Color Me Plaid Brioche Wrap

Color Me Plaid Brioche Wrap

What Is Being Made

The Color Me Plaid Brioche Wrap is a fully reversible knitted shawl designed by Renate Kamm, measuring 28" x 62". This intermediate-level project creates a sophisticated plaid pattern through a syncopated 4-color brioche design, making it a versatile accessory suitable for year-round wear.

Brioche Knitting Technique

This wrap showcases brioche knitting, a specialized technique that creates a distinctly textured, reversible fabric. The brioche method involves working stitches together with their corresponding yarnovers, producing a dimensional, elastic fabric that looks identical on both sides. What makes this brioche wrap special is the fully wrapping up and over stitch on the right-hand needle, which is fundamental to achieving the brioche texture.

The design employs a syncopated color-change system that simplifies the knitting process. Color changes are preceded by groups of garter stitches, which serve as visual markers and make the syncopating process easy to remember and execute. These garter stitch sections are later decorated vertically by pulling purple colored strands of yarn through the purl bumps, adding an additional decorative element to the finished piece.

Stitches Used

• bSl1 (brioche slip): Slip stitch as if to purl with yarn forward, creating the foundation for brioche stitches
• brk (brioche knit): Knit the stitch together with its yarnover to create the brioche knit stitch
• brp (brioche purl): Purl the stitch together with its yarnover to create the brioche purl stitch
• Garter stitch: Used as color-change markers and later embellished with decorative yarn

Materials and Gauge

This project is worked in DK weight yarn in four colors, with the purple yarn playing a special decorative role in the vertical embellishment. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 21.5 rows over 4 inches [10 cm] in brioche stitch. Standard knitting needles appropriate for DK weight yarn are required.

Skill Level and Design Appeal

Rated as an intermediate knitting project, the Color Me Plaid Brioche Wrap is ideal for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore brioche techniques. The fully reversible nature of this wrap makes it a practical and beautiful addition to any wardrobe, offering two distinct color presentations depending on which side is worn outward.