Dive into the Deep End of Brioche Knitting

I have only done really basic brioche knitting (pretty much just straight pieces in one or two colors) and it’s a lot of fun but I’ve been hesitant to do a project with shaping because it looks scary.

Of course I know it’s only knitting and like any new skill it’s only intimidating until you try it, so maybe my winter project will be something a little more complex.

If you’re ready to dive into the deep end of the brioche pool, check out Deep End by Michele Bernstein. This two-color hat sis worked from the bottom up and includes both left and right leaning brioche double decreases, if you wanted to know what the deep end looks like.

There’s also lots of simple ribbing and two different motifs — a staghorn style cable and a gull stitch variation. There are a couple of different options for the top.

Being brioche this is a super stretchy project so it will fit a variety of heads, and three sizes are included. It’s worked in worsted weight yarn for extra warmth and squish.

Grab the pattern on Ravelry or Payhip.

[Photo: Michele Bernstein.]

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I know knitting a dress sounds like a major time commitment. And that’s before I even tell you that this particular dress, the Sixth Ave Skater Dress by Briana Luppino, is worked in light fingering weight yarn.

But would you just take a moment to look at it and tell me if it doesn’t look like it would be worth all the time you would spend knitting it? And it’s miles of stockinette stitch so it’s actually beginner friendly and a great semi-mindless knit you can take with you on your travels this summer and wear when it is done.

The dress is worked from the top down with tank straps, a scoop neck, waist shaping and a flowy skirt for a fun and comfortable fit.

The pattern has 10 sizes, with finished bust measurements ranging from 28 to 64 inches, or 71.5 to 163 cm. The sample shown was worked with 4 inches/10 cm of negative ease at the bust, and the designer says most people like between 2 and 6 inches/5 to 15 cm of negative ease in the bust and around 10 inches/25.4 cm positive ease in the hips.

(To refresh your memory, negative ease means the measurement of the garment is smaller than your actual body measurement, while positive ease is bigger than your body.)

To pick a size you’d work from the bust measurement because you can always add more or fewer decreases as you need to get your desired fit at the waist and hips. And because it’s worked from the top down you can try it on as often as you like to make sure it’s the perfect fit.

The I-cord edgings give the dress a super casual feel, and I think this would be a great one to add to your summer rotation. (Yes, even with a wool blend yarn.)

You can see lots of cute finished versions and grab a copy of the pattern for yourself on Ravelry.

[Photo: Briana Luppino]

Book Review – Knitted Tanks and Tunics

How to Knit a Simple Sweater Dress

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