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/

It’s a common complaint among women and femme dressing folk that our clothes do not include enough (and enough useful) pockets. And even if your clothes do have good pockets, there’s always a chance that you’d rather have another pocket to put some essentials in rather than having to carry a whole bag.

But because we are knitters, we can take this problem into our own needles and knit ourselves some auxiliary pockets.

Beatrice Mase did just that, with a kind of fancy toolbelt pocket accessory that they call VELVET Pockets.

The stitch pattern has a plush, sort of velvet effect, thus the name, but it’s worked with regular fingering/sock weight yarn. (The sample uses wool, but you could experiment with other fibers, too.) It calls for 776 yards of 710 meters, which you might just have in your sock yarn stash.

The pattern includes several pockets of different sizes, with the main body of the pocket worked flat in one piece and the exterior pockets sewn on at the end. You also have the option of adding screw rivets and a coordinating clasp that make it look even more toolbelt chic.

The design is worked with a loop of knit fabric at the top so it can slide onto a belt. The pattern includes explanatory diagrams, photo and video tutorials and is adjustable to fit different sizes of belts.

It’s almost enough to make me want to start wearing belts again, even though I haven’t for years. Because who wouldn’t want a few extra little pockets to hold things when you don’t have enough to really justify carrying a bag around?

The pattern is available in English and French on Ravelry and you can also buy a kit complete with the yarn, rivets and clasp (the pattern is not included in the kit) direct on Etsy.

[Photo: Beatrice Mase]

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