Brioche Scarf Knitting Pattern

Brioche Scarf in Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet

What Is Being Made

This is an advanced knitting pattern for a brioche scarf designed to measure approximately 8½ inches wide by 65 inches long after blocking. The scarf showcases a sophisticated two-color brioche stitch technique using Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet yarn in two contrasting colors.

Brioche Stitch Technique

The brioche stitch is an advanced knitting technique that creates a reversible, textured fabric with excellent drape and elasticity. This pattern employs a two-color brioche construction, alternating between a main color (MC) and contrasting color (CC) across rows. The technique involves working yarn overs and decreases in a coordinated pattern that builds dimensional texture.

The brioche stitch setup begins with a 1x1 ribbed foundation worked over two rows. The main brioche pattern then repeats across four rows, with the scarf worked flat on circular needles (though not in the round). Each row involves specific yarn-over placements—where yarn is laid under the needle to the front, a stitch is slipped purlwise, and yarn is returned over the needle to the back—combined with knit or purl decreases that create the characteristic brioche texture.

Key to successful brioche knitting is proper gauge. This pattern requires a gauge of 16.5 stitches and 48 rows over 4 inches in brioche stitch on US Size 8 needles after blocking. The pattern notes that each knit stitch visually represents 2 rows, which is characteristic of brioche construction. Light steam blocking (not heavy blocking) is recommended for the gauge swatch to achieve accurate measurements.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – fundamental stitch for creating the fabric base
• Purl stitch (p) – used in alternating rows for texture variation
• Slip stitch (sl) – slipped purlwise to create brioche yarn-over sequences
• Yarn over (yo) – laid under and over the needle to create the characteristic brioche loops
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used throughout the brioche pattern
• Purl two together (p2tog) – a decrease worked on purl rows
• Slip stitch with yarn in front (sl wyif) – used on specific rows for proper stitch orientation
• Slip stitch with yarn in back (sl wyib) – used on specific rows for proper stitch orientation
• Long-tail cast-on – creates the foundation edge
• 1x1 ribbing – worked at the beginning for the brioche setup

Materials

The scarf requires Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet 100, with one 100-gram skein each of two colors: color 14 (main color) and color 6 (contrasting color). Happy Feet 100 is a yarn suitable for creating the gauge and drape required for brioche stitch work.

Needles required are US Size 8 (5mm) in either a 16-inch or 24-inch circular needle length. A circular needle is essential for this pattern, as it accommodates the two-color brioche technique, though the scarf is worked flat rather than in the round. The circular needle allows for easy stitch sliding between rows, which is a key feature of brioche stitch construction.

Pattern Construction

The pattern begins with a long-tail cast-on of 35 stitches worked with both needle ends held together, creating a loose cast-on edge. After the initial 1x1 ribbed setup rows, the four-row brioche repeat is worked continuously until the scarf reaches 65 inches in length. The pattern concludes with a loose bind-off in the main color, followed by weaving in all ends.

This advanced brioche scarf pattern is ideal for experienced knitters seeking to master reversible, textured colorwork techniques with sophisticated drape and visual interest.