Two-Color Brioche in Rows

In this video, Mary Beth Temple demonstrates how to work a basic two-color brioche pattern back and forth in rows.

When working technique in rows, it’s critical to use a circular needle or double-pointed needles, even though it’s worked in rows. Mary Beth notes that you’ll have to be able to freely slide the stitches from one end of the needle to the other; therefore, straight needles won’t work for two-color Brioche patterns worked flat. She also notes that the cast on must be extremely loose. There are a few cast on methods that work well for brioche knitting:

– Cast on with a knitting needle 2 or 3 sizes larger than project needle
– Italian Two-Color Cast On
– Hold two knitting needles together to cast on the required number of stitches.

For her demonstration, Mary Beth uses the third method, and holds two needles together to cast on. Casting on very loosely, she casts on an odd number of stitches, 11 stitches for her swatch. She works the two-color brioche in rows as follows:

Set Up Row 1A: With Color A, p1, *sl1yo, p1; rep from * to end, without turning, slide stitches to other end of needle.
Set Up Row 1B: With Color B, leave a tail to weave in later at front of the work, sl1, yarn back, *brk, sl1yo; rep from * to last 2 sts, brk, yarn forward, sl1, turn work (both of your working yarns are at the same end).

Row 1A: With Color A, k1, *sl1yo, brk; rep from * to last 2 sts, sl1yo, k1, without turning, slide stitches to other end of needle.
Row 1B: With Color B, sl1, yarn forward, *brp, sl1yo; rep from * to last 2 sts, brp, yarn back, sl1, turn work (both of your working yarns are at the same end).

Row 2A: With Color A, p1, *sl1yo, brp; rep from * to last to last 2 sts, sl1yo, p1, without turning, slide stitches to other end of needle.
Row 2B: With Color B, sl1, yarn back, *brk, sl1yo; rep from * to last 2 sts, brk, yarn forward, sl1 turn work (both of your working yarns are at the same end).

Repeat last 4 rows for pattern.