Free Crochet Moss Stitch Tutorial

Photo of a small, purple crochet moss stitch swatch on a white surface with a small, brass crescent moon piece and a blue crochet hook. Text on the image reads: Crochet moss stitch tutorial. Banana Moon Studio.

Crochet moss stitch tutorial

In this crochet moss stitch tutorial you’ll find a helpful video, photos of each row, written instructions in standard US terms, and project suggestions!

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What’s so great about crochet moss stitch?

Personally, I really like the texture of moss stitch. It looks woven to me and so I like using it in projects where a woven look would really shine.

Many people also use moss stitch for planned pooling projects. These work best with a yarn that has been designed for planned pooling and has regular color repeats.

What can I crochet with the moss stitch?

I have a few crochet patterns that use moss stitch, and you’ll find many more if you search Ravelry, Etsy, Pinterest, or Google.

First is my Tiffany Blanket, a baby blanket that begins with a center panel in moss stitch and then continues with a beautiful, colorful wide border.

Photo of a colorful crochet baby blanket with a large purple moss stitch center panel and a wide border. It hangs over a deck railing with trees in the background. Text on the image reads: Banana Moon Studio.

Knot My Hat & Mitts is a beautiful accessories set that I designed for Ancient Arts Yarn. Both mitts and hat have crocheted ties that look really pretty!

A woman on the shore of a mountain lake wearing a crochet moss stitch hat and fingerless mitts with a dark purple coat. — (C) Andrea J. Klassen

Also, my Edmond Sweater, a classic baby sweater in sizes from 3 months to 18 months uses the moss stitch. I love how that texture looks alongside the pretty frog closure!

A crochet moss stitch baby cardigan with a matching frog closure, and contrasting sleeves and ribbed border. Text on the image reads: Banana Moon Studio.

Written instructions for crochet moss stitch

By April Garwood of Banana Moon Studio

Difficulty Level: Easy

You can use any yarn you like. Use a crochet hook that is appropriately sized for your yarn. I suggest choosing one on the small side of the range for that yarn. Many yarn labels suggest a hook size. If your doesn’t, the bottom row of this table might help you choose one.

Ch an even number.

A crochet chain with twelve chains on a white surface with a brass crescent moon piece and a crochet hook. Text on the image reads: Banana Moon Studio.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next ch, repeat from * across, turn.

Finished row 1 of a small crochet moss stitch swatch in bright purple on a white surface with a finger holding down one end of it. A small brass, crescent moon piece and a blue crochet hook are next to the crochet piece all on a white surface. Text on the image reads: Banana Moon Studio.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next ch sp, *ch 1, skip next st, sc in next ch sp, repeat from * across to last st, sc in last st, turn.

Finished row 2 of a small crochet moss stitch swatch on a white surface with a blue crochet hook and a small brass, crescent moon piece. Text on the image reads: Banana Moon Studio.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 1, skip next st, sc in next ch sp, repeat from * to last 2 sts, ch 1, skip next st, sc in last st, turn.

Finished row 3 of a small crochet moss stitch swatch on a white surface with a blue crochet hook and a small brass, crescent moon piece. Text on the image reads: Banana Moon Studio.

Alternate repeating Rows 2 and 3 until desired length has been reached.

Small crochet moss stitch swatch on a white surface with a blue crochet hook and a small brass, crescent moon piece. Text on the image reads: Banana Moon Studio.

Tip for crocheting moss stitch

As you work in moss stitch, the thing to remember is that your stitches will be offset from each other. When you come to a stitch in the row below, you will chain 1 and skip it. When you come to a chain space, you will work a single crochet (sc) into it.

The one spot where that can get a little tricky is along the edges. You don’t leave chain spaces along the edges. You will always single crochet (sc) in both the first and last stitches.

In Row 2, or a repeat of Row 2, you will have two single crochet stitches right next to each other along both edges. In both cases, there will be a stitch along the edge, and one right next to it in the chain space.

Crochet moss stitch tutorial video

Would it help you to see it in action? Here you go! This video shows you how to work moss stitch from the slip knot through Row 4, where we’ve already established the 2 row repeat.

Small crochet moss stitch swatch on a white surface with a blue crochet hook and a small brass, crescent moon piece. A white banner with text reads: Crochet moss stitch tutorial. Banana Moon Studio. A red and white play button is centered over the image. — Click to watch it on YouTube

And that completes this crochet moss stitch tutorial! What will you make with your new skills? I’d love to see what you’re making! Please share on Instagram and tag me, or join my Facebook group and share it there.

Happy crocheting!