Book Review: Brioche Knitting Workshop

Brioche knitting is a fun technique that’s relatively easy once you know how it works. It’s been popular for a few years now as a way to make a super squishy, warm knit fabric that looks dramatic even in it’s simple forms but becomes something really unique when you add in shaping and other skills.

Lavanya Patricella is a big fan of brioche and has been teaching the techniques behind it for years. In Brioche Knitting Workshop she brings patterns and techniques for those totally new to brioche knitting as well as those looking to make more intricate projects.

The book covers the basics and notes that the easiest way to learn brioche knitting is working with two colors in the round because you don’t have to move your stitches around as much and working with two colors makes it easier to see what is happening with the stitches. From there you can move on to two color worked flat or a single color. The book includes lots of pictures to help you see all the techniques involved, with both English and continental methods shown.

The patterns are good for a range of skill levels, starting with a two-color in the round cowl with no shaping if you’ve never done brioche knitting before. There are hats in one and two colors, scarves in two colors with and without shaping, cowls with shaping and with two-color garter stitch as a contrast to the brioche, a syncopated shawl, mittens with brioche and garter stitch, a giant poncho and a pair of cozy socks, to name most of the patterns. You can find them all on Ravelry if you want to take a look.

These patterns are fun looking and include detailed instructions so brioche knitters of all skill levels should be able to complete them. Many use bulky yarn so you can finish projects quickly as you gain skills.

This book would be a great one to check out if you’re learning brioche knitting or want to go beyond the basics to some more complex but still totally approachable accessories.

About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 15 patterns. Published 2023 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99/

Next Pattern:

It’s been a while since I shared Easter basket knitting patterns last, so let’s look at some new (and easy!) Easter basket knitting patterns if you’re looking for something new to make this season.

I’m a big fan of little Easter baskets (and I’m pretty sure I shared my little Easter basket pattern before) and this one from Willow Knits is a cute one. It looks like sock yarn and it wouldn’t take much to make one of these tiny baskets. You can make a whole bunch with all your leftovers from your sock knitting adventures, or make them a little bigger with larger yarn or multiple strands held together.

Basketweave is a classic stitch pattern for a basket, and this one from square basket pattern from Noisy Needles Knitting is a great basic pattern that’s easy to customize. The one shown is 3.5 inches or 9 cm square and 2.1 inches or 5 cm tall, but the pattern includes instructions for making it any size you like. Adding a plastic container will make the sides stand up.

If you need a basket and some cute eggs to put in it, check out this pattern from Fitting in Knitting is a great choice. It uses heavy DK or worsted weight yarn and is mostly worked in stockinette stitch. If you don’t make it in super springy colors, you can use this one as a storage basket all year.

This colorful Easter basket from Patterns83 would be a great way to use up some yarn leftovers. It uses two strands held together to make a more stable basket, and as shown uses four colors of yarn.

And if you’re a fan of using a circular knitting machine, I’ve got an easy pattern on my blog for a circular knitting machine made Easter basket. This one is a small size, made with a 22-pin machine, but you could do the same thing on a bigger machine to make a larger version.

Knit a Giant Peep-Style Easter Bunny

Knitted Easter Bunny Pattern

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