Knitting the brioche stitch is very popular because it gives your knits a beautiful, voluminous look. Unfortunately, there are also some misconceptions about the brioche stitch. For example, people say that this stitch is difficult to knit and that you can’t correct mistakes. Fortunately, this isn’t true! With clear instructions and video tutorials, we’ll show you that knitting the brioche stitch isn’t difficult at all and produces fantastic results. Will you watch and knit along with us?
Knitting the Brioche Stitch - The brioche stitch creates a stretchy stitch that closely resembles ribbing but is slightly different. The texture of a brioche stitch is thicker and therefore more voluminous. The brioche pattern shows up on both sides of your work. Thanks to its voluminous look, the brioche stitch is perfect for knitting accessories like scarves and hats, but it’s also widely used for knitting sweaters and cardigans.
5 Tips for Knitting the Brioche Stitch
- With the brioche stitch, you use more yarn because the stitches are, as it were, knitted twice.
- The effect of a brioche stitch doesn't become clearly visible until after about 8 to 10 rows. So don't assume you're knitting the stitch incorrectly; just keep knitting for a few rows to see the effect.
- When counting stitches in brioche stitch, do not count the yarn overs as stitches.
- The brioche stitch is very stretchy, so it's very important to cast on and bind off loosely.
- Mistakes in a brioche stitch can be corrected as follows: unpick the work stitch by stitch until you reach the needle where the mistake is. Pick up the stitches there as they appear, and then continue to knit in the correct pattern.
Below, we’ll explain the basics of the brioche stitch. Once you’ve mastered it, you can also try some variations on the brioche stitch, such as the half brioche stitch, false brioche stitch, net brioche stitch (also known as the honeycomb brioche stitch), and two-color brioche stitch.
Knit the Brioche Stitch Using Different Methods
There are several methods for knitting the brioche stitch. One method uses yarn overs, while the other involves knitting double knit stitches. Both methods create the same look. So the gauge swatch knitted in the brioche stitch (the image at the top of this page) will yield the same result using either Method 1 or Method 2.
Method 1: Knitting the Brioche Stitch Using the Double Knit Stitch
The first way to knit the brioche stitch is to alternate between knitting 1 stitch and knitting 1 stitch into the loop of the stitch on the needle below. You are, in a sense, knitting a double stitch.
Cast on an odd number of stitches and knit the edge stitches (the first and last stitches) of each row.Needle 1: 1 selvedge stitch, knit all stitches, 1 selvedge stitch.
Needle 2: 1 edge stitch, *knit 1 stitch, knit 1 patent stitch* Repeat from *-* until the last stitch, 1 edge stitch.
Needle 3: 1 edge stitch, *1 patent stitch, 1 knit stitch* Repeat from *-* to the last stitch, 1 edge stitch.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 alternately.
Video Tutorial: Knitting the Brioche Stitch Using the Double Knit Stitch
In the video below, Elianne explains how to knit the brioche stitch using double knit stitches. In the video, she uses Yarn and Colors Happy yarn and the fine KnitPro Zing Knitting Needles.
Method 2: Knit the Brioche Stitch with Yarn Overs
Cast on an even number of stitches and knit the edge stitches (the first and last stitches) of each row.
Slip 1 purl stitch with a yarn over = bring the yarn to the front of the work, insert the needle into the stitch as if to knit, and slip the stitch. When you knit the next stitch (or knit it together), you will automatically have made a yarn over.
Needle 1: 1 selvedge stitch, knit all stitches, 1 selvedge stitch.
Needle 2: 1 edge stitch, *slip 1 stitch purlwise with a yarn over, knit 1 stitch* Repeat *-* until the last stitch, 1 edge stitch.
Needle 3: 1 edge stitch, *slip 1 purl stitch with a yarn over, knit 1 stitch together with the yarn over* Repeat *-* until the last stitch, 1 edge stitch.
Repeat row 3.
Video Tutorial: Knitting the Brioche Stitch with Yarn Overs
In the video below, Elianne explains how to knit the brioche stitch using yarn overs.
We hope we've inspired and informed you, and that you'll knit the brioche stitch!