Posted on 7-2-2022 by Janita van Rijnsbergen
Learn to knit the most exciting stitches with Yarnplaza! This month, we are teaching you how to knit two-color brioche stitch. Of course, we are here to guide you each step of the way with an easy-to-follow pattern and video tutorial. Then you can experiment and design your own projects with this beautiful brioche stitch.
February. A month of extremes. One day, you think that spring has arrived. Then a few days later, you are up to your ankles in snow. With those frosty days in mind, when you are feeling particularly grateful for your warm, winter accessories, we give you two-color brioche stitch. As far as we are concerned, this is the stitch to use for a knitted scarf, as it looks beautiful from both sides. So, if you have recently bagged yourself a lovely, new winter coat on sale and are still looking for the perfect, matching accessory, now you can knit one yourself.
What is two-color brioche stitch?
With two-color brioche stitch, you essentially knit each row twice. Once with color A and once again with color B. Therefore, it is best to use a circular knitting needle, so you can simply slide your stitches back to the beginning for the second color. If you prefer working with straight needles, use a pair of double-pointed needles. Knitting each row twice does mean that brioche knitting is not fast. The results, however, are worth it. The fabric is reversible; there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ side. In our free pattern and video tutorial, you will find instructions for working two-color brioche in straight lines, but brioche can also be used to create all sorts of intricate and stunning motifs. These more advanced patterns do so by incorporating increases and decreases. Two-color brioche stitch should definitely be on every knitter’s bucket list, and the fantastic results more than make up for the patience, practice, and concentration required.
Things to know about two-color brioche
- Twice the knitting fun also means twice the yarn. As you knit each row twice, you will also need twice the amount of yarn, compared to, say, stockinette stitch.
- Two-color brioche stitch produces a very elastic fabric. Make sure you cast on and bind off loosely to prevent your work from pulling in at the ends.
- For the best results, use a wooly or (slightly) hairy yarn. We do not recommend using smooth or slippery yarns for two-color brioche stitch.
- The effect of the two-color brioche stitch pattern only really emerges after roughly 6 to 8 rows. So, do not think you have gone wrong after just a few rows. Just keep knitting!
Free pattern: Knit two-color brioche stitch
Let's get started! Two-color brioche stitch is actually not that difficult, but it may take a few goes for it to really ‘click’. Just sit back and take your time. This free knitting pattern is the ideal basis for knitting a scarf, for example. Simply decide for yourself what colors to use and how long and wide your perfect accessory should be.
Requirements:
- 1 ball Yarn and Colors Joy in 2 colors (sample in 015 Mustard and 002 Cream)
- Circular knitting needle or DPNs size 4 mm
Abbreviations used
k knit
p purl
pwise purlwise
rep repeat
st(s) stitch(es)
yo yarn over
Start: Cast on an odd number of stitches. In the video, we cast on 15 stitches for demonstration purposes. For the large swatch in the photo, we cast on 41 stitches. For two-color brioche stitch, you first work a foundation row, then you begin the 4-row repeat of the stitch pattern itself.
Foundation row: Work this row in Cream:
*Slip 1 pwise, yo, k1 *, rep *-* to end of row.
Row 1: Work this row in Mustard:
Slip edge st, p1 with its yarn over (from previous row), *with yarn in front, slip 1, yo, p1 with its yarn over (from previous row)*, rep *-* to end of row, slip edge st.
Row 2: Without turning, slide sts back to opposite end of needle. Work this row in Cream:
K edge st, *bring yarn forward, slip 1, yo, k1 with its yarn over (from previous row)*, rep *-* to end of row, slip edge st. Turn work.
Row 3: Work this row in Mustard:
Slip edge st, k1 with its yarn over (from previous row), *bring yarn forward, slip 1, yo, k1 with its yarn over (from previous row)*, rep *-* to end of row, slip edge st.
Row 4: Without turning, slide sts back to opposite end of needle. Work this row in Cream:
K edge st, *bring yarn forward, slip 1, yo, p1 with its yarn over (from previous row)*, rep *-* to end of row, slip edge st. Turn work.
Rep rows 1 – 4 until you reach the desired length.
Video tutorial: Knit two-color brioche
We guide you step-by-step through the above pattern in this video tutorial:
Have you knitted a scarf, sweater, or something else spectacular in two-color brioche stitch? Let us know via our Facebook or Instagram pages. Tip: Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be the first to see each new ‘Stitch of the Month’.
