Quick answer: Brioche uses yarn overs paired with slipped stitches to create a thick, squishy fabric. The two key stitches are brk (brioche knit — knit the slipped stitch and its yarn over together) and brp (brioche purl).
What it is
Brioche creates a double-thick, reversible fabric that looks like a plush, exaggerated rib. Each brioche stitch is worked over two strands — the slipped stitch from the previous row plus its accompanying yarn over. It has its own set of abbreviations.
Key abbreviations
- brk: knit the slipped stitch and its yarn over together
- brp: purl the slipped stitch and its yarn over together
- sl1yo: slip 1 stitch purlwise and bring yarn over the needle (sets up the next row's brioche stitch)
How to set up 1-colour brioche
- Cast on an odd number of stitches.
- Setup row: k1, sl1yo repeat, end k1.
- Row 1: sl1yo, brk repeat, end sl1yo.
- Row 2: brp, sl1yo repeat, end brp.
- Repeat rows 1-2.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the yarn over when slipping — you lose stitches rapidly
- Counting stitches without knowing the sl1yo pairs look doubled
- Working brk instead of brp on the wrong side