Basic Brioche by Ann Budd

Basic Brioche

Knitting
August 2012
DK (11 wpi) ?
4.75 stitches and 8.25 rows = 1 inch
in brioche rib
35 1/2 (39 3/4, 44, 481/4, 52 1/2)"
English

For this cardigan, a brioche pattern creates lofty ribs that run parallel to the armhole “seams.” Because this version of brioche stitch is worked with two different size needles—larger for right-side rows, smaller for wrong-side rows—I worked the sleeves as well as the body back and forth in rows. The resulting gauge of 4.75 stitches/inch and 8.25 rows/inch necessitated following the 5 stitches/inch numbers in The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns for one size smaller than the desired finished size and recalculating the neck and sleeve cap shapings to achieve the desired lengths. The generous shawl collar is worked in a single piece with the k3, p1 ribbed front bands (worked on a single needle size) and is shaped with short-rows. The collar folds back to reveal the k1, p3 side of the ribbing.