How to Linen Stitch: A Crochet Tutorial

The linen stitch is made by using the single crochet stitch and chains to create a lovely woven texture! It is a quick to learn stitch combination that is made up of two alternating rows. Whether you are a beginner crocheter or an expert just brushing back up on it, this stitch is fun and easy to learn, or relearn, and it can be used for a variety of projects. The linen stitch is a great way to expand your repertoire of crochet techniques all while using basic stitches!

Confession time: I had not used this stitch until last year sometime. Now I’m wondering how on earth I ever had missed it! Sometimes in life we just miss the obvious things right in front of us. For me, the linen stitch was the crochet version of that reality.

The linen stitch is really a basic, beginner level stitch that just takes a knowledge of chaining, counting, and single crochet to complete successfully. If you can repeat “single crochet, chain one, skip one”, in your mind, you’ll be able to complete this stitch.

Now, if you are not consistent with your tension, you will want to make sure to practice on your single crochet technique for a while longer before taking on this stitch. Because you alternate stitches, you will want to make sure you have consistent tension throughout your crocheting, or you may end up with a wonky looking project swatch.

If you feel confident in your single crocheting and tension abilities though, you should be ready to give this stitch a try! The basis of the stitch is, like stated above: single crochet, chain one, skip one – on repeat. However, the rows will alternate on how they get started, and you will need to know how to crochet in the chain space. If you are unsure what that looks like, be sure to check out the video to help you see how the linen stitch works.

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Notes & Tips for Crocheting the Linen Stitch:

-Make sure you understand how to single crochet and chain with consistent tension.

-Remember that the chain and the single crochet both count as stitches in the rows, but the chain 1 at the beginning of the rows does not count as a stitch.

-The linen stitch will have alternating starts to the rows.

-The basic stitches on repeat are the same: single crochet, chain 1, skip one.

-When crocheting the linen stitch, the outcome is reversible and can be flipped both ways! This is not the case when knitting, so just be aware of this difference between the two skills.

-The final result of your project will probably have some good stretch to it!

-You can use this stitch to make the project chunky or airy depending on your hook size and yarn weight.

What do you need:

To crochet the linen stitch, you will just need the basics:

-Yarn – weight and material can be chosen by you!

Hobbii – Rainbow Cotton 8/4 – Dark Grey (011)

-Crochet hook – while I suggest you use a hook that matches the weight of your yarn well, the size of your hook can match your preference as well!

KnitPro – Waves Crochet Hook – 5,0mm – Yellow

How to crochet the linen stitch:

The linen stitch has a few steps that you can memorize quickly:

1. Chain an even number of chains.
2. Row 1: Single crochet in the second chain from the hook. Then chain 1 & skip 1. Repeat: single crochet, chain 1, skip 1. Once at the end of the chain, single crochet in the final chain. Chain 1 and turn.
3. Row 2: Single crochet in the first stitch. Single crochet again in the first chain space. Then chain 1 & skip 1. Then repeat: single crochet in the chain space, chain 1, skip the single crochet from the previous row; once you reach the end of the row, you will finish it with two single crochets – one in the final chain space and one in the final single crochet of the previous row.
4. Repeat Row 1 & 2 as many times as you desire.

I will note here that some people do have other ways of successfully completing the crochet linen stitch. However, I personally have not been successful with those methods, and that is why I use the method I describe in these steps (above) and in the video below. If you choose to use another method, great! I just want to give you tutorials and guides based off of my own experience and knowledge of what I have used that works the best for me. Be sure to try out other methods if this one does not work for you, but I hope, if you are having trouble, you will reach out!

Linen Stitch Video Tutorial:

What do you use the linen stitch for?

The linen stitch can be used for sooo many projects. Some ideas I have come up with are:

-Headbands

-Washcloths

-Placemats

-Wall Hangers

-Shirts

-Sweaters

-Totes

Really though, just as with so many other crochet stitches, you can use the linen stitch for just about any project your imagination can come up with! Personally, I love starting with new stitches on things like blankets or other simple, repetitive projects, but then I love getting to experiment and try using them in new ways as I feel more and more comfortable.

Whatever you make and however you choose to use this crochet stitch, I hope you feel equipped and confident that you have the knowledge you need to be successful! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!