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To see a video of this shawl, please click here.

This triangular brioche shawl is worked sideways, beginning with just a few stitches. Shaping and patterning occur only on light side, light color rows, so there are many “resting” rows, and there are no complicated cast-ons or bind-offs. This makes it a fairly relaxing knit.

While it can be knitted up easily by brioche enthusiasts, it’s also perfect as an introduction to brioche knitting because it’s been designed for intuitive learning. You begin with the simplest stitches; brioche increases and decreases are introduced gradually, so that you get practice and gain confidence. At the end of the project, you’ll be knitting brioche with ease!

To make the learning simpler, I’ve added a bonus PDF file - My Personal Road Map to Learning Two-Color Brioche. It has 7 pages of personal tips and techniques that I’ve picked up (often the hard way!) including links to the videos that helped me most. This is my first brioche pattern and the PDF has the information I wish I had had in one place when I began to learn brioche. I’m happy to share it with you!

Vine Country is inspired by a photo I saw during the stressful period of lockdown – a picture of the lush, green vineyards at Nashik in India, about 3 hours away by train from where I live. I know almost nothing of grapes or wine but to me, the photo symbolised an oasis of peace and tranquillity in the midst of turmoil. I’ve never been to Nashik but I’ll get there one day!

Brioche has strong, dominating structural lines. I wanted to use them to depict twisting vine stems while achieving an organic, natural flow. So, in the pattern, the vines grow along with the shawl. From the tip, delicate vine stems climb upwards and begin to put forth small leaves. As the shawl expands, leaves change in shape and structure and the final sections have a luxuriant profusion of buds, foliage and small grapes.

The colors for the yarn (Eden Cottage Yarns Titus 4ply) were chosen because Loganberry is a variegated which transitions through dusky pink through violet to purple - reminiscent of the luscious velvety bloom on grapes. Coppice is a delicate green that contrasts well.

The pattern is written and charted, and has been tech edited and tested. Testers included experienced brioche knitters and brioche beginners.

Skill level: Intermediate. Should be able to read knitted stitches with ease. Beginners at brioche knitting are welcome.

Yarn: Eden Cottage Yarns Titus 4-ply; 75% superwash extrafine merino, 25% mulberry silk; 436yds/400m/100g; shades Coppice (LC) and Loganberry (DC): one skein each.
Yarn usage for shawl in photos: LC 98g (427yds/392m); DC 95g (414yds/380m)

Needles & notions: 3.5mm (US size 4) circular needles (32” length or longer); cable needle (or split-ring marker), stitch markers, tapestry needle. You may prefer to use dpn’s for beginning of shawl where there are fewer stitches.

Gauge: 17 sts and 11 rows (22 passes) = 4” in brioche rib with 3.5mm needles after severe blocking. If you prefer to block gently for a denser fabric, your gauge will differ. Adjust needle size to obtain gauge; gauge is not critical but will affect yardage and finished size.

Finished size: 61” (155 cm) along upper edge, 31” (79 cm) height (measured to point), 50” (127 cm) along lower edge

Acknowledgement: This pattern uses techniques and stitches developed by Nancy Marchant briocher. Modern brioche knitting owes everything to her! For further information, please see http://www.briochestitch.com

Link to test page and progress photos
Many thanks to my wonderful testers: yarnbeth ReeMarieKnits carolfitz2 bella-luna frkstrik TheTurtleMoves

Tester quotes
Experienced brioche knitters:
• Enjoyed your roadmap and the many valuable hints.
• I enjoyed the shifting stitch patterns, and liked the last one so much I’ve started a scarf using only that pattern…
• This is the perfect pattern to start brioche on. It starts super simple and increases in complexity but the pattern comes with detailed instructions for all the stitches.
New brioche knitters:
• The “road map PDF” is one of the reasons I accepted this challenge. It had good tips that I hadn’t seen elsewhere, and good links to instructional videos.
• I love this pattern. It’s like a brioche sampler. Each section poses a nice challenge. I’m no longer afraid of brioche!
• My first time reading a brioche chart! this pattern is gorgeous! easy to work as it gets more difficult chart to chart so it keeps the knitter engaged.
• I’ve got nearly a dozen brioche patterns I haven’t known how to knit yet, but after this shawl, I’ll be able to tackle any one of them. I might like brioche even better than lace.