Granny squares are wonderful little things. There are so many varieties out there that picking one feels like standing in the cereal aisle for twenty minutes, holding two boxes and putting both of them back. But I’m willing to bet you’ve made a traditional granny square, and it likely came out pretty good. Maybe even great. The corners lined up, the clusters mostly behaved, and you only had to rip it out twice, which is basically a personal record. And now you’re sitting there wondering if that win carries over to a different style of granny square.
I’m here to tell you it does. And we’re tackling one right now.
The moss stitch granny square has the same bones as the one you just made. You still start in the middle, you still work in the round, and you still turn a corner four times every round. The difference is all in the stitches between those corners, which pack in tight and bumpy instead of leaving those big open gaps your toes love to poke through. It looks like a completely different square, but it’s really not.
Heads up: My posts may contain affiliate links! If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on! Thanks!
What Makes This Square Different From the Classic and Solid
If granny squares were a family, the classic would be the fun aunt. Shows up to everything, a little holey, doesn’t care what you think. Three double crochets, a chain space, three more double crochets, and a whole lot of open air in between. She’s light, she’s fast, and she’s the reason your toes have been poking out of grandma’s afghan since 1994.
The solid granny square is the responsible older sister who owns a label maker. Double crochet in every single stitch, no gaps, no surprises. (She’s great, though. She just alphabetizes her spice rack.)
And then there’s the moss stitch granny square, the middle child who refuses to pick a side. Instead of clusters with gaps bigger than your head, or wall-to-wall double crochet, you’re making a single crochet, chaining one, and doing it all over again. Stitch, chain. Stitch, chain. It sounds like a line dance at a wedding you didn’t want to go to, and it feels like one too, right up until your hands catch the rhythm.
Then something weird happens. Every round, each single crochet tucks right down into the little chain space from the round before, and the whole square starts weaving itself into this tight, bumpy texture that makes you want to poke it. Repeatedly. It takes a little longer than the other two, but you end up with a square that looks like you knew exactly what you were doing the whole damn time.
You didn’t. None of us do. (That’s what the video below is for)
And if this middle child has you itching to meet the rest of the family, every square I’ve ever written up lives in my Granny Square Patterns & Tutorials library, all in one place. Classic, solid, moss, and whatever wild square I dream up at 2am when I should absolutely be asleep.
Before we dig in, here are some helpful links no hunting required:
● My Go-To Supplies – The hooks and supplies I reach for every single time
● Yarn – Because duh
● Stitch Library – A place to brush up on your basic stitches if you need to so the rest of this makes sense.
Free Moss Stitch Granny Square Pattern At-A-Glance
Skill Level: Beginner
Finished Size: (This sample is 6” square, but you can make it as big or little as you like!)
Materials Needed:
Yarn: A granny square can literally be made from all weights of yarn. However for this specific tutorial we’re going to be using medium worsted weight yarn. I used Red Heart Super Saver in the color Cornmeal, but you can use whatever you have.
Hook: You can use whatever size hook your pattern calls for, but for this square, we’re using a 5.0mm hook. (H size)
Yarn Needle, Scissors, Tape Measure – To cut yarn, weave in ends, and make sure you got the size you were looking for.
(Babysitter, Netflix, Diet Coke, Snacks) – And a locking door on your bedroom so you can have some much deserved me time.
Time to Make: About 30ish minutes once your hands understand the assignment
Making the Moss Stitch Granny Square:
Stitches Used: (If any of these stitches feel unfamiliar, I’ve got you covered here)
● SL St- Slip Stitch
● Ch- Chain
● SC- Single Crochet
This starts with a magic ring. If you don’t know how to make one yet, go watch my magic ring tutorial first – otherwise you’re just going to be stuck at step one wondering what you’re supposed to do.
To Begin:
Round 1: Make a magic ring, chain 1, and make 1sc, ch1, 1sc in the ring, then ch1. This is your first corner and ch1 space.
Repeat this three more times so you have four corners with four ch1 spaces. (If it’s hard to see because the stitches are small, I definitely recommend using stitch markers in your early rounds to help visually mark where your corners are.) Sl st into the top of your first sc to join. Chain 1, then turn.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that you make sure you’re turning your work after every round so your stitches don’t come out looking like they were drunk and getting twisted.
Round 2:In the ch1 space next to your hook that you just made from the previous round, make 1sc, then ch1.
- You are now at the corner. 1sc, ch1, 1sc all in the same ch1 space of the corner.
- Then ch 1, 1sc in next ch1 space to the corner. Ch1.
- Repeat from * to * in the corner.
- Keep repeating this whole sequence until you are back at the beginning, and sl st into the top of your first sc, ch1 and turn.
Round 3: In the ch1 space next to your hook that you just made from the previous round, make 1sc, then ch1.
- In the next ch1 sp, 1sc, ch1 and you should be at the corner.
- 1sc, ch1, 1sc all in the same ch1 space of the corner.
- Keep repeating the 1sc, ch1 in every stitch (in every ch1 space, not the tops of the stitches) and the 1sc, ch1, 1sc in each corner until you’re back to the beginning. Sl st into the top of your first sc. Ch1, turn
Still with me? Good. You’re doing great.
If your square doesn’t look like mine right now, congratulations, you crocheted it. You’re human, not a machine and we’re all still learning. Let’s keep going!
Round 4: In the ch1 space next to your hook that you just made from the previous round, make 1sc, then ch1.
- In the next ch1 spaces, 1sc, ch1 in each and you should be at the corner.
- 1sc, ch1, 1sc all in the same ch1 space of the corner.
- Keep repeating the 1sc, ch1 in every stitch (in every ch1 space, not the tops of the stitches) and the 1sc, ch1, 1sc in each corner until you’re back to the beginning. Sl st into the top of your first sc. Ch1, turn
The rest of the rounds continue just like this one. Each round has one more ch1 space between corners than the last one. Keep building like this on each round, and remember to keep turning your work after every one and it should come together pretty quickly. You can even throw in a color change just for funsies to mix things up.
And if you’re more of a “I need a pause button” kind of learner, I’ve got you.
Some “oops” moments to watch out for.
(You’re human and learning. These are normal.)
Q: My square is just a mess of loops and weird looking stitches. What is happening?
A: Your stitch count is probably off. Yep, sometimes we really do have to count every stitch if we want things to behave. Go back to where it first started looking weird, rip that sucker out, and try again. This time, put the kids on mute so you can keep count, and it usually fixes itself.
Q: My corners don’t look like yours. How do I fix it?
A: If your stitch count is right, try gently tugging the corners to square it up. Don’t yank the yarn like it owes you money. Just coax it a little. Stretch the stitches between your fingers, smooth things out, and see if it starts to behave. If you’re still unsure, work the next round and check the previous one. When the corner evens out, you’re golden. If not, frog it and start over. Also, I cannot stress enough how much stitch markers help keep your counts straight. Sometimes we can’t spot our stitches out in the wild, and we need a little visual help.
Q: I keep ripping out stitches, nothing is working, and I feel like I can’t do this. What’s wrong with me?
A: Sis, nothing is wrong with you. You’re learning. That’s the deal. The only way this gets easier is by doing it, and crochet is very forgiving like that. The more you practice, the smoother your stitches get, the easier it feels, and the more your brain goes hey, I like this. I promise it gets easier and more fun the longer you stick with it.
Final Thoughts:
You did it. You took everything that classic granny square taught you, swapped the clusters out for a single crochet and a chain, and walked away with a square that looks like it came off a shelf in some overpriced boutique. (Nobody needs to know how easy it was, or that you completed it while watching an episode of Friends for the 47th time. Your secret is safe with me)
If any of those stitches still feel a little wobbly in your hands, the crochet stitch library has every basic broken down step by step, slow enough to actually follow along. And if this one square just turned into a sudden urge to make twelve more, the granny square collection is sitting right there with the classic, the solid, and a whole pile of others waiting their turn.
Want some company while you make them? This square is part of my free Scrappy Granny Square Sampler CAL, where we’re building an entire blanket one granny square at a time. Grab your scraps and jump in whenever you’re ready. Nobody’s taking attendance.
Happy Hooking!
