I love this time of year!  Designers are showcasing their Pre-Fall and Fall 2021 designs on the runways worldwide and we're getting a full fledged look at the knitwear design elements and trends that will be making their way from runway to knitting needles.  Cross-over trends from woven garment to knitwear are easy to spot if you watch enough shows so look for these on my Pinterest board too. 

I've put together a Pinterest board for 2021 Sweater Trends!  Follow this board and please check back often - I'm adding new photos constantly as the runway shows are released.  

Drum Roll Please - Here are the latest trends in knitwear fashion that you can expect to see weave their way  into knitting patterns in the next year or so:

Hoods & Snoods
Hooded pullovers, cardigans, hood/scarf combinations known in the knitting world as snoods.  Expect to see more of these ranging from thin and form-fitting, to oversized and chunky.  Ribbed, plain, colorwork; you'll see it all this fall.  Wouldn't this be a fun all-in-one alternative from knitting a hat and scarf?
​
Colorblocks
This trend is running strong and there's no limit in the color palettes or placements of colors.  Pastels, brights, and darks are showing up in basic blocks and skinny panels - all of it works.  Colorblocking with other patterns is also making a showing (think ribbing and cables).

Stripes
We love stripes!  The recurring theme of stripes, skinny or wide, seems to go hand-in-hand with colorblocking.  Colorblock sweaters will dedicate a surprise section of skinny stripes to make it unique.  Look for amazing color combinations in the striped sweaters and accessories to give you ideas for your next project.  

Extra Long and Extra Bulky Sleeves
From balloon sleeves, to chunky cabled sleeves, you'll see more and patterns where the sleeve grabs all of the attention.  Extra long flared sleeves, tapered, or super wide sleeves all compete for drama this year.  

Ribbing
1x1 Ribbing, all over ribbing, brioche ribbing, and any type of knitting that gives that sleek, contemporary look of lines is all over the runways this year.  Combing ribbing with colorblocks are so trendy too!  (Watch out that the knitting patterns are written correctly to prevent the bi-colored purl bumps that occur when changing colors in ribbing.)

What do you like?  What would you knit?  What would you skip?  What are you excited about?  Please leave your thoughts in the comments below. 

Further Reading:

Vogue's 10 Most Important Accessory Trends for Fall 2021

​Pinterest Board:  2021 Sweater Trends

Cosmopolitan's 10 Fall 2021 Fashion Trends

When you're working brioche in blocks of color, like in Eastport Pullover, you'll need to connect your yarns in the back of your work intarsia style when working blocks that are side by side.  There are SO MANY types of brioche stitches out there.  The Eastport Pullover uses a basic brioche rib based on an even number of stitches with each color block containing the same number stitches.  The same row is worked on both right and wrong side rows.  

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If you're working two different blocks of color from the very beginning, begin by casting on with the first color.  Push those stitches to the side then cast on in the next color.   The two colors will not be connected at this point.  

Turn and work the first set-up row in brioche, across all of the stitches in the first color.  Holding the working yarn secure in your left hand, use your right fingers to pick up the next color of yarn from underneath.  Work to the end of the row in the second color. 

Next row (right side) and all right side rows.  Work in brioche stitch across all stitches of the first color.  (First meaning the first color that you start working with in any given row.)  When you reach the join, take your yarn to the back of the work drop the first color, pick up the next color from underneath, bring the next colored yarn forward again and continue working in brioche to the end of the row in the next color.

Next row (wrong side) and all wrong side rows.  Work in brioche stitch across all stitches of the first color.  Bring your yarn forward so it lies in the front of your work (which is the wrong side), drop it, pick up the next color from underneath, then work the next set of stitches in the new color.  

By dropping the first color and picking up the second color from underneath, you'll avoid any holes or gaps, and the yarns will connect the two sections.  They will form an even and neat pattern up the wrong side of the fabric.  Keep your tension uniform.  You don't want saggy loops at the join.  Strive to maintain the same tension when you work the last stitch of one color and the first stitch of the next color as you've used in the rest of the garment.  To err on the tighter side is better than working these too loosely.

Always keep your color changes to the wrong side of the fabric.  On right side rows, take the yarn to the back, drop the old and pick up the new, then bring the yarn back to the front again to continue working in brioche with the new color.  On wrong side rows, drop the old yarn and pick up the new one in the front of your work to keep the colored seam on the wrong side of the fabric.  

One more tip on the brioche rib stitch used in Eastport Pullover, when you're starting your very first stitch and it's a yf type of a stitch, place your needle tip under the yarn, then start to work.  You can't really pull the yarn forward since it is where it is.  The only thing that moves when starting a row is the needle, so just slip your needle tip under the yarn, then start knitting.  

I hope you enjoy adding blocks of color to your brioche knitting.  It's a dramatic and fun way to work brioche and it's a great option when you're not ready to work brioche in 2 colors simultaneously. 

Brioche is a wonderfully diverse, almost mesmerizing stitch that attracts attention for its beauty and is loved for its cozy, squishy properties.  In this master class on brioche, my goal is to help you understand this style better and learn some key techniques to your brioche knitting look and behave its best.  

Brioche is not one knitting stitch, but rather a category of slip stitch knitting.  This class of knitting is a hybrid of 1x1 ribbing and double knitting. Brioche is also referred to as Shaker Knitting, English Rib, Shawl Stitch, and sometimes Fisherman's Rib but in the latter, the needle is inserted into the row below instead of making yarn over, which gives a similar but uneven look since you're opening up a stitch which distorts it and leaves the knitting looser.

 
QUALITIES
Brioche creates a double-thick layer of fabric that is deeply texturized, warm, and spongy. The loose, fluffy stitch creates a lofty fabric. The fabric should hold its shape with no holes. When you go down a needle size or two, you are able to create a fabric that has some substance and springs back to shape when stretched. There’s nothing else in the world of knitting quite as distinct and dramatic. The ribs in basic brioche stitch are more dramatic and deeper than regular single ribbing. When worked in two colors, garments take on a deep, 3-D appearance. When the brioche ribs are stretched horizontally, a fishbone pattern emerges on each side of the rib. One of the main qualities of brioche is that ribbing, cables and colorworks are often reversible. In the case of two colors, each side will have a different dominant color which gives garments and scarves more versatility in the wardrobe.
 
During the process of knitting, colors are easier to work than most other forms of colorwork in knitting since only one color is being worked at a time. Many knitters trying brioche for the first time will find it easier to work with two colors since there is no confusion as to which stitch the yarn over belongs to. With syncopated colors, you can alternate from dark to light or vice versa for an interesting effect.  It is truly one of the most versatile, interesting stitch patterns in knitting and can easily become addictive.
 
RECOMMENDED PROJECTS
Since the fabric is extra thick, brioche is best suited for loose-fitting garments with plenty of ease. Allover brioche sweaters are gorgeous with the right weight of yarn and ease. When the look of brioche is desired, but ease and fit of sweaters is a concern, brioche can be combined with other stitches by working brioche panels into garments with less textured stitches. Capes, coats and hats are ideal as they benefit from the double layer and extra warmth. Cowls, scarves and baby blankets are great projects due to the reversible fabric.
 
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS
Brioche will stretch a great deal, but there are ways to control this. Before you start knitting, select an untreated wool which sticks together and holds its shape better silky, slinky blends. Avoid heavy yarns like cotton and fibers that hang with gravity like alpaca and yak which really pull the already stretchy fabric downwards. You want to work with a light, airy, elastic yarn like wool. If you can find a woolen spun yarn, even better. Yarns that are woolen spun, as opposed to worsted spun, will be loftier and lighter which helps counter the effect of the extra yarn and weight. Divide the grams by yardage on the ball bands to find the weight per yard to compare yarns. Beyond yarn selection, to control the stretch you must use a needle several sizes smaller than you normally would for the weight of yarn you’ve selected. Brioche knitted with too large of needles will not spring back into shape, will have holes, look limp and misshaped. You will also need to cast on with a larger needle to prevent the cast on edge from being too tight. Use selvedge stitches to create a firm, neat edge. Lastly, for stability at the shoulder seams, you’ll want to bind off then seam since this is one bind off area that doesn’t need to match the give and stretch created by the brioche stitch.
 
Brioche uses 50-100% as much yarn as Stockinette so you’ll need to buy more yarn. Think about the total yardage needed before deciding on a yarn. Brioche takes more time to knit than other stitch patterns since each row is worked twice so don’t embark on a brioche project when you’re short on time.
 
The double thickness of brioche adds bulk to garments so they must have lots of ease. Since the fabric is extra thick, you want to allow more ease than normal when deciding on which size to make, so the garment still hangs freely instead of pulling tight against your skin. Consider the circumference of the inside of the sweater which will be tighter than the outside. Since sizes listed in patterns will be for the outside circumference, you will want to aim for a finished sweater size that is at least 4” larger than the actual circumference of your chest.
 
The stitch count of rows can change by mistake. If you’re working an even number of stitches without a selvedge stitch, the number of stitches can increase at the end of each row unless the last stitch and its yarn over are always worked together. If you’re working an odd number of stitches without a selvedge, the number of stitches can decrease at the end of each row unless you hold the yarn over in place as you turn the work so it doesn’t pop off. You can flip this last stitch around and place it half hitch style on the needle to better hold it in place. When starting out, take a stitch count at the end of every row until you’re confident.
 
Pieces made with selvedge stitches that are knitted or purled every row will have wavy edges since brioche uses more rows per inch than other stitch patterns. To solve this, always slip the selvedge stitch at the beginning of every row or with two color knitting, work the first and last stitch of every main color row and slip the first and last stitch of every contrasting color row.
 
Tension can be an issue. When you are on the brk or knitting row, since you’re knitting a stitch with the yarn held in the front, a yarn over forms automatically. When you knit the next st, it pulls the yarn tighter which can make the knit stitches smaller. When you are on the brp or purl row, you are taking the yarn from the front, over the needle and around the tip to the front again, then working the purl stitch. Since you have a yarn over lying on top of the needle, the tendency is not to tug when making the purl stitch, therefore the purl stitch can be a little looser. The best way to even out your tension is to be mindful of what’s happening and strive to create your knit and purl stitches with the same tension. This may mean loosening up the knit stitch a bit and giving a slight tug on the purl stitch.
 
 
BRIOCHE RULES
There are many ways of working brioche. Some patterns cast on an even number of stitches, some cast on an odd number. Some use selvedges, some do not. Some begin with a brk and some with a brp. Some use one set up row and some use two. If you think of brioche as a category of double knitting/slipped stitches where the yarn is carried over, instead of in front or behind the work, you will begin to understand why there are so many variables. This is not one stitch with one way of working it. If you look at four books on how to work the 1x1 rib in two colors, you’ll probably see four different ways of working it. And they are all right. Brioche is fabulous in that it gives the creativity and flexibility to do what you want, within some parameters.
 
Some of these common rules, which must be present in all stitch patterns classified as brioche are:

• you will work a stitch, then slip a stitch;
• you will always treat the slipped stitch and its yarn over as one stitch;
• each row or round is worked twice -first knitting one stitch and slipping the next and the second time knitting the stitches that were slipped the first time and slipping those that were worked;
• increases and decreases need to be worked in pairs.

 
 
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
When measuring gauge, brioche will have fewer stitches and more rows than Stockinette. When counting stitches for your gauge swatch, count the slipped stitch and its yarn over as one stitch. When counting rows, count what you see, so each knit stitch running up a column is one row.
 
When working in the round, you’ll work two rounds for every visible round.
 
When blocking, you’ve got more yarn soaking in the water than you normally would. Squeeze out a much water as possible, carefully support it from the bottom and remove it from the basin. Press out as much water as you can between thick towels. Reshape and let it dry flat.
 
Terminology does vary with brioche. Nancy Marchant created the abbreviations brk for brioche knit which basically means to knit the next stitch with its yarn over, and brp for brioche purl which means to purl the next stitch with its yarn over. Prior to brk and brp, patterns simply said to k1 or p1 and when you work one brioche stitch, you’re always knitting or purling the next stitch together with its yarn over. It’s also written as k2tog or p2tog, which means to knit or purl the next stitch together with its yarn over. You may see this written as k1, k2tog or brk, and p1, p2tog or brp. The reason for brk and brp, is that when working on a garment there are times when you are working a decrease on a non-brioche part so you can see where k2tog can be confusing. Sometimes it means to knit the next stitch with its yarn over and sometimes it means to decrease 2 stitches to 1. And if you have selvedge edges, sometimes you really are just knitting 1 stitch when you see k1, but sometimes it means to knit the stitch with its yarn over. Therefore, using Marchant’s abbreviations of brk and brp help to clarify.
 
Charting is different in that each row is worked twice.  Some of the most common abbreviations include:
brk – knit the st slipped in the previous row tog with its yo.
brp – purl the st slipped in the previous row tog with its yo.
yo – bring yarn over the needle.
yf – bring yarn forward, under the needle tip. Do not form a yo.
yof – a combination of the yo and yf.
yb – bring yarn to the back.
sl – slip st purlwise.
 
HOW TO WORK 
​Single Color Plain Brioche Stitch (without selvedge) [Photo 1]:
CO an even number of sts.
Set up Row:  *Yf, sl1, yo, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 1: *Yf, sl1, yo, brk; rep from * to end.
Repeat Row 1.
 
A good pattern for try out Two Color Brioche Stitch (including selvedge) [Photo 2] is the Rainstorm Scarf pattern.
 
Decreases [Photo 3] allow two knit columns in the ribbing to become one. When you decrease three stitches to one, you eliminate one knit column and one purl column, which maintains the 1x1 ribbing after the decrease.  With increases and decreases, it’s easier to start with row 1 or row 1(a).
 
To make a Left Leaning Decrease (brsssk or sometimes written as sssbrk):  On the RS, work up to the st that is to be decreased. This is usually a slipped st with its yo. Slip the next 3 sts knitwise one at a time to the RH needle. Since you always treat the stitch and its yo as 1 st, you will slip the knit st and its yo, the purl st, and the next knit st and its yo, which is 5 strands on the needle. Slip all 3 sts (5 strands) back to the LH needle to reorient the sts then knit all 3 tog through the back loops. 2 sts dec’d.
 
To make a Right Leaning Decrease (brk3tog):  On the RS, work up to the knit column before the knit column that you want to slant. Insert RH needle knitwise from left to right one at a time into the next 3 sts (the knit st, its yo, the purl st, and the next knit st and its yo). Knit the 3 stitches (5 strands) together. 2 sts dec’d.
 
Non Directional Increases [Photo 4] are most commonly made by using a 1-3 and 1-5 increase. When you increase you take a knit column and branch it into one knit column, one purl column and one knit column for a 1-3 increase and into one knit column, one purl column, one knit column, one purl column and one knit column for a 1-5 increase. This keeps the pattern balanced.
​
To make a 1-3 increase (brkyobrk): On the RS, work up to the st that is to be increased. This is usually a slipped st with its yo. Treating the st and its yo as one, (brk, yo, brk) into the st/yo. When working with 2 colors, after finishing this row, slide work to the other side of the needle and work the next color. When you get to the 3 sts that you increased, continue in pattern with sl1 (first st), yo, purl middle st, yo, sl1 (third st) yo, and cont.
 
To make a 1-5 increase (brkyobrkyobrk), work the same as above but brk, yo, brk, yo, brk into the st/yo to create 5 sts.

CAST ONS AND BIND OFFS
The best cast ons are those that stretch. You’ll want a stable edge for scarves and open edges of garments, but the cast on cannot interfere with the tension of the garment. Since brioche is a loose, spongy stitch, you want a cast on with a bit of give to it. Use larger needles to cast on than the rest of the piece.
 
For brioche worked in one color, Italian Cast On (also known as Two-Strand Tubular CO, Kitchener Rib CO, Invisible Cast On, Tubular Cast On, KP Case On, 1x1 Rib Cast On, Alternating Cast On) is a favorite, as evidenced by its many names used in different regions.
For brioche worked in 2 colors:  Two-Color Italian Cast On (a/k/a Two-Strand Tubular Cast On, and Tubular Two-Color Cast on) allows you to cast on with both colors, maintains the different colored ribs all the way through to the end of the piece, and creates an invisible edge.
 
The best bind offs are those that stretch. Keep your tension loose while binding off. For shoulders that will be seamed, bind off these tightly to provide stability here and prevent too much stretch at the seam.
 
For brioche worked in one color:  Tubular Bind Off, Kitchener Bind Off, (a/k/a Italian Bind Off, Invisible Weave Off), Kitchener Rib Bind off (a/k/a/ Invisible Ribbed Bind Off, K1P1 Bind Off, K1P1 Rib Bind Off), Suspended Bind Off (a/k/a Elastic Bind Off) when you want a straight edge, Stretchy Bind Off (good for 1x1 ribbings). Since the Italian Bind Off is a favorite for 1x1 ribbing, it makes sense that it’s also a favorite choice for binding off in simple brioche stitch. When binding off be sure to match the tension of the preceding rows and do not snug up the yarn tightly as you go.
 
For brioche worked in two colors:  Simple Two-Color Bind Off is fast and similar to regular bind off but gives a pretty chain of alternating colors resting on the top of the bind off edge, that match the columns of colored stitches below.
 
BEYOND BASIC BRIOCHE
Thinking of brioche as its own category of stitches, allows you to see how many brioche patterns can exist. Taking the brioche principles and applying them to cables, increases, decreases, ribbing, colorwork, etc. opens up many different types of stitch patterns. Besides the striking basic brioche, double brioche, honeycomb brioche, and waffle brioche are just some of the stitch patterns that proudly lie under the brioche category.
 
Brioche can easily become addictive. Understanding its’ qualities, suitable garments, and potential pitfalls to avoid will increase your enjoyment when working brioche and lead to better finished projects. Since it can be worked successfully with any weight of yarn, using one, two or more colors either in contrast with one another or monochromatic, it’s easy to find yarn in your stash to begin swatching. Once you get into a rhythm, you’ll find that it is a stitch that can be committed to memory and can be worked without total concentration.

​I hope you enjoy the fascinating world of brioche from the fundamentals, to the exciting knitting process and the dramatic finished projects.  ​

​When I was Stockholm not long ago, I noticed women wearing shorts over tights.  It was the first time I had seen this combination and initially I thought, why not just wear pants?  But as I saw this outfit over and over again, it grew on me.  Shorts are cute.  They give a little burst of color in the middle of your body, and you can wear them over any color (or print) of tights you like.  It was a beautiful example of combining the look you want with the practicality you need. 
 
I thought about this recently when I watched the Pre-Fall 2019 fashion shows.  There are two trends that grabbed my attention and I saw enormous potential in combining something that looks stylish with the practical. 
 
Trend # 1 - Dresses over pants:
 
Skirts and dresses are being worn over pants and this is look is definitely taking off.  Why would you wear a dress or skirt over pants?  First, it gives you a longer, taller look.  Second, it’s edgy and weird and everyone wants to be weird these days.  Third, it’s a protest of tights and yoga pants.  For people tired of the bulging spandex everywhere you look, replacing the tights with pants is chic, more conservative and definitely fashionable.  If you select pants that are on the opposite spectrum of tights, and wear wide or flare legged pants, it creates an air of the roaring 20’s and Phrynie Fisher’s modern woman.  Be on the look for tuxedo-stripe pants to make the colors pop.  This trend is pushing into unisex better than any other.  Men and women can both wear tunic dresses over pants.   It allows men in the western world to pull in elements of the east and combine basic tunics with pants, in theory, wearing a dress but not really wearing a dress.  As men and women’s attire become more and more unisex, you’ll likely see this trend picked up quickly.  Watch for everyday brands such as Calvin Klein who are releasing this trend heavily for Fall 2019.
 
Trend # 2 -  1980’s style Mini Dresses:
 
Those famous super short dresses are becoming THE party dress.  The hem length for dresses has been getting shorter and shorter beginning in 2016 with Saint Laurent’s Fall show and reaching massive popularity across loads of designers at the Pre-Fall 2019 shows.  If you love this look but can’t pull it off, be a trendsetter and wear the mini dress over yoga pants or capris. 
 
Easton Tunic/Dress is designed to be worn over a long sleeve tee shirt and pants.  It works well with jeans and cords for a casual look and provides great coverage so it’s easy to wear without being self-conscious if your jeans are a little tighter than they used to be.  Designed in 2 lengths (tunic and dress), it is flattering with A-line shaping.  Without sleeves or neckline finishing, this is a good project to work when you want to take your brioche into a garment.
 
 
For more inspiration, please visit:

https://www.vogue.com/article/pre-fall-2019-fashion-trend-report
 
https://40plusstyle.com/fashion-trends-2019-the-best-looks-from-the-ss19-fashion-shows/
 
https://fashionista.com/2019/01/pre-fall-2019-trends