Supplies Needed for Two-Color Flat Brioche Knitting

Because we need to work each row twice, starting from the same end, you’ll need double-ended needles.

You can use your circular needles for this project, but if you use double-pointed needles, I think it will be a lot easier (no cable to worry about).

I’ll show you how to hold both needles together to work a loose cast-on, so you need only one size of DPN – the smaller size. I’ll be using size 5s in the video.

Two-Color Flat Brioche Knitting With a Selvedge Stitch

We’re going to be casting on an odd number of stitches for this swatch, and using the DC to create a selvedge, which I highly recommend for two-color flat knitting.

Work along with the following video to create a swatch. Written directions below the video.

A few things to watch out for: in flat two-color brioche, we brioche-knit and brioche-purl with both colors.

I’ll teach you how to read your work so it will be easy to know what to do when.

Two-Color Flat Brioche Knitting

Using both DPNs held together and with DC, CO an odd number of sts (here, 13 sts). Remove one DPN. Turn.

DC Setup Row: With DC, (p1, yf sl1yo) to last st, end p1. Do not turn work. Slide sts to other end of needle.
LC Setup Row: Sl 1, with LC (br-k1, yf sl1yo) to last st, sl 1 wyif. Turn.

Row 1: With DC, k1, (yf sl1yo, br-k1) to last 2 sts, yf sl1yo, k1. Do not turn. Slide sts to other end of needle.
Row 2: Sl 1, with LC (br-p1, yf sl1yo) to last st, sl 1 wyib. Turn.
Row 3: With DC, p1, (yf sl1yo, br-p1) to last st, end p1. Do not turn. Slide sts to other end of needle.
Row 4: Sl 1, with LC (br-k1, yf sl1yo) to last st, s 1 wyif. Turn.

Repeat Rows 1-4 until you are ready to bind off. Using DC, BO using the Yarnover Bind-Off or any stretchy bind-off.

Two-Color Flat Brioche American-Style

Tips for Two-Color Flat Brioche Knitting

Here’s a video that will show you how to remember where to put your LC yarn when you are done with it.

Remember

• When you are working with the LC, end by putting your yarn to the opposite side and slipping the edge st.
• When you are working with the DC, the selvedge sts are worked in the same stitch that you work the brioche stitches in (i.e. if you’re brioche-purling, purl the edge sts too).
• Only turn your work when both working yarns are on the same end of the needle.

Tips

• The color of the wraps on the needles is the color that you used in the previous row.

Fixing Mistakes in Brioche Knitting

You may have noticed that making mistakes in brioche is easy, and that fixing them is hard.

While you always have the option to ignore mistakes, or take out a whole row to correct a mistake, I think you are ready for an advanced lesson in dropping stitches and picking them back up in brioche.

Try working along with me on one of your practice swatches – you’ll feel a huge sense of accomplishment when you are able to do this.

Great work! If you like the look of two-color flat brioche, I encourage you to experiment with some different yarns and make a scarf that is uniquely rugged and at the same time soft and special.

Project: Two-Color Brioche Scarf for Men

Download the pattern here: Two-Color Brioche Scarf for Men

You can make a brioche scarf manly or girly, depending on what yarn you choose.

You can try some unexpected combinations: a laceweight mohair/silk blend like Rowan’s Kidsilk Haze would look gorgeous on a large gauge (a larger needle than normal).

This pattern calls for laceweight or sock-weight with the yarn held double.

I find that when you include thinner yarns with the option of doubling them, you have many more possibilities. You can also use one strand of sport-weight yarn.

At right you can see Malabrigo Lace held double in a two-color brioche scarf for a man.