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Knitting Brioche: The Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch
Hungry for new knitting techniques? Try knitting brioche!Knitting Brioche is the first and only knitting book devoted exclusively to brioche stitch, a knitting technique that creates a double-sided fabric. This complete guide will take you from your first brioche stitches to your first (or hundredth) project, and even to designing with brioche stitch, if you desire. Whether you're new to brioche knitting or experienced at "brioching," author Nancy Marchant provides the information and inspiration you need.Inside Knitting Brioche, you'll find:Detailed instructions and step-by-step photos that will guide you through all of the techniques you'll need for brioche knitting.A stitch dictionary including 60 beautiful stitch patterns with many multicolor options.25 patterns for garments and accessories, all made with brioche stitches, some combined with other design elements including cables, lace, intarsia and more!Grab your needles and yarn and take a bite out of brioche knitting.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
245 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 20, 2024
I just learned the basic brioche stitch. I don't know yet if I will make a whole garment...the technique has some downsides. It uses a ton of yarn, sometimes up to twice the amount of a regular stockinette-stitch item. It also knits up really big and bulky, so the author strongly advises you to go down several needle sizes than recommended for the yarn you're using. Of course, when you go down several needle sizes, the knitting becomes tighter and more difficult to manipulate on the needle.
If I do make something, I'll make something multicolor, which is a nice visual effect. It's too much effort and too much yarn just to achieve the effect of a single color.
The book mostly consists of step-by-step stitch explanations (which are photographed excellently), and a big stitchionary. The author has long, detailed explanations of how to increase and decrease and shape any brioche garment. The patterns themselves are only perhaps one-third of the book. Honestly, I probably wouldn't make any of the patterns here. Some of them are pretty unappealing, and there's no multicolor sweater pattern that I really like. (I do really like the multicolor scarf pictured on the cover.) If I make a multicolor sweater I'll be designing it myself.
February 2, 2015
I took a class in Brioche stitch and I have to admit that it is simply too difficult for my aging brain to learn to do, unless I wanted to do nothing but Brioche stitch. I have too much knitting to do in techniques that I love, and I do not love Brioche. I will never love Brioche. So, this book must go to someone who wants to knit Brioche.
August 10, 2011
Excellent! Dispite being distracted by other projects, I keep browsing through this book and am eager to try the techniques. See also her website http://briochestitch.com
December 24, 2018
Fantastic guide! I love when a knitting author includes details for both English and Continental knitters! Most of the books I've had show English, so requires a translation in my head of how to make it work for me. Not typically an issue, but with something like brioche, much appreciated!
November 12, 2024
This book is an incredibly comprehensive how-to for brioche! It is also a brioche stitch dictionary!
It ends with some really beautiful patterns (albeit all the sweaters are seamed. Ugh.).
It ends with some really beautiful patterns (albeit all the sweaters are seamed. Ugh.).
September 20, 2020
I usually use YouTube for guidance, however this guide is the best. There are many different brioche stitches and projects.
July 8, 2024
I’m afraid this is not for me.
I learnt a much easier way to achieve brioche (even in two colours) while I was a teenager living in Spain. And not only one method, but three.
It annoys me no end that this woman is heralded as the brioche Queen as if she had invented this traditional technique.
I’m currently doing a two colour brioche sweater with diagonal decorative seams and I’m not using any of the instructions on this book.
Why? BECAUSE YOU DON’T NEED TO! It just shows a too complicated way to achieve something that can be done in a much easier way.
I learnt a much easier way to achieve brioche (even in two colours) while I was a teenager living in Spain. And not only one method, but three.
It annoys me no end that this woman is heralded as the brioche Queen as if she had invented this traditional technique.
I’m currently doing a two colour brioche sweater with diagonal decorative seams and I’m not using any of the instructions on this book.
Why? BECAUSE YOU DON’T NEED TO! It just shows a too complicated way to achieve something that can be done in a much easier way.
July 18, 2010
I haven't picked up my needles and tried anything from this book yet. Having simply read through it, it looks great. The pictures of the techniques and swatches are excellent and numerous. I'm looking forward to having the time to tuck in with this book and give brioche a try!
August 3, 2016
Amazing! I finally learned how to knit with two colours using this stitch! So lovely! Wil definitely try it soon!
did-not-finish
November 19, 2015Hoo boy, I'm in over my head here.
June 14, 2024
Masterfully Executed With Everything You Need to Know to Begin Knitting Brioche
I had originally posted this 3 months ago while reading this. I still hold true to this even in the end of my reading this book
“Update:
I have 3 passions that border on obsessive.
1-Reading
2-Music
3-Artistic Development-This can consist of many components & mediums. Whether it’s a sketch, painting, pottery, quilting, sewing my own clothes from scratch, weaving-something made from fiber, yarn,: the possibilities are limited only by my own imagination.
Although I know this may take a while, this IS my time to learn this particular technique, taught by the master herself!”
As with any technical, learning, or skill-building manual/book, you can read it cover to cover 10 times, and still not have absorbed everything necessary to master the skills and techniques layered throughout the many chapters in the book. With in-depth details and graphic pictures provided here, I’m excited and itching to cast on a new project to the needles!
Until you actually put those skills and techniques into applied use, you still only possess the knowledge of what you wish to achieve.
I do have a strong understanding and grasp, for the concepts laid out here, but my confidence is high, that when combined with my prior, and extensive, knowledge of the art of knitting, along with the in-depth descriptions and techniques outlined in this book, I can comfortably state I’d handle the most basic of brioche knitting. It’s a start, and one that will involve a journey of many years of application and more studying, with Nancy Merchant being my number one go-to source, and inspiration. I will eventually master this particular style of knitting efficiently)!
Keep in mind this is more of a technical and institutional book, so you can’t really proceed as you would with a regular novel, or even some nonfiction works. How to achieve the many different combinations and forms out there involving the many varied brioche stitches and textures patterns, are showing step by step.
What better person to learn from, than the inventor/collabaraternof this newer artform of knitting!
I had originally posted this 3 months ago while reading this. I still hold true to this even in the end of my reading this book
“Update:
I have 3 passions that border on obsessive.
1-Reading
2-Music
3-Artistic Development-This can consist of many components & mediums. Whether it’s a sketch, painting, pottery, quilting, sewing my own clothes from scratch, weaving-something made from fiber, yarn,: the possibilities are limited only by my own imagination.
Although I know this may take a while, this IS my time to learn this particular technique, taught by the master herself!”
As with any technical, learning, or skill-building manual/book, you can read it cover to cover 10 times, and still not have absorbed everything necessary to master the skills and techniques layered throughout the many chapters in the book. With in-depth details and graphic pictures provided here, I’m excited and itching to cast on a new project to the needles!
Until you actually put those skills and techniques into applied use, you still only possess the knowledge of what you wish to achieve.
I do have a strong understanding and grasp, for the concepts laid out here, but my confidence is high, that when combined with my prior, and extensive, knowledge of the art of knitting, along with the in-depth descriptions and techniques outlined in this book, I can comfortably state I’d handle the most basic of brioche knitting. It’s a start, and one that will involve a journey of many years of application and more studying, with Nancy Merchant being my number one go-to source, and inspiration. I will eventually master this particular style of knitting efficiently)!
Keep in mind this is more of a technical and institutional book, so you can’t really proceed as you would with a regular novel, or even some nonfiction works. How to achieve the many different combinations and forms out there involving the many varied brioche stitches and textures patterns, are showing step by step.
What better person to learn from, than the inventor/collabaraternof this newer artform of knitting!
February 10, 2019
I am an avid knitter and have been knitting for about eight years now, but I have never tried knitting brioche. I saw a brioche pattern that I want to knit late last year, started planning for it, and picked up this book so I can learn about the technique and work my way up to making a two-color brioche shawl. After reading this, I can honestly say that I feel ready to start making practice swatches and refer to the book for guidance when needed.
Marchant has written a comprehensive guide that includes photos, charts, and written instructions so that people can follow her guide in the way that makes the most sense to them. She also includes a list of abbreviations and chart symbols. I never use knitting charts unless I’m knitting a color work pattern because I find regular pattern charts confusing, so I can’t tell you if her charts make sense. However, I can tell you that her written instructions and photos demonstrating those instructions do make a lot of sense. I now feel comfortable with trying the technique and working my way up to knitting brioche with two colors.
In addition to being a guide, Marchant also includes a bit of history about brioche and some tips before she begins to guide her readers. There are also several patterns included for readers to knit based on their comfort level with the technique, which is wonderful, especially when readers move from practicing the technique to knitting a full-fledged project. All in all, this is a great book to have in your collection as you enter the world of brioche knitting.
Marchant has written a comprehensive guide that includes photos, charts, and written instructions so that people can follow her guide in the way that makes the most sense to them. She also includes a list of abbreviations and chart symbols. I never use knitting charts unless I’m knitting a color work pattern because I find regular pattern charts confusing, so I can’t tell you if her charts make sense. However, I can tell you that her written instructions and photos demonstrating those instructions do make a lot of sense. I now feel comfortable with trying the technique and working my way up to knitting brioche with two colors.
In addition to being a guide, Marchant also includes a bit of history about brioche and some tips before she begins to guide her readers. There are also several patterns included for readers to knit based on their comfort level with the technique, which is wonderful, especially when readers move from practicing the technique to knitting a full-fledged project. All in all, this is a great book to have in your collection as you enter the world of brioche knitting.
January 17, 2020
This is an extremely thorough guide for all kinds of brioche knitting. I had heard of Nancy before as being a designer that brought this style of knitting back to the forefront, and didn't realize until I read this how the trend must have progressed: she's an American expat living in the Netherlands, some years later Stephen West (he of current wild and fun brioche knitting designs) also moves to the Netherlands, and they have collaborated as well. It was pretty ironic going through this book and realizing that, now that I'm also an expat in NL and I've already run into Stephen a few times, I now must keep an eye out for Nancy. This book is a must have if you want to really get into this style- the directions are very clear, her website is also a good resource to use, and while every sweater in here is seamed, some of them are worth buying this for alone.
February 2, 2018
Fascinating system of knitting!
This Brioche knitting system is fascinating and this is an excellent book to introduce you to the fantastic new world. The book contains a history of the Brioche knitting and then explains step by step how to do the different styles. Starting with the basics, you are guided with both diagrams and photographs. Culminating in several projects, with step by step instructions, diagrams, and photographs to assist you with completing your projects successfully. Recommendations are made throughout for success!
This Brioche knitting system is fascinating and this is an excellent book to introduce you to the fantastic new world. The book contains a history of the Brioche knitting and then explains step by step how to do the different styles. Starting with the basics, you are guided with both diagrams and photographs. Culminating in several projects, with step by step instructions, diagrams, and photographs to assist you with completing your projects successfully. Recommendations are made throughout for success!
March 12, 2021
Can someone tell me how to read this book? I have also enrolled the author’s Craftsy course about brioche knitting, but both the book and the course are very hard to understand. The contents look very detailed but are everywhere, and no pictures of basic stitches. I followed the basic stitches then only found out that there’s no instructions on bind-off. The book only talked about how to bind of ribs with conventional bind-off, but with the very first “plain brioche stitch” there’s no instructions. I don’t know which should use burp which should use brk... Just so confusing.
October 10, 2020
Beautiful and useful book
This is the best book brioche book on the market, and after watching Nancy’s class on Craftsy and reading this book, I am ready to take on more challenging brioche projects. The instructions in the book are useful and the patterns are beautiful and intriguing.
This is the best book brioche book on the market, and after watching Nancy’s class on Craftsy and reading this book, I am ready to take on more challenging brioche projects. The instructions in the book are useful and the patterns are beautiful and intriguing.
January 24, 2019
I have Marchant's other book, Knitting Fresh Brioche, which I find to be much more helpful to the beginning brioche knitter (me). The instructions and organization of this book are hard to follow in comparison.
November 9, 2017
Brioche stitch is beautiful but so time-consuming!
October 26, 2018
Brioche knitting creates a different texture and depth to your knitting. Nancy is the best teacher of it out there!
January 2, 2019
Way more info than I expected on brioche knitting. I’d move to add this to my personal library as a resource. There is a well formed stitch dictionary and plenty of wearable patterns.
October 15, 2019
Very detailed book, beautiful pictures to show the difference between the stitches. Well set out and would be a great gift for the avid knitter.
January 30, 2020
This is THE guide to Brioche Knitting by the designer who brought this beautiful stitch to the knitting world. I found the instructions easy to follow. I'm so hooked on brioche.
October 6, 2023
Some of the diagrams can be a little terrifying, but once you get past that, it is very useful and helpful.
November 20, 2024
As a brioche newbie, some of those charts made my brain melt 🤯
June 4, 2025
I thought it was pretty good. Enough so, that I decided I probably won't be doing that stitch. Don't love the way it looks anyway.
August 7, 2014
I haven't yet started knitting from this book, though I have tried brioche knitting instructions from another source (Power Cables by Lily Chin), and I've pored over this book numerous times. My next knitting challenge for myself is to knit brioche. Marchant provides a huge array of variations on this stitch, as well as some beautiful object patterns to try, from simple to (in my view) super-challenging. The stitch is not an easy one, it's a challenge to learn, and especially tricky as far as correcting errors. So this isn't for the faint of heart or beginner - unless one is a beginner who wants to take off running and won't be put off by early disasters.
Read
December 22, 2010thus is a serious, hardcore, everything you need to know book. Basically inventing all the stitches surrounding Brioche. definitely the resource when I try this out but w/o a project in hand, it's not easy to figure out. The projects look so lush and thick, but also use a lot of yarn. I like the design of the Rembrandt neckpiece, but at 400g of heavy worsted, I'd need an amazing deal to be able to make it!
February 20, 2011
A fascinating look into this very "3-D" looking knitting. Very clear instructions and an interesting technique. The author has created new terms and corresponding abbreviations since some of the techniques are unique. And she has given them the cutest nicknames: "bark" for "brioche knit 1" and "burp" for "brioche purl 1." Love it!
March 20, 2012
Excellent, thorough, and clear coverage of brioche stitch. Any type of decrease and increase, one color or two, are included here. There were so many variations, I couldn't remember them all. Great reference.
January 21, 2015
If you are dyslexic, skip this book. You will not be able to read Marchant's abbreviations or make any sense of her Japanese-inspired(!?!) chart symbols. This form of knitting clearly requires a video of the technique in action. The photos were not very helpful. FAIL.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews