The Brentwood Brioche Pullover: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Cozy, Two-Tone Textured Sweater

Introduction: The Coziest Sweater for Little Ones

Welcome to your next knitting adventure! The Brentwood Brioche Pullover is a free, seamless, top-down sweater pattern designed for kids (sizes 2–8 years). This pattern introduces you to the beautiful, reversible brioche stitch, which creates a plush, double-sided fabric that is incredibly soft and warm. The two-tone colorwork—a soft heather gray paired with a creamy off-white—adds a subtle, sophisticated stripe effect that is both modern and timeless.

Whether you are a confident beginner looking to try a new stitch or an experienced knitter wanting a quick, satisfying project, this sweater is perfect. The construction is straightforward: you will work the yoke from the top down, separate the sleeves, and then finish the body and sleeves in the round. The result is a luxuriously textured, cozy pullover that looks like it came from a high-end boutique.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Using the recommended yarn weight and needle sizes is crucial for achieving the correct gauge and the signature plush texture of the brioche stitch.

Yarn

• Weight: Worsted weight yarn (Category 4). A smooth wool or wool-blend is recommended for best stitch definition.
• Color A (Main): 250 (300, 350, 400) yards of a soft heather gray.
• Color B (Contrast): 200 (250, 300, 350) yards of a creamy off-white.

Needles & Notions

• Smaller Needles (for ribbing): US 7 (4.5 mm) 16-inch circular needle and double-pointed needles (DPNs) for sleeves.
• Larger Needles (for brioche body): US 8 (5.0 mm) 16-inch circular needle and DPNs for sleeves.
• Notions: Stitch markers, yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch holders or waste yarn for holding sleeve stitches.

Gauge

• Stockinette stitch on larger needles, after blocking: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches.
• Brioche stitch on larger needles, after blocking: 16 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches.

Always take time to check your gauge. If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size accordingly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is written for the smallest size (2 years), with larger sizes (4, 6, 8) in parentheses. Read through all instructions before beginning.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• sl1yo: Slip 1 yarn over (bring yarn to front, slip next stitch purlwise, then bring yarn over the needle and to the back)
• brk: Brioche knit (knit the slipped stitch together with its yarn over)
• brp: Brioche purl (purl the slipped stitch together with its yarn over)
• k2tog: Knit two together
• ssk: Slip slip knit
• pm: Place marker
• sm: Slip marker
• yo: Yarn over (increase)

Special Stitch: Brioche Rib (Worked Flat, Multiple of 2 + 1)

• Row 1 (RS): Sl1yo, *brk, sl1yo; repeat from * to last st, k1.
• Row 2 (WS): Sl1yo, *brp, sl1yo; repeat from * to last st, p1.
• Repeat Rows 1-2.

Special Stitch: Brioche in the Round (Multiple of 2)

• Round 1: *Sl1yo, brk; repeat from * to end.
• Round 2: *Brp, sl1yo; repeat from * to end.
• Repeat Rounds 1-2.

Sweater Construction

The sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down. The yoke is shaped with increases, then the body and sleeves are worked in the round.

Yoke

1. With smaller needles and Color A, CO 52 (56, 60, 64) sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.
2. Work 1x1 Rib (k1, p1) for 1 inch.
3. Switch to larger needles. Work 2 rounds in Brioche in the Round with Color A.
4. Increase Round (using Color A): *Sl1yo, brk, yo (yarn over increase); repeat from * to end. (78, 84, 90, 96 sts)
5. Work 3 rounds even in Brioche in the Round.
6. Increase Round (using Color A): *Sl1yo, brk, yo; repeat from * to end. (117, 126, 135, 144 sts)
7. Work 3 rounds even.
8. Increase Round (using Color A): *Sl1yo, brk, yo; repeat from * to end. (175, 189, 202, 216 sts)
9. Work 3 rounds even.
10. Increase Round (using Color A): *Sl1yo, brk, yo; repeat from * to end. (262, 283, 303, 324 sts)
11. Work 3 rounds even.
12. Increase Round (using Color A): *Sl1yo, brk, yo; repeat from * to end. (393, 424, 454, 486 sts)
13. Work 3 rounds even.

Separate Sleeves and Body

1. Knit across the next 60 (65, 70, 75) sts for the back. Place next 60 (65, 70, 75) sts on a holder for the left sleeve.
2. CO 6 (8, 10, 12) sts under the arm using the backward loop method.
3. Knit across next 60 (65, 70, 75) sts for the front. Place next 60 (65, 70, 75) sts on a holder for the right sleeve.
4. CO 6 (8, 10, 12) sts under the arm. (132, 146, 160, 174 sts for body).

Body

1. Work in Brioche in the Round with Color A until body measures 8 (9, 10, 11) inches from underarm, or desired length.
2. Switch to smaller needles and Color A. Work 1x1 Rib for 1 inch. Bind off loosely in pattern.

Sleeves

1. Transfer 60 (65, 70, 75) sts from holder to DPNs. Pick up and knit 6 (8, 10, 12) sts from the underarm cast-on. Place marker for beginning of round. (66, 73, 80, 87 sts)
2. Work in Brioche in the Round with Color A for 2 inches.
3. Decrease Round: *Sl1yo, brk, ssk (slip next stitch and its yo together, knit next stitch, pass slipped stitch over); repeat from * to end. (44, 49, 54, 59 sts)
4. Work 3 rounds even.
5. Repeat Decrease Round. (30, 33, 36, 39 sts)
6. Work even in Brioche until sleeve measures 8 (9, 10, 11) inches from underarm, or desired length.
7. Switch to smaller needles and Color A. Work 1x1 Rib for 1 inch. Bind off loosely in pattern.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends using a yarn needle.
2. Block gently to measurements. Lay flat to dry, shaping as needed to open up the brioche texture.

Your Brentwood Brioche Pullover is complete! Enjoy the cozy, reversible fabric and the modern two-tone look. This sweater is sure to become a favorite for years to come.