So I’ve been working on a sleeve of my Channel Cardigan and have developed a pretty serious obsession with the “half brioche” stitch that forms the pronounced rib portion of the overall stitch pattern. There’s something crazy satisfying about working those stitches, and I love the texture of it. After seeing Jen’s revised knitalong swatch using this stitch, I almost decided to copy her for my fafkal do-over! Then last night I was cruising Vanessa Jackman’s blog and ran into this photo of a girl in a black turtleneck with a pronounced rib stitch that looks a lot like brioche or half brioche! Luscious. So to emulate it, all you need is the Improv top-down tutorial, the half brioche stitch (below), and some gooshy, deeply black yarn. For this scale, I’m thinking maybe Quince and Co. Osprey (aran weight) in Crow. For the turtleneck, pick up stitches as for a crewneck and work in 2×2 rib for that slight contrast with the sweater body. (When knitting a turtleneck, I like to pick up stitches with a needle two sizes smaller than the main fabric and work half the height of the neck — i.e., to the fold — then go up one needle size for the rest. So the outer part is slightly larger than the inner part.)
HALF BRIOCHE WORKED FLAT:
RS: *p1, k1 below; repeat from *; p1
WS: knit
HALF BRIOCHE WORKED IN THE ROUND:
Row 1: *p1, k1 below; repeat from *; p1
Row 2: purl
See Vanessa’s original post for more pics of this sweater.
.
PREVIOUSLY in Knit the Look: Nastya Zhidkikh’s sexy little pullover
.
Street style photo © Vanessa Jackman; used with permission
this is so chic!!! never go out of style. now that I’m improvising a top down sweater, all I can think about are the other top down sweaters I want!!! ahhhh
This stitch looks similar:
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2016/02/01/mistake-rib-cowl/
Hey Karen,
Would Quince & Co. Puffin work for this turtleneck? I have a sweater’s amount in my stash in color Heathers ( beautiful dark heather gray). Thanks!!
I wish I could wear black but my dogs shed so bad. Dog hair camouflage is my first consideration in picking out yarn. The hairier the yarn (like Lopi) the better.
Great tip about switching needle sizes halfway through the turtleneck. And a brioche stitch is lusciously comfortable. Makes me want to bring out my turtleneck sleeveless tunic for the cooling days (hand knit, of course).
A black turtleneck is simply chic and like a classic little black dress, it never goes out of style. I love this one in the larger gauge. I like the idea of using smaller needles on the turtleneck, I’ve noticed the same trick on my rtw sweaters.
I really wish I could wear full turtlenecks, but it looks gawky on me. Mock turtle, on the other hand, if it’s retro enough, might work? Future plans…
Love it. I always want to wear big turtlenecks but between my small frame, medium boobs, and roundish face they don’t work.
I really wanted to make Purl Soho’s brioche vest in a rich ’70s color, like rust or a mauvey purple, to wear with flared jeans! But I am afraid it will just look like a lumpish rectangle on me. I hope a taller more angular lady out there will like this idea and run with it. https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/09/26/lauras-loop-brioche-vest/
Woolfolk’s FÅR in No 15 is amazing deep black too. Every time I see it I am in love with its depth
I too have been swatching for the Channel cardigan and was wondering what yarn you are using? Having a hard time making a decision.
Crow is gorgeous!
Thanks for the tip on needle sizes with the turtle neck. That’s a great idea. And it looks super comfortable! Now that we know how there’s just so many possibilities …
I’ve been obsessing over your half brioche instructions over the past minutes, because I thought there was something wrong with them. Normally I would *k1, p1* on the WS or 2nd row, meaning just knitting the stitches as they come.
But now I noticed your instructions are right and you don’t need to work a rib pattern on the WS because you are creating the brioche by knitting 1 below into a knit stitch that is topped with a purl stitch which then slips open. This way you can work your back/2nd rows much faster. Mind blown!
However if you prefer knitting your brioche by slipping a purl stitch with YO on the WS or a knit stitch with YO on the RS, THEN you would still need a k1, p1 rib on the opposite side. Does this make any sense?
Oh boy, the many ways of brioche knitting…
That stitch is pure love. I love that it isn’t as heavy and feels a lot neater (on one side at least). I’ve always called it half Fishermans though but that might be because I weirdly find brioche to be kind of vulgar…? Something about the uncontrollable volume just makes it icky to me. Such a strange and unnecessary feeling to have towards an innocent stitch pattern. Ever felt that way?
Wonderful, I would like to find a womans cardigan knit in this pattern. I have the loveliest black merino wool. Does anyone know of one?
Just do Channel without the chevrons and half-brioche.
Very Nice. Definitely a look to try!
Pingback: Knit the Look: Jenny Gordy’s comfiest cardigan | Fringe Association