How to fix brioche mistakes

A step-by-step tutorial on fixing mistakes in brioche knitting; rescue dropped stitches the easy way

To a beginner, the brioche stitch can seem a daunting thing. It will take quite a while to understand that it’s a form of double knitting and that mistakes have to be handled in a special way. Whenever you dropped a stitch and things unravel, it can quickly look like a hot mess. But there is a super simple way to fix things with a crochet hook!

Before you start fixing your mistake, I urge to take a very close look at your dropped stitch (or the part you need to unravel to get to the mistake a couple of rows below). Above your stitch, there are multiple strands connecting the adjacent stitches.

Some strands will be directly connected to the next ridge of purl stitches, while some skip that ridge and are connected to the next column of knit stitches. To fix mistakes in brioche knitting, it’s vital that you are be able to spot the difference.

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Instructions: How to fix a brioche mistake

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You can easily fix a dropped stitch or a mistake several rows down with a crochet hook. Before you do that I recommend taking a close-up look at the anatomy of the brioche stitch.

Active Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Materials

• Any yarn works. I am using the Schachenmayr Catania Grande in this tutorial.

Tools

• A crochet hook in a similar size. For example the Knitter's Pride Dreamz hook.

Instructions

1. In brioche knitting, you always fix mistakes on the knit side. So first of all, turn your project to the side where the mistake shows up in a column of knit stitches.
   
2. If you dropped a stitch, secure it with a stitch marker first. If you need to unravel, then secure the stitch one row below your mistake and then drop the stitch above from the knitting needle and let things unravel to that point.
   
3. Sort out the strands so they are nice and parallel (and not twisted).
   
4. Next, pick up the stitch with a crochet hook and remove the stitch marker.
   
5. Go below the next two strands connected to the adjacent purl ridge on either side.
   
6. Grab the next strand connected to a knit ridge.
   
   If you pull on it, the next knit stitch on the side should close.
   
7. Pull the yarn below the two "purl" strands and through the dropped stitch.
   
8. Then, go below the next two "purl" strands and grab the next knit strand. Pay attention. One of these previous purl strands is now firmly attached to your brioche stitch and should not be touched anymore.
   
9. Pull the yarn through your stitch. Make sure it doesn't end up twisted.
   
10. Repeat steps 8-9 until you used up all "knit" strands and slip the stitch on your crochet hook back to your knitting needle.
    
11. Pick up the top "purl" strand and slip it back to your knitting needle as well to re-create a brioche double stitch (brk).
    
    

Notes

Please note that this method doesn't really work when fixing decreases or increases. That's because decreases typically create an area with less yarn in the fabric, while increases add more yarn. It's not possible to add or subtract the needed yarn multiple rows below. In this case, the best way to fix your mistake is knitting backwards carefully until you reach that spot.

I feel that this method works very well for simpler patterns and easier yarns. However, when you have a mistake in a more complicated pattern (and/or using a fuzzier yarn), it can sometimes be a lot easier to knit a couple of rows backwards.

Also keep in mind that it can be very helpful to use lifelines – especially if the pattern features a lot of brioche increases or brioche decreases. Simply make it a habbit to insert a lifeline every 5, 10, 15 rows (whatever you feel comfortable with). Then you will always have a safe spot to unravel your project to!

Anyway, that’s how to fix a dropped stitch in brioche knitting. Comment below if you have any questions.