First, the facts:
Title: Knitting Brioche: The Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch
Author: Nancy Marchant
Published by: North Light Books, 2009
Pages: 255
Type: How to, stitch patterns, and patterns.
Chapters:
1. Working Brioche Stitch Using One Color
2. Working Brioche Stitch Using More Than One Color
3. Brioche Stitchionary
4. Design Elements of Brioche Knitting
5. Projects
The In-Depth Look:
I’ve been sitting here in front of my keyboard for far too long, trying to think of how I was going to begin this review. My problem? I can’t think of anything bad to say, and everybody knows a good review needs to point out the bad as well as the good.
This is THE most comprehensive book on brioche knitting–that double-sided, dense yet springy stitch technique–I’ve ever seen. It’s impressive. It’s thorough. It’s … well, here’s what the blurb on the back says.
“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.”
The book begins with an explanation of brioche stitch, and how to work the several variations. The best cast-ons to use, how to increase or decrease stitches. Then, it talks about how to add color to your brioche stitch.
Next is a stitch dictionary. Lots and lots of brioche stitches. 60, in fact, including some created just for this book. Then, there are 25 ready-made designs to knit. Hats, scarves, sweaters, and so on. These patterns are lovely and accentuate how versatile brioche knitting can be.
Really, it’s hard to come up with anything that could be better. The photographs are clear and helpful, both for illustrating techniques and for showing specific patterns. There is a thorough Table of Contents which lists all the sub-sections of each chapter, and there is an Index which lists each stitch and project, as well as the other highlights of the book.
The descriptions of this occasionally complicated technique are easy to read and understandable. The illustrative photos are helpful.
Even the projects are tempting. Attractive, creative, but very wearable.
Darn it, there’s just nothing wrong with this book.
Luckily for you, that means this book is fantastic and one you should run-not-walk to find if this is a technique that you are even remotely interested in. Because, trust me, you’re not going to find a better guide to brioche any time soon.
Still, it’s great books like these that make writing reviews so frustrating.
This annoyingly perfect book is available at Amazon.com.
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I bought the book when it first ccame out, because I had made a scarf in a brioche stitch, not knowing that was what I was doing. I loved the way it looks good on either side without having to do boring garter and wow, is it fun not to have to purl to get a ribbing effect. Haven’t made anything yet, but plan to for fall.