Knitting Brioche: The Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch [Paperback]

Nancy Marchant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 13, 2010

Hungry for new knitting techniques? Try knitting brioche!

Knitting Brioche is the first and only knitting book devoted exclusively to brioche stitch, a knitting technique that creates a double-sided fabric. This complete guide will take you from your first brioche stitches to your first (or hundredth) project, and even to designing with brioche stitch, if you desire. Whether you're new to brioche knitting or experienced at brioching," author Nancy Marchant provides the information and inspiration you need.

Inside Knitting Brioche, you'll find:

• Detailed instructions and step-by-step photos that will guide you through all of the techniques you'll need for brioche knitting.
• A stitch dictionary including 60 beautiful stitch patterns with many multicolor options.
• 25 patterns for garments and accessories, all made with brioche stitches, some combined with other design elements including cables, lace, intarsia and more!

Grab your needles and yarn and take a bite out of brioche knitting.

"

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nancy Marchant first discovered the brioche stitch when she moved to the Netherlands in 1976. She became fascinated with brioche knitting and wrote about it in Vogue Knitting Magazine, as well as in a number of other knitting magazines. She maintains a Web site on the subject at www.briochestitch.com and teaches brioche knitting both locally and at large yarn shows.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (January 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600613012
• ISBN-13: 978-1600613012
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.7 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #97 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Knitting

More About the Author

Nancy Marchant first discovered brioche stitch when she moved to the Netherlands in 1976. She became fascinated with brioche knitting and wrote about it in Vogue Knitting Magazine, as well as in a number of other knitting magazines. She maintains a web site on the subject at www.briochestitch.com and teaches brioche knitting both locally and at large yarn shows.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

209 of 219 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars for content and achievement, but format is not ideal December 22, 2009

By JulyGirl

Format:Paperback

I have long admired Nancy's work on her website, and I'm grateful to be able to work from printed instructions now, rather than having to use a computer screen while trying to knit. The content is SO amazing that I cannot understand some of the choices that were made by the publisher and or book designer.

Most importantly, a book that requires that the knitter work very carefully, line by line, with brand new, very detailed terminology and symbols should be presented in an enclosed spiral binding format or at least in a hardcover format. This paperback is $27.99 at full retail price, and for a few dollars more, the publisher could have created a much more durable book that stays open on its own, hands-free (this one will not stay open unless one breaks the binding). Secondly, the graphic designer did a reasonably good job, expanding the size of the typeface, and the leading, on pages with less total content (making it easier to read), but pages such as the symbol definition page (p. 13) are much too compressed (the designer should have made the symbols twice as large and dedicated two pages for the purpose of symbol definition...especially given how large all of the instructional photos are on neighboring pages). Many other instructional pages in the book not only have a small typeface but are printed on colored backgrounds (such as saturated lavender) rather than on white or another light color. While this makes for a very "pretty" book in which different sections of the book can be identified quickly by their background color, the first goal of an instructional/reference book on a challenging subject should be to make it as easy to read/see as possible. I'm definitely going to have eye strain as a result of the poor contrast between some of the type and the background upon which it is set. This is a mistake that Interweave Knits also has just made in recently redesigning its magazine, and I'm very surprised that so many graphic designers and knitting book editors are sacrificing function for the sake of form. Books that are primarily meant to teach should prioritize function over form, but I see no reason why both goals cannot be achieved.

I share the opinion of the other reviewer who commented upon the photos. For some reason, we are given gorgeous, artful, close-up views of SECTIONS of various projects, but in many cases we're not given a full-view of the item. Even some of the sweaters are only partially shown, and many are lacking views from alternate angles. While there are graphic representations (rather small, too) of what a potential scarf design might be (in the design chapter), the actual scarf patterns themselves do not have either a detailed graphic representation or a full-view photo. Given the incredible attention that the author paid to super-detailed notes for each pattern, and given the totally innovative nature of these projects, the lack of a reliable visual reference for many of the longer projects (such as scarves) is surprising and will force knitters to rely on each other's Ravelry photos for points of reference.

The design elements chapter is wonderful, but I wish it had been twice as long, with many more examples and a "how to do it yourself" section with concrete steps rather than vague suggestions as to what one might, in theory, do if one were already a master at these techniques. A page of blank graphing paper set up specifically for multicolor brioche designs would have been very helpful indeed, just as intarsia knitting books often provide a few pages of knitter's graph paper.

The only other disappointment is that, as is common with European sizing, many of the sweaters have a minimum size that is much too large for this knitter. The most creative sweater (the Haarlem Jacket) in the book begins with a size medium and a chest size of 39" as the minimum size. It is a gorgeous project, and I regret that I will not be able to make it; the style would flatter me if offered in a smaller size. Many of the patterns don't have a wide size range. I imagine that re-sizing is very challenging in brioche stitch, which is all the more reason for the author, who is an expert, to have done this work for us.

Given the complexity of the written instructions, I pray that the book doesn't have errata. This book is a completely masterful achievement, and my main wish, probably in vain, is that the publishers will consider releasing a second edition in a hardcover with an enclosed spiral binding, and additional photos, or at least a reference to additional project photos which could be provided online at the author's website.

65 of 65 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very thorough book on a little known knitting technique December 14, 2009

By A. Bish

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Hats off to Nancy Marchant. She has written an excellent book. The directions and illustrations are very clear and easy to follow. There are more pages devoted to brioche stitch techniques than patterns, which is what a book about the brioche stitch needs. The patterns include cardigans, pullovers and vest for men and women,scarves, hats, snoods, and various odd items like boot cuffs, and wristlets. I can't wait to see other people finish some of these items and post better pictures on Ravelry. That is my only gripe with this book... I wish there were more pictures of the finished projects in this book. The pictures are adequate, but not inspiring. Only because I've done brioche patterns before, do I know that in person these projects are probably more amazing than the photo shows.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Brioche is addicting! May 2, 2010

By Marie Biancuzzo

Format:Paperback

Once you have tried even the simplest few rows of knitting brioche, you'll be addicted. You'll also be amazed, perplexed, and sometimes you'll be cussing a blue streak, but you won't be able to walk away from it. I've been knitting for decades, but this brioche thing is unlike anything I've ever attempted.

The book is beautifully illustrated with full-color pictures; arrows point to the stitch being discussed in the technique, and all shots are fairly close up. Each technique is described in terms of when the technique might be useful (e.g., "great if you want a firmer fabric") and other hints, such as using a smaller needle than what you might usually use with a particular yarn. A full set of symbols are provided, and there are mini-diagrams for each technique to show which row has what, and whether it's a right-side or wrong-side row. The book starts with basic techniques, moves to move complicated techniques, and ends with 25 patterns which are much too difficult for me to attempt just yet. The book says it has an appendix, but I'm unable to find the appendix in my copy.

I disagree with the directive to start with one color. Luckily, I started with one solid color and one variegated color, and the differing colors was the only thing that helped me to "read" the stitches.

Luckily, the author's web site [...] has a few simpler (and free!) patterns, and a few very short video tutorials. The author is also amazingly prompt and responsive to e-mail inquiries.

To me, this book's biggest weakness is that there is virtually no instruction on how to fix mistakes. There are a few brief paragraphs suggesting that the key is pulling out one column of knitting but since there is little text description and no photos whatsoever, I end up pulling out entire rows because, after about 50 attempts (no exaggeration!) I am still unable to figure out how to rip out just one column. I am hoping that an accompanying dvd will be created to enhance this book's usefulness. I've never needed a tutorial for knitting, but I sure could use one for brioche!

If you want to knit something exceptionally warm, beautiful and unusual, buy this book and learn brioche from the master!