Simple Brioche Cowl - Free Pattern

If you read my design blog on my web site called "new skills learnt" you will know that I have just learnt the Brioche stitch and I'm branching out and adding Brioche knitting patterns to my portfolio. Part of my learning experience was learning that Brioche is in fact a quite an easy stitch once you get past the new terminology and it's quite fun to do too.  

I believe that Brioche is in fact a stitch that is better and easier done in the round! and done in 2 colours ! When worked in the round you work one stitch pattern in one colour for the 1st round and then switch to the other colour, work another stitch pattern for the 2nd round and work like that until the end. 


I'll explain in a simple pattern; a lovely striped reversible cowl.
I used 1 x 50 gram ball of YarnStories fine merino and alpaca yarn in Aran weight and 1 x 50 gram skein of some lovely hand spun yarn of a similar weight and 4.5mm circular needles.


The finished size is: Circumference 28inches / 71cm , width 8inches/ 20cm.

INSTRUCTIONS

Cast on 100 sts using the 2 colour cable cast on technique, start with your MC colour and end with your CC. This creates a colourful 2 toned cast on edge.

Set up Round: Using your MC, *K1, SL1YO; rep from * to marker.

Next Round: Bring the CC yarn forward under the right needle tip and then use to,
*SL1YO, BRP; rep from * to marker

From now on, you will be working each round in alternate colours.
The MC will be worked in Knit (using the BRK and SL1YO stitches) and the CC
will be worked in Purl (using the SL1YO, BRP stitches).

Rnd 1 (RS): Using MC, *BRK, SL1YO; repeat from * to end.

[Tip: BRK, bring yarn to front of work, Slip 1 purlwise. The next BRK will create the YO]

Rnd 2: Using CC, *SL1YO, BRP; repeat from * to end.

[Tip: Slip 1 purlwise, take yarn over the needle to back of work and then bring to the front
inbetween the stitches, BRP].

Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until desired width.

Cast off using 2 colours.

Work the purl stitches and yarn overs in the CC colour with yarn in front of the work.
Work the knit stitches in the MC with yarn at the back of the work.

Weave in the ends and block lightly, being careful not to flatten the rib stitches.

ABBREVIATIONS

BRK       Brioche knit. Knit the next stitch together with its Yarn over.      

BRP       Brioche purl. Purl the next stitch together with its Yarn over.

CC Contrast color.

K            Knit.

MC Main colour.

P Purl.

RS Right Side.

S1YO      Slip 1 stitch purlwise then yarn over.

WS Wrong side.

Addicted like me?
Check out my Brioche patterns on Ravelry or my kits on the web site for some
exciting designs.

Shssss Don't Tell Michelle

 

Michelle is my daughter who is getting married in just 2 weeks time. I want to make sure that the WHOLE day is special! Knowing how stressed Michelle is getting, how much she needs her sleep and the fact that she, the bridesmaids and myself need to be up and about at 6:00 am that morning to deal with the hairdresser and the make up artist I decided to craft this.
I was inspired by the picnic basket I managed to pick up at TKMaxx the other day, and on the same shelves in the shop were a mixture of teas, coffees, biscuits etc that would be suitable for going in the basket.

I had some of the pretty fabric left over from my bunting making, not very big pieces but enough to not through away. I considered unpicking the lining that already existed and using that as a template for a new one but I simply did not have enough fabric left, so I simply tacked on what I had to the edge of the lining ensuring that I had a neat finish. I undid the ties that were there and added in some coordinating ribbon.  With more fabric I created a simple little patchwork table cloth. It's small, but will easily fold up and take up a small amount of space in the basket. Viola !

Just some of the yummy goodies I bought for the basket. Along with fresh croissants and orange juice , oh and the bucks fizz. 

The Big Tea Cosy 2017

The Big Tea Cosy 2017 The Big Tea Cosy helps to raise vital money and awareness for Breast Cancer Haven, a charity that provides free emotional, physical and practical support to anyone affected by breast cancer, from its centres across the UK. Love Knitting are helping to support this national fundraising campaign which will take place 1 – 7 February 2017 by providing all of us with knitting patterns, yarn etc to make some gorgeous knitted tea cosies ready for the event. They asked me if I would design a tea cosy knitting pattern specially for this event, I was totally honored to do this for Haven. Knowing that all proceeds for the knitting pattern will go towards this charity really touches my heart strings (and yours too hopefully).  De Fleurs Tea Cosy by Feminine Touch Designs

Browse my Pattern Now

To help this fundraising campaign, 10% from sales of any of my mug and tea pot cosy's will be donated to Breast Cancer Haven too.  The mug cosy's especially will make lovely last minute stocking stuffers, great little Christmas gifts.