Welcome to Grandma’s Crafts! I’m so happy you are here today. If you are looking for a calm and simple blanket that still looks special, I have just the thing: the Moss Stitch Blanket. It is made from single crochet and chains only, and it creates a beautiful woven texture that looks lovely in any color.
You may also hear this stitch called the linen stitch, the granite stitch or the woven stitch. They are all the same simple idea. You work a single crochet, a chain and skip a stitch, and on the next row the single crochets go into the little chain spaces. The stitches stagger like bricks in a wall, so the fabric is flat, neat and very drapey.
I love this blanket for beginners because after the first row there is only one row to remember. It is also wonderful with variegated yarn, which turns into small flecks of color, and with stripes, which look crisp and modern.
Below you will find the stitch, a guide for choosing your blanket size and a tidy border to finish it off. Let’s begin!
Why the Moss Stitch Blanket Is a Great Choice
Only single crochet and chains
A flat fabric that does not curl at the edges
One row to remember after the first
Looks lovely in solid colors, stripes and variegated yarn
Skill Level
Beginner.
Materials
Worsted weight (#4) yarn. How much you need depends on your blanket size, so buy a little extra from the same dye lot.
5.5 mm (I-9) crochet hook, or the size recommended on your yarn label
Measuring tape
Scissors
Tapestry needle
Abbreviations (US Terms)
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
st(s): stitch(es)
sp(s): space(s)
sk: skip
* *: repeat the instructions between the asterisks as directed
ch-1 sp: the space made by one chain
Pattern Notes
The foundation chain is any even number.
From Row 2 on, the ch 2 at the start of each row stands for the turning chain and the first ch-1 space. It does not count as a sc.
All the single crochets from Row 2 on go into the ch-1 spaces, not into the tops of the stitches.
Your stitch count is the number of sc in each row, and it stays the same from row to row.
Moss Stitch Blanket Pattern
Foundation: Ch an even number. A practice piece of 30 chains is a good place to start.
Row 1: Sc in the 4th ch from the hook. *Ch 1, sk the next ch, sc in the next ch*. Repeat from * to the end of the chain. (14 sc on the practice piece)
Row 2: Ch 2, turn. Sc in the first ch-1 space. *Ch 1, sk the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 space*. Repeat from * across. Work the last sc into the space made by the 3 chains you skipped at the start of Row 1. (14 sc)
Row 3: Ch 2, turn. Sc in the first ch-1 space. *Ch 1, sk the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 space*. Repeat from * across. Work the last sc into the space under the turning ch 2. (14 sc)
Rows 4 and on: Repeat Row 3 until your blanket is as long as you like. Do not fasten off.
Choosing Your Blanket Size
Work your practice piece for about 4 inches and lay it flat without stretching. Measure the width and divide the number of sc by it. Now multiply that by the width you want for your blanket, then double that number and add 2 to get your foundation chain. It will always be an even number. Baby blankets are often somewhere between 30 and 36 inches wide, and a lap blanket is often around 36 by 48 inches.
Simple Border
Round 1: With the right side facing you, ch 1 and sc evenly around the blanket: 1 sc in each sc and each ch-1 space along the top and bottom, about 1 sc in the end of each row along the sides, and 3 sc in each corner. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, with 3 sc in the center stitch of each corner. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Round 3: Repeat Round 2 for a slightly wider border, or stop after Round 2. Fasten off and weave in all the ends.
Tips for a Tidy Moss Stitch
Count your sc at the end of the first few rows. If you are short one, the last sc of the row is usually the one that went missing.
Keep your chains the same size as your sc so the fabric stays flat.
For stripes, change color at the end of a row by working the last pull through of the last sc with the new color.
If the border ruffles, work fewer sc along the sides. If it pulls in, add a few more.
One thing I like about this blanket is that you can pick it up for a few rows whenever you have a quiet moment. Once your hands get used to finding the chain spaces, you can settle into the rhythm without having to check the pattern every minute.
If the stitches still feel a little unfamiliar, the videos below can help you see exactly where the hook goes. Pay special attention to the end of each row. That last stitch is easy to miss, and finding it makes all the difference in keeping the blanket’s edges straight.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Color Ideas
A single soft color like oatmeal, sage or dusty rose makes a calm, elegant blanket. For stripes, try alternating two colors every two rows for tiny ticking stripes, or work wide bands of three or four colors. A variegated yarn needs no planning at all and gives a lovely speckled look.
That’s our cozy Moss Stitch Blanket, simple enough for a beginner and pretty enough for any room. I love how peaceful this stitch is to work, row after row.
Take your time and enjoy every row. Thank you so much for spending this time with me, and come back soon to Grandma’s Crafts for more blankets and patterns.
