With its deep waffle texture and lofty thickness, Fluffy Brioche is just right for handsome hand knits. Don’t be intimidated by the word “brioche.” Even an ambitious beginner can tackle this technique, which is nothing more than knitting and slipping, some yarn overs and some decreases that are very similar to a knit two together. This all happens in a four-row repeat, which makes the knitting interesting but not too complex. Follow along with our Fluffy Brioche Tutorial, where we show you how to do it!

Fluffy Brioche: Video Tutorial

Click To See Video Transcript

Hey, I am going to show you how to work Fluffy Brioche Stitch. I have a small swatch here, and we’re going to begin on the wrong side. Lemme flip my work around. I’m going to start with a single selvage stitch. Before we get into the repeat. So I’m going to just slip this first stitch knitwise with the yarn in back. Now to get into the repeat, the repeat is to yarn over, slip one purlwise, and then knit one bringing the yarn over the needle to the back in order to knit it. So let’s do that again. So yarn over bringing the yarn to the front. Slip one purlwise. Take the yarn over the top of the needle to knit that next stitch. So you do this repeat until you get towards the end. So yarn over, slip one knit one. Yarn over, slip one, knit one. Yarn over, slip one, knit one. Yarn over, slip one, knit one. 

So now we’re at the last stitch, which this is a selvage stitch. So I’m going to just purl this last stitch. Okay, that was row one. Now I will show you row two. So once again, we’re going to just slip this first selvage stitch knitwise, just like that. Then we’re going to knit one, and then we’re going to knit two together. These two stitches are made up of what was your slip stitch on the other side, and you’re taking that yarn over the top of your needle and knit those together. So again, we’re going to knit one, knit two together. You continue that way until you get to the last stitch: Knit one, knit these two together. One, knit two together. One, two together. One, knit two together. 

And then we have reached our last selvage stitch here. So we’re going to purl that. So these are the first two rows of Fluffy Brioche. The third row is very similar to the first row, except it’s to get this staggered pattern. You start by once again slipping one knitwise. And instead of jumping right into the yarn over first you knit one, then you start that repeat again. Yarn over, slip, knit. Yarn over, slip, knit. Yarn over, slip, knit. Over, slip, knit. And we do this the last two stitches, and then we’re going to knit one and once again, purl, that last stitch. 

The fourth row of Fluffy Brioche is extremely similar to the second row. You’re going to work across this time, starting with a slip one, or as always, slip one knitwise. And then you’re going to knit two, then knit two together, knit one, knit two together. And you’re going to do that all the way to the last two stitches. Knit one. And then once again, end on a purl one. And those are the four rows of Fluffy Brioche.

Fluffy Brioche: Written Instructions

Bk2tog (Brioche Knit 2 Together)

The only little extra thing to know about working Fluffy Brioche is the bk2tog. It’s almost exactly like a simple knit 2 together, except instead of knitting 2 knit together, you knit next the (slipped) stitch together with the yarn over that’s right next to it.

For Working Flat, Back + Forth In Rows

NOTE: This instructions include a selvage stitch for a nice, tidy edge.

Cast on an even number of stitches.

Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise with yarn in back (wyib), *yarn over (yo), slip 1 purlwise wyib, k1, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.

Row 2 (right side): Slip 1 knitwise wyib, *k1, bk2tog, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.

Row 3: Slip 1 knitwise wyib, k1, *yo, slip 1 purlwise wyib, k1, repeat from * until last two stitches, k1, p1.

Row 4: Slip 1 knitwise wyib, k2, *bk2tog, k1, repeat from * until last stitch, p1.

For Working In The Round

Cast on an even number of stitches.

Round 1: *P1, slip 1 with yarn in front (wyif), yarn over (yo), repeat from * to end of round.

Round 2: *K1, bk2tog, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 3: *Slip 1 wyif, yo, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 4: *Bk2tog, k1, repeat from * to end of round.

Give It A Try!

We turn to this fascinating stitch time and time again. Looking for a free pattern using this stitch? Check out the Classic Cowl, Fluffy Brioche Baby Blanket, or Sweater Shawl and get knitting!

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!