I am writing this article as a guide to help you learn about Brioche. Here, you will find all the necessary information about the abbreviations, symbols to understand the language of brioche, as well as explanations of each stitch and basic techniques, a few increase and decrease techniques, and how to knit brioche in both one and two colors to achieve accuracy in executing these techniques. This will help you gain the confidence to create the reversible fabric you have seen and wanted to knit yourself. Some sections include photos and step-by-step instructions.
Brioche Knitting
A Guide to Stitch Language
Brioche Symbols Every Knitter Should Know
Brioche is a completely distinct style of knitting. The techniques are not easily mastered, and the patterns are not meant for quick results. When learning how to knit brioche, it’s important to remember that you are learning a new knitting language, so approach brioche with an open mind and be prepared for more persistence than usual.
This list includes basic brioche abbreviations and symbols that every knitter should know for understanding brioche patterns.
| ABB | Explanation | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| brk | Brioche knit, also known as bark |  |
| brp | Brioche purl, also known as burp |  |
| yf sl1yo | Yarn Forward, Slip 1, Yarn Over |  |
| yf sl1yo plus | Bring yarn to front, slip next stitch and all yarnovers purlwise, then bring yarn to back over needle and slipped stitch |  |
| brk2tog | Brioche knit 2 stitches together |  |
| brssk | Slip, slip, brioche knit slipped stitches over |  |
| brk3tog | Brioche k3tog |  |
| brsssk | Brioche sssk |  |
| brp2tog | Brioche purl 2 stitches together |  |
| brssp | Brioche ssp |  |
| brp3tog | Brioche p3tog |  |
| brsssp | Brioche sssp |  |
| brcdd | Brioche centred double decrease |  |
| brcddp | Brioche centred double decrease purlwise |  |
| brk tbl | Brioche knit 1 stitch through its back loop |  |
| yf sl2yo | Bring yarn to front, slip next 2 stitches purlwise, then bring yarn to back over needle and slipped stitches |  |
| brkyobrk | (Brioche knit, yarn over, brioche knit) into same stitch |  |
| br4st inc | (Brioche knit, yarn over, brioche knit, yarn over, brioche knit) into same stitch |  |
Basic techniqes: Brioche knit, Brioche Purl
Brioche is a completely distinct style of knitting. The techniques are not easily mastered, and the patterns are not meant for quick results. When learning how to knit brioche, it’s important to remember that you are learning a new knitting language, so approach brioche with an open mind and be prepared for more persistence than usual.
• Brk: Brioche knit
To work the Brk: Knit together both the next stitch and its corresponding yarn over from the previous row.
• Brp: Brioche purl
To work the Brp: Purl together both the next stitch and its corresponding yarn over from the previous row.
• Brk tbl: Brioche knit 1 stitch through its back loop
To work the Brk tbl: Knit together both the next stitch through the back loop and its corresponding yarn over from the previous row.
Brioche Increases:
• Yf sl1yo: Yarn Forward, Slip 1, Yarn Over
To work the Yf sl1yo:
- Bring the working yarn under the right needle to the front of the work.
- Slip the next stitch purlwise, then bring the working yarn over the right needle to the back of the work.
This slipped stitch with a yarn over on top of it is considered one, and will be worked as a BRK on the next row.
Brioche Decreases:
Brk2tog: Brioche knit 2 together
To work Brk2tog: Reach under the yarn over and brk the next two stitches together. The yarn over then falls behind the stitch when it is slipped off the needle.
Brssk: Slip, slip, brioche knit slipped stitches over
To work Brssk, follow these 3 steps:
- Slip one stitch knitwise (a stitch with a yarn over counts as one stitch).
- Slip the next stitch knitwise.
- Insert the left needle into the fronts of these two stitches and knit them together.
Brp2tog: Brioche purl 2 together
To work Brp2tog: Purl both stitches together with their yarn over.
Brssp: Slip, slip, brioche purl slipped stitches together
To work Brssp, follow these 3 steps:
- Slip 2 stitches knitwise. Since a stitch and its yarn over are considered 1 stitch, this could mean you slip 3 loops, one at a time, onto the right needle.
- Slip the stitches back onto the left needle.
- Insert the right-hand needle through their back loops, going into the second stitch, then the first, and purl them together.
Brioche Double Decreases
Brk3tog (also known as brRsl dec or brkRsl dec): Brioche k3tog / Brioche right slant decrease
To work Brk3tog, follow these 6 steps:
- Slip knitwise the first brioche stitch (stitch + yarn over = one stitch).
- Knit the next brioche stitch.
- Pass the slipped stitch over.
- Slip the stitch to the left needle.
- Pass over the next brioche stitch (with yarn over).
- Slip the stitch to the right needle.
Brsssk (also known as brLsl dec or brkLsl dec): Brioche sssk / Brioche left slant decrease
To work Brsssk, follow these 3 steps:
- Slip knitwise the first brioche stitch (stitch + yarn over = one stitch).
- Knit together the second and third stitch (with yarn over).
- Pass the slipped stitch over.
Brcdd: Brioche centered double decrease
To work Brcdd, follow these 3 steps:
- Slip two stitches together knitwise under the yarn over, leaving the yarn over in place.
- Brk the next stitch with its yarn over.
- Pass the two slipped stitches over the brk stitch.
This is a symmetrical decrease. By avoiding the yarn over until you knit the third stitch, the contrasting yarn will not be worked into it but will sit behind it.
Brkyobrk: (Brioche knit, yarn over, brioche knit) into same stitch (2-stitch increase)
To make a Brkyobrk, follow these 3 steps:
- Brk1, leaving the stitch on the left needle.
- Yarn over (bring yarn forward under the needle, then over the needle to the back).
- Brk1 into the same stitch again — 2 stitches are increased.
When a Brkyobrk increase is used, three single stitches bloom out of the center of one stitch.
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I hope this post will make it easier for you to approach Brioche Knitting, removing any fears or insecurities you may have.
Grab some of your favorite yarn and start!
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