Two-color Brick Wall Stitch: tutorial

The Two-color Brick Wall Stitch is an easy two-color knitting stitch that allows you to create a brick-like effect. To make it, you will use two yarn balls of different colors and work with both at the same time. By alternating rows with each one of the two colours, you will get a block effect: the predominant color is the one chosen for the “bricks”, while the other color will define the outlines.

What you need to knit the Two-color Brick Stitch

This two-color easy knitting stitch can be made with different types of yarn, depending on personal preference and the effect you want to achieve. In general, for this technique we recommend using both wool and cotton yarns that are normally worked with 5 mm (US 8) knitting needles and above. Also, to get a more lively and colorful effect, you can choose multicolored yarns or contrasting solid colors, while for a more delicate and sober effect, tone-on-tone yarns are more suitable. We used:

• Beechwood knitting needles, 10 mm (US 15) – you can choose the right needle size adjusting to your yarn and tension
• Bettaknit’s Fettuccine in the colors Azure and Aquamarine

Stitches and techniques you need for the Two-color Brick Wall Stitch

• Knit stitch
• Purl stitch
• Purl-wise slip stitch

Check out the Video Tutorials section on our website to find many knitting tutorials and much more to practise your stitches!

How to knit the Two-color Brick Wall Stitch

Here are the steps to knit two variations of the Two-color Brick Wall Stitch. These are two variations of the same stitch, they’re very similar to each other and also perfect to use in combination in the same project, as we did for our Susie Cardi, of which you can find the free pattern and blog post for step-by-step instructions!

Note: be careful to keep an even tension throughout your work to make it as neat as possible.

Two-color Brick Wall Stitch: Variation A

The first variation of the Two-color Brick Wall Stitch is the classic brick-like effect knitting stitch. It is made on a multiple of 6 +1 stitches (aside from the selvedge stitches which are not to be worked in Brick Wall Stitch).

• Row #1 (RS = right side): With Color A, knit all the stitches.
• Row #2 (WS = wrong side): Purl row.

Drop Color A and switch to Color B.

• Row #3: With Color B, *knit 3 stitches, slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work, knit 2 stitches*. Repeat from * to * until you have 1 stitch left on the needle. Knit 1 stitch.
• Row #4: Knit 1 stitch, *knit 2 stitches, slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work, knit 3 stitches *. Repeat from * to * until the end of the row.
• Row #5 (RS): *Purl 3 stitches, slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work, purl 2 stitches*. Repeat from * to * until you have 1 stitch left on the needle. Purl 1 stitch.

Remember to always hold the yarn to the wrong side of the work while slipping 1 stitch purl-wise. If you are purling stitches, right side facing you, you will have to move the yarn behind your right needle as to knit, then slip the stitch purl-wise. Afterwards, bring the yarn back towards you and continue purling.

• Row #6 (WS): Repeat Row #4.

Drop Color B and switch back to Color A.

• Row #7: Repeat Row #1.
• Row #8: Repeat Row #2.

Drop Color A and switch back to Color B.

• Row #9: With Color B, *slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work, knit 5 stitches*. Repeat from * to * until you have 1 stitch left on the needle. Slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work.
• Row #10: Slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work, *knit 5 stitches, slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work *. Repeat from * to * until the end of the row.
• Row #11: * Slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work, purl 5 stitches *. Repeat from * to * until you have 1 stitch left on the needle. Slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work.
• Row #12: Repeat Row #10.

Drop Color B and switch back to Color A.

• Row #13: Repeat Row #1.
• Row #14: Repeat Row #2.

Continue working in pattern repeating the steps from Row #3 to Row #14, until you’ve reached the desired length.

Chart of the Two-color Brick Wall Stitch: Variation A

Two-color Brick Wall Stitch: Variation B

The second variation of the Two-tone Brick Wall Stitch is very similar to the first one, but instead you will see smaller “bricks” that are closer to one another. It is made on a multiple of 4 +3 stitches.

• Row #1 (RS = right side): With Color A, knit all the stitches.
• Row #2 (WS = wrong side): Purl row.

Drop Color A and switch to Color B.

• Row #3: With Color B, *knit 3 stitches, slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work*. Repeat from * to * until you have 3 stitches on the needle. Knit 3 stitches.
• Row #4: Knit 3 stitches, *slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work, knit 3 stitches*. Repeat from * to * until the end of the row.

Drop Color B and switch back to Color A.

• Row #5: Repeat Row #1.
• Row #6: Repeat Row #2.

Lascia il Colore A e riprendi il Colore B.

• Row #7: With Color B, *knit 1 stitch, slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work, knit 2 stitches*. Repeat from * to * until you have 3 stitches on the needle. Knit 1 stitch, slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work, knit 1 stitch.
• Row #8: Knit 1 stitch, slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work, knit 1 stitch, *knit 2 stitches slip 1 stitch purl-wise holding the yarn to the wrong side of the work, knit 1 stitch*. Repeat from * to * until the end of the row.

Drop Color B and switch back to Color A.

• Row #9: Repeat Row #1.
• Row #10: Repeat Row #2.

Continue working in pattern repeating the steps from Row #3 to Row #10, until you’ve reached the desired length.

Chart of the Two-color Brick Wall Stitch: Variation B

This two-color knitting stitch is very versatile and suitable to create original and customized garments, such as scarves, hats, sweaters and much more. Remember you can experiment with yarns of different thicknesses and textures to obtain new effects.

Want to knit a new garment with this two-tone stitch in no time? Go check our blog post of the free pattern to make a cotton cardigan that is perfect for spring!

If you’re also curious about two-color knitting stitches, try the Striped Garter Stitch! Don’t forget to share your projects on Instagram using the hashtag #bettaknit!