Machine knit a 2-color mock Brioche stitch without a ribber -

This 2-color brioche stitch looks complicated but stunning with the texture and contrasting colors. You might see a lot of hand knitting patterns with this stitch and the end result is very dramatic.

In machine knitting, the fisherman’s rib and half fisherman’s rib stitch looks very similar, but that requires a ribber and specific setting. The 2-color version will be more complicated. If you are interested in knitting a fisherman’s rib stitch, check out our old tutorials below:

Watch the 2-color Mock Brioche stitch without a ribber video

Below is our new video of the 2 color Brioche stitch without a ribber. This video is inspired by Roberta Rose Kelly’s video: Double layer fabric on knitter only: https://youtu.be/ptl0Lo9JNu4

Since you don’t need a ribber, you can do this on any plastic bed hobby machine such as an LK150.

Step-by-step picture tutorial

Machine

You can use any knitting machine based on your yarn choice. I use a worsted weight yarn on the Brother 260 bulky machine. Since you do not need a knitter, a plastic bed machine such as an LK150 will work too.

Tension

This method produces double-thick fabric, so keep the tension loose. I end up using the highest tension on the dial, and change to a looser tension on the mast.

If needed, you can space the needles out even more. Instead of every other needle, you can use every third needle.

Yarn

I use worsted weight yarn of 2 contrasting colors. Next time I might go with DK weight so it can be less tight (more fluffy).

Cast on

First, cast on every other needle. I use a simple e-wrap. You can start with waste yarn and ravel cord. Or use any cast-on method.

I cast on from Left 20 to Right 21. Use odd numbers because we want an empty needle in between. This is about the right stitch numbers (width) for a scarf. Adjust based on your preference.

Hang weight and knit until the length you like. For this sample, I have 20 rows.

After knitting the length you like, cut the yarn and change to a different color yarn.

The white yarn is in the carriage now. Knit one row.

For the first row only, pick up both the white and pink loops and place them back on the empty needles.

Knit 1 row.

From now on, just pick up 1 loop below and hang back to the previously empty needles (number 2, 4, 6… needles).

Knit 1 row.

Keep repeating these 2 steps (hanging the loops back, and knit 1 row) until all loops are picked up.

You can knit one more row and bind off, or start binding off without this extra row. This extra row will be white.

I try not to have a row of white color at the end, so I use the sewn bind-off without knitting one more row.

The last row of loops on the left picture. Ready to bind off on the right picture.

Sewn bind off

Cut the yarn leaving about 3 times the length of the knitting. Thread through a needle.

Thread through the second stitch from the back to the front, then thread through the first stitch from front to the back. Take off the first stitch.

Keep repeating the above steps to the end.

It is easier to pull out the needles a little more for bind off.

The following picture on the left is the sewn bind-off edge, and the picture on the right is the cast-on edge. They are not identical but no extra white row.

Finished sample.

Back side.

I can see an infinity scarf made of this stitch. Maybe start and finish with waste yarn and graft them together with Kitchener stitch. It will be a lot of hand manipulation. don’t know if I have enough patience for that.

Another idea is to make a hat with this stitch. Start with mock ribbing, then mock Brioche stitch for the main part, then change to stockinette stitch to finish the top. Then sew up the side. No ribber needed.

Or fingerless mittens. Start and end with mock ribbing. The middle part will be the mock Brioche stitch. Just sew them up and leave a thumb hole. That should not be hard.

Happy machine knitting!

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