Crochet a Moss Stitch Flannel
Do you want to handmake something for around the home? Can you crochet three simple stitches: a chain, a double crochet and a slip stitch? Then you can Crochet a Moss Stitch flannel in no time flat. Here is my favourite Moss Stitch Flannel Pattern.
Learning to Crochet
I learned to crochet recently, and am completely hooked. (Sorry.) The desire to learn came out of my stubborn desire to 'crack' something that I'd been unable to learn in the past. But it was also because I wanted to make my own clothes, and make lovely things for around the home. Those funky monochrome cushions you see on Instagram. Those beautiful homemade blankets. I'd never made anything like that in my life before. They're expensive to buy. I could make them, surely? And besides, crochet is all the rage. Apparently.
I learned to crochet at Heathfield Crafts, which is a craft shop very local to me. Making crocheted cotton flannels was a brilliant project when I was a complete beginner. And whilst I am now making more complex projects than I would have attempted 12 months ago, I still like to sit and crochet a simple cotton flannel now and again.
They are a great little portable project on a journey or in a waiting room. They're quick to crochet, and make lovely gifts. I was a bit cautious about giving away my homemade presents in case they weren't any good. But honestly the response I've had with crocheted presents has been amazing. People appreciate that you made something for them, and a crocheted flannel combined with some of your own homemade soap really is the perfect gift.
What is Moss Stitch?
Moss Stitch is also known as Linen Stitch, Woven Stitch and Granite Stitch and is a simple combination of Chain and Double Crochet stitches. It produces a really lovely textured cloth. And if you're weird like me, you'll enjoy the pleasing symmetry of it all. When you are working with Moss Stitch, no matter what size your project, you need to start with an even number of stitches. This is a very simple stitch and you will quickly find yourself going into 'the zone' when you're working with it.
Yarn Needed to Crochet a Flannel
I make most of my flannels in Pegasus 100% cotton yarn in natural which is a creamy colour. This yarn is designed for home projects and is designed to be hard wearing. It is also available in white. For a softer cloth I also use King Cole Bamboo and Cotton Yarn which has a lovely range of colour choices, great for gifting.
I made some sets for Christmas using King Cole Bamboo and Cotton Aqua Yarn trimmed with the Pegasus cotton in natural which were very well received. Or rather if the lucky recipients hated them, they were kind enough not to break it to me.
This flannel pattern is a simple one, adapted from one shared with me by my crochet teacher. Natasha brought some flannels in to the class that she had made for her new (to her) caravan. I was desperate to make one so she wrote down her homemade pattern from memory. I then fiddled with it, adding a loop to the pattern so the flannel can be hung up to dry in the shower.
What you need
- A crochet hook (I use size 4.5)
- A ball of cotton yarn. You won't use anything like a whole ball. So f you have some left over from another project, flannels can be great for using up odds and ends of cotton yarn.
- Scissors
- A darning needle
How to Crochet a Moss Stitch Cotton Flannel
The stitches we will be using are chain, double crochet and slip stitch. Start by chaining (c) an even number of stitches for the size of flannel you want. I start with 36 chains which makes a nice sized flannel.
Row 1: work a double crochet (dc) stitch into the fourth chain from the hook. Chain 1.
Skip the next chain, double crochet into the next. Chain one, skip the next chain, double crochet into the next.
Repeat, ending with a double crochet in the last chain on the row.
Basically you are crocheting a row of double crochet stitches, each separated by one chain which creates a chain space. And ending the row with a dc in the last chain (hence starting with an even number of stitches).
Row 2: Turn your work. Chain 2. Dc into first chain space (skipping the dc). Continue along the row, maintaining the pattern of dc, chain, dc, chain with the dcs working into the chain spaces from the previous row.
When you reach the end of this row, place your last dc into the chain space you used to begin that row. Repeat.
Tip: I usually fold my project in half diagonally to check how “square” it is. Alternatively you can measure each side to check they are equal.
To summarise the Crochet Flannel Pattern:
Row 1: Chain an even number of stitches. Dc in 4th ch from hk. *ch-1, skip 1 ch, dc in next* repeat to end. Ch-2, turn.
Row 2: Dc in next ch-sp. *ch-1, dc in next ch-sp* repeat to end, ending with a dc in the ch-sp from the previous row.
Add Border.
Flannel Border
To finish off your washcloth, make a border. First ch1 and dc in the final corner. Then work double crochet stitches all the way around your flannel. In each corner I work a dc, c1, dc to keep the flannel square and ensure it lays flat. Join with a slip stitch to the first ch1. Weave in the ends.
To make the hanging loop
When I've reached the end of the final row, I add a crocheted loop to hang the flannel from in the shower. I do this by chaining 14, turning the work and then attaching the last chain I just made back down into the corner of the flannel with a slip stitch (ss) to secure it. That's the loop, now it just needs a little reinforcement. Turn your work back again and then, treating the loop like a 14 chain space, work 15 double crochets into the loop wrapping them around the chains (not into them). Double Crochet all the way around the loop so it is thicker and stronger than it was before. Slip stitch back into the corner of the flannel again, cut your yarn and you're done. Weave in the ends.
Variations on the Moss Stitch Flannel
You can make this pattern into dish-washing cloths for the kitchen. Then use it with your Homemade Citrus Household Spray Cleaner, you domestic God (or Goddess) you.
You could add a contrasting coloured border if you like, and incorporate that colour into your loop. I like to make a coloured flannel with a natural border and loop. Or a natural flannel, with a coloured border and loop.
But if the loop is not your thing then leave it off. These cloths wash well in the washing machine. They come out good as new, again and again.
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