Moss stitch blanket with a two-row repeat

Moss stitch is single crochet and chain 1 alternated, then stacked so each single crochet sits in the chain space below. The result looks woven, lies completely flat, and doesn't curl. You only ever do one thing: sc in the space, ch 1.

#Materials

• Worsted weight (#4) yarn: about 1,200 yd for the baby size, about 3,300 yd for the throw. Buy one extra skein from the same dye lot.
• 5.5 mm (I-9) hook
• 2 stitch markers
• Yarn needle

#Gauge

16 stitches and 16 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in moss stitch, counting every sc and every ch-1 as one stitch. Gauge isn't critical for a blanket, but it affects how much yarn you'll use.

#Sizes

For any other width, chain any even number: about 4 chains per inch.

#Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• sk: skip
• ch-1 sp: the gap under a chain 1

#The pattern

Foundation: Ch 120 (200).

Row 1: Sc in the 4th ch from the hook. (Ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch) to the end of the row. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 2 (this makes the edge space). Sc in the first ch-1 sp. (Ch 1, sc in the next ch-1 sp) across, working your last sc into the space under the turning chain of the row below. Turn.

Repeat Row 2 until the blanket measures 35 (59) in, or about 1 in less than you want, to leave room for the border.

#Border

Rnd 1: Ch 1, then sc evenly around all four sides of the blanket, working 3 sc in each corner. Along the sides, work about 1 sc per row end. Sl st to the first sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, working 3 sc in the centre stitch of each corner. Sl st to join and fasten off.

#Finishing

Weave in the ends along the rows rather than across them, so they don't poke through the gaps. Then wash and lay the blanket flat to dry. Moss stitch relaxes and evens out beautifully after its first wash.