By CraftingStepByStepPublished
Based on a video by NimbleNeedles.
Brioche stitch makes a thick, squishy rib that looks the same on both sides. Norman from NimbleNeedles teaches it here in the order you should learn it: one color first, then two colors, then in the round. After one setup row it is a two-stitch repeat, so a confident beginner can handle it.
You need smooth worsted yarn, a pair of US 7 needles and some patience for the first few rows. The pattern looks messy until about row six. That is normal.
Every yarn over stacks on top of a slipped stitch, so each column holds two layers of yarn. That trapped air is what makes the fabric warm and spongy. It also uses about twice the yarn of stockinette, so buy an extra skein. Because the ribs form on both faces, there is no wrong side to hide. A brioche scarf looks finished from either angle.
Pick a smooth, light colored worsted yarn. Pale yarn lets you see each yarn over sitting on its stitch, and that is how you read your knitting. Skip fuzzy mohair, dark navy and anything boucle until you can spot a double stitch at a glance. A wool blend gives the springiest rib.
Each visible stitch in a brioche column counts as two rows, because each one took a yarn over row and a knit-together row to make. Count the Vs up one column and double the number. A row counter on the needle saves a lot of guessing on a long scarf.
A missing yarn over is the most common brioche mistake. You will see a single stitch where a double should be. Stop on that stitch, pick up the strand running between it and its neighbor with the left needle, and lay it over the stitch. Then knit the two together as usual. If several rows have gone wrong, rip back to the setup row and start again. Brioche is hard to tink.
The fabric stretches a lot, so the edges need to stretch too. Norman casts on over two needles held together for the same reason. When you finish, bind off in pattern, knitting each double stitch together, and use a needle two sizes larger. The basic bind off works as long as you keep it slack.
A scarf is the classic first project. Use the same steps as knitting a scarf and swap in brioche for the body. A cowl or hat brim in two-color brioche shows a different color on each side, so one hat gives you two looks. If you still need the basic moves, start with how to cast on and how to knit and purl.
10 steps · about 15 minutes.Check off each step as you go and your progress saves automatically.
Cast on an odd number of stitches for the brioche section, plus six more for the edges. An odd count gives you the same ridge at both ends. Hold two needles together while you cast on, then slide one out. Brioche is very stretchy, and a tight cast-on edge will pull the bottom into a fan shape.
Tip
For a practice swatch, 15 brioche stitches plus 6 edge stitches is plenty.
The first three stitches form a neat double edge. Knit one, slip one purlwise with the yarn in front, then knit one. You work these same three edge stitches at the start and end of every row. They keep the sides tidy and stop the brioche ribs from rolling. Norman prefers this to a single knit edge, and it does look neater.
Tip
Clip a stitch marker after the third edge stitch at each end so you know where the pattern starts.
This setup row happens once. Bring the yarn to the front, slip the next stitch purlwise, and carry the yarn over the needle as you knit the following stitch. That is yarn over, slip one, knit one. Repeat to the last three stitches. You will soon feel the yarn over and the slip become one smooth motion. End with knit one, slip one with yarn in front, knit one.
Tip
Look at the needle after a few repeats. You should see a stitch with a loop over it, then a plain stitch.
Turn your knitting around. On this side the edge runs the other way: slip one purlwise with yarn in front, knit one, then slip one purlwise with yarn in front. Now stretch the stitches out on the needle. You will see two kinds: double stitches wearing a yarn over, and single stitches on their own. Every row from here on treats those two kinds differently.
Tip
If you cast on an even number of brioche stitches, the row starts with a yarn over and slip instead of a knit together.
When you reach a double stitch, put the right needle through both the stitch and its yarn over, as if to knit two together. Wrap the yarn and pull it through. That is a brioche knit, often written brk. Some patterns make it sound mysterious. Norman keeps it simple: it is a knit two together, and you knit every double stitch this way.
Tip
Catch both strands. Knitting only the stitch and leaving the yarn over behind is how the pattern falls apart.
When you reach a single stitch, bring the yarn forward, slip the stitch purlwise and carry the yarn over the needle. That is the sl1yo from the setup row. Alternate across: knit the double stitches together, yarn over and slip the singles. Finish with the three edge stitches, turn, and repeat. Every row is the same two-stitch pattern now.
Tip
Read the stitch, not the pattern. A loop over it means knit together; no loop means yarn over and slip.
After three rows, your swatch will look lumpy and uneven. Keep going. Brioche takes six to eight rows before the tall, puffy ribs show up. Once they do, you can read the fabric at a glance, and the rhythm gets fast. Spread the work out on the needle now and then to check that every column has a stitch with a loop on it.
Tip
Click a row counter at the end of each row. Each visible V in a column equals two rows.
Two-color brioche shows one color on the front ribs and the other on the back. Cast on in color A. Then slide the stitches to the other end of the needle, without turning, and work the setup row in color B: yarn over, slip one, knit one. Each row is worked twice, once in each color. Sliding keeps each yarn waiting at the right end.
Tip
Use a circular or double-pointed needle so you can slide the stitches back to the other tip.
Turn the work and pick up color A again. On this side, each double stitch sits above a purl bump, so purl it together with its yarn over instead of knitting it. That is a brioche purl, or brp. Single stitches still get a yarn over and slip. Slide back and work the same row in color B. Knit together when you see a V, purl together when you see a bump.
Tip
The first few two-color rows are fiddly. By row six the colors line up and you can see what each stitch wants.
Brioche in the round works like the two-color version without any sliding. Work one setup round, then alternate rounds. On one round, knit the double stitches together. On the next, purl them together, because the ridge below is a purl bump. Single stitches always get a yarn over and slip. With two colors, work each round twice, once in each color.
Tip
Place a marker at the start of the round so you know which kind of round comes next.
Keep going
How to Knit Seed Stitch
How to Knit Brioche Stitch
Knit Picks
Knit Picks Options Interchangeable Needle Set
Swap tips and cables for any project instead of buying single needles forever. The nickel tips are slick and fast, and it all lives in one case.
Lion Brand
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Yarn
Mercerized cotton with crisp stitch definition and a subtle sheen, machine washable. A workhorse for dishcloths, bags, and warm-weather garments.
Clover
Clover Locking Stitch Markers (20-pack)
Lock onto the needle so they never slide off, and mark repeats, increases, and the start of a round. Small tool, saves the most frogging.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links on this page may be affiliate links - clicking them and buying doesn't change your price, but helps support CraftingStepByStep.
Sunday How-To
One short email with the week's best step-by-step guides. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Did this work for you?
Curated theme pages that include this tutorial.
Hand-picked next reads based on the one you just finished.
Pick the categories you want to hear about. Weekly digest of new step-by-step tutorials. No spam, easy unsubscribe.
Send me tutorials about
