| Knitting Brioche The Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch |
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| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
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Author: Nancy Marchant Date Published: 2009 Review Date: February 19, 2010
Who is this book for? Knitting Brioche the Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch perfectly illustrates one aspect of the unending pleasure in the craft of knitting. We knitters know we’ll never fully master all the innovations made possible with yarn and a pair of needles, but how many really understood the tantalizing potential of the Brioche stitch? In 1968, Barbara G. Walker described the Brioche stitch in A Treasury of Knitting Patterns in two paragraphs and two lines of pattern instructions. It was barely enough information to define the stitch and not nearly enough guidance to become proficient at it. When Nancy Marchant moved to the Netherlands in 1976, she learned patensteek from Dutch knitters. English speakers knew the stitch as Prime Rib, Shawl Stitch Oriental Rib, English Rib, Shaker Stitch, Patent Stitch, Fishermen’s Rib or Brioche Stitch. Nancy’s short articles in Vogue Knitting (Winter 1992-93) and Interweave Knits (Spring 2005) introduced American knitters to Brioche knitting, but I daresay only the intrepid few were able to fully grasp the intricacies of the stitch. Nancy’s new book, Knitting Brioche the Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch, is a comprehensive guide to the technique and variations of this intriguing knit stitch. This book has all the information you’ll need to knit Brioche with superb results.
What Yarns does it Feature? Don’t overlook the cautionary note from Nancy to use 100% non-super wash wool for knitting Brioche. The natural scales in the wool shaft help the stitches interlock, which prevents stretching. Smooth or slippery yarns may stretch out of shape. You’ll also need up to twice the quantity of yarn for Brioche stitch because each row is knit twice in Brioche knitting. Unquestionably, Brioche knitting “eats” yarn. However, all that yarn is what gives Brioche the lofty, cushiony and deep ribbed texture that makes this knitting so special.
What’s Inside? Brioche is well known and popular in the Netherlands, where knitters are as familiar with it as North American knitters are with the moss stitch. For most of us, learning to knit Brioche is almost like learning to knit all over again. In Knitting Brioche, Nancy introduces new knitting terminology with attendant abbreviations plus charting symbols with information on how to use charts for Brioche knitting. These unique abbreviations and symbols will require study and practice. The book opens with a discussion of the language of Brioche then transitions to the “how to”, which is supplemented with lots of detailed photographs. Nancy demonstrates the simple Brioche stitch in one color. Next you’ll learn to work Brioche with more than one color. The techniques for casting on, binding off, increasing, decreasing, and making cables are different if you are working in one color or more than one color, and these are described in detail in the technique chapters. All along the way, Nancy includes tips and tricks to help you learn. These hints will save you time and heartache, so pay attention when you see them.
Flip next to the stitch dictionary; you’ll be astounded to learn of the many textures and color variations you can achieve in Brioche. The stitches are photographed from the right and the wrong side, illustrating how different two sides of a stitch can be. The photography is crisp and precise; a necessary aid to self-study.
Whether or not you choose to design in Brioche, the pattern gallery is arranged to clarify how design elements can be used in Brioche. Nancy shows you how point, line, form, texture, and color can be used to inspire stunning projects. There are 25 projects including cardigans, pullovers, hats, scarves and even lacy openwork that will inspire you to persist in learning this remarkable stitch.
Using It
Best Advice The excellent photographs in this book will help you acquire the skills you need to knit Brioche. They’ll also help you expand your skill as you learn other stitches and how to work with color. Nancy Marchant’s specific written and charted instructions are absolutely necessary to understanding this stitch, but the outstanding annotated photographs set this book apart from other tutorials.
Recommendation If you’re “between projects” and looking for something to rejuvenate your interest in knitting, give Brioche knitting a try. This book will guide you through each step of learning. Start by learning the basic stitch. Turn that into a cushiony and luxurious scarf or a stunning cap, and keep going. The possibilities seem unlimited. By the time you return to your other knitting, you may need a refresher course! Overall Recommendation Adventurous knitters will deem this book a “must have” and rate it #10.
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Title: Knitting Brioche The Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch
Understanding that knitters hold their yarn and needles in many different ways, there are different sets of instructions for right handed knitters and left handed knitters. Each technique is presented in multiple formats for all types of learners, too. Nancy writes precise, clear instructions to describe all the maneuvers you’ll make to create the stitches. The stitch instructions are charted and written line by line. If you learn best by watching someone else, you can follow the clear photographs that show how the stitches are formed. Be patient and don’t “throw in the needles”. I spent an afternoon engrossed in learning this nifty stitch, feeling elated that I’d been able to learn on my own. I work on my swatch regularly, since I don’t want to lose my hard won skill. I knit on a strip of plain white wool that I hope will eventually turn into a scarf as Brioche becomes an automatic skill just as other stitches I’ve learned.
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