Fantastic Brioche Scarf Free Knit Pattern

Brioche stitch is considered an advanced-level knit stitch. However, one of the things I love most is teaching people all the tricks they need to do more with crochet and knitting. Therefore, I’ve made video tutorials for the Fantastic Brioche Scarf free knit pattern. With these videos, you’ll learn how to do the brioche stitch, read your brioche knitting, and brioche purl. Then, when you’re done, you’ll have this fantastic brioche scarf.

The scarf is a free pattern on Yarnspirations.com, and the video tutorials are available on the Marly Bird YouTube Channel.

What Is Brioche Knitting?

Brioche knitting is a technique that uses tucked stitches and working into the row below to create uniquely layered knitting. Brooklyn Tweed describes it aptly as: “a distinctive knitted ribbing technique recognizable by its heightened, doughy texture.”

Working with two colors, as in this scarf, creates beautiful colorwork and texture. You use knit stitches, yarnovers, and slipped stitches to create this great texture. So, even though it’s considered an advanced knitting technique – and you’ll certainly impress yourself with what you can create once you learn it – it’s not as hard to do as it might at first seem.

Learn all that there is to know about Two-Color Brioche in Camp Colorwork!

Fantastic Brioche Scarf: MATERIALS

All you need to complete this knit scarf is the free pattern, the yarn, and the knitting needles. But, of course, I also have videos for you. I created line-by-line instructions, as well. And there are some optional notions you might want:

Knit Brioche Scarf Free Pattern

The free pattern is the Fantastic Brioche Scarf by Laura Bain: Get it here.

Yarn

This pattern was originally made in Soft Essentials yarn, which is a bulky-weight acrylic yarn. You might choose to use:

• Red Heart Hygge
• Brava Bulky
• Mighty Stitch Bulky

Knitting Needles

Needles Used in Pattern: Size 9 (5.5 mm) circular. (I suggest 24″ needles)

Notions

You might also want to use:

• Stitch Markers (optional)
• Bent Tip Tapestry Needle

Fantastic Brioche Scarf Knitting Video Tutorials

The video series has 3 parts and takes you step-by-step through making this scarf.

• In video 1, you’ll learn basic brioche terminology and how to do Two Color Brioche Ribbing.
• In video 2, you’ll learn how to do basic knit brioche fabric
• In video 3, you’ll learn how to transition from basic knit brioche fabric to two-color brioche ribbing and how to bind off in a pattern. 

Line-By-Line Instructions: Fantastic Brioche Scarf

I did make some line-by-line instructions for the pattern. Along with the written pattern instructions, I’ve rewritten the pattern using basic brioche terminology so you can work on other brioche patterns in the future.

You Might Also Like:

• Fisherman’s Rib Stitch 3 Ways
• BiCrafty Bootcamp: Beginner’s Knitting Lessons for Crocheters
• Learn to Knit with Marly’s Mom

Frequently Asked Questions

What is brioche knitting?

Brioche is a knitting technique that creates an incredibly squishy, reversible, deeply ribbed fabric using a combination of yarn-overs and slipped stitches worked together on alternating rows. The resulting fabric has a characteristic puffed, pillow-like texture that’s much more substantial and soft than regular ribbing. One-color brioche creates a beautiful solid texture. Two-color brioche creates stunning colorwork where each color appears predominantly on one side, with gorgeous blended ridges between them. It’s one of the most satisfying knitting textures you can create.

Is brioche hard to learn?

It has a learning curve but isn’t as complex as it looks! The two key motions (brk – brioche knit, and brp – brioche purl) are just regular knit and purl stitches worked together with a yarn-over… but the combination creates new abbreviations that can be confusing at first. The fabric looks very different while you’re working vs. after a few rows settle in. Most knitters who’ve tried brioche say it takes about 20-30 minutes of video tutorial watching and active practice before it clicks. After that, the rhythm is very intuitive and almost meditative to work.

Why is the Fantastic Brioche Scarf a good beginner brioche project?

A scarf is the perfect first brioche project for several reasons! It’s worked flat in rows, which is simpler than working brioche in the round. The stakes are relatively low… a scarf doesn’t need to fit precisely. You have the entire length of the scarf to practice and refine your technique. And the finished result is genuinely gorgeous and wearable. By the time you’ve finished the scarf, brioche will feel natural and you’ll be ready to tackle more complex brioche projects like a sweater or hat.

What yarn is best for a brioche scarf?

Soft, slightly bouncy yarn shows off brioche texture the most beautifully! Wool and wool blends have the natural elasticity that makes brioche fabric spring back and look plump. Fine merino or merino blends are popular choices. Avoid cotton and other plant fibers for brioche… they lack the memory and elasticity that makes brioche fabric plush. DK or worsted weight gives you a scarf with good brioche definition. For a two-color brioche scarf (which is absolutely spectacular), choosing two colors with good contrast creates the most dramatic effect.

What’s the difference between one-color and two-color brioche?

One-color brioche creates a deeply textured, reversible fabric in a single color with the characteristic puffed ribs. Two-color brioche uses two different colors… one for each set of rows. The magic of two-color brioche is that each side of the fabric shows a different dominant color with the other peeking through in the ribs. It creates a stunning effect that looks like sophisticated colorwork but is actually just alternating which color you knit with on each pass. Two-color brioche is more complex to manage (two yarns, alternating passes) but the result is breathtaking.