Linen Stitch

The linen stitch is a beautiful stitch pattern that is perfect for crocheted scarves and crocheted baby blankets. It is also sometimes referred to as moss stitch. In this video, Mary Beth Temple demonstrates how to work this simple and fun stitch pattern.

To begin, Mary Beth places a slip knot on her hook and chains an even number of stitches. She works the first row into the back bump (or loop) of the chain, as that is her preferred way to work into the starting chain. She works the linen stitch following these instructions:

Row 1 (RS): Sc in second ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc in next ch; rep from * to end, turn.

Row 2 (WS) Ch 1, sc in first sc, sc in first ch-sp, *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch-sp; rep from * to last sc, sc in last sc, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 1, sk next sc, *sc in next ch-sp, ch 1, sk next sc; rep from * last sc, sc in last sc.

Rep Rows 2 and 3 for pattern.

Mary Beth notes that there are many different variations of this pattern, but this is the one that she prefers. She likes that the edge stays nice and even with this version of the crocheted linen stitch. If you are following a pattern that uses the linen (or moss) stitch, be sure to follow those pattern instructions.

When looking at the larger swatch of the stitch pattern, Mary Beth notices that there is quite a bit of stretch in the fabric. Because there are so many chain spaces on the overall fabric, it allows the stitches to move around easily. If looking to use this stitch in your next project, try using it as an edging or by alternating colors!

Abbreviations:

ch: chain

rep: repeat

RS: right side

sc: single crochet

sk: skip

sp: scpace

WS: wrong side

This video uses US Crochet Terminology.