How To Do The Brioche Decrease

Making beautiful designs and projects with our favorite knitting needles gives us immense pleasure. We always feel the urge to upskill ourselves every time we make something so it looks unique and different from our previous projects. Just imagine a beautiful hat adorned with a unique and trendy brioche stitch. Alluring right? If you never tried this technique, then try it today with the help of this blog. KnitPro, your crafting pal, will introduce you to one variety of Brioche stitches— Brioche Decrease.

Enlighting Brioche Decrease Technique

Brioche knitting is a unique knitted ribbing method popular for its heightened, doughy texture. You can achieve this beautiful texture by simply performing yarnover, slipping stitches, knitting, and purling on any needle, such as double, circular, or single pointed needles. It is basically used to shape the garments the way you want them. Now, you must be wondering how we do it. There are two main types of decreases: right-leaning and left-leaning decreases. The Left-leaning decreases slants to the left, creating a diagonal line. On the contrary, the Right-leaning decreases slants to the right, as the name suggests. The choice depends on your personal preference and the project's requirements.

Mastering the Left-leaning Brioche Decreases

This decrease is a popular choice for shaping arm-holes and necklines with circular or double pointed needles. Here's how to achieve it;

Work up to the brioche knit stitch (brk):

1. Slip the double stitch consisting of a yarn over and a slipped knit stitch, ensuring you don't accidentally drop the yarn over.
2. Knit the following next brk stitch.
3. Using the tip of your left needle, pick up the slipped brk stitch and its yarn over and pass it over the stitch you just knit.

Slip purlwise:

1. Slip the resulting stitch purlwise back to the left needle.
2. Using the tip of your right needle, pick up the stitch on the left needle (the brk stitch and its yarn over) and pass it over the first stitch on the left needle.
3. Slip the remaining stitch purlwise back to the right needle.

Mastering the right-leaning brioche decrease:

It is ideal for shaping shoulders or creating diagonal lines.

Knitwise:

1. Work up two stitches before the decrease point.
2. Slip the first stitch knitwise, then knit the next stitch.
3. Using the tip of your left needle, pick up the slipped stitch and pass it over the stitch you just knit.

Slip purlwise:

1. Slip the resulting double stitch (brk) purlwise back to the left needle.
2. Knit the stitch following the brk stitch.

Whether you are working on flat or round projects on circular knitting needles, achieving these decreases is possible.

Additional Brioche Decrease Technique

For more adventurous shaping, there are other techniques you can follow.

Brioche-centered double decrease (br4stdec): This decrease creates a visually interesting point where three brioche ridges converge into one. It's a more complex technique that often requires a cable needle.

Double decrease: This involves working two separate decreases side-by-side to create a steeper decrease angle.

Unlike stockinette stitch, where a simple knit two together suffices, brioche decreases manipulate the stitch's inherent double construction (a yarn over with a knit or purl stitch) to create a clean decrease that maintains a brioche rib pattern.

Achieve Brioche Perfection with KnitPro's Needles Sets

The key to mastering stitches lies in their smooth manipulation. KnitPro's interchangeable and fixed circular needle sets offer a variety of sizes, tips, and cable lengths, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your project. Their lightweight nature pampers your hands and prevents hand fatigue. Also, the mesmerizing colors of our needles sway you away from monotony. Don't just take the words, order your Symfonie, Zing, Trendz, Sweet affair, or mesmerize yourself with the earthy tones of our wooden collections.