Brioche Stitch: One-Color Brioche + Fixing Mistakes
Brioche Stitch creates a wonderfully lofty, widely ribbed fabric. People often find it intimidating, perhaps due to the yarn overs or maybe because of the abbreviations used in the pattern, but really, this stitch pattern is surprisingly easy. Watch our Brioche Stitch tutorial below for a step-by-step video, explaining how to knit brioche one-color brioche stitch, and skip down to the Fixing Mistakes section of our still photo tutorials (below) to learn how to hit the undo button when you make a snafu!
Click To See Video Transcript
Hey, this is Laura from Purl Soho and today I’m going to demonstrate the basics of brioche stitch. This stitch is created by working a combination of yarn overs with slip stitches from the row below and then in the subsequent row working those pairs together. The result is this very beautiful dimensional kind of broad rib fabric.
I am working flat, as you can see here, and we’re working over an even number of stitches, and what that means is that it’s just a single row repeat. Let’s get started. The first thing you have to do for brioche stitch is work a setup row. The very first stitch is my selvedge stitch and I’m simply going to knit one.
Okay, now let’s jump into the repeat. Step one is to do a YOS. That’s a yarn over slip. So I’m going to take my working yarn. between my two needles to the front of my work. Then I’m going to use the tip of this right needle to slip one stitch purlwise off the left needle onto the right needle. Next I’m going to take this working yarn over the top of my needle in order to knit the following stitch.
And then we repeat that. I’m going to YOS, yarn to the front, slip one purlwise, working yarn over the top of the needle in order to knit one. I’m going to get untangled down here. There we go. And let’s do it one more time. YOS, so yarn to the front, slip one purlwise. Yarn over the top of the needle, knit one. The setup row is as easy as that.
So as you can see, I’ve worked a little bit here to show you guys what the fabric looks like. And let’s jump into the basics of brioche stitch. I’m gonna begin by knitting this first selvedge stitch. Alright, and now we’re ready to get into our repeat. So the first thing you’re gonna do is a YOS.
We encountered this on the setup row, so here we are again. We’re gonna bring our yarn to the front. And For the yarn over, we’re going to slip this stitch for the slipping part of the YOS. And then we’re going to bring our working yarn across the top of the needle. And that’s going to set us up perfectly to work this pair of stitches together.
As you can see, there’s two stitches kind of on top of each other here, and that’s exactly what we want. The next stitch is called a brioche knit two together, or it can be abbreviated BK2TOG. And you just want to use the tip of this needle, insert it into both of those stitches in order to knit.
And then you can just let those fall right off. Alright, let’s do that again. So we’re going to do a YOS. So yarn over, slip purlwise, bring the yarn over the top of your needle, and then we’re ready to brioche knit two together.
Let’s do it once more. So YOS. Yarn to the front, slip one purl wise, yarn over the top of the needle, and then brioche, knit two together. And as I’m doing this, I’m setting this up perfectly for the next row, where you’re going to do the same exact thing, working these paired stitches together, and, and slipping those single stitches.
And that’s pretty much the basics of brioche stitch, this YOS brioche knit two together.
It’s as easy as that! For people who prefer still photos to videos, below is a step-by-step photo tutorial for one-color brioche, including how to fix mistakes and a few helpful notes to keep in mind!
For assistance with more Brioche Stitch techniques, visit our Brioche Stitch: Two-Color Brioche + Fixing Mistakes Tutorial and our Brioche Stitch: Basic Decreases Tutorial!
Notes
Slip Stitches
Slip all slipped stitches purlwise unless indicated otherwise.
Counting Stitches
When counting stitches in Brioche Stitch, yarn overs are not included in the stitch count; they are paired with a knit stitch, and the knit/yarn over pair 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.
Stitch Multiple
The most basic version of Brioche Stitch is worked over an even number of stitches, which creates a fabric whose selvages are slightly different. To create identical selvages, add one stitch to the end (or more to both sides for a more pronounced selvage).
Abbreviations + Terms
bk2tog [brioche knit 2 together]: Knit next knit stitch together with its paired yarnover
YOS [yarn over slip]: Bring yarn forward, slip 1 purlwise, bring yarn over right needle
Brioche Stitch Photo Tutorial
And now, the above instructions broken down, step-by-step, as worked in our Brioche Scarf Pattern (pictured below)…
Set-Up Row: *Bring yarn forward, slip one purlwise…
bring yarn over right needle…
knit one…
repeat from * to end of row.
Then, work Row 1.
Row 1: *Bring yarn forward, slip one purlwise…
bring yarn over right needle…
knit the next stitch together with its paired yarnover, repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat Row 1.
NOTE: It takes several rows for the rib to take shape.
Fixing Mistakes
With a crochet hook, catch the dropped stitch, being careful not to twist it. Separate the strands of yarn from the unknit stitches above it.
Pass the crochet hook behind the three strands of yarn directly above the on-hold stitch.
Catch the third strand of yarn with the crochet hook and bring it below the bottom two strands to the face of the fabric.
Pull the strand through the on-hold stitch, making a new stitch on the crochet hook.
Repeat these steps with the next three strands of yarn until all the strands have been chained up. Place the final stitch back on the needles.
NOTE: If you have one leftover strand of yarn, check if it’s the paired yarn over to be placed on the needle with the final picked up stitch.
Give It A Try
Check out these One-Color Brioche Projects to give this stitch a try!
Our Brioche Vest (pictured above left), our Husk Wrap (pictured above right) and our Brioche Scarf (pictured below).
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
Question: on the first three selvedge stitches, when you slip 1 wyif, do you keep the yarn in front when you knit the next stitch (creating a yarn over) or do you put the yarn at the back before knitting the stitch?
did Margo receive an answer, and if so may I ask what that answer is
I have a pattern with a brLsl, The key does not define how to do this stitch. I know what brk and brp are, but what is brL? I’m wondering if it is a typo?
Hello Judy!
I hadn’t heard of that stitch either! I did find a site that has a definition: http://www.briochestitch.com/?one-color-brioche=basic-decreases. Give it a shot and let us know how it goes! -Alyson
Just ran across this so perhaps it’s too late, but the terms brk and brp are terms used by Nancy Marchant, a knitter living in Amsterdam, who was trying to clarify and systematize the notation system for brioche knitting for her books on the subject. They refer to brioche knit and brioche purl, respectively.
I haven’t tried brioche yet myself, I just got inspired by seeing her work in person so it’s now in my knitting queue, but hopefully that’s enough info to find the details you need. Here is one of her books: https://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Fresh-Brioche-Creating-Two-Color/dp/1936096773
Hi Holly,
Thanks for writing in! We are big fans of Nancy here at Purl Soho and even carry her lovely book that you referenced! Brioche knitting is such a varied and beautiful set of techniques!
Best,
Cassy
I believe the brLsl refers to brioche Left Slant – which is a decrease stitch.
why do you differentiate between the last four stitches and the rest of the row because it looks like it’s the same to me. Can you please clarify that?
thanks
Hello Maureen,
Thank you for reaching out! Is your question in reference to the Brioche Scarf? In Row 2 you repeat the pattern until the last four stitches at which point the pattern breaks and you are knitting the selvedge. It does look like the set up row could read “until the last two stitches”, but either way the pattern will get you the same result.
I hope this makes sense and happy knitting!
-Marilla
need answer to whether after you do te first three selvedg stitches when you slip 1 wyif, do you keep the yarn in front when you knit the next stitch (creating a yarn over) or do you put the yarn at the back before knitting the stitch? Thank you.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for writing in! For the Brioche Scarf pattern, you will be slipping with the yarn in front and then moving the yarn to the back between the stitches and not over the needle. You will not create a YO here unless noted!
Best,
Cassy
Hi Margo,
I am so sorry I haven't responded until now! I did not see this comment come in. My apologies.
Majoriejoy,
Thank you so much for following up.
For the basic Brioche Stitch above, there are no selvedge stitches.
For the Brioche Vest and the Brioche Scarf, there are selvedge stitches.
In the selvedge stitches of both of those projects, you do NOT keep the yarn in front with you knit the next stitch, you put the yarn in back before knitting. This is a great question. Again, apologies on the delayed response, Margo.
Please let me know if you have more questions.
Best,
Laura
So I only knit row 1.
How simple!
Yay!:)
Hi Laura,
Thanks for your response however I am still confused. The yarn over comes from the front and to the back so will I be pearling the first stitch in the bundle and knitting the second with the yarn over?
Thank you
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
Hi. Where is the corrected pattern to be found?
Hi Kb,
Thanks for writing in! This pattern is the correct one. It was edited in 2014. Hope this helps!
Best,
Adam
It says there was an error in the pattern in Feb 2014. My pattern is dated Sept 26, 2013. Where can I get the updated pattern? I have just purchased my wool from you and am struggling with my swatches.
The wool is lovely
Hi Tracy,
Thanks for reaching out! Please send us an email at [email protected] with the name of the pattern you would like an update for and we would be happy to help out!
Best,
Julianna
This is absolutely beautiful and the instruction is superb. Fantastic.
Many, many years ago my mother had a cardigan pattern that had a brioche rib yoke. I think it was stocking stitch up the armhole shaping and then you changed to brioche rib – I don’t think there was any decreasing apart from the cast off stitches at the armhole shaping. Does anyone have such a pattern please?
Hi Shelia.
This sounds amazing.
I’ve not seen anything like it, but now I have images of possibilities dancing through me head.
I will keep my eyes out for one and write back to you if I see anything.
Thanks for writing in.
Laura
I find myself unable to do purl stitch at present (a knitting injury believe it or not!!) so am working out ways to get around it. I think I can manage slipping purlwise, so am thinking that brioche stitch might be a good substitute for ribbing, which I find difficult at present. How would brioche stitch compare to a K1-P1 rib in terms of the finished fabric?
Best regards and take care in the blizzard- we’re hearing all about it in Australia!
Paula
Hi Paula!
The two ribs are very similar, but brioche stitch tends to be a little “fuller” and warmer. Sounds like a good plan for getting around purls! Also you might want to check out our No Purl Ribbed Scarf!
Happy Knitting, and I hope your injury heals quickly!
Thomas
Thanks Thomas,
I thought the brioche stitch looked a bit loftier than an ordinary rib but will give it a go. And yes, have tried the no purl rib and it looks good- will be using it on a new sweater shortly but wanted something a bit stretchier for other projects- the brioche stitch looks as if it might answer. Regards,
Paula
Hi, thanks for the tutorial! I second the requests for a tutorial for doing it in the round 🙂
Anyway, just a quick question. Is the fabric reversible? If not, which is the right side?
Shelly,
Thank you for your question. Yes this Brioche Stitch pattern creates a reversible fabric.
Thank You!
Jake
Your instructions for knitting the brioche stitch are the clearest I have ever come across. Many thanks.
Is brioche stitch the same as k1b? They look similar.
Hello Sheila!
You’re right, they are both thicker, more 3D versions of 1×1 rib, but they are constructed quite differently. Brioche is even more intricate and therefore denser than Fisherman’s rib. Thanks for your question! -Alyson
Hello,
Is there a particular way to bind off when knitting brioche stitch?
Thank you.
Hello Claire!
Since this is a more complex stitch pattern that includes yarn overs and decreases, we usually prefer to add a little border of stockinette stitch so that there is a little frame around the complex stitches. Then you can just bind off as usual! Hope this is helpful, let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks! -Alyson
I am trying just to get the basic stitch down, not even to follow a pattern yet! I have Nancy Marchant’s class on Craftsy and also your instructions here and I am still having a terrible time. I’m an advanced knitter using continental style and I guess I just have problems with the spatial aspect of following the videos and pictures and do better with detailed written instructions. After the purlwise slipped stitch with yarn in front, is the yarn over a “typical” one where you simply wrap the yarn front to back, or is it a reverse yarn over where you wrap under the needle and go around to the back? I found that in the setup row I was having trouble using the standard yarnover.
Hello Susan!
Knitting continental shouldn’t affect this stitch pattern for the worse at all! For the yarn over, you will have to simply put the yarn to the front (a “typical” yarn over), but then to accomplish whichever stitch follows, you may need to wrap the yarn around the needle again to make sure the yarn is oriented correctly.
I hope this helps—please let us know if you need more guidance! Thanks for writing in! -Alyson
Do you have a tutorial for a hat in the round with the brioche stitch , one color ?
Thanks,
Virginia
Hello Virginia!
Here is a link to our Brioche Hat and Cowl: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2011/10/16/ginas-brioche-hat-and-cowl/
You can totally use one color, just ignore the color changing portion of the instructions! Thanks for writing in! -Alyson
Hi, I’m making a circular jumper with brioche at the sides and purl in the middle of the front and back. The purl seems fuller. Will this even out with pressing or with wear or will I need to re-knit it with the brioche being looser. Thanks
Hi Robyn,
Thank you for writing in. Brioche and purl are two very different stitches with very different gauges. You could try to steam block the purls to flatten them out. Be careful not to flatten the brioche stitch definition though. If this does not work, then you might have to rethink the pattern. Best of luck to you!
-Adam
Thank you for your continuing beautiful patterns. I’m wondering how one does this stitch for Brioche.
* Sl1yof, p1repeat from * to end?
I can’t seem to find it anywhere on the net to explain this to me.
Thanks for any help.
Hi Miranda,
Thanks for the question! S1yif means that you’ll have the yarn in front, slip one and then bring the yarn over the slipped stitch to the back of the work. To purl from here you’ll bring the yarn back to the front, maintaining the yarn over. I hope this helps!
-Adam
Stuck… Mastered the brioche stitch, but my sweater pattern calls for the brioche to run vertically along the stockinette body. E.g, knit 70, work in brioche x7, turn… There are short rows, and when I wrap and turn, it is leaving a very clumsy, irregular, knit column between my lovely brioche and stockinette. Help!
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for writing in! Considering this is an aesthetic problem that doesn’t have to do with our patterns I would contact the store at [email protected] with pictures and an explanation/copy of your pattern. We will be of better assistance with some visual aides there. Thanks!
-Adam
Thank you! After many many site visits and you tube tutorials I have finally found I can understand brioche knit. I never thought I would conquer this stitch but after coming across your instructions I can!! Now, onto two colour brioche yippee!
Thank you for your clear and concise instructions and pictures.
Hello Raye,
Congratulations! This is so lovely to hear.
Happy knitting,
-Marilla
Hi.
In the Harmony guides, the brioche stitch pattern is knitted as follows:
Multiples of 2 sts. *k1, K1B* rep to last 2 sts, K2. Thats all there is to it and is very easy without any YOS.
It is not the same as fishermans rib as there are no purl sts.
I was confused when I first saw the instructions as it’s knit every row but it works beautifully and seems much simpler to me.
Caroline
Hi again, I have just knitted a swatch with the Harmony method of brioche stitch, followed by your version and then a classic fishermans rib.
I have to admit that your version is faster, although in my swatch slightly looser. But, the stitch structure in all three looks the same!!
Thank you for this new faster method of brioche/fishermans rib.
Caroline
Hi Caroline,
Brioche seems all the rage these days! There are many ways to achieve it, each a little different with a bit of a different finished look. I have seen at least 5 different ways to brioche, some that click and some that do not. So long as you love the finished stitch, it is the right way for you.
Thanks for sharing!
Cassy
I was taught to knit by a European – I knit into the back of the stitches instead of the front loop. I’ve tried to knit brioche and it never comes out right. Is it because I *must* knit into the front of the stitch to make it work? If not, can I knit brioche by knitting into the back loop, like I always knit?
Thanks VERY much!
Deb
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for writing in! I think that you may have your finger on it! Knitting through the back loop twists the stitch. So it is possible that your brioche may look a bit off if you are knitting all of your knits through the back loop. I’d give it a try knitting through the front loop and see if it improves the look! I’d give it a good 4 x 4 inch swatch at least to give the pattern time to emerge!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
hello!
could you tell me how to tell brioche stitch from fisherman rib stitch? I have a picture of a project that i would like to make but the instructions aren’t clear! i keep going back and forth between the 2 stitches.
could you help?
Thank you!
Cathleen
Hi Cathleen,
Thanks for writing in! In practice, fisherman’s rib and brioche create nearly identical fabrics. From a picture, you will not really be able to tell the difference! You can certainly pick the one that works better for you and go for it!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi,
Since gauge is very important for the final results of a project, how would you recommend blocking a brioche stitch swatch? Do you apply tension while wet and how much? Should you hang the swatch with weight after drying to determine final gauge? I have seen steam blocking but that may not work when you need to wet block the final piece.
Thanks for your help!
Jacqueline
Hello Jacqueline,
Thank you for reaching out! You never want to stretch out your knitted piece unless you are attempting to drastically alter the dimensions of your piece. I would reccomend just wet blocking your swatch and laying flat to dry.
I hope this help and happy swatching!
-Marilla
Thanks so much. Sometimes the information on the internet is misleading. I really appreciate having Purl Soho as a credible and reliable source. Just one of the many reasons I love your patterns and yarns!
-Jacqueline
I went with the photo tutorial, jumping right into the slip one purlwise, and it’s working. I’ll just avoid doing a knit one for selvage at the beginning unless a pattern specifies!
I thought the fascination of brioche was to see the different colors come into being, so why would 1-color brioche be used, other than just to have that particular stitch?
Thank you for amazing videos – I hope to do the 2-color brioche in the not-too-distant future.
Stay safe!
Hi Marny
Thanks for writing in! The loftiness and squishy factor, along with its ribbed look are one of the reasons 1 color brioche is used, and it can also be a great transition into 2 color brioche. We are so glad you find our videos helpful, and please try the 2 color brioche out, its a great way to play with color!
Happy knitting
Jessica
Hi,
The Purl Soho videos are beautiful and you are very kind and helpful. I only wish that you would also show how things are done in the “continental method” which many of us from Europe grew up using (and have taught others here in the US to use). Surely someone in your orbit knows how to knit that way? It would not only be helpful but would acknowledge us a part of the knitting community.
With much appreciation,
Dagny
Hi Dagny,
Thanks so much for reaching out and for your kind words! As a continental knitter myself, I totally understand what you mean! It can be very hard to find tutorials for that style of knitting. Thank you for expressing your interest in this and I will be sure to pass this along to the rest of the team!
Happy Knitting!
Gianna
Hi, I’d like to try this scarf in the Nigh DK. How much would you recommend purchasing?
Thanks
Allison
Hi Allison,
Thank you for writing in! I would recommend checking out our Brioche Scarf pattern that would be wonderful in Nigh DK! For this pattern, you will need 4 skeins for the scarf or 5 skeins for the wrap! Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
I am confused in that I think that the video uses an even number of stitches with a knit 1 selvedge and a one row repeat but the photo tutorial uses an odd number of stitches. Am I seeing that wrong?
Hi Kris,
Thanks for writing in! Both stitch multiples work for brioche stitch, with slightly different results. As we mention in the NOTES section of this tutorial, the most basic version of Brioche Stitch is worked over an even number of stitches, which creates a fabric whose selvages are slightly different. To create identical selvages, add one stitch to the end (or more to both sides for a more pronounced selvage).
All the best,
Lili