I have played around with brioche in my knitting life, and I will admit that in the past I have not been the biggest fan of this intriguing way of creating a rich, deep fabric with yarn and needles.
Perhaps it’s because I’m gluten free?
I’d read articles by Nancy Marchant, which were fascinating, but never really grabbed me the way that Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark’s new book, Brioche Chic, has sparked my imagination.
Clear
Brioche can be a complex subject, and Mercedes breaks down the process of creating lovely one and two-colored brioche in simple, easier to comprehend bits.
The book itself is bright, light and cheerful – which would make it a terrific gift for a knitter on your list who is ready to move into a new technique – with very clear illustrations, many charts (love that!) and excellent photography of the garments and details.
The book is also available as an ebook, which I love because it allows the knitter to make the text large and the charts even larger as I knit!
Fun
I loved the patterns in this book!
Ostensibly a technique book, it’s really a book of amazing patterns that just happen to be worked using the brioche technique.
I especially loved the accessories sprinkled through the book, although I may be giving the Lattice Edged Cardigan a go (I’m DIGGING that lapels/collar simple shaping!)
Intriguing
The use of 2 colors to show off the beauty of brioche might actually make this possibly-daunting technique more accessible to the average knitter than they might think!
In much the same way as when working double knitting, two colors makes the technique pop!
I feel the same could be true of brioche. This seems especially notable in the deceptively simple Colorblock Pullover.
Yarns
Mercedes has done a wonderful job of marrying lovely, well-matched yarns to the projects.
(I especially loved the O-Wool (Flame Cable Scarf & Hat), and the Fancy Tiger Heirloom Yarn (Star-Crown Beret)
With a background as a shop owner AND a yarn dyer, Mercedes is well placed to fit the best yarn with the appropriate pattern, and it shows here!
The Down Side
Having said that I love this book – and I do – I don’t think the charts are as helpful as they might be (and I’m a chart LOVER!)
I felt a bit intimidated by the charts, which is a very unusual feeling for me.
However, I’m not sure there IS a way to make Brioche Charts less formidable.
Perhaps that will be Mercedes next book…
Simple Charted Brioche!
Giveaway
I’d like to give a copy of this book to a happy reader, simply tell me if you’ve ever tried Brioche, and if so, how did it go for you…?
Leave your comments in the section below, anyone who comments is eligible (even if you’ve never worked Brioche, leave THAT as your comment!)
I’ll be determining the winner this coming Saturday, and will announce it on the Blog on Monday. So comment away – and good luck!
I have never tried brioche. I have given it a cursory look a few times, but never grabbed yarn and cast it on.
I’ve never tried brioche stitches or patterns, but am intrigued by them. I’m more of a 1-color girl when knitting and so many of the patterns use 2 colors – garments like that don’t really fit in my everyday go-to wardrobe, That said, the turquoise sweater and the copper cardigan both appeal to me. In fact, I want to start the turquoise one NOW – maybe in Sherlock’s Kitchen!
That is one of the few knitting stitches that I have not used. Would like to try though.
I’ve made several of the brioche watchcaps from Elizabeth Zimmerman’s “Knitting Without Tears.” I’ve never tried any of the multicolor stitches, but would love to learn how from this book!
I love the look of brioche, but haven’t yet summoned up the courage to try. Maybe this book, which sounds wonderful, will be the answer?
I’ve tried and frogged a brioche top. Partly because I couldn’t understand the stitch and partly because of the wrong yarn. It’s about time I try again!
Years ago I made a hat of variegated yarn in brioche stitch. It must have been a flat knit because I came to love the rhythmic yo, k2tog process. The hat was cute but not very warm because of its open texture. I needed better patterns. Recently I tried brioche stitch socks from a book and discovered brioche in the round isn’t as fun, or maybe it was the difficulty of fixing mistakes in fingering weight yarn with my recent bad vision. These photos are lovely, and make me want to give brioche another try but in at least DK yarn.
What a coincidence! I just started experimenting with a simple, one color project. This book sounds interesting Nd would be helpful in my quest to try two color brioche. Thanks for sharing this book and doing a give away.
I’ve never done brioche BUT I do have a Craftsy class on the subject that is waiting to be watched when I’ve cleared a few of the other classes waiting to be watched. (Am I the only one with masses of Craftsy classes that haven’t been watched yet???)
Nope. You are only one of many. I keep getting sucked in to these wonderful instructors and classes, too. I do believe that I will succeed at mastering all of them. The instructors selected by Craftsy are THE BEST!!! They really know what they’re doing!!!
I’ve never tried brioche although I’ve looked at it in the past so I would love to have this book
I haven’t tried Brioche, but I have knit several of Mercedes’ patterns, and she’s a great designer. I’d love to try these Brioche pieces! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
New book, new stitch pattern. Could be one way to fight the cold, winter days!?!
I haven’t yet tried brioche kniting. This book has me intrigued, though!
Haven’t tried brioche yet, but am always reading up on the “how-to” and have several projects in queue for whenever I’m ready. (I’ve done fisherman’s rib, however, which produces a similar fabric even though the stitch manipulation is quite different).
Thank you for the drawing. My fingers are crossed!
I tried a top from a Interweave Knits magazine, but gave up. It was cotton and hard on the hands. I love Mercedes’ garter sweater with a brioche collar. Hope I get the book. Thanks for the chance Annie. Hope G’s tests went well. Were you on time? ;
I’ve been looking at brioche projects and wanted to try something but the patterns I’ve seen have been very intimidating. Maybe just start with a hat in one color…
Since I have vowed “no new yarn until a visible dent has been made in the stash”, it would be so much fun to learn a new stitch to switch off from the vanilla socks and hats I’ve been knitting!
I am enrolled in Mercedes’ and Nancy’s Craftsy classes on Brioche Knitting. I would love to win this book of patterns!
I’ve never tried brioche. I’ve seen it on knitting shows (Knitting Daily, etc) but could never quite wrap my mind around it. I guess I just need to grab some left-over yarn and just GO FOR IT. Should be entertaining (I believe that is pronounced “frustrating”) if nothing else…LoL
I’ve never tried brioche, but look forward to doing so. I’m particularly interested in the lapeled cardigan from the book.
I avoided brioche until last Christmas when the hat pattern, Frost on Leaves, called to me in such a strident voice that I succumbed. It was much easier than I had thought and came out beautifully! I know I’ll knit more and the designs in this book are lovely inspiration.
I’ve never tried brioche before but it looks interesting.
I’ve always wanted to trim brioche but have not yet taken the plunge.
I haven’t tried brioche but am very intrigued…..that cardi is really pretty!
I love brioche and have made several tams and scarves. Never a garment though! I would like the book very much.
I’m not much one for larger project, but one of those sweaters … I love 2-colour brioche (you should see the white and violet snood I made for my Mini-Schnauzer for our super cold winters!). 2 colours are easy, but one is well advised, when knitting in the round in one colour, to put in a stitch marker to mark the beginning of a new round. Sure would like that book …
I’ve used the ‘knit one below’ technique, and thought that was brioche, but have recently seen Mercedes on Knitting Daily and realized that brioche is a bit different.
So, I don’t think I’ve done it this way before, but I’m not sure!
Thank you so much for offering this book!
I love Brioche! However, I prefer written instructions instead of charts for some reason.
I have not tried it but I am always tempted by it, just can’t make the commitment.
As it happens, I’m going to take a beginning brioche class this weekend at my lys. I think this book would be a great addition to that!
Oh, yeah, I tried it! In the round, to make a hat. The first couple of inches were ALL WRONG, although they had a je ne c’est quoi of their own. Then I figured out the problem and managed to complete the rest more or less correctly, although I admit to being confused every time I got to a new row. But I enjoyed it! and it is wearable. This book looks intriguing.
I like brioche but have only knit hats, tams and scarves. I would love a garment idea!
I took a Brioche class and really enjoyed it but never made anything. Perhaps this book could be the ticket . . .
I’ve have yet to try it, but would love to! 🙂
I’ve tried it and it did not go well. This books sounds like something I could make good use of.
I haven’t tried brioche stitch but somehow I keep reading about it without fully understanding how to do it.
I have never tried it before, but the cardigan looks very nice! Maybe my first try???
Like you, I am gluten-free so have never tried this stitch!
My attempt at brioche knitting was during a craftsy class on the same. No matter how much I paused the video or looked at the notes I felt lost. At the end I only produced one swatch which I use as a coaster at work. I’m up for a challenge and some of the patterns featured from this book are amazing. Thank you for the chance to win.
I’ve never attempted brioche, probably because I’ve never found a “must knit” project using that technique. The Lattice Edge Cardigan may be what puts me over the edge, though!
Would be so much fun to knit the brioche hat in green.