Learning something new

Last year, I wanted to learn a couple of new techniques — brioche knitting and Tunisian crochet (aka afghan stitch). I didn’t actually get around to them. (Surprise! I was busy!) This year, I’m trying again, and I’ve already made a decent start on learning brioche.

Brioche stitch creates a thick, reversible fabric. It can be worked in a single color or multiples. First, I worked with one color, trying the basic brioche in both knitting and purling.

knitting sample

Knitted brioche stitch, one color


knitting sample

Purled brioche stitch, one color

Then I moved on to two colors, and that’s when I had problems. What are those weird diagonal stitches?

knitting sample

First attempt at two-color brioche knitting.


Okay, maybe I’m doing the wyif (with yarn in front) in front wrong, or maybe that’s not really what it means. Let’s try holding it in back. Oh, no — that’s definitely wrong!
knitting sample

Knitted brioche, two colors, holding yarn to the back.

knitting sample

Knitted brioche, two colors, yarn held to the back, reverse side.


Okay, there’s nothing for it. Time to admit that it’s my unorthodox knitting technique (I prefer to knit through the back of the stitches) that’s at fault. Try it the normal way — hey, it works! Granted, there are problems with some of the stitches, but I’ve solved the pattern issue.
knitted sample

Knitted brioche, two colors, working at last

knitted sample

Knitted brioche, two colors, working at last, reverse side


One last tweak: trying two yarns closer together in weight. Still having some issues with my tension, but that should smooth out with practice.
knitted sample

Knitted brioche, two colors, even yarn weights, in progress

knitted sample

Knitted brioche, two colors, even yarn weights, in progress, reverse side

And once I get the stitch fairly consistent, I have other things to work on: increases, decreases, crossed stitches, and cables! And then? I need a project. I might start with something basic like a scarf, but that doesn’t seem like me unless I do a cabled scarf. Or maybe I’ll try my hand at a pair of socks or a shawl. There are lots of choices out there!