Brioche Knitting Tutorial: How to Knit Brioche Stitch

Brioche knitting is a reversible, squishy fabric made with a simple two-row repeat of yarn overs and knit-togethers, often worked in two colors for a striking ribbed effect. It looks complicated but is actually beginner-friendly once you learn the basic brioche knit (brk) and brioche purl (brp) stitches. This tutorial walks you through the classic two-color brioche stitch flat, with clear steps and tips to keep your yarns untangled.

Ingredients

Yarn A (main color): 50 g (about 110 yd / 100 m) worsted weight
Yarn B (contrast color): 50 g (about 110 yd / 100 m) worsted weight
Knitting needles: US 6 (4 mm) straight or circular, or size to obtain gauge
Stitch markers (optional)
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Instructions

Cast on: With yarn A, cast on an odd number of stitches. For a practice swatch, cast on 15 stitches. (The odd number keeps the pattern symmetrical.)
Setup row (with yarn A): Knit 1, *yarn over (yo), slip 1 purlwise (sl1), knit 1; repeat from * to end. This sets up the brioche pattern.
Row 1 (with yarn B): Bring yarn B to the front. *Slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front, then knit the next stitch together with its yarn over (this is a brioche knit, brk). Repeat from * to the last 2 stitches: slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front, then knit the last stitch (which is a yarn over from the setup row) together with the stitch before it? Actually, for simplicity: knit the last two stitches together as a brk. Let’s define clearly: Row 1: *Sl1 wyif, brk (knit the next stitch together with its yarn over); repeat from * to last stitch, sl1 wyif. (You will have a yarn over at the end.)
Row 2 (with yarn B): Turn work. *Purl the next stitch together with its yarn over (this is a brioche purl, brp), then slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front; repeat from * to last stitch, brp. (Note: the last stitch is a yarn over from Row 1; treat it as a stitch.)
Row 3 (with yarn A): Turn work. *Sl1 wyif, brk; repeat from * to last stitch, sl1 wyif. (This is the same as Row 1 but with yarn A.)
Row 4 (with yarn A): Turn work. *Brp, sl1 wyif; repeat from * to last stitch, brp. (Same as Row 2 with yarn A.)
Repeat Rows 1-4 until your swatch is about 4 inches (10 cm) long, always alternating colors every two rows. Keep the yarn not in use loosely at the side edge; do not cut it until the end.
Bind off (with yarn A): Work Row 1 with yarn A, then bind off as follows: *Knit 2 together (the stitch and its yarn over), then pass the previous stitch over; repeat from * until one stitch remains. Cut yarn, pull through.
Weave in ends: Use a tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends on the wrong side (or the side you prefer, since both look alike).

Tips

Keep your yarns straight: When switching colors, always bring the new yarn over the old one at the side edge to avoid holes. Alternatively, use two balls and let them twist at the edge – it’s fine.
Count stitches carefully: Each yarn over is paired with a slipped stitch, so the total stitch count remains the same. If you lose count, look for the “V� shapes – each brioche knit is a V with a yarn over behind it.
Substitution: You can use any yarn weight, but adjust needle size to get a soft, drapey fabric. For a lighter fabric, use a needle one size larger than recommended for the yarn.
Common mistake: Forgetting to slip the stitch purlwise with yarn in front. This is crucial – if you slip with yarn in back, you’ll create a different stitch pattern.

Serving Suggestions

Brioche stitch is perfect for cozy scarves, cowls, hats, and blankets. Its double-sided nature means you can wear it with either side facing out. For a first project, try a simple rectangular scarf or a cowl worked in the round (using a circular needle and a different setup).

Variations

One-color brioche: Work the same pattern but use only one yarn – the fabric is still squishy but less dramatic.
Brioche in the round: For a seamless cowl or hat, join in the round and work the pattern as: Round 1 (color A): *brk, sl1 wyif; repeat. Round 2 (color B): *sl1 wyif, brp; repeat. Alternate colors every round.
Lace brioche: Add yarn overs and decreases to create a delicate, openwork effect – search for “brioche lace� for charts.

Storage and Reheating

Finished brioche pieces should be stored flat or folded, never hung, to avoid stretching. To block, gently wet the fabric and lay it flat to dry, shaping to the desired dimensions – this helps even out the stitches. If you need to unravel and reuse the yarn, note that brioche fabric is stretchy; you can reuse the yarn but it may be kinky. Store unused yarn in a cool, dry place away from moths.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my brioche look like regular ribbing? You might be knitting the yarn overs incorrectly. Remember: in a brioche knit (brk), you knit the stitch together with its yarn over as if they were one stitch. If you knit the yarn over separately, you’ll get extra stitches and a different pattern.

Can I use a circular needle for flat brioche? Yes, you can – just work back and forth as with straight needles. A circular needle is especially helpful if your project is wide, like a blanket.

How do I fix a dropped stitch in brioche? It’s tricky but doable. Use a crochet hook to pick up the dropped stitch and its yarn over, working them together as a brk or brp, depending on the row. If it’s too tangled, you may need to rip back to the mistake.

What is the difference between brioche and fisherman’s rib? Fisherman’s rib is worked by knitting into the row below, creating a similar fabric but with a slightly different texture. Brioche uses yarn overs and slipped stitches, making it easier to work in multiple colors.

Why is my brioche curling at the edges? Curling is common with stockinette, but brioche should lie flat. If it curls, you might be pulling the yarn too tight at the edges. Try loosening your tension or adding a seed stitch border.

Can I machine wash brioche? It depends on the yarn. Always check the yarn label. For wool, hand wash in cold water and dry flat. For superwash wool or acrylic, you can machine wash on gentle, but it’s safer to hand wash to preserve the squishiness.

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