How to knit reversible brioche double decreases

A step-by-step tutorial on knitting brioche double decreases that look the same on both sides

Complex brioche patterns typically have one major issue. The second you add decreases, the fabric stops being fully reversible. There’s usually a good side and one that looks less neat. But it doesn’t have to be that way. While not exactly easy (but which brioche stitch is?), I came up with two different ways to decrease brioche patterns in a way that both sides look the same.

This method deviates from the standard brioche double decreases (b4rstdec). The trick is splitting the decreases up. In the first row, you decrease two stitches in the main color, and in the second row, you decrease two stitches in the background color.

There are two different ways to approach this. Let’s show you the easier version first.

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Instructions: How to knit the a reversible brioche double decrease

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The first version of this decrease is completely centered on both sides. On the downside, it will appear as if you knitted two separate single decreases on the wrong side. It will help if you already know how to knit cables without a cable needle.

Active Time 1 minute

Total Time 1 minute

Materials

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

Tools

• It's easier with relatively sharp needles. I am using the Knitter's Pride Dreamz here because they work well on camera.

Instructions

1. For the first pass: Work across in pattern until you come to the place where you want to place your double increase. There should be three double stitches you brk in the main color and three single stitches in the background color ahead.
   
   
2. In the first step, you need to rearrange the order of those stitches. To do this, insert your right needle into the second stitch on the left needle from behind. This process is the same as knitting cables without a cable needle.
   
   
3. Press your thumb against the double stitch to secure it and pull out the left needle to drop the it.
   
   
4. Immediately pick up the dropped double stitch with your left needle.
   
   
5. Next, slip the next two double stitches knitwise at the same time.
   
   
6. Then, change the order of the next two stitches by inserting the right needle into the next double stitch on the left needle from the front.
   
7. Secure the single stitch with your left index finger. Then, drop it by pulling out the left needle.
   
   
8. Pick up the dropped single stitch right away using the left needle.
   
   
9. Slip the double stitch back to the left needle purlwise/point-to-point.
   
   
10. Brioche knit one stitch (brk).
    
    
11. Pass the two twisted double stitches (from step 5) next to it over the stitch you've just brk'ed
    
    
12. Slip the next stitch purlwise with yarn held in front. Then continue to work across in pattern.
    
    
13. For the second pass: Work across in the background color until you come to a double stitch followed by a single stitch in the background color.
    
    
14. Purl the double stitch together with the single stitch (so a p3tog).
    
    
15. Slip one purlwise with yarn held in front and add a yarn over (sl1yo)
    
    
16. And lastly, SSP - slip, slip, purl the next three stitches (one double stitch followed by a single stitch in the background color). So, slip the stitches knitwise one after another. And then purl them together through the back loop.
    
    
17. The finished reversible double decrease should look like this.
    
    

Reading tip: How to knit reversible brioche increases

Now, what makes this way to decrease the brioche stitch so special is the fact that it’s fully centered and symmetrical. So, the same stitch will be in the center of your decrease on both sides. However, the wrong side WILL look slightly different as a result.

If you want a brioche decrease that looks exactly the same on both sides, you will have to live with the fact that they will end up offset by one stitch. For most patterns, it probably won’t matter, but for some, it might. That’s why I want to show you both options.

Option 2 to knit a fully reversible brioche decrease

This method will require a cable needle. Theoretically, you could also knit it without one, but then you’ll end up slipping the same stitches back and forth another 10 times, and I personally believe this is not entirely productive.

Note: It’s easier to follow these steps if you keep the following in mind. In the first pass, you are working a k3tog centered into the main color stitches, and in the second pass, you are working a p3tog centered into the background color stitches. Before you can do that, you need to shuffle around stitches and park the stitches for the wrong side on a cable needle in the back.

Step 1: Just like before, you stop right before a stitch you’d normally brk.

Step 2: Then, slip the next double stitch purlwise, slip the next single stitch (in the background color) to a cable needle. Slip the next double stitch after that purlwise as well, and slip the second single stitch to the cable needle as well. Keep the cable needle in the back.

Step 3: Slip the two double stitches back to the left needle.

Step 4: Slip the two double stitches knitwise at the same time.

Step 5: Brk.

Step 6: Pass the two slipped double stitches over the one you’ve just brk’ed (you can also pass them over one at a time if things are too tight).

Step 7: Slip the next stitch purlwise with yarn held in front and continue working across.

Step 8: When you come to the centered decrease remaining after the first couple of steps in the next row (using the background color), just sl1yo as you’d normally do. Be careful: It’s kinda easy to lose this yarn over in the next steps. But you can pick it up later on again. It slips off so easily. Don’t worry.

Step 9: Slip the two stitches from the cable needle back to the left needle.

Step 10: Purl one stitch.

Step 11: Slip the next two stitches (one double stitch, one single stitch), knitwise at the same time.

Step 12: Slip them back to the left needle.

Step 13: Slip the stitch you’ve just purled back to the left needle as well.

Step 14: Now pass the three loops over the purl stitch.

Step 15: Lastly, remember to pick up the yarn over (in case it dropped). The preceding stitch in the main color (blue in my case) should have a yarn over. If it dropped, it should be wrapped around the front, and you can simply pick it up again.
Then, slip the next stitch back to the right needle purlwise with yarn held in front to finish this brioche double decrease.

Now, admittedly, there are easier ways to decrease knitting. There are an awful lot of steps and slipping back and forth involved. However, the standard way to decrease brioche stitches with (brk4dec) isn’t exactly easy either. In fact, I do feel that by splitting things up into two passes, it actually gets a bit easier and more manageable.

One note here: If you are working in one color only, you can also use this decrease. However, you will have to translate the second pass. You slip all stitches around in the exact same manner, but instead of purling (or purling together) you knit together and vice versa.

Anyway, I hope I didn’t confuse you too much with this tutorial and you are still with me. I know, these decreases can be a handful. But remember: Essentially, you are just knitting one centered double decrease on the front and one in the back.

Anyway, that’s how to knit fully reversible brioche double decreases. Comment below if you have any questions.