Brioche Scarf in Novita Nordic Wool - Downloadable PDF

Brioche Scarf in Novita Nordic Wool – Free Knitting PDF Pattern

This free downloadable PDF pattern by designer Sisko Sälpäkivi guides knitters through creating a stunning two-colour brioche scarf using Novita Nordic Wool yarn. The finished scarf measures approximately 22 cm × 190 cm (8¾ in × 74¾ in), making it a generously long and cosy accessory perfect for cold-weather wear. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an excellent next step for knitters who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to explore the satisfying texture of brioche knitting.

What Is Being Made

The project is a long, rectangular knitted scarf worked in a two-colour brioche stitch pattern. The combination of two carefully chosen shades of Novita Nordic Wool creates a rich, reversible fabric with a deeply textured, squishy appearance that is characteristic of brioche knitting. The scarf begins and ends with a simple ribbing border, which neatly frames the central brioche panel and adds a polished, professional finish.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Novita Nordic Wool in two colourways — (544) Heather and (048) Rock, 150 g of each colour required
• Yarn Weight: DK weight, making this scarf relatively quick to knit while still producing a fabric with excellent drape and warmth
• Needles: Novita 3½ mm needles (UK 9½ / US 4), or the size needed to achieve the correct gauge; circular needles are used to accommodate the two-colour brioche technique, which requires sliding stitches back and forth

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Ribbing (k1, p1): A classic knit-one, purl-one rib is worked at the start of the scarf to create a neat, stretchy border. On wrong-side rows, stitches are worked as they appear — knit stitches are knitted and purl stitches are purled — maintaining the clean rib structure.
• Two-Colour Brioche Stitch: The main body of the scarf is worked in a two-colour brioche pattern, which is the defining technique of this design. Brioche knitting involves working yarn-overs paired with slipped stitches, then knitting those paired stitches together on the following row. This creates a deeply cushioned, reversible fabric with a beautiful, almost woven appearance when two contrasting colours are used.
• Slip Stitch Purlwise with Yarn Over (sl1yo): A foundational move in brioche knitting, this technique involves slipping a stitch purlwise while simultaneously bringing the yarn over the needle. These paired units are later resolved by knitting the yarn-over and slipped stitch together (brk), building the characteristic brioche texture row by row.
• Brk (Brioche Knit): Knitting together the yarn-over and the slipped stitch from the previous row, this is the core stitch of brioche fabric and is repeated throughout the main body of the scarf.
• Edge Stitches: Single edge stitches are maintained at both ends of every row using the Heather yarn, keeping the selvedges tidy and consistent throughout the work.
• Two-Colour Alternating Rows: The two-colour effect is achieved by alternating between Heather and Rock on right-side rows. After completing a row with one colour, stitches are slid back to the other end of the circular needle and the second colour is picked up — a clever technique that allows both colours to be carried without cutting yarn, and that gives the scarf its distinctive striped brioche look.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches of brioche, lightly stretched, equals 10 cm / 4 in. Because brioche fabric is naturally very elastic and compressible, measuring gauge with a slight horizontal stretch is essential to achieving the correct finished dimensions. Knitters are encouraged to swatch and adjust needle size as needed before casting on for the full scarf.

Pattern Construction Overview

The scarf is cast on using the Heather