You may actually know the linen stitch by another name. Moss stitch. Granite stitch. It has many pseudonyms. This is simply how I learned it!
It's one of my favorite stitch patterns to use because it creates a nice fabric with good drape and almost looks woven. People often aren't even sure that it's crochet! It's great for stashbuster blankets and variegated yarns because it helps to break up color pooling - OR you can use it for planned pooling! Like I said, I LOVE the linen stitch!
But whatever you call it, it's a beautiful, simple little gem of a stitch! And here's how it goes:
Linen Stitch Written Instructions:
Chain any even number of stitches, keeping a snug tension.
Row 1: Sc in the 4th chain from your hook (This creates a chain space, which is where you'll work your last stitch at the end of the next row). (Ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch) all the way across.
Tip: I like to work into one of the front loops and the back loop of each chain stitch for the linen stitch. Also, the linen stitch tends to be a bit looser in the first couple rows, so keep your tension snug to begin with or use a smaller hook size for the first row or two.
Row 2: Ch 2 and turn. Sk first sc, sc in next ch-1 sp. (Ch 1, sk 1 sc, sc in next ch-1 sp) all the way across to the last sc st. Ch 1, sk last sc, sc in beg ch-3 space.
Tip: place a marker around your ch-2 at the beginning of each row (before you work the first sc) to make it easier to work your last sc at the end of the next row.
Row 3: Ch 2 and turn. Sk first sc, sc in next ch-1 sp. (Ch 1, sk 1 sc, sc in next ch-1 sp) all the way across to the last sc st. Ch 1, sk last sc, sc in beg ch-2 space.
Repeat Row 3! That's it! (Yes, really!)
You can find the linen stitch and several variations (rows, in the round, marled, triangular) in quite a few of my patterns, but there are SO many different things you can do with this stitch that I think I'll save all the examples for next time. So stay tuned and go practice the linen stitch!