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Chapter 2, Pattern 2: Afterglow.
An asymmetrical triangle shawl knit side to side using two-color brioche, with extra large stripes.

Here is a nice, relaxing shawl pattern for you. I originally designed this pattern for my book, Brioche Knitting for Beginners and Beyond, and this was the very first pattern that I cast on once I signed my contract! This shawl was such a meditative knit for me. I hope it will be for you as well. This pattern uses only brioche increases to shape the shawl, and I’ve built in brain breaks with no increases at all. The name of this pattern was inspired by the beautiful colors and speckles in the yarn itself, hand-dyed by Natacha of Artemis Yarns. I was first drawn to her amazing use of color, the brightness, the saturation, and her speckles. Her inspiration comes from Greek mythology, if you hadn’t already figured that out with the names of her colorways. I did have a feeling of harmony and found sanctuary while knitting this shawl. It was my refuge during an unhappy time. Sometimes all you need is a light, subtle speckled yarn paired with a deeply imbued solid to create the perfect brioche combination.

Yarn Notes:
This shawl is a color study for two-color brioche, showing how different the fabric can look with either a super subtle contrast or very high contrast. This entire shawl is knit using two-color brioche, even though it may not LOOK like it in the more subtle stripes. Grab 4 skeins of fingering or sock weight yarn, 2 Main Colors and 2 Contrast Colors. You may choose to use 4 completely different colors for your sample, or choose an interesting gradient or fade of speckled yarn for your MC1, MC2 and CC1, then a very dark yarn for your CC2. That is how I chose my colors!

See photo here of my yarn in skein form (photo by Artemis Yarns).

Skill Level:
Beginner Brioche Friendly!! This is a fantastic pattern to learn how to knit two-color brioche flat, as well as learn a few brioche increases.

Techniques Used:
Twisted German Cast On, knit, purl, brioche knit (brk), brioche purl (brp), sl1yo, brioche increases, Elastic Bind Off.

Video Tutorials:

Twisted German Cast On:
http://bit.ly/TwistedGermanCO

Elastic Bind Off:
http://bit.ly/ElasticBO

Construction Notes:
This asymmetrical triangle shawl is knit from side to side, starting at the very small cast on point, and ending with the largest bind off edge. You will create broad stripes, alternating between your MC1 / CC1 and MC2 / CC2 yarns. The stripes worked with your MC1 and CC1 yarns will increase stitches and help to form the asymmetrical triangle shape, while the stripes worked with your MC2 and CC2 yarns will have no increase stitches at all. These “intermission” stripes will also help to keep the shawl long and lean.

One of my absolute favorite shawl shapes, I love wearing this shawl kerchief-style, with the increase edge wrapped around my neck and the bottom bind off edge hanging down.

One Size
80″ (203 cm) wingspan and 33″ (84 cm) depth

MATERIALS:

Yarn
1420 yds (1299 m) fingering/sock weight

Main Color 1 (MC1): 400 yds (366 m)
Contrast Color 1 (CC1): 380 yds (347 m)
Main Color 2 (MC2): 320 yds (293 m)
Contrast Color 2 (CC2): 320 yds (293 m)

Shown In
Artemis Yarns Single Merino (100% Superwash Merino; 400 yds 366 m per 100 g)

MC1: 1 skein Harmonia (light cream speckled)
CC1: 1 skein Sanctuary (light gray speckled)
MC2: 1 skein Phoebe (darker gray speckled)
CC2: 1 skein Hades (black)

Needles
40″ (101.5 cm) US 3 (3.25 mm) circular needle (Circular needles are used to accommodate a large number of stitches and for two-color brioche knitting. Adjust the needle size as needed to achieve the proper gauge.)

Tools and Notions
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Row counter

Gauge
18 stitches and 28 rows = 4″ (10 cm), measured in two-color brioche stitch knit flat (taken after blocking)