Bark your Bark

I’ve just spent a week teaching myself Brioche knitting. It’s been a booger. I’ve lost count of the number of tries that little orange and blue  swatch took – but it’s at least ten. No wonder the pattern is called “Alien”!

Brioche terminology is also alien. Beyond the barking and burping, there are brkyobrk’s and brRsl dec’s and br8st inc’s. Oh, and how about the sl1yo which sounds straightforward until you realize that it is performed differently depending on whether you just knit or purled. There is also LS LC or DS LC or, how about DS LC and DS DC???

Strangely, I am actually writing to encourage all who have not tried this to try it!! There are so many beautiful patterns………..

Stephen West’s spectacular “Briochevron” Shawl or Shlanket

Nancy Marchant’s “Ring of Fire Cowl”

And, the moment the whole thing clicks and the pattern begins to emerge is ECSTASY!! I wouldn’t want you to miss that!!

(PS: If you are tempted, I highly recommend Nancy Marchant’s book Knitting Fresh Brioche, Nancy Marchant’s and Steven West’s patterns on Ravelry, and a few hours of total quiet.)

Two of my current projects-in-process are below:

“Aliens” by Nancy Marchant in Shibui Staccato and Silk Cloud

“Briochevron Shawl” by Stephen West in Freia and Mini Mochi

Just let me know if you’d like help getting started “brioching”. I’ll bring the wine and chocolate.