The Boutchou Brioche Sweater: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Luxurious, Textured Yoke Pullover

Discover the Cozy Sophistication of the Boutchou Brioche Sweater

Welcome to the world of luxurious, textured knits! The Boutchou Brioche Sweater is a modern, relaxed-fit pullover that combines the plush, reversible beauty of brioche stitch with the clean simplicity of stockinette. This free pattern guides you through creating a stunning yoke sweater with elegant dropped shoulders and a soft, heathered color palette. Whether you're new to brioche or a seasoned knitter, this pattern offers a rewarding project that results in a cozy, drapey garment perfect for layering. Let's dive in and create something truly special.

Materials Needed

To create your Boutchou Sweater, gather the following materials. All yarn amounts are for worsted weight (#4) yarn.

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) yarn in two colors:
  • Main Color (MC): 800 (900, 1000, 1100, 1200) yards. Sample uses Brooklyn Tweed Loft in 'Hayloft'.
  • Contrast Color (CC): 400 (450, 500, 550, 600) yards. Sample uses Brooklyn Tweed Loft in 'Fossil'.
• Needles:
  • US 7 (4.5 mm) 32-inch circular needle for yoke and body.
  • US 6 (4.0 mm) 16-inch circular needle for ribbing.
  • US 6 (4.0 mm) double-pointed needles for sleeve ribbing (or use a long circular for magic loop).
• Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on larger needles, after blocking. 18 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in brioche stitch on larger needles, after blocking.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) – Finished chest: 36 (40, 44, 48, 52) inches.

Notes: This sweater is worked top-down in the round. The brioche yoke is worked in two colors (MC and CC) using a two-color brioche stitch. The body and sleeves are worked in stockinette with MC.

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• brk = brioche knit (knit the stitch that is paired with its yarnover from the previous row)
• brp = brioche purl (purl the stitch that is paired with its yarnover from the previous row)
• yo = yarn over
• sl1yo = slip 1 purlwise with yarn over (bring yarn to front, slip next stitch purlwise, then bring yarn over needle to back)
• M1R = make one right (increase)
• M1L = make one left (increase)
• k2tog = knit two together
• ssk = slip slip knit

Yoke

With MC and larger circular needle, cast on 90 (96, 102, 108, 114) stitches. Place marker and join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Setup Round (MC): *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.

Round 1 (CC): *Sl1yo, p1; repeat from * to end.

Round 2 (MC): *Brk, p1; repeat from * to end.

Round 3 (CC): *K1, sl1yo; repeat from * to end.

Round 4 (MC): *K1, brp; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Rounds 1-4 for brioche stitch. Work even for 2 (2, 3, 3, 4) inches from cast-on.

Increase Round (worked over 2 rounds)

Inc Round 1 (CC): *Sl1yo, p1, M1R (using CC), sl1yo, p1; repeat from * to end – 45 (48, 51, 54, 57) stitches increased. Total stitches: 135 (144, 153, 162, 171).

Inc Round 2 (MC): *Brk, p1, brk, p1; repeat from * to end (work the M1R as a brk in the next round).

Work even in brioche for 1 inch.

Repeat Increase Round every 1.5 inches 3 more times – 180 (192, 204, 216, 228) stitches after first increase, 225 (240, 255, 270, 285) after second, 270 (288, 306, 324, 342) after third, 315 (336, 357, 378, 399) after fourth.

Work even until yoke measures 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches from cast-on.

Divide for Body and Sleeves

Knit across next 45 (48, 51, 54, 57) stitches for front, place next 67 (72, 77, 82, 87) stitches on holder for left sleeve, cast on 6 (8, 10, 12, 14) stitches underarm, knit across next 90 (96, 102, 108, 114) stitches for back, place next 67 (72, 77, 82, 87) stitches on holder for right sleeve, cast on 6 (8, 10, 12, 14) stitches underarm, knit across remaining 45 (48, 51, 54, 57) stitches for front. Total body stitches: 192 (208, 224, 240, 256).

Body

Continue in stockinette stitch (knit every round) with MC until body measures 12 (13, 14, 15, 16) inches from underarm, or desired length.

Ribbing: Switch to smaller circular needle. Work k1, p1 ribbing for 2 inches. Bind off loosely in pattern.

Sleeves

Place held sleeve stitches onto larger double-pointed needles or circular needle. Pick up and knit 6 (8, 10, 12, 14) stitches from underarm. Total sleeve stitches: 73 (80, 87, 94, 101). Place marker for beginning of round.

Work in stockinette stitch (knit every round) with MC for 1 inch.

Decrease Round: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1 – 2 stitches decreased.

Repeat decrease round every 1.5 inches 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) more times – 55 (60, 65, 70, 75) stitches.

Work even until sleeve measures 16 (17, 18, 19, 20) inches from underarm, or desired length.

Ribbing: Switch to smaller double-pointed needles. Work k1, p1 ribbing for 2 inches. Bind off loosely in pattern.

Finishing

Weave in all ends. Block sweater to measurements, gently stretching brioche yoke to open up texture. Enjoy your luxurious, hand-knit Boutchou Sweater!