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BriocheStarter Hat by Raina Kruus © 2020

BriocheStarter Hat
by Raina Kruus

I love brioche knitting and this little piece is comfortable, playful, warm, perfectly slouchy,
stretchy and finally, easy to knit. Begin your brioche journey with this pretty and simple hat
pattern. If you want to learn to knit brioche stitch in the round, this simple hat is the perfect
introduction.
Once you get into the rhythm of it, brioche stitch is no more difficult than basic ribbing. You
get to try out a new stitch pattern, and end up with a cute colorful hat which is a great
beginner project for brioche newbies. It’s a win/win. Brioche stitch creates a thick and
chunky fabric that is double sided and warm.
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BriocheStarter Hat by Raina Kruus © 2020

This hat is worked in the round from the bottom up, starting with the brim, changing needles and
continuing with body part, ending with the crown.
Two-colour brioche is unique and the result is like two different hats - you can wear both sides. Two-color
brioche stitch creates a gorgeous reversible fabric. Using a variegated yarn is especially beautiful because the
final effect looks like a rainbow.
This beanie is an average adult size version - if you want a shorter or bigger size – do more or fewer repeats,
more rounds up or use larger/smaller needles.
I used 40cm/16” circular needles until I needed to work the crown shaping and then I switched over to DPNs.
The pattern sizes matches the orange (Sunset) and petrol blue (Reflecting Pool) beanie shown.

YARN: FINISHED SIZE: average women’s size (beanie in

Yarn: Malabrigo Rios (100% Superwash Merino Wool,
100gr / 3.6oz – 192m / 210yd).
MC yarn – Sunset (096); CC yarn – Reflecting Pool
(133). Or use any other Aran or DK weight yarn.
YARN CONSUMPTION: 55gr / 2oz of each color,
MC and CC. My beanie weighs exactly 110 gr / 4oz
NEEDLES: 40cm (16") circular needle or DPNs marking the beginning of the round.
(double pointed needles) size 3.00mm (US 2 ½) for
ribbing and 3.5mm (US 4) for body.
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner.
TECHNIQUES USED: Two - colour brioche. Knitting save your time).
and brioche stitch in the round, knitting, purling,
(br4st dec , brk1, brp1, sl1yo).
the picture):
Depth – 22 cm (8.5“)
Circ – 44 cm (17.5“) Fits head approx. 57cm (22“)
Measurements taken unblocked. Hats shown have a
57cm / 22.5” head circumference.
OTHER TOOLS: Tapestry needle; scissors; round
counter (if needed); stitch marker (if needed) for
GAUGE: 24 sts x 28 rows = 10cm / 4“ in two-color
brioche stitch (using 3.5mm (US 4) needles)
Needle sizes are recommendations only. Always use
needle size necessary to achieve given gauge (to
My personal knitting tension is tight. If yours isn’t,
consider using perhaps 2.50mm (US 1 ½) for ribbing
and 3.00mm (US 2 ½) needles for body.

PATTERN NOTES:
In two-color brioche stitch, two rounds (rnd) are
worked for each counted round that appears on the
face of the work. The first and main color (MC) is
worked around once (I used Sunset, orange) and then
the same round is worked again using the contrast
color (CC) (I used Petrol blue, Reflecting Pool), in
other words - the second color.
When counting rounds, count only the stitches going
up on a knit column. For example, when you work 2
rounds, count one worked round (you have worked
one round with MC and then one round with CC
yarn). Each counted round is worked twice.
If you put down your knitting and forget which color
to use next, look at the color of the yo (yarn over) in
the row just worked. That is the last color you used,
so your next round should be other color. Work
brioche pattern in color indicated (MC or CC)
In brioche knitting a stitch with its yarnover is
considered ONE stitch. The yarnover is never counted
separately.
All decreases are worked always with the MC.
Crowning Shape has 6 identical sections in the round suggested yarn and needles, then perhaps you could
(each section has 16 stitches).
If you have trouble with any stitch, you can find
tutorials for all the stitches used in this pattern on
YouTube. I highly recommend this as a resource. I
learned from YouTube.
I strongly suggest using 100% wool or mixed wool,
merino wool (instead of tweed, cotton or alpaca) -
brioche is very stretchy.
I suggest that you practice this pattern first doing a
swatch (to get a right gauge and save your time).
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BriocheStarter Hat by Raina Kruus © 2020
Before beginning, please read through the entire
pattern. You don’t have to print out the whole
document. You can choose: charts or written
instructions. You also need to understand the
specific brioche stitch abbreviations.
The pattern is fully written and also includes charted
instructions (Page 7), check both. It has been
thoroughly tested and tech edited.
As you knit make sure to check the pattern
frequently. my recommendation: when you have
finished pattern round (especially crown shaping
decreases) – check the entire last knitted round
again.
BriocheStarter Hat is easily memorized, easy to knit
and the result is like two different hats because the
fabric is completely reversible.
Note: I have very tight tension and when this
pattern was tested, some of my testers found it
really hard to get the correct gauge. They solved the
problem by using a sport weight yarn with the
recommended needles. If you experience the same
problem and can't get the correct gauge using the
try using a sport weight yarn like Malabrigo Arroyo
while keeping the needle sizes the same.
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BriocheStarter Hat by Raina Kruus © 2020
BRIOCHE STITCH ABBREVIATIONS: brLsl dec = 2-stitch decrease that slants to the left,
BOR – beginning of the Round involving 3 stitches) = slip first stitch knitwise, brk the
following two stitches together, pass the slipped stitch
brk (brioche knit, also known as a bark) = knit stitch over.
that was slipped in the previous row together with its
yarn over. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ro_N4NCUDQ&
t=23s
brp (brioche purl, also know as a burp) = purl the stitch
(that was slipped in the previous row) together with its MC = Main Color for the front of the work and the knit
yarn over. stitches (I used orange yarn, Sunset)

Helpful tutorial: P = purl ; PM = place marker ; sl = slip, SM= slip marker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8De96grbEc sl1yo (following a knit or brk stitch, MC round)= (slip

1 yarn over)= bring the working yarn under the needle
CC = Contrasting Color for the back of the work and to the front of the work, slip the next stitch purlwise,
purl stitches (I used petrol blue yarn, Reflecting Pool) then bring the yarn over the needle (and over the
CO = cast on ; LH = left hand ; RH = right hand, Rnd = slipped stitch) to the back, in position to work the
round following stitch. This slipped stitch with yarn over is
considered 1 stitch only.
br4st dec = (involving 5 stitches, 4 stitch decrease) =
Slip the first and the second stitches separately sl1yo (following a purl or brp stitch, CC round) = (slip
knitwise, place the following stitch on cable needle to 1 yarn over) = the working yarn is already in front. Slip
front of work, knit the next stitch, pass the second the next stitch purlwise, then bring the yarn over the
slipped stitch over, place stitch on LH needle and pass needle (and over the slipped stitch) then to the front
the next stitch over, place stitch on RH needle, pass the under the needle, into position to work the following
first slipped stitch over, move stitch from cable needle stitch.
to LH needle, place working stitch on LH needle, pass st/s = stitch or stitches;
the stitch from cable needle over and place finished dec
stitch on RH needle. wyif = with yarn in front of the work
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2LC1L6NHb8 wyib = with yarn in back of the work

Working with br4st dec Finished br4st dec

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BriocheStarter Hat by Raina Kruus © 2020
Change to the larger needles and repeat Rnd 1 MC
BriocheStarter Hat and Rnd 1 CC 35 more times until hat measures
PATTERN: approximately 17 cm / 6.5“ from cast on edge.
Using MC yarn and 40cm (16“) circular needle, Now begin Crown Shaping part. Switch to DPNs or
3.00mm (US 2 1/2 ), CO 96 sts using Long Tail cast on shorter circular needles (or use Magic Loop method).
method over two needles. Helpful tutorial: Crown Shaping:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLP6BM6gNuU
Rnd 1 MC (first decrease round): *(brk1, sl1yo) twice,
Pull one needle out. Do not turn the work, continue br4st dec, sl1yo, (brk1, sl1yo) 3 times*, rpt from *to*
working on this Right Side. Just slide your work to to end of round (72 sts).
the other end of your circular needle and join the CC
Rnd 1 CC: *sl1yo, brp1*, rpt from *to* to end of
yarn for the set-up row (do not join in the round).
round.
Set-up row for brioche: (Using CC yarn), wyif, Rnd 2 MC: *brk1, sl1yo*, rpt from *to* to end of
*sl1yo, p1*, repeat from *to* to end of row, PM and round.
join to work in the round. Be sure to keep the yarn Rnd 2 CC: *sl1yo, brp1*, rpt from *to* to end of
over on the first slipped stitch and be careful not to round.
twist the stitches and yarns.
Rnds 3 and 4 MC and CC: repeat rnd 2 MC and CC
Note: The marker is for the BOR; slip it when you twice more.
come to it.
If you are charts person and like this more, you can
pop over to The Chart Sheet (Page 7) and follow Rnd 5 MC (second decrease round): *brk1, sl1yo,
along with them. br4st dec, sl1yo, (brk1, sl1yo) twice*, rpt from *to* to
end of round (48 sts).
If you prefer written instructions you can follow
along with them in the „Ribbing and Body section“ Rnd 5 CC: *sl1yo, brp1*, rpt from *to* to end of
(written instructions). round.
Rnd 6 MC: *brk1, sl1yo*, rpt from *to* to end of
round.
Ribbing and Body section:
Rnd 6 CC: *sl1yo, brp1*, rpt from *to* to end of
Begin knitting two-color brioche in the round round.
(These two rounds together create one brioche
Rnds 7 and 8 MC and CC: repeat rnd 6 MC and CC
round):
twice more.
Rnd 1 MC: wyib, *brk1, sl1yo*, rpt from *to* to end
of round. Drop MC yarn in front of work, SM. Change
to CC yarn to work the next round (always continue Rnd 9 MC (third decrease round): *br4st dec, sl1yo,
changing colors at the beginning of a round in this brk1, sl1yo*, rpt from *to* to end of round (24 sts).
way throughout the pattern).
Rnd 9 CC: *sl1yo, brp1*, rpt from *to* to end of
round.
Rnd 1 CC: wyif *sl1yo, brp1*, rpt from *to* to end of
round. Drop CC yarn in front of work, SM. Pick up Rnd 10 MC: *brk1, sl1yo*, rpt from *to* to end of
MC yarn from the front and move around needle to round.
the back – it is now ready for the next round Rnd 10 CC: *sl1yo, brp1*, rpt from *to* to end of
(continue changing colors at the beginning of each round.
round in this way throughout the pattern).
Rnds 11 and 12 MC and CC: repeat rnd 10 MC and CC
twice more.
Repeat Rnd1 MC and Rnd 1 CC 9 or 10 more times
until hat measures approximately 4cm / 1.5“.
Now you are ready to knit the hat body section.
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BriocheStarter Hat by Raina Kruus © 2020

Crown Shaping continued: CONTACT AND SUPPORT:

Rnd 13 MC (fourth decrease round): *brLsl dec, Email: raina.kruus@mail.ee
sl1yo*, rpt from *to* to end of round (12 sts). Instagram: happyknittingsheep
Rnd 13 CC: *sl1yo, brp1*, rpt from *to* to end of Facebook: Happy Sheep
round.
Ravelry Group: Raina Kruus pattern support
Rnd 14 MC: *brk1, sl1yo*, rpt from *to* to end of
round. Email: raina.kruus@mail.ee
Rnd 14 CC: *sl1yo, brp1*, rpt from *to* to end of
round.
Rnd 15 and MC and CC: repeat rnd 14 MC and CC
once more.

FINISHING:
Cut both yarn ends. Working with a tapestry needle
and both strands, stitch through the remaining 12
stitches and pull tightly to close the crown. Weave
in yarn ends separately. If you want to block your
hat, I recommend you spray with water and block
your finished hat lightly. Use a balloon or head mold.
I personally don’t block my brioche hats.
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BriocheStarter Hat by Raina Kruus © 2020

BriocheStarter Hat Charts

Legend: | | Rnd 15 MC
| | Rnd 15 MC
brk | | Rnd 14 CC
| | Rnd 14 MC
brp Crown Shaping | | Rnd 13 CC
A complete list of abbreviations and terms | | Rnd 13 MC (12 sts)
| | sl1 yo and their meaning can be found on page 4. | | | | Rnd 12 CC
| | | | Rnd 12 MC
br4st dec green colors shows dec rnds | | | | Rnd 11 CC
| | | | Rnd 11 MC
brLsl dec stitch pattern repeat | | | | Rnd 10 CC
| | | | Rnd 10 MC
BriocheStarter Hat Chart 1 (Ribbing and Body section) | | | | Rnd 9 CC
| | | | Rnd 9 MC (24 sts)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rnd 1 CC | | | | | | | | Rnd 8 CC
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rnd 1 MC (96 sts) | | | | | | | | Rnd 8 MC
18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 | | | | | | | | Rnd 7 CC
| | | | | | | | Rnd 7 MC
BriocheStarter Hat Charts notes: | | | | | | | | Rnd 6 CC
| | | | | | | | Rnd 6MC
Starting with BriocheStarter Hat Charts, read from the bottom right and right to left, up the charts. | | | | | | | | Rnd 5 CC
These charts are to be followed for knitting in the round. | | | | | | | | Rnd 5 MC (48 sts)
There are two separate charts, one for ribbing and body section and one for shaping the crown. | | | | | | | | | | | | Rnd 4 CC
The red outline shows the repeat of the stitch pattern (6 brioche sections x 16 sts before crown shaping | | | | | | | | | | | | Rnd 4 MC
of the hat). | | | | | | | | | | | | Rnd 3 CC
| | | | | | | | | | | | Rnd 3 MC
Repeat Rnd 1 MC and Rnd 1 CC 9 or 10 more times until hat measures approx. 4cm / 1.5". | | | | | | | | | | | | Rnd 2 CC
Change to the larger needles and repeat Rnd 1 MC and Rnd 1 CC 35 more times until hat measures approx. | | | | | | | | | | | | Rnd 2 MC
17cm / 6.5" from cast on edge. Now begin Crown Shaping part. Switch to DPNs or shorter circular needles | | | | | | | | | | | | Rnd 1 CC
(or use Magic Loop method). | | | | | | | | | | | | Rnd 1 MC (72 sts)
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1