Brioche Knitting: Exploring Color & Texture

Class Preview

Learn the techniques you need to bring beautiful brioche knits to life as you use a new, one-of-a-kind brioche stitch to create a captivating accessory!

Brioche Knitting Overview

Meet the queen of brioche, Nancy Marchant, and learn more about the Checkerboard Keyhole scarf you’ll be making in your class. Nancy shares the history of the checkerboard stitch pattern that makes up the tails of your scarf and goes over the basic brioche terminology and stitches you’ll use. Then see the many ways you can modify the design of your own scarf to suit your style!

Creating a Two-Color Brioche Swatch

Before launching into the scarf pattern, it’s a good idea to knit a small swatch in brioche to familiarize yourself with the stitch. Learn about the two-color brioche cast-on and how to read brioche symbols on a chart.

Starting the Scarf

Begin your brioche scarf adventure by choosing colors that please you. Nancy discusses contrasts and variations in hue and tone that you’ll want to consider. Then use the two-color cast-on and begin knitting the first block of brioche. Nancy shows how to use a backward loop and cable cast-on to add a second brioche block, then switch to garter stitch for a garter block.

Adding a Third & Fourth Block

The tail of your scarf alternates brioche blocks and garter blocks. Knit along with Nancy as you add the third and fourth blocks. If you want a wider scarf or longer tail, it’s easy to add more blocks. Nancy shows you how!

Making the Keyhole

Nancy walks you through the creation of the keyhole segment of your scarf, separating your colors onto separate needles to knit in rib. When the keyhole is long enough, Nancy shows how to join the two sides again so you can continue with the body of the scarf.

The Wrap Section

You have many options for knitting the wrap portion of your scarf, both in stitch pattern and in length. Nancy uses a straight, striped brioche stitch to create a cushy, two-toned wrap, but you can also use garter stitch, checkerboard brioche or other stitch pattern. If you prefer a looser scarf, you can make it jewelry length or even long enough to wrap twice!

Making the Second Tail

Finish your scarf with the second tail, this time binding off the blocks as you go. Nancy shows how to weave in your tails invisibly, then how to steam-block so the stitches relax but the scarf stays fluffy and warm. Your fashionable scarf is ready to wear with pride!