Add a Moss Stitch Border to Moss Stitch Squares

A moss stitch border can be a lovely border to add to any crochet blanket. It is particularly satisfying to add it to a moss stitch squares blanket. This moss stitch border is the third in the Moss Stitch series – please see the pages on How to Crochet a Moss Stitch Square and How to Join Moss Stitch Squares with the Moss Stitch Join-As-You-Go Method.

A low-cost pdf version of this page is available (see below for details).

Purchase an Ad- free PDF Version of this Pattern

An ad-free PDF version (digital download) of this pattern is available to buy now from Ravelry. This PDF is 29 pages long and is a 3-in-1 PDF for the Moss Stitch Squares pattern, the Moss Stitch join-as-you-go joining method and the Moss Stitch border pattern. It includes a photo heavy version of all three of the patterns on pages 1-25, just like the free versions on this page and the respective pages on my website for the Moss Stitch join-as-you-go joining method and How to Crochet A Moss Stitch Square. It also includes just the written pattern (on pages 26-29) with only two photos for those who do not want lots of photos to print out.

Equipment

Yarn and Hook: Yarn of your choice and the appropriate crochet hook. Some people like to use a larger hook for the moss stitch.

The example uses Stylecraft Special DK 100% Acrylic and a 4mm hook

Other items: scissors, darning needle, stitch markers (if required).

Crochet Skills Used

A simple pattern using UK treble crochet, double crochet, half treble crochet and chains.
Knowledge of basic crochet stitches, techniques (including working in the round) and terminology is assumed.
Knowledge of the join-as-you-go joining method is advantageous.
Using a magic ring to start the square (although not essential for the pattern).

Abbreviations/Crochet Terms

UK terms are used throughout.

beg-ch	Beginning chain
ch	Chain
ch-sp	Chain space
dc	Double crochet
htr	Half treble crochet
moss stitch	(1dc in ch-1 space, ch1)
RS	Right side
sp(s)	Space(s)
ss	Slip stitch
st(s)	Stitches
tr	Treble crochet
[…]	Repeat pattern stated number of times
(…)	Instructions to be worked into the same stitch or space
WS	Wrong side

UK/US Stitch Conversion

UK term	US term	Description
Treble Crochet (tr)	Double Crochet (dc)	Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through two loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over pull through remaining two loops to leave 1 loop on the hook
Half Treble Crochet (htr)	Half Double Crochet (hdc)	Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining three loops to leave 1 loop on the hook
Double Crochet (dc)	Single Crochet (sc)	Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (2 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining two loops to leave 1 loop on the hook
Slip Stitch (ss)	Slip Stitch (ss)	Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch and through loop

Pattern Notes

This pattern is for adding a moss stitch border to the moss stitch squares. The pattern is for joining the specific Moss Stitch Squares described on my blog.

With respect to the moss stitch squares, please note the following (as there are differences compared to moss stitch squares described elsewhere): Moss Stitch Squares Pattern

This pattern suggests that you turn the work over after each round – this helps to keep the square even and it helps to make the work reversible. This also applies to the border.

This moss stitch square pattern starts like a Granny Square, with 4 groups of 3 UK treble crochet stitches. This pattern uses a magic ring to start the square, but it is not essential to the pattern.

Many moss stitch squares start a new round in the first chain-1 space of the round. This means that the start of the round shifts along with each round. This can make a noticeable join. This pattern starts each new round in a corner space.

Instead of closing each round by working the corner chains and a slip stitch in the first stitch of the round, this pattern works a UK half treble crochet into the first stitch. This means that the loop is in the centre of the corner, so that you can turn and start the next round without needing to slip stitch into the corner.

The UK half treble crochet stitch closing the round counts as a chain-2 corner space.

Notes on the Moss Stitch Border

The instructions for the border are very simple and explain how to work the first round to account for the places where two moss stitch squares meet. Once you have the first round in place, then subsequent rounds are added in the same as for the individual squares, where round 4 was used as the repeating round.

My tip is make sure that you work your final round of moss stitch border with the right side facing. In the example, I decided the side facing on completing of the joining round would be the right side (RS). I wanted a border consisting of four rounds. Therefore, round 1 of the border was worked with the wrong side facing.

Remember to turn the work over after each round.

You may wish to start each new round in a different corner.

Instructions

Border round 1 Start in any corner of the blanket. Pull up a loop in the ch-2 corner sp. Ch1 (does not count as a st), 1dc into same ch-2 corner sp, ch1, work (1dc in ch-1 sp, ch1) until you reach the corner of the first square. Stop at this point (Fig 1).

Work 1dc in the ch-2 corner sp of the first square (location shown by the needle in Fig 2).

Ch1 (Fig 3).

Work 1dc in the ch-2 corner sp of the second square (location shown by the needle in Fig 4) (Fig 5).

Fig 4
Fig 5

Ch1, then continue to work across the first side of the blanket to the corner with (1dc in ch-1 sp, ch1) and working across the join of two squares in the same way.

Continue to work across each join of two squares in the same way for the rest of the round. Work (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in the ch-2 corner sp, ch1, [(1dc in ch-1 sp, ch1) to next corner, (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in ch-2 corner sp, ch1] 2 times, (1dc in ch-1 sp, ch1) to next corner, 1dc in ch-2 corner sp, 1htr in the first dc of the round. Fasten off if changing yarn. Turn.

Border round 2 Pull up a loop of new yarn in any ch-2 corner sp. Ch1 (does not count as a st), 1dc in same ch-2 corner sp, ch1, [(1dc in ch-1 sp, ch1) to next corner, (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in ch-2 corner sp, ch1] 3 times, (1dc in ch-1 sp, ch1) to next corner, 1dc in ch-2 corner sp, 1htr in the first dc of the round. Fasten off. Turn.

Border round 3 and onwards Repeat as for border round 2.

Final border round (RS): Repeat as for border round 2 with right side facing.

Note: if you are not changing colours, instead of fastening off the yarn at the end of a border round, simply turn, then ch1 (does not count as a stitch), 1dc in same corner sp, ch1 then continue with the moss stitch (1dc in ch-1 sp, ch1).