Brioche Fade

Explore using one- and two-color brioche and the syncopation technique to create beautiful color fades in brioche. You’ll learn everything you need to knit the Fading Light Cowl.

We’ll discuss all the tips and tricks for creating color fades using a combination of one- and two-color brioche, with and without the syncopation technique, and how to combine colors to create a color fade while knitting a swatch.

Additionally, all special techniques of the complimentary pattern are covered: one- and two-color brioche knit flat and in the round, brioche decreases, provisional cast-on, i-cord bind-off, and attached i-cord.

Skill level: Basic brioche comfort. This is an advanced brioche class. Please take one of the introductory brioche classes before taking this one!

Materials:

For swatching: At least 2 colors of yarn and 2 DPNs / 1 set of circular needles in matching size, e.g. fingering weight and US 4/3.5 mm, DK weight and US 6/4.0 mm, or worsted weight and US 7/4.5 mm

For the cowl: 4 colors of yarn and US 7/4.5 mm 24“/60 cm circular needles (or size needed to obtain gauge or optimal drape), tapestry needle, 1 stitch marker, 2 lengths of waste yarn, crochet hook for provisional CO; the pattern is written for 15 sts / 21 rows over 10 cm / 4” on US 7 / 4.5 mm needles.

Homework:

Cast on 17 sts with Color A (lighter color) and long-tail cast-on and work in two-color brioche as follows.
Setup (WS): (k1, sl1yo) to last st, sl1 wyif
R1 (RS-A): k1, brk1, (sl1yo, brk1) to last st, sl1 wyif; slide
R1 (RS-B): k1, sl1yo, (brp1, sl1yo) to last st, sl1 wyif; turn
R2 (WS-A): k1, brp1, (sl1yo, brp1) to last st, sl1 wyif; slide
R2 (WS-B): k1, sl1yo, (brk1, sl1yo) to last st, sl1 wyif; turn

brk = brioche knit; brp = brioche purl; k = knit; RS =right side; sl = slip stitch (purl- wise); sl1yo = slip stitch and yarn-over at the same time; slide = slide all stitches to the other end of the needle; sts = stitches; turn = turn work; WS = wrong side; wyif = with yarn in front