Flat brioche: a knitting stitch pattern

I was noodling around with swatches for a stitch pattern idea I had, and in the process came up with this stitch pattern that’s not in any of my stitch dictionaries, though I would have expected it to be. It’s pretty! It looks kind of like brioche rib, except that it’s flat, not all squishy. Now, I have to admit that the squishiness of most brioche is part of its appeal, but I could see wanting a firmer fabric with some of the same visual effect. I don’t know what this would look like combined with regular brioche. I haven’t tried it yet.

Although the brioche hides it, this is basically alternating single columns of brioche and garter stitch! These are both so squishy, it’s funny that this makes it flat.

I am really quite certain that other knitters must have come up with this before. For one thing, it’s a pretty standard variation on a stitch pattern that does exist: half brioche. For another, it’s an extremely simple pattern. That notwithstanding, here it is.

I’ve included both the usual sl1yo brioche method and the rarer k1b method, in large part because this is a case where the k1b method is genuinely easier: it’s got rest rows!

knitted sample of flat brioche

Notes:

  • This is a stitch pattern such as might be found in a stitch dictionary. It is not a pattern for a finished object. You will need to add selvedges or some other form of knitted stitches to either side.
  • Flat brioche is a multiple of 2 + 1 stitches and 2 rows.
  • It starts on a wrong-side row.
  • I’ve made stitch maps for the k1b version of flat brioche and the sl1yo version.
  • Designers, please feel free to use this in your patterns. I’d like credit but won’t be offended if people don’t give it.
  • My blog posts and free stitch patterns are supported by subscriptions on Patreon or donations to my Paypal tip jar in the sidebar. If you appreciate my work, please consider helping out. Thanks!

Flat Brioche (k1b method):

chart demonstrating how to knit flat brioche with the k1b method by means of knitting chart symbols

Abbreviations:

  • k: knit.
  • k1b: Knit one below: insert needle in the stitch below the next stitch that would usually be knit next; pull a knit stitch through. Let the stitch above unravel as it’s pulled off the needle; it will be caught by the new stitch.

Row 1 (WS): knit.

Row 2 (RS): k1, *k1b, k1; work from *.

Flat Brioche (sl1yo method):

chart demonstrating how to knit flat brioche with the slip 1, yo method by means of knitting chart symbols

Abbreviations:

  • brk: Knit the stitch that was slipped in the previous row together with its yarn over.
  • k: knit.
  • sl1yo: bring the working yarn under the needle to the front of the work, slip the next stitch purlwise, then bring the yarn over the needle (and over the slipped stitch) to the back, in position to work the following stitch. (From

Row 1 (WS): *k1, sl1yo; work from *, k1.

Row 2 (RS): k1, *brk, k1; work from *.