Terminology and Abbreviations

I have developed a set of abbreviations and terminology specifically for brioche knitting. Most often, this is simply a “br” (for “brioche”) placed in front of the traditional abbreviation. 

LS = light side of work. The knit columns on this side of the work are in the light color.

DS = dark side of work. The knit columns on this side of the work are in the dark color.

LC = light color. Use the light-colored yarn.

DC = dark color. Use the dark colored yarn.

LS LC means the side of the work facing you has light-colored “knit” columns and you will be working with the light-colored yarn in that row.

LH = left hand needle

RH = right hand needle

k = knit

p = purl

sl = slip stitch purlwise, unless told otherwise

brk (brioche knit – also known as a bark) = knit the stitch that was slipped in the previous row together with its yarn over.

brp (brioche purl – also known as a burp) = purl the stitch that was slipped in the previous row together with its yarn over.

The sl1yo is the action that creates the shawled stitch. This action works differently for a bark row than for a burp row, but one manipulation remains standard–that the working yarn must always be in front before slipping the stitch. On a burp row the working yarn is in place before slipping the stitch but in a bark row you need to first bring the yarn to the front and then slip the stitch. This stitch, with its yarn-over shawl, is considered one stitch when worked.

sl1yo following a k or brk st = bring the working yarn under the needle to the front of the work, slip the next stitch purlwise, then bring the yarn over the needle (and over the slipped stitch) to the back, in position to work the following stitch. 

sl1yo following a p or brp st = working yarn is already in front, slip the next stitch purlwise, then bring the yarn over the needle (and over the slipped stitch), then to the front under the needle, into position to work the following stitch.