Brioche Scarf
Meeting a new yarn is as layered and complex as meeting a new person. First you size up the yarn, inspecting how it looks in the skein; then you shake hands, observing how the fiber behaves in your fingers; and finally, you talk, discovering how this new yarn feels as a finished fabric and new friend.
After making the acquaintance of Purl Soho’s newest yarn, Line Weight, I must say that it could not be more aptly named. The richness of the merino and its creamy, smooth spin look and feel like Line Weight was drawn by a freshly sharpened number 2 pencil. Line Weight lures your eyes along its path, celebrating each stitch, from simple stockinette fabric to lavish lace work. Recognizing that this confident simplicity serves to highlight one’s labors, I let Line Weight work for me.
Pairing high-definition Line Weight with big-bang-for-your-buck Brioche Stitch, this simple pattern is transformed into vivid ridges and a remarkable fabric. You can probably tell that I’m smitten. Who wouldn’t want to work in a yarn that reflects your hands’ work, elevates your efforts, and is incredibly soft and cozy to boot?
To see our entire collection of Line Weight colors, click here. And for the Brioche Scarf pattern, just keep on reading! -Laura
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoBriocheScarf, and #PurlSohoLineWeight. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Line Weight, 100% merino. Each skein is 494 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 767 yards required. We used the color Oyster Gray.
- US 2 (3 mm) straight or circular needles
Gauge
32 stitches = 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch
Size
Before Blocking: 66 inches long x 6¾ inches wide
After Blocking: 77 inches long x 6¼ inch wide
Notes
Click here for a photo tutorial explaining the basic principals of Brioche Stitch. Please note that this Brioche Stitch pattern includes 3 selvedge stitches on each edge.
When counting stitches in Brioche Stitch, yarn overs are not included in the stitch count; they are paired with a knit stitch and the pair of knit/yarn over is counted as a single stitch. The stitch pattern will produce a very pronounced rib; count only the purl and knit columns when counting stitches.
Slip all slipped stitches purlwise.
If you adjust this pattern, be sure to cast on an odd number of stitches.
Abbreviations
bk2tog [brioche knit 2 together]: Knit next knit stitch together with its paired yarn over
YOS [yarn over slip]: bring yarn to front, slip one purlwise, bring yarn over right needle to the back
Pattern
Begin with Stockinette Stitch
Cast on 53 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Work in Stockinette Stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) for 1 inch, ending with a knit row.
Continue in Brioche Stitch
Set-Up Row (wrong side): K1, slip 1 with yarn in front (wyif), k1, *YOS, k1, repeat from * to last four stitches, YOS, k1, slip 1 wyif, k1.
Row 1: Slip 1 wyif, k1, slip 1 wyif, *bk2tog, YOS, repeat from * to last four stitches, bk2tog, slip 1 wyif, k1, slip 1 wyif.
Row 2: K1, slip 1 wyif, k1 *YOS, bk2tog, repeat from * to last four stitches, YOS, k1, slip 1 wyif, k1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 65 1/2 inch from rolled edge or to desired length, ending with Row 2.
Next Row (right side): Slip 1 wyif, k1, slip 1 wyif, *bk2tog, p1, repeat from * to last four stitches, bk2tog, slip 1 wyif, k1, slip 1 wyif.
Finish with Stockinette Stitch
Starting with a purl row, work in Stockinette Stitch for 1 inch, ending with a purl row.
Bind off loosely in knit.
Weave in the ends and block as desired.
I can't decide which is better…the gorgeous simplicity of this scarf in your new yarn or the gorgeous photographs. Outstanding.
This is absolutely beautiful. I love scarves that look comfy enough to nap in.
All your Line Weight Projects are so beautiful!! Im preparing to order enough yarn for each of your Line Weight Yarn Projects!!!
I love Brioche stitch, and this yarn looks yummy!
Hi,
I have a question. I am not familiar with the Brioche stitch, but am wanting to make this scarf. Would this work okay paired with your line weight hand warmers? I was wanting to make them, along with the scarf, to give as a set.
Thanks,
Barbara
I love this scarf! Is it possible to do in two colors – like Gina's Brioche Cowl – or is that not possible since this isn't knit in the round?
Thank you!
Such a gorgeous scarf!
I think this would also make for a beautiful men's scarf, combining 2 colors in long stripes, similar to the men's rustic scarf. Do you have some instructions on how to combine two different colors with the brioche stitch (I am very new to working with multiple colors).
Thanks a lot!
Hi Susan,
Thanks and YES, there is definitely such a thing two-color brioche worked flat. Sadly, this pattern would require some re-writing to include two colors and we cannot get to it right at this moment. We will keep this request in mind though!
Thank you for asking and writing in.
Laura
Hi!
Any chance you have created a two-color brioche option for this pattern? I would love to do this in two tones of your gorgeous Line Weight yarn!!
Colleen
Hi Colleen!
What a great thought. We haven’t yet… but we just might with your prompting. I really appreciate your request and will see if we can get it on the calendar. Thanks so much for writing in.
Laura
Hi Cristina,
Thanks! I think it would be quite handsome on a man.
If you would like to knit this in the other direction (from side to side rather than from end to end) in order to have long stripes as in the Men's Rustic Scarf…. make sure to cast on your desired length times 8. To change colors, simply switch skeins at the beginning of a right side row. Always make sure to change colors on the same side.
Let us know if you have any other questions.
Laura
Barbara,
This scarf + the hand warmers would be such a lovely gift. What a lucky recipient!
Laura
Incredible!
No need to order a few balls of yarn in the US. That was yesterday. 😉
Im not sure to be impressed by the pictures or the yarn. Well see what happens,
Ive ordered, ignoring shipping cost to Germany….
My pleasure to meet Purl Soho/Bee online.
All the Best
Annette
I love this pattern! If I wanted to make sure the ends didn't curl up,could I knit the first few rows in a rib stitch instead? Thanks for all your beautiful patterns!
what is the difference between wyif and YOS? seems that you are making a yarn over with both. thank you!
Hi Celia,
wyif [with yarn in front] is a standard direction for bringing the yarn to the front of your work.
yos [yarn over slip one] is a multi part abbreviation instructing you to bring the yarn to the front, slip one stitch and then bring the yarn over the top of the right needle creating a yarn over.
wyif is often used when you are instructed to slip a stitch and can be, but is often not associated with a yarn over, simply the placement of the yarn. The "slip 1 wyif, k1…" portion of the pattern should not be creating a yarn over. After you bring the yarn forward to slip the stitch, you take it to the back to knit normally. There are no yarn overs in the selvedge stitches.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Laura
I’m sorry but I don’t see any difference between YOS and slip 1 wyif?! Both create a yarn over because you move the yarn to the back in both instances. What am I not getting here?
Hi Amy,
These are very similar stitches, but there’s one slight difference! When you slip 1 stitch wyif, you will move the yarn between the needles, from the front to the back, before knitting the next stitch. This prevents the yarn from going over the needle and creating a yarn over. When you work a YOS, you don’t move the yarn back between the needles before knitting the next stitch, and that’s what creates the yarn over!
All the best,
Lili
Hi Dianne,
If you didn't want the ends to cur up you could work the first few rows as follows:
Row 1: Slip 1 wyif, k1, slip 1 wyif, *k1, p1, repeat from * to last four stitches, k1, slip 1 wyif, k1, slip 1 wyif.
Row 2: K1, slip 1 wyif, k1 *p1, k1, repeat from * to last four stitches, p1, k1, slip 1 wyif, k1.
I did a prototype like this and loved it. Let me know if you have any questions!
Laura
Thanks so much, Laura! I can't wait to get started on this as a Christmas gift for my husband.
Hi, Laura, regarding your rib variation: Would the bind off be in pattern (ribbing)? And how would the edge stitches (those slipped stitches) be bound off?
Thanks for the alternative!
Hi Strix.
If you are ribbing the ends of the scarf I would definitely bind off in pattern. And as for the slipped stitches, you can either slip them with yarn in back and bind them off, or just work them as knit stitches.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Laura
Can you pl suggest a different yarn bcomparable to line weight Merino yarn?
Hi Sukeshi.
I'd be my pleasure to offer some alternatives…
Jade Sapphire's 2 Ply Cashmere: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/614-Jade-Sapphire-2-ply-Cashmere
Spud + Chloe's Fine: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/5884-Spud-Chloe-Fine
Anzula's Squishy: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7124-Anzula-Squishy
Blue Sky's Royal Alpaca: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/1104-Blue-Sky-Royal-Alpaca
Swan's Island's Fingering: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/6281-Swans-Island-Fingering
Thanks,
Laura
HI! This scarf is so amazing! I am trying to make it, but I have a question: what is the difference between YOS and slip 1 with yarn in front (wyif)? I understood that the second one is a part of selvedge stiches, but I do not know if it is the same as YOS. Thank you!
Hi Alinda.
wyif [with yarn in front] is a standard direction for bringing the yarn to the front of your work.
yos [yarn over slip one] is a multi part abbreviation instructing you to bring the yarn to the front, slip one stitch and then bring the yarn over the top of the right needle creating a yarn over.
wyif is often used when you are instructed to slip a stitch and can be, but is often not associated with a yarn over, but rather simply refers the placement of the yarn. The "slip 1 wyif, k1…" portion of the pattern should not be creating a yarn over. After you bring the yarn forward to slip the stitch, you take it to the back to knit normally. There are no yarn overs in the selvedge stitches.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Laura
Hi laura
Thanks for your prompt reply.
Can you pl explain what is light blocking?
Thanks
Sukeshi
Hi Sukeshi,
There are all sorts of methods of blocking from slightly misting the fabric to fully submerging it in water. I love to steam block my pieces. I lay my piece out on a table (usually on top of a towels) and hold a steaming iron a few inches above it. The hot steam helps the stitches to relax and evens the work out. This piece could really be blocked in any fashion, I just found that it only needed a little spritzing and slight tugging (always only to the sides and from the top and bottom, never diagonal tugging) or some steam blocking did the trick just fine.
Hope this helps.
Laura
Err…
How long could I make this scarf if I only use one hank?
Hi Lilop,
You should be able to get an approximately 55-inch scarf. I did not use the entire second skein for the scarf shown here. I used 141 grams of the 200 grams.
Hope this helps.
Laura
Thanks!
I just started it, looks awesome so far!
Does the pattern reflect the 3 selvedge stitches or do i knit 3 then begin the pattern?
Hi Robyn,
Yes, the pattern includes the 3 selvedge stitches. Just follow it as instructed above.
Thanks for writing in. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Laura
Hi,
I am just finishing the main portion of the scarf and moving into the stockinette. I am not sure how to finish the last row of the brioche knit. k2tog, p1…? What is considered two as there are still the yarn overs?
Thanks,
Renee
Hi Renee,
Great question.
You'll be knitting the next stitch and it's paired yarn over together. These 'k2tog's are there to eliminate the yarn overs so you can finish the scarf with a curling stockinette edge. Does this clear it up. Please write back if you have any questions.
Laura
Hi Renee,
You had commented a second time on our Brioche Tutorial page (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/knitting-tutorials-decorative/2013/9/23/brioche-stitch.html?lastPage=true#comment20795568) and I wrote you back there, but I just wanted to make sure you saw my response so here it is again:
Hi Renee,
I am so sorry. I totally see why the pattern has you confused. There is an error!
EITHER
You should either repeat Row 1 once more before "Next Row" and then start with a knit row in the final stockinette portion.
OR
Next Row should read "…*p1, bk2tog, repeat from * to last four stitches…"
I am going to correct the pattern right now.
Thank you for taking the time to write in and pointing this out! Thank you. Thank you.
Laura
I want to make a narrower scarf so I am trying to understand and decide on the final number of cast on. Here's my question:
The pattern calls out 53 stitches for cast on, and when I look at Row 1 of the brioche stitch – The first part is "Slip 1 wyif, k1, slip 1 wyif " so that's 3 stitches. Second part is "*bk2tog, YOS, repeat from * "so that should be a multiple of 3s. And the last part consists of four stitches. So 53 – 3 – 4 = 46 which is not equally divided by 3, there will be one stitch left over after the repeat – am I correct or am I missing something here?
Thank you in advance. And what a beautiful yarn and a beautiful scarf!
Hi MY.
The first portion is made up of 3 stitches and the last portion is 3 stitches and the middle… "bk2tog, YOS" is a multiple of 2+1.
To modify this pattern… just be sure to cast on an odd number of stitches.
Let me know if you have any question.
Thanks for writing in.
Laura
The link to the photo tutorial is not working…
Cathleen!
Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention.
I fixed the link.
Thanks Again!
Laura
Slip 1 wyif…slip knitwise or purlwise? Does it matter?
Hi CLH-
You should slip purlwise. As a general rule, always slip as if to purl unless otherwise noted.
Thank you for getting in touch and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Best-
Molly
Hi! I just got to my first b2tog. Typically I’d just take the next two stitches and knit them together, however the pattern states knit the paired yarn over. Does this mean that I’m actually knitting together the K1, YOS set? So three stitches together?
Thanks for your advisement!
Hi Sarah.
Thanks for writing in.
You’ll just be knitting the next stitch with its paired yarn over. So just 2 stitches will be worked together, not three. I can see how this is confusing and will look into re-wording it so it’s more straightforward.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Laura
I’d like to make a matching hat for this scarf. Is there a way to decrease in the round and still hold the pattern?
Hi Anne.
Have you seen out 2-color Brioche Hat? It’s in a very different gauge… but I think you’ll find the decreases quite helpful!
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2011/10/16/ginas-brioche-hat-and-cowl/
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks for writing in.
Laura
Hi,
I need some more information as I’m not familiar with the concepts “Fingering weight yarn” nor “Light Fingering / 3 ply “.
Does that mean that I have to knit 3 Ply / threads at the same time?
Many thanks for your help.
Esultanza.
Hi Laura,
As I am not familiar with the concepts of “Fingering Weight Yarn” nor “Light Fingering / 3 ply “, I don’t really understand how to do.
The Purl Soho’s Line Weight,100% merino is 1 ply, right?
So, should I knit it as it is or should I knit 3 ply/threads at the same time?
Your help would be great.
Thanks.
Esultanza
Hi Esultanza.
You only need to pull one strand of Purl Soho’s yarn Line Weight when knitting this scarf.
“Line Weight” (the yarn used in this project) is a Fingering Weight or Light Fingering Weight yarn. Fingering Weight is classification of yarn weights. The terms used to describe different weights of yarn vary depending on where you are in the world. Here is a great chart that may help: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarn_weight
To confuse matters, yarns can also be single ply or double ply, etc. But this describes the construction of the yarn. So yes, Purl Soho’s Line Weight is a single ply yarn in construction and is considered Fingering Weight or Light Fingering Weight in weight/thickness.
I’m not sure if I’ve further confused matters or helped clear them up!?! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks.
Laura
Hi! I’m knitting this right now, and the selvedge on just one side of the scarf is very loose. The other side of it looks normal- so basically, on one face of the scarf, one of the sides is much fatter. Do you know what I could possibly be doing to make it uneven? I can’t think of where the slack is coming from. I’ve tried knitting it extra extra tight on that side, and that hasn’t helped very much. Could it have something to do with the extra yarn/slack on one of the YOS stitches right before the selvedge?
Hi MM.
Thanks for writing in.
I wonder if it is from that yos right before the selvedge?! That’s a great guess. Do you mind if I ask if you’re a english or continental knitter? Sometimes yarn over tension differs from one style to the other.
Brioche stitch does not require these selvedge stitches, you could eliminate the first and last 3 stitches and work the following pattern on both sides:
*Bk2tog, YOS, repeat from * to end of row.
Or you could try a different 3-selvedge-stitch edge…
Right Side: Slip one, k1, p1 as the first three stitches and then p1, k2 as your last three stitches
Wrong Side: Slip one, p1, k1 as the first three stitches and then k1, p2 as your last three stitches
I’d love to help get this sorted out.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Laura
Thanks for the reply! I’m a continental knitter- I find that it strains my hands less. I might try the selvedge you’re suggesting.
I stalked the projects for this scarf on Ravelry, and it looks like at least one other person also had a particularly slack selvedge on one side. So maybe it is something to do with different knitting tensions!
Is there any way of doing this grey scarf in crocheting cuz I can’t knit to save my life. Hope to here from you soon
Thank you
Hi Gabby.
Thanks for your interest in the pattern!
Unfortunately we do not have plans to translate this into a crochet pattern at this time. We do appreciate the request though and we’ll see what we can do with our Line Weight yarn for you crocheters! In the meantime, please feel free to browse our crochet projects…
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/category/crochet/projects-crochet/
Thanks.
Laura
I love this pattern, but was thinking of using a worsted weight alpaca yarn. Can I shrink down the number of stitches, and will it still look ok? If I were to cut down the number of stitches, any recommendations on how many? I’ve read your tutorial on the brioche stitch, so I’m guessing I keep an even number of stitches.
Thanks
Michaela
Hi Michaela.
Any odd number of stitches above 9 will work for this pattern.
Let us know how it goes. I just love brioche stitch, in all different weights! Enjoy your scarf.
Laura
Hello,
This looks so beautiful and I have been trying to make this for some time but I keep getting stuck on Row 1. After I do the first three stiches I should be doing bk2tog but I still have two more single stiches on the other needle not two stiches together that I can knit together. Any reason why this might be happening for me? I am a left-handed knitter.
I would really appreciate you posting a video of you knitting the first few rows of this from the Set-up Row as you mentioned you might to Yashira on the “Brioche Stitch” page.
Thank you for your help.
Hi Happy.
Thank you so much for writing in.
We would love to do a video of this. It is in fact already on our list, but I will see about bumping it to the top. In the mean time I’d love to help with your question here.
I’m wondering if the confusion may be due to the YOS step. May I ask how you’re working that. If you end the set-up row with… YOS, k1, sl1, k1… then when you turn your fabric and work a sl1, k1, sl1 then you should be faced with your YOS (a slipped stitch and a yarn over).
Some people YOS and k1, thinking that’s all one step. Could that have gotten you off track? It’s pretty common.
Please write us back. I’d love to help get you going on this project!
Thanks.
Laura
This is a problem for me, too. After the YOS in the set-up row, should the yarn be in front or in back for the k1 stitch? this happens in Row 2, as well, and I end up with a really messed up bunch of ending stitches. Help, please!
Hi Carol,
Thanks for reaching out! When working a YOS on either side of the work, the working yarn should always be in the front of the work when you slip the indicated stitch. On a knit row, you will leave that yarn in the front when knitting the following stitch so that it wraps over the top of the needle and the slipped stitch, creating the YOS. You might find our One-Color Brioche Tutorial helpful for troubleshooting how to work this stitch!
Best,
Julianna
So beautiful! Can you please provide directions for working this in the round? I am trying to make a double-wrap cowl, about 44 inches long.
Hello Blanche!
We have a brioche cowl already written! Look at the pattern here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2011/10/16/ginas-brioche-hat-and-cowl/ !
Hope this is what you’re looking for, happy knitting! -Alyson
This is a beautiful pattern! I am using a heavier yarn and have been trying to knit it using 35 stitches. I am having trouble when I get to the last four stitches of row 2. One of the four is a yo, k stitch. Do I knit that as the knit stitch or is something going wrong on my first row? Many thanks!
Hi Judy.
I’m glad you wrote in! It sounds like you may be working your YOS differently than the pattern calls for.
The last 4 stitches of Row 2 are… YOS, k1, slip 1 wyif, k1. The YOS does not include a knit stitch, it is as follows… YOS [yarn over slip]: bring yarn to front, slip one purlwise, bring yarn over right needle to the back
So after you bring the yarn to the front, slip one purlwise, take the yarn over the right needle to the back, then you are ready to work the last 3 stitches…k1, slip 1 wyif, k1.
I do hope this helps, Judy! Please do not hesitate to write us back with any questions at all!
Thanks.
Laura
Laura,
Thank you so much for responding to my questions . I have figured out my trouble. It was the last 4 stitches of row 2. On the final YOS, I was bringing the yarn to the back before the k1, sl1, k1! All is going very well now. I love it❤️
I am at 65 inches in length and still have quite a bit of yarn left from the first skein! Was I supposed to use double strands? I don’t understand why the pattern called for 2 skeins of Line Weight when 1 appears to be ample. Unless, of course, I have done something wrong??
Hi, Margo!
Thanks for writing in! This scarf was knit single stranded, does your gauge match the patterns? The pattern gauage is 8 stitches = 1 inch in Stockinette Stitch. With just one skein of Line Weight you should end up with a scarf that is approximately 55-inchs. When Laura knit this she did not use the entire second skein for the scarf shown here. She used 141 grams of the 200 grams.
If your happy with how your scarf looks, I wouldn’t worry too much about how much yarn you used. The most important thing is that you love what you’ve created!
If you have further question, please let us know!
Best,
Kumeko
Well, now I see what is different. The scarf pictured here has 7 more ribs than mine does. I cast on 53 stitches, as directed, but you must have cast on more?
Hi, Margo!
Thank you for writing in! We cast on 53 stitches for our scarf. We followed the pattern as it is written here so, I am not sure why your rib count differs from ours. But again, if your happy with how your scarf looks, I wouldn’t worry too much about how it compares to ours.
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Can I make this with 2 color brioche? I want to set up the borders in 1 color (gray) and the brioche stitch only in 2 (gray/black).
Can I introduce and/or drop the second color before knitting the border? That would then be 3 sts in gray border pattern, 47 sts in brioch 2 colors, 3 sts in gray. Does that make sense?
Hi Mimi,
Thanks for writing in. This sounds challenging but it’s doable. The technique you are describing is called intarsia. I’d study up on intarsia (I pasted our tutorial link below) and swatch a little sample to see if you want to continue with this technique. Good luck and happy knitting!
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/06/30/intarsia/
Best,
Adam
Hello,
I was just wondering what length of needle you would need for this brioche scarf?
Thanks,
Kathryn
Hello Kathryn,
Any size over a 24″ circular needle will do! I suggest a 24″ personally because it’s just the right amount of cord length for knitting flat scarves. Best of luck and hope you enjoy the project!
-Adam