Fluffy Brioche
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
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!
Q from a knitting newbie: do you YO before the purl stitch at the end of the row just to get the yarn in front? I’m starting the fluffy brioche baby blanket, but am confused about that last purl at The end of each row. Thanks!
Hello Leah!
You’re exactly right! You just need to bring the yarn in front to complete the last purl stitch. You’re on the right track. Happy knitting! -Alyson
How would you get the offset pattern if you were knitting in the round?
Hello Chaize!
Are you asking how you could translate this stitch pattern to be knit in the round? This is quite an intricate pattern, so I wouldn’t recommend trying to convert it! If you’d like to make a cowl for example, I would knit something flat and then stitch it up afterwards.
I hope this helps! Feel free to write in again if you are still confused! Thanks! -Alyson
I’ve seen a version of this stitch that is made by knitting the stitch below, which simulates a yarn over/bark. The wrong side rows are all purls. This is easy to convert to circular knitting. First cast on an even number of stitches and purl one row as a foundation. Row 1 is knit all even stitches and knit below all odd stitches. Row 2 is purl. Row 3 is knit all *odd* stitches and knit below all evens. Row 4 is purl. I’ve knit a couple of scarves this way now, but am still looking for the proper name for this particular stitch. I’ve found so many different names for it. Is there some kind of naming convention?
Hi Frankie.
There isn’t a universal naming convention. There are multiple names for the same or similar stitches.
Have you seen our Beautyberry Blanket? It isn’t exactly the same stitch, but has a similar texture and uses that technique you described of working into the stitch below. You may enjoy taking a look at the pattern. It’s worked flat, but like you said, it could also easily be modified for working in the round. https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2015/10/20/beautyberry-blanket/ The stitch is called Checkered Rose. Maybe having this stitch name will help you hunt down the stitch name you’re looking for.
Thanks for writing in.
Laura
Thanks for this! Do you know or have notes on how to do this stitch in 2 colors? Thank you!
Hello Roda,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, we don’t have a two toned version of this pattern written out. You could certainly do some experimenting with a swatch in the round.
Let us know how it goes and happy knitting!
Warmly,
Marilla
Hi Roda! Were you able to figure out how to do this stitch in 2 colors? I am trying to figure out the same thing right now. I tried to start working the 4 rows, but I don’t think I’m getting the right texture of stitches.
Hi, i’m confused, in your fluffy brioche hat pattern, it’s fluffy brioche stitch with circular needles. So how do we have to do, please ? 😊
Hi Clarisse,
Thanks for reaching out! You can find the instructions for the Fluffy Brioche Hat under the PATTERN section on the page!
Warmly,
Gianna
how many stitches should I cast on for a sporty scarf? I am so in love with the worsted twist I would love to use it or should I use the yarn you are suggesting?
Hello Josephine!
What a fun idea! How wide would you want the scarf to be? The best thing to do would be to make a swatch of the stitch pattern in the Worsted Twist and measure how many stitches per inch you are able to get. Once you have that number, you can multiply by the number of inches wide you want the scarf to be and then figure out your cast on. If you choose to use the yarn suggested in this pattern, you can calculate based on the gauge provided in the pattern!
Best of luck! -Alyson
I absolutely love the way the stitch looks in the tutorial. What size needles are you using for that swatch? I just have to make a fluffy brioche scarf! Thank you! – Soraia
Hello Soraia!
We used the lovely Feltro yarn found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/lanecardate-feltro.html and US#15 needles for the swatch in the video. Happy Knitting! -Alyson
Are the first two rows (or the foundation rows) the same as the basic broich knitting?
Hello, Marilyn!
Thank you so much for your question! For the swatch in our tutorial we worked the first two rows like we do in our Fluffy Brioche Baby Blanket. The first two rows are as follows:
“Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise with yarn in back (wyib), *yo, slip 1 purlwise wyib, k1, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
Row 2 (right side): Slip 1 knitwise wyib, *k1, k2tog, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.”
Please let us know if you have further questions! Again, thank you for writing in!
Best,
Kumeko
I’ve just finished this cowl and just love it! Very addictive stitch- soooo cushy and soft! Have you ever thought of doing a fingerless mitts pattern to go with it?
Hi Karen,
Thanks for the kinds words! We do not currently have fingerless mitts to match this hat but we will certainly keep your request in mind when thinking about future projects!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi! Quick question – I am using this stitch to make a scarf and it keeps curling on the sides. At first I was concerned that I wasn’t holding the yarn correctly for the slipped stitch but I’m following the instructions in the video exactly. Do you have any idea why this would happen? I’m assuming blocking will help fix part of the problem but I just can’t figure out why it’s curling so much.
Thanks!
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for writing in! This stitch does have a tendency to curl when knit flat. For the blanket that we knit flat using this stitch, the yarn was sufficiently heavy to counteract this curling. Blocking can help as can either knitting a border as you go our adding a border after the fact. You can single crochet along the sides or use something like an attached i-cord. I would certainly try blocking first but an edging could help if blocking does not fix the curling.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
I dropped a stitch while knitting the Classic Cowl and am having a hard time figuring out how to pick it back up again; could you give me some advice? Thanks!
Hi Emily,
That’s a bummer! While we don’t have a video on fixing brioche, there are many YouTube guides as to how to fix brioche that could be helpful. Best of luck and let us know if you find a good resource!
-Adam
I am having so much trouble with the lofty brioche stitch. Can the pattern be adapted by using the seed stitch?
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for writing in and I’m sorry you’re having trouble. Depending on the pattern it shouldn’t be too much of a problem switching this to seed stitch. If you are knitting in the round, it will be easier to do seed stitch on an odd number of stitches. You’ll just want to knit the purls and purl the knits. Hope this helps!
-Adam
How do you adapt this stitch to continental style knitting?
Hi Fiona,
Thanks for the question. The only difference between Continental and English knitting is that Continental holds the yarn in the left hand. The yarn, whether in English or Continental, always comes from the right-hand needle. So, there is no way to translate this stitch to Continental knitting because the techniques are the same. Hope this clears things up.
-Adam
How do you START the pattern? Is there a pattern done in the flat?
This is the first time I’ve seen this and seem to be having issues beginning it.
Hi Brandi,
Thanks for writing in! I’d be happy to try to help you with your issue. Can you tell me which pattern that you are attempting to create? This will help me better answer your question! We have patterns that use Fluffy Brioche in the round and flat. While the video shows the technique flat, it can also be helpful for the pattern in the round.
Best,
Cassy
How many do you cast on and/or what is the multiple of stitches to cast on. Is the pattern written out anywhere?? Thank you!
Hello Deborah,
Thank you for reaching out! We use this stitch for a few projects which all have the stitch pattern written out. Here is a blanket pattern using this stitch: Fluffy Brioche Baby Blanket. This stitch will work on any even cast on.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hello, Thank you so much for your great tutorial! I’ve started a jacket in your fluffy brioche stitch and wonder how you would reduce and increase in this stitch?
Thank you so much for your answer.
Hello and thanks for writing in! We do not have a tutorial specifically on increasing and decreasing in this stitch; however, we do have a few projects that might help you out! Our Fluffy Brioche Hat has paired decreases worked purlwise to blend into the stitch, and our Sweater Shawl uses double decreases and Make One stitches to increase and decrease in pattern.
I hope that helps and best of luck with your design!
Julianna
hi, Does Fluffy Brioche stitch take more yarn than Stocking stitch?
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for your question! Fluffy Brioche stitch does tend to use more yarn than Stockinette stitch. If you’re planning on making a pattern that uses Fluffy Brioche stitch, like our Fluffy Brioche Hat, it’s always a great idea to do a gauge swatch and doublecheck your yardage!
I hope this was helpful! Have a lovely rest of your day!
Kindest regards,
Cat
Hello. Absolutely love this stitch! Thanks for the tutorials. However, I’ve lost track of my rows and I’m having trouble getting back on the right row to make the fluffy ‘v’s offset. I’m doing the fluffy brioche flat. Can you help me identify what row 1 should look like verses rows 2-4?
Thanks!
Hi Jill,
Thanks for reaching out. I can absolutely help describe what each of the rows look like!
If you’re about to begin…
Row 1: all stitches are single stitches
Row 2: single and double stitches are alternating, starting with 1 single stitch
Row 3: all stitches are single stitches
Row 4: single and double stitches are alternating, starting with 2 single stitches
I hope this helps get you back on track!
All the best,
Lili
Is this the same at the honeycomb brioche stitch?
Hi Carolina,
Thanks for reaching out. Fluffy brioche has a very similar look to honeycomb brioche, and I believe that the two names are sometimes used interchangeably! There are also many slight variations on this stitch pattern to achieve similar looks using slightly different techniques.
All the best,
Lili
I’m noticing that my selvedge edge at the end of rows 1 and 3 is very tidy, where the other selvedge edge (beginning of rows 1 and 3) is quite loose.
I’m guessing this is because of the yarnovers – do you have any suggestions for making this edge cleaner? Might adding a knit stitch as the second stitch on rows and 1 and 3 help?
Thank you!
Hi Alyssa,
I’m so sorry that your selvage isn’t coming out as expected! Would you mind sharing a photo of your work with us directly by emailing it to [email protected]? That way, we can better visualize what’s going on!
All the best,
Lili