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.

Want to learn how to knit socks?

http://www.thefemininetouchdesigns.co.uk/thefemininetouchshop/prod_4951417-Easy-Knit-Walking-socks-knitting-kit.html

Back in March I spent a few weeks on and off working on my 1st pair of socks and quickly  moved on to my 2nd pair!  For a few weeks I was totally addicted to socks and knitted a few pairs, one plain navy blue pair for payment for some joinery work, one stripy pair for a friend and a lovely snugly woolly pair for my cold feet (once the sun goes in they are instantly cold, brrrr). I always have a pair of socks on the go, stashed away in the glove compartment in the motor home so I can knit on my travels. 

Because I have just started to knit socks I thought I would turn my learning experience in to a selling point and create a sock knitting kit for the novice sock knitter, someone that likes knitting like me, has quite a bit of experience but has never tried knitting on double pointed needles, never mind tried all the techniques associated with sock knitting. 

Here's a snapshot of some of the techniques covered in full in my instructions.

Come along and try out the kit, its only £11 plus postage and that includes full instructions, 2 skeins of Aran yarn (approx 70 grams per skein) and the double pointed needles too. Some lovely colours to choose from. Great for you or buy for a friend.