: ch 21
Row 1: dc in 2nd and each ch across [20].
Row 2: RS: ch1, htr in next, (ch1, skip 1, htr in next) 3 times, ch2, skip 2, htr in next 2, ch2, skip 2, (htr in next, ch1, skip 1) 3 times, htr in last.
Row 3: ch1, htr in next, (moss st in next, ch1, skip 1) 3 times, moss st in next 2, ch2, skip 2, moss st in next 2, (ch1, skip 1, moss st in next) 3 times, htr in last.
Row 4: ch1, htr in next, (ch1, skip 1, moss st in next) 3 times, ch2, skip 2, moss st in next 2, ch2, skip 2, (moss st in next, ch1, skip 1) 3 times, htr in last.
Rows 3 and 4 create the set pattern.
Repeat the set pattern as many times as you like.
Final row: rather than working chain spaces in the final row, replace them with a htr instead to finish.
Photo Tutorial
Double Crochet Moss Stitch / Linen Stitch - an easy tutorial
Learn to crochet the double crochet moss stitch (also known as the granite, linen stitch or extended moss stitch) in this step by step tutorial and live video for Annie's Catalog from Hannah of HanJan Crochet. Perfect for crochet blankets, garments, cushions, scarves and so much more.
Instructions
Begin by making a chain of 21.- Row 1: Work a single crochet stitch in the second chain from the hook and each across [20sts]
Row 2: Following the written pattern, ch1, hdc in next, (ch1, skip 1, hdc in next) three times.- Row 2: Continue to follow the written pattern; ch2, skip 2, hdc in next 2, ch2, skip 2, (hdc in next, ch1, skip 1) three times, hdc in last st.
- Row 3: When you are ready to change colour, yrh on the last stitch of the row and complete the stitch with the new colour.
- Row 3: With the new colour, ch1, hdc in next.
- Row 3: Following the written pattern, (moss st in next, ch1, skip 1) 3 times, moss st in next 2, ch2, skip 2, moss st in next 2, (ch1, skip 1, moss st in next) 3 times, hdc in last.
- Row 4: ch1, hdc in next, (ch1, skip 1, moss st in next) 3 times, ch2, skip 2, moss st in next 2, ch2, skip 2, (moss st in next, ch1, skip 1) 3 times, hdc in last.
- Rows 3 and 4 create the set pattern. Repeat the set pattern as many times as you like.
- Final row: rather than working chain spaces in the final row, replace them with a hdc instead to finish.
Begin by making a chain of 21.
Row 1: Work a single crochet stitch in the second chain from the hook and each across [20sts]
Row 2: Following the written pattern, ch1, hdc in next, (ch1, skip 1, hdc in next) three times.
Row 2: Continue to follow the written pattern; ch2, skip 2, hdc in next 2, ch2, skip 2, (hdc in next, ch1, skip 1) three times, hdc in last st.
Row 3: When you are ready to change colour, yrh on the last stitch of the row and complete the stitch with the new colour.
Row 3: With the new colour, ch1, hdc in next.
Row 3: Following the written pattern, (moss st in next, ch1, skip 1) 3 times, moss st in next 2, ch2, skip 2, moss st in next 2, (ch1, skip 1, moss st in next) 3 times, hdc in last.
Row 4: ch1, hdc in next, (ch1, skip 1, moss st in next) 3 times, ch2, skip 2, moss st in next 2, ch2, skip 2, (moss st in next, ch1, skip 1) 3 times, hdc in last.
Rows 3 and 4 create the set pattern. Repeat the set pattern as many times as you like.
Final row: rather than working chain spaces in the final row, replace them with a hdc instead to finish.Learn Some More Crochet Stitches With Me
If, like me, you’re eager to learn all the crochet stitches you possibly can then I’d love you to take a look at my crochet stitch tutorials – here are some of my favourites though:
If you loved this version of the crochet moss stitch then I also think you might really enjoy the herringbone half double crochet moss stitch too! It’s a really lovely version of the same principle that gives an almost knit-look crochet stitch that is much simpler than it looks.
Pin It For Later
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning the crochet moss stitch with me! I’d love to know if you decide to make any of patterns using it or if you create your own! You can sign up to become a member of HanJan Crochet and I’ll let you know about all the fabulous crochet adventures, offers, lives and more too!
See you there!
