Harlequin Cowl

I like a cowl to sit as snugly as possible around my neck, but I also like it to warm my shoulders. That's why I designed this one, that starts wide (around the shoulder), but gets narrower at the top (around the neck). It is knitted in two-colour brioche in the round and bottom (shoulder) up.

This knitting pattern is available via

• Ravelry 
• Payhip
• Loveknitting 

The PDF for this knitting pattern is 12 pages long and contains:

• row-by-row pattern instructions
• photo tutorials for the brioche increases and decreases you need to knit this piece:
• brk2inc
• brkLdec
• brkRdec
• brk4inc
• brk4dec 
• a chart of the main pattern repeat

In order to knit this pattern you should know how to knit two-colour brioche.

Inside View

To knit this cowl you need the following materials:

• a total of about 500 metres of light fingering weight yarn in two contrasting colors
• 3.5mm knitting needle (I used a 60 cm one in the beginning and a 40 cm one in the end – however, you can use longer ones using the Magic Loop technique)
• a cable needle (alternatively, a removable stitch marker) for the brk4dec stitch
• 16 stitch markers – one of them (the end of round-marker) different from the others

The finished (and blocked) piece measures 44 cm in height. It's circumference is 95 cm on the bottom and 52 cm on the top (unstretched; stretched, i.e. for putting it on, you can get it as wide as 62 cm).

I had the following gauge: 21 stitches gave 10 cm in width and 24 rows gave 10 cm in height.

Brioche Intersections Scarf

I love two-colour brioche - it is a gorgeous technique because it creates a lovely, squishy texture that is comfortable to wear. Plus, it can be used to create quite intricate patterns.

This pattern is for a beautiful wide scarf – and uses a stitch where two brk-columns cross to create a pattern of Xs.

The knitting pattern is available via

• Ravelry
• Loveknitting 
• Payhip

The pattern PDF is 16 pages long and contains

• row-by-row pattern instructions
• photo tutorials for the following brioche stitches
• brk2inc (two-stitch increase in brioche)
• brkLdec (left leaning two-stitch decrease in brioche) 
• brkRdec (right leaning two-stitch decrease in brioche) 
• brkX (combination of a two-stitch decrease and two-stitch increase in brioche - to create Xs)
• a schematic of the construction and the increase/decrease stitches

To knit a similar scarf you need the following materials

• a total of 310 grams of fingering weight yarn (i.e. about 155 grams of each color)– in two colours: I used two semi-solid yarns
• Wollmeise Pure (dark blue) 
• madelinetosh Tosh, Merino light, Frosty 470-O (very light mint)
• 3.25 mm knitting needles – straight with double points or circulars
• 2 stitch markers
• a tapestry needle for weaving in ends
  

The finished piece measures 155 cm in length and 42 cm in width (blocked).

As for gauge: in pattern 21 sts measured about 10 cm in width and 23 rows about 10 in height.

Herbstlaub

Two-colour brioche is a marvellous technique. It creates a lovely, squishy texture that is comforable to wear and it can be used to create quite intricate patterns – in case of this scarf irregular leaves, like the ones falling in autumn. (“Herbstlaub” is the german word for autumn leaves.)

The middle stripe effect is created by switching the dominant color in the middle of a row.

This knitting pattern is available via

• Ravelry 
• Payhip
• Loveknitting 

The pattern PDF is 14 pages long and contains

• row-by-row pattern instructions
• a schematic and a description of the pattern idea
• photo tutorials for the following brioche stitches
• brk4inc
• brkLdec
• brkRdec

In order to knit this pattern you should know how to knit two-colour brioche.

To knit a scarf like this you need the following materials:

• a total of 1000 metres of fingering weight yarn – in two colours; for two-color brioche I prefer (semi-)solid colors
  I used Wollmeise Pure Merino Superwash, two skeins (150grams each)
• 3.25 mm knitting needles – straight with double points or circulars
• 2 stitch markers
• a tapestry needle for weaving in ends

The finished piece measures 150 cm in length and 30 cm in width (unblocked) – and 160 cm in length and 35 in width (blocked). 

Gateways Cowl

When it's not really cold, but still a bit chilly, a thick scarf may be a bit too much. So a lightweight cowl that fits around the neck is the perfect accessoire. 

This cowl is knitted in the round in two-colour brioche. Two-colour brioche is a marvellous technique. With two contrasting colours you can create gorgeous effects and pattern. I especially love it, when brk-stitches cross and a lattice effect is created. The stitch used to do this can be combined in many ways. With this cowl it is combined with plain two-colour brioche to knit a diamond pattern at and offset.  

The finished cowl measures 61 cm in circumference and 29 cm in height. Using Lace weight wool and wool/silk blend, the finished piece weighs less than 50 grams.

The pattern PDF is available via

• Ravelry 
• Lovecrafts 
• Payhip

The pattern PDF is 8 pages long and contains:

• row-by-row pattern instructions
• a chart of a pattern repeat
• photo tutorial for brioche stitch that creates the lattice effect

To knit this cowl you should have a basic knowledge of knitting two-colour brioche.

Dark side (inside) of this cowl

To knit this cowl you will need the following materials

• about 400 metres (in total) of Lace weight yarn – in two colours. I used: 
• as LY: Lana Grossa Fine (color 19) - link to the yarn's Ravelry page
• as DY: West Yorkshire Spinners Exquisite Lace (color 741, Mayfair) - link to the yarn's Ravelry page
• 3 mm circular knitting needles (40 cm length)
• 2 stitch markers
• a tapestry needle for weaving in ends
  

Traverse Brioche Scarf

Two-colour brioche is a marvellous technique. It creates a lovely, squishy texture that is comforable to wear and it can be used to create quite intricate geometric patterns. 

This rectangular scarf is knitted with a criss-cross pattern, i.e. a stitch that combines increases and decreases, combined with a zigzag effect that is created by switching the dominant colour within the row. Since it is done in two-colour brioche, both sides look great.

This scarf is made with Lace weight yarn, which provides a light summery touch. The one I knitted (half alpace, half merino) only weighs 170 grams; it measures 150 cm in length and 45 cm in width.

The pattern PDF is available via

• Ravelry 
• Loveknitting
• Payhip

The pattern PDF is 9 pages long and contains

• row-by-row pattern instructions
• photo tutorials for the techniques you need for this piece:
• brk4inc
• brk4dec 
• brk4dec4inc
• a schematic / cheat-sheet that explains the increases and decreases for this pattern

In order to knit this pattern you should be familiar with basic two-colour brioche knitting.

To knit a scarf like this you need the following materials

• a total of about 1100 metres of lace weight yarn – in two colours,
  I used two (semi-)solid yarns: 
• as LY I used light green Holst Garn, Titicaca (colorway “Wasabi”) 
• as DY I used royal blue Wollmeise Lace (colorway “Kornblume”) 
• 3 mm knitting needles – circulars or other needles with two points
• 2 stitch markers 
• a cable needle or a clippy stitch marker – for some of the brk4dec4inc and brk4dec stitches
• tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Crossbeams Cowl

 Two-colour brioche is a marvellous technique. It creates a lovely, squishy texture that is really comforable to wear. Plus, it can be used to create quite intricate geometric patterns. 

For this cowl a criss-cross pattern is used, a stitch that combines an increase and a decrease.  Since it is brioche, both sides will look nice.  

The whole piece is knitted flat and the end product will look seamless. This means that it starts with a provisional cast-on and is finished by grafting in two-colour brioche. 

The pattern PDF is available via

• Ravelry
• Lovecrafts 
• Payhip

This pattern PDF is  pages long and contains

• row-by-row pattern instructions
• a chart of a pattern repeat
• photo tutorials for the techniques you need for this piece:
• brk4dec4inc
• provisional cast on (with crochet hook and scrap yarn)
• grafting in two-colour brioche

To knit this cowl (in double length, i.e. to fit twice around your neck) you will need the following materials

• a total of 180 grams  (about 730 metres) of fingering weight yarn – in two colours, i.e. 90 grams of each color; I used Malabrigo sock yarn (merino) 
• 3.5 mm knitting needles – circulars or other needles with two points
• a cable needle
• crochet hook and scrap yarn
• a tapestry needle for grafting and weaving in ends

Zaunkönig

I love brioche knitting because it creates a wonderfully fluffy fabric. In two colors it can  also get gorgeous geometric patterns. I especially love the stitch used here because it creates a gorgeous lattice or fence effect. And that effect is where the name comes from – Zaunkönig (the German name of the eurasian wren) literally means king of the fence. Here, it has been used to create a mixture of a cowl and a poncho.

The color combination is far out of my comfort zone - and was coincidental. I had ordered a lovely royal blue lace weight yarn from Wollmeise and needed something as a contrast color. Because of Covid, I only went once into one local yarn store (and that was in high summer when incidents were low and everybody worked with open doors and windows) and had to decide there and then with "only" the yarn that was there to choose from. I guess without that "pressure" I wouldn't have bought the Wasabi green. Now - that I've knitted this piece (and started another project with the same yarns - see Ravelry project page here) - I absolutely love the color combination and I am quite happy that I was "forced" (by myself if at all) to buy this yarn. 

The pattern PDF is available on

• Ravelry
• Loveknitting 
• Payhip

It is 8 pages long and contains:

• row-by-row knitting instructions for this piece in one size (height 43 cm, circumference top 58 cm, circumference bottom edge 116 cm, you can change the circumference by chanigng the number of stitches to cast on, but if you follow the pattern the piece will we twice as wide at the bottom than at the top)
• charts
• photo tutorials of the brioche stitches that you need to knit this cowl
• brkX - the brioche stitch that gives the lattice effect
• brk2inc - a brioche increase by 2 stitches (in a brk-row)
• brp2inc - a brioche increase by 2 stitches (in a brp-row)

To knit this, you need the following materials

• a total of about 800 metres of Lace weight yarn in two colours
  I used two solid colors 
• the dark blue is Wollmeise Lace (colourway "Kornblume")
• the bright green is Holst Garn Titicaca (colourway "Wasabi")
• 3mm circular knitting needles

Crossings Shawl

I've always wanted to created a half-circle(-ish) shawl in brioche, but it took me a while to think of a pattern with the appropriate number of increases. 

In general,  Two-colour brioche is a marvellous technique. It creates a lovely, squishy texture that is comforable to wear and it can be used to create quite intricate geometric patterns. 

This shawl is started with only a few stitches at the top center and knitted (and increased) outward. That way the size is easily adaptable - and the pattern can also be used for a different yarn weight.

The pattern PDF is available on

• Ravelry
• Loveknitting 

The pattern PDF is 8 pages long and contains:

• row-by-row pattern instructions
• photo tutorials for the brioche increases and decreases you need for this piece:
• brk2inc – a brioche increase
• brkX – brioche stitch that creates the lattice effect

If you want to knit this pattern you should know how to knit flat two-colour brioche.

To knit this shawl you need the following materials: 

• a total of 360 grams (or 1550 metres) of fingering weight yarn – in two (semi-)solid colours:
  I used Zwerger Opal Uni Solid – in the following colourways  
• DY: 5192 dunkelbraun (dark brown) 
• LY: 9932 himmelblau (light blue)
• You can use a different yarn weight – the only thing that you have to adapt is the needle size (slightly bigger than the yarn calls for)
• 3.75 mm knitting needles – preferably long circulars 
• 4 stitch markers
• a tapestry needle for weaving in ends

This gave me a shawls that measures about 62 cm in depth  and about 170 cm in width (measured from tip to tip).

WS of Crossings Shawl

Diamond Lattice Cowl

Two-colour brioche is a marvellous technique. It creates a lovely, squishy texture that is comforable to wear and it can be used to create quite intricate geometric patterns.

This cowl is knitted in the round with diamond shapes in a lattice pattern. 

 

The pattern is available via

• Ravelry 
• Loveknitting 
• Payhip

The pattern PDF is 9 pages long and contains

• row-by-row instructions
• a chart of one pattern repeat
• photo tutorials of the brioche increases and decreases that you need for this cowl
• brk2Ldec (left-leaning brioche decrease)
• brk2Rdec (right-leaning brioche decrease)
• brk2inc (brioche increase)
• brkX (brioche stitch that creates the lattice effect) 

If you want to knit this pattern, you should already know how to knit two-colour brioche in the round.

You need the following materials to knit this cowl:

• about 260 to 300 grams of DK weight yarn (in total) – in two colours: I used two (semi-)solid yarns: Supertwist by Nurturing Fibres (link to the yarn's Ravelry page):
• as LY I used light grey (colorway “Driftwood”) 
• as DY I used pink (colorway “Ouma's Quilt”) 
• 4.5 mm circular knitting needles
• 22 stitch markers – one of them different
• a tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Tulpenzwiebeln Scarf

A while ago, I became quite obsessed with two-colour brioche – so obsessed that I even ventured far out of my colour comfort zone. This scarf is a fun and colorful two-colour brioche project – and once you get into the rhythm, the pattern is easy to remember.
You start with a few stitches and increase until the scarf has the width you like. That's why it can easily be used with other yarn weights as well.
As to the name, "Tulpenzwiebeln" is the German word for tulip bulbs.

The pattern PDF is available for purchase

• on Ravelry, 
• on Lovecrafts and
• on Payhip. 

It is 9 pages long and contains:

• row-by-row pattern instructions
• photo tutorial for the following brioche stitches: 
• brk2inc
• brk6inc
• working a brk6inc in the next row 
• brk6Ldec
• brk2Ldec (on top of a brk6Ldec) 
• a schematic of the construction and the increase/decrease stitches

To knit this pattern you need the following knitting skills:

• basic two-colour brioche

The following materials are necessary to knit this scarf:

• 150 to 200 grams of fingering weight yarn (in at least two colors) –  the pattern is written in a way, that you can use it for other yarn weights as well
• 3.25 mm knitting needles – straight with double points or circulars
• a tapestry needle for weaving in ends

The scarf I knitted is (blocked) 210 cm long and 19 to 21 cm wide. It is constructed in a way that you start with a few stitches only – and you gradually increase until your scarf is as wide as you want it to be.

Bärentatzen Scarf

Ever since I knitted a brioche-lace combination for my Mum (see Luftbläschen Scarf) I wanted to do another project that incorporated both techniques.
So, here’s another scarf that combines the fluffiness of brioche with the elegance of lace - and because it’s brioche, it’s reversible. Once you get the hang of it, its fun to do - and I really like the result .

As to the name, the stitch pattern reminded me of certain piped chocolate biscuits that are tradional here, called Bärentatzen (which literally translates to bear claws, but American bear claws are a different bakery item). The photo at the end of this post shows Bärentatzen.

The pattern is available as a PDF

• on Ravelry, 
• on Loveknitting, 
• on Payhip and 
• on Gumroad.

It is 10 pages long and contains:

• the complete written patterns to knit this scarf
• a chart of the pattern repeats
• photo tutorials for the following stitches /stitch combinations
• brk4stdec: a double centred decrease in brioch
• brk2stLdec: a left-leaning decrease in brioche
• brk2stRdec: a right-leaning decrease in brioche
• sl1yo, yo, brk: i.e. a yarn-over between two stitches when knitting brioche
• kp1, i.e. knitting two stitches of the sl1yo, yo into the yarn-over of the row below
• yo, sl1yo, brk: also a yarn-over between two stitches in brioche, but in a different sequence to make the pattern look symmetrical on the other side
• pk1, i.e. knitting two stitches of the yo, sl1yo into the yarn-over of the row below

Skills you need to finish this scarf

• knitting brioche (in one color)
• a certain stamina while knitting - this is knitted in lace weight yarn and brioche, i.e. it grows extremely slow

Materials

• about 250 to 300 grams of Lace weight yarn (I used Wollmeise lace, colorway Hamam)
• 3.25 mm knitting needles
• 1 removable stitch marker (or a bobby pin) to do the 4st brioche decrease
• a tapestry needle to weave in ends

Luftbläschen Brioche and Lace Scarf

This year my Mum wanted a new scarf for her birthday. So I took her to the yarn store and asked her to select whatever yarn she wanted. She choose a beautiful purple wool/silk mix in Lace weight. I wanted to knit something with a bit of structure, but I soon found that the yarn didn't lend itself to this and was better suited to a lacy pattern. In the end I settled for a combination of brioche and lace stitches – and I am very pleased with it.

It results in an elegant and squishy scarf with a reversible lace pattern that looks the same from both sides.

As to the name, Luftbläschen is the German word for little air bubbles.

The pattern PDF is available via

• Ravelry and 
• Loveknitting
• Payhip and
• Gumroad.

This pattern pdf is 5 pages long and contains:

• the complete written patterns to knit this scarf
• photo tutorials for the stitches and stitch combinations that are used in this pattern 
• yarn over between brioche stitches and how to knit it
• a left-leaning decrease in brioche

Skills you need to knit this pattern:

• knitting brioche (in one color)
• a certain stamina while knitting - this is knitted in lace weight yarn and brioche, i.e. it grows extremely slow

To knit this you need the following materials 

• about 160 grams of Lace weight yarn (around 1300 meters) - for the piece in the pictures I used West Yorkshire Spinners Exquisite Lace (here's a link to the yarn's Ravelry page)
• 3mm knitting needles
• 4 stitch markers plus 1 removable stitch markers
• a tapestry needle to weave in ends