Brioche Fan Coral Shawl

Free Shawl Knitting Pattern

You can purchase this shawl from my Etsy shop.

I called this the Fan Coral Shawl because the shape and Brioche motif remind me of a fan coral.

The shawl is knitted from the top down in 2-color brioche stitch. The shawl has a semi-circle form.

Skills required:

To knit this shawl, you have to know how to knit 2-color brioche stitch, and make brioche decreases and increases.


Size: length 36” (90 cm), width 72” (180 cm)

Materials: Kauni (affiliate link) 8/2 Effektgarn 100% Wool fingering weight yarn 440 yd (400 m)/100g, color EX – 2 skeins (DC)
Kauni (affiliate link) Wool 8/2 Solids fingering weight yarn, 660 yards (604 meters) /150 gr, color Natural – 2 skeins (LC)
stitch markers

Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm) 21” (52 cm) circular needles.

Gauge in 2-color brioche st:
18 sts x 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) x 4” (10 cm)
Note, that 1 row of brioche consists of 1 row of LC and 1 row of DC


Pattern Notes

Abbreviations
Please note that I use Nancy Marchant terminology for brioche stitch. I highly recommend her books Knitting Brioche: The Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch and Knitting Fresh Brioche: Creating Two-Color Twists & Turns, as well as her lessons on craftsy.com.

yf - yarn forward: bring the yarn to the front, between the tips of the needles.
yb - yarn back: take the yarn to the back, between the tips of the needles.
sl1yof - slip 1, yarn over, yarn to front: with working yarn in front, slip the next stitch purlwise, then bring the yarn over the needle and the slipped stitch, then bring yarn back arow to the front, ready to purl the following stitch.
yfsl1yo - yarn forward, slip 1, yarn over: bring the working yarn between the tips of the needles to front of work, slip the next stitch purlwise, then bring the yarn over the needle and the slipped stitch. Leave yarn in back, ready to knit the next stitch.
brk - brioche knit: knit the stitch together with its accompanying yarnover
brp - brioche purl: purl the stitch together with its accompanying yarnover
brkyobrk – brk1, yo, brk1: [brk1, yarn over (yarn over under needle, then over needle to back), brk1] in the same stitch. 2 stitches are increased.
br4st inc – brk1, yo, brk1, yo, brk1 into the same stitch: 1 stitch increased to five.
brsssk (left slant 2-stitch decrease) – work to marked st, slip the next 2 sts (the marked st with its yarn over and the next single st) knitwise, one at a times, onto the right needle. Bark the following st, then pass the 2 slipped sts over.
brk2tog (right slant 2-stitch decrease) – work to 2 sts before the marked st (last brk) , slip 2 sts knitwise (st with yarn over and single st) and knit (brk) them together. Return this st to the left needle and pass the marked st (st with yarn over) over. Move this st to the right needle.
LS – light side
DS – dark side
LC – light color
DC- dark color
k – knit
p – purl
pm – place marker
sm – slip marker


Two-Color Brioche Stitch

Please note that one brioche row consists of 2 rows, one worked in LC and the other in DC. Both colors are worked in one direction, then the work is turned and both colors are worked in the other direction.

Odd number of stitches
Set-up row (LC): k1, *sl1yof, p1, rep from *, end with sl1yof, p1. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Set-up row (DC): sl1, yb, *brk1, yfsl1yo, repeat from *, end with brk1, yb, sl last st. Turn.
Row 1 (LS, LC): k1, *yfsl1yo, brk1, repeat from * to last 2 sts, end with yfsl1yo, k1. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 1 (LS, DC): sl1, yf, *brp1, sl1yof, repeat from * to last 2 sts, end with brp1, yb, slip last st. Turn.
Row 2 (DS, LC): p1, *sl1yof, brp1, repeat from * to last 2 sts, end with sl1yof, p1. DO not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 2 (DS, DC): sl1, yb, *brk1, yfsl1yo, repeat from * to last 2 sts, end with brk1, yf, sl last st. Turn.

Seagull pattern

on 9 sts: 5 brk st on LS
Row 1 (LS LC): brsssk, yfsl1yo, brk4st inc, yfsl1yo, brk2tog. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 1 (LS DC): sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof. Turn.

Row 2 (DS, LC): brp1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, brp1. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 2 (DS, DC): yfsl1yo, brk1, yfsl1yo, brk1, yfsl1yo. Turn.

Row 3 (LS LC): brk1, yfsl1yo, brk1, yfsl1yo, brk1. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 3 (LS DC): sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof. Turn.

Row 4: repeat row 2.

Repeat rows 1-4.


Chain Selvedge

Worked at the beginning and the end of the row, consists of 1 st.

Row 1 (LS LC): Beginning of the row: bring LC under DC, sl 1; end of the row: p 1. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 1 (LS DC): Beginning of the row: sl 1, end of the row: p 1. Turn.
Row 2 (DS LC): of the row: bring LC under DC, sl 1; end of the row: p 1. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 2 (DS DC): Beginning of the row: sl 1, end of the row: p 1. Turn.


Disappearing Loop Cast On

1. Make a loop at the end of the yarn tail and hold it with your left index and middle fingers.
2. Insert your right needle into the loop, pick up the yarn and draw it through the loop, making the first stitch.
3. Pick up the yarn again, this is the 2nd stitch.
Repeat steps 2-3 to make 7 sts.
4. Pull the end of the tail to tighten the loop.

See also this video

Binding Off

I use the Invisible Ribbed Bind Off method described on p. 197 of the book “Cast On, Bind Off. 54 Step-by-Step Methods” by Leslie Ann Bestor, Storey Publishing 2012. This is a type of sewn bind-off and creates a flexible edge.

Elizabeth Zimmermann’s sewn bind off works well, too.



Shawl

With LC yarn, using Disappearing Loop Cast On method, cast on 7 sts. Move stitches to the left needle.
Set-up row (LC): k1, *p1, sl1yof, from * repeat to last 2 sts, p1, p1. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Set-up row (DC): sl1, * yfsl1yo, brp1, from * repeat to last 2 sts, yfsl1yo, p1. Turn.

Row 1 (LS, LC): sl1, brk1, yfsl1yo, br4st inc, yfsl1yo, brk1, p1. 11 sts. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 1 (LS, DC): sl1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, p1. Turn.

Row 2 (DS, LC): sl1, * brp1, sl1yof, repeat from * to last 2 sts, end with brp1, p1. DO not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 2 (DS, DC): sl1, *yfsl1yo, brk1, repeat from * to last 2 sts, end with yfsl1yo, p1. Turn.

Row 3 (LS, LC): sl1, brk1, yfsl1yo, brkyobrk, yfsl1yo, br4st inc, yfsl1yo, brkyobrk, yfsl1yo, brk1, p1. 19 sts. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 3 (LS, DC): sl1, yf, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, p1. Turn.

Row 4 (LC and DC) and all even rows: repeat row 2 (LC and DC).

Row 5 (LS, LC): sl1, *brk1, yfsl1yo, from* repeat to last 2 sts, end with brk1, p1. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 5 (LS, DC): sl1, *sl1yof, brp1, from * repeat to last 2 sts, end with, sl1yof, p1. Turn.

Row 7 (LC and DC): repeat row 5 (LC and DC).

Row 9 (LS, LC): sl1, brk1, yfsl1yo, (brkyobrk, yfsl1yo) 3 times, br4st inc, yfsl1yo, (brkyobrk, yfsl1yo) 3 times, brk1, p1. 35 sts. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 9 (LS, DC): sl1, yf, sl1yof, brp1, (sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1) 3 times, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1, (sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1) 3 times, sl1yof, p1. Turn.

Rows 10-16 work as established, repeating row 5 for odd rows and row 2 for even rows.

Row 17 (LS, LC): sl1, brk1, yfsl1yo, brkyobrk, yfsl1yo, brk1, yfsl1yo, (brkyobrk, yfsl1yo) 3 times, brk, yfsl1yo, brkyobrk, yfsl1yo, brk, yfsl1yo, brkyobrk, yfsl1yo , brk1, yfsl1yo, (brkyobrk, yfsl1yo) 3 times, brk, yfsl1yo, brkyobrk, yfsl1yo, brk, p1. 55 sts. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 17 (LS, DC): sl1, yf, sl1yof, brp, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, brp1, (sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1) 3 times, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, brp1, (sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1) 3 times, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, p1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, brp1, sl1yof, p1. Turn.

Click image to enlarge

Rows 18-28 work as established, repeating row 5 for odd rows and row 2 for even rows.

After the increases at row 17 there are 27 brk stitches on the LS. The first and the last increases form the shawl’s edge. The rest 25 brks are used to anchor the increases (well, not all of them, 21 out of 25 only). It would be useful to mark each brk stitch with the Numbered Stitch Markers (see picture below)

Click image to enlarge

The first set of increases is made at the 5th, 9th, 13th (center), 17th and 21st stitches. Total 5 sts.
The second set of increases is made at the 3rd, 7th, 11th, 15th, 19th and 23rd stitches. Total 6 sts.
The third set of increases is made at the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th and 22nd stitches. Total 10 sts.

Each set of increases consists of working brk4st-inc at the designated brk st, in every 4th row, five times. Total 20 rows. In the next row is the beginning of the Seagull column (see Seagull pattern above). Repeat Seagull pattern four more times. Total 40 rows in each set of increases. Work from written or charted instructions as you prefer.

Increase pattern

Worked on a numbered stitch as stated above.

Row 29 (LS, LC): br4st inc. (5 sts) Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 29 (LS, DC): (sl1yof, p1) x 2, yf sl1yo. Turn.

Row 30 (DS, LC): (brp, sl1yof) x 2, brp. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 30 (DS, DC): (yf sl1yo, brk) x 2, yf sl1yo. Turn.

Row 31 (LS, LC): (brk, yf sl1yo) x 2, brk. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 31 (LS, DC): (sl1yof, brp) x 2, yf sl1yo. Turn.

Row 32 (DS, LC): Repeat row 30.
Row 32 (DS, DC): Repeat row 30.

Row 33 (LS, LC): brk, yf sl1yo, br4st inc, yf sl1yo, brk. (9 sts) Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 33 (LS, DC): sl1yof, brp, (sl1yof, p1) x 2, sl1yof, brp, yf sl1yo. Turn.

Row 34 (DS, LC): (brp, sl1yof) x 4, brp. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 34 (DS, DC): (yf sl1yo, brk) x 4, yf sl1yo. Turn.

Row 35 (LS, LC): (brk, yf sl1yo) x 4, brk. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 35 (LS, DC): (sl1yof, brp) x 4, yf sl1yo. Turn.

Row 36 (DS, LC): Repeat row 34.
Row 36 (DS, DC): Repeat row 34.

Row 37 (LS, LC): (brk, yf sl1yo) x 2, br4st inc, (yf sl1yo, brk) x 2. (13 sts) Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 37 (LS, DC): (sl1yof, brp) x 2, (sl1yof, p1) x 2, (sl1yof, brp) x 2, sl1yof. Turn.

Row 38 (DS, LC): (brp, sl1yof) x 6, brp. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 38 (DS, DC): (yf sl1yo, brk) x 6, yf sl1yo. Turn.

Row 39 (LS, LC): (brk, yf sl1yo) x 6, brk. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 39 (LS, DC): (sl1yof, brp) x 6, sl1yof. Turn.

Row 40 (DS, LC): Repeat row 38.
Row 40 (DS, DC): Repeat row 38.

Row 41 (LS, LC): (brk, yf sl1yo) x 3, br4st inc, (yf sl1yo, brk) x 3. (17 sts) Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 41 (LS, DC): (sl1yof, brp) x 3, (sl1yof, p1) x 2, (sl1yof, brp) x 3, sl1yof. Turn.

Row 42 (DS, LC): (brp, sl1yof) x 8, brp. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 42 (DS, DC): (yf sl1yo, brk) x 8, yf sl1yo. Turn.

Row 43 (LS, LC): (brk, yf sl1yo) x 8, brk. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 43 (LS, DC): (sl1yof, brp) x 8, yf sl1yo. Turn.

Row 44 (DS, LC): Repeat row 42.
Row 44 (DS, DC): Repeat row 42.

Row 45 (LS, LC): (brk, yf sl1yo) x 4, br4st inc, (yf sl1yo, brk) x 4. (21 sts) Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 45 (LS, DC): (sl1yof, brp) x 4, (sl1yof, p1) x 2, (sl1yof, brp) x 4, sl1yof. Turn.

Row 46 (DS, LC): (brp, sl1yof) x 10, brp. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 46: (yf sl1yo, brk) x 10, yf sl1yo. Turn.

Row 47 (LS, LC): (brk, yf sl1yo) x 10, brk. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 47 (LS, DC): (sl1yof, brp) x 10, yf sl1yo. Turn.

Row 48 (DS, LC): Repeat row 46.
Row 48 (DS, DC): Repeat row 46.

Row 49 (LS, LC): (brk, yf sl1yo) x 3, brsssk, yf sl1yo, br4st inc, yf sl1yo, brk2tog, (yf sl1yo, brk) x 3. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 49 (LS, DC): Repeat row 45.

Row 50 (DS, LC): Repeat row 46.
Row 50 (DS, DC): Repeat row 46.

Row 51 (LS, LC): Repeat row 47.
Row 51 (LS, DC): Repeat row 47.

Row 52 (DS, LC): Repeat row 46.
Row 52 (DS, DC): Repeat row 46.

Repeat rows 49-52 four more times.

Click image to enlarge

Work the first set of increases rows 29-68. Increases are made at the 5th, 9th, 13th (center), 17th and 21st stitches. Total 5 sts. 155 sts.

Row 29 (LS, LC): sl1, (*brk1, yfsl1yo, from* repeat to 5th st, pm, work Increase Pattern from chart or written instructions, pm) repeat for 9th, 13th, 17th and 21st sts, *brk1, yfsl1yo, from* repeat to last 2 sts, end with brk1, p1. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 29 (LS, DC): sl1, (*sl1yof, brp1, from * repeat to marker, sm, work Increase Pattern from chart or written instructions, sm) repeat four more times, *sl1yof, brp1, from * repeat to last 2 sts, end with, sl1yof, p1. Turn.

Row 30 (DS, LC): sl1, * brp1, sl1yof, repeat from * to last 2 sts, end with brp1, p1. DO not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 30 (DS, DC): sl1, *yfsl1yo, brk1, repeat from * to last 2 sts, end with yfsl1yo, p1. Turn.

Rows 31-68: repeat rows 29-30


Work the second set of increases, rows 69-108. Increases are made at the 3rd, 7th, 11th, 15th, 19th and 23rd stitches. Total 6 sts. 275 sts.

Row 69 (LS, LC): sl1, (*brk1, yfsl1yo, from* repeat to 3rd st, pm, work Increase Pattern from chart or written instructions, pm) repeat for 7th, 11th, 15th, 19th and 23rd sts, *brk1, yfsl1yo, from* repeat to last 2 sts, end with brk1, p1. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 69 (LS, DC): sl1, (*sl1yof, brp1, from * repeat to marker, sm, work Increase Pattern from chart or written instructions, sm) repeat five more times, *sl1yof, brp1, from * repeat to last 2 sts, end with, sl1yof, p1. Turn.

Row 70 (DS, LC): sl1, * brp1, sl1yof, repeat from * to last 2 sts, end with brp1, p1. DO not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 70 (DS, DC): sl1, *yfsl1yo, brk1, repeat from * to last 2 sts, end with yfsl1yo, p1. Turn.

Rows 71-108: repeat rows 69-70

Work the 3rd set of increases, rows 109-148. Increases are made at the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th and 22nd stitches. Total 10 sts. 475 sts.

Row 109 (LS, LC): sl1, (*brk1, yfsl1yo, from* repeat to 4th st, pm, work Increase Pattern from chart or written instructions, pm) repeat for 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th and 22nd sts, *brk1, yfsl1yo, from* repeat to last 2 sts, end with brk1, p1. Do not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 109 (LS, DC): sl1, (*sl1yof, brp1, from * repeat to marker, sm, work Increase Pattern from chart or written instructions, sm) repeat nine more times, *sl1yof, brp1, from * repeat to last 2 sts, end with, sl1yof, p1. Turn.

Row 110 (DS, LC): sl1, * brp1, sl1yof, repeat from * to last 2 sts, end with brp1, p1. DO not turn, slide work to the other end of the needle.
Row 110 (DS, DC): sl1, *yfsl1yo, brk1, repeat from * to last 2 sts, end with yfsl1yo, p1. Turn.

Rows 111-148: repeat rows 109-110.

Work as established for 68 more rows of for desired length.

Work 6 rows of 2-color garter stitch.

Bind off.


Finishing

Block. Weave in ends.