Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Knit a Boxy Brioche Sweater

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Brioche knitting has been super popular for a few years now and it doesn’t feel like it’s going away. I haven’t done a lot of brioche knitting (if you haven’t either, I have a super simple brioche knit headband at Our Daily Craft you can use to learn the basics), and it’s always been on my list to knit a brioche sweater.

The Candela Sweater from Ginko B. looks like a great option for those taking a first foray into brioche garment knitting. It’s a boxy sweater worked in worsted weight yarn, so it shouldn’t be too fiddly and should actually be a pretty fast knit once you get the hang of it.

Brioche in worsted weight is so squishy and nice, this is sure to become a favorite sweater. It’s meant to be oversized and has balloon sleeves for even more volume, and a wide neckline that makes it easy to layer on top of all sorts of things. The edgings are worked in I-cord so they don’t distract from the squish of the brioche, but still give the piece a finished look.

The sweater comes in 16 sizes with chest measurements ranging from 38 to 68 inches (97 to 173 cm). The pattern doesn’t indicate how much ease is recommended, so you can choose a little more or a little less as you like.

It also has options for doing the brioche with one color or two. The pattern notes say that people new to brioche knitting might like using two colors because it’s easier to see where you are in the pattern, but it’s up to you what kind of a look you’re going for and how much yarn you have.

You can grab a copy of the sweater pattern, and see variations using one color or two, on Ravelry.

And if you’re looking for more brioche knitting patterns, check out my (in need of an update!) brioche knitting roundup here.

[Photo: Ginko B.]

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Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.