The Emberwood Cocoon Hoodie: A Beginner-Friendly Brioche & Cable Knit

Wrap yourself in the warmth of autumn with the Emberwood Cocoon Hoodie. This deeply textured knit combines the plush, honeycomb-like softness of brioche stitch with a sculptural, braided cable panel running down the center front. The result is an oversized, hooded cocoon that feels like a warm hug on crisp mornings. Designed with positive ease, this sweater drapes loosely over the body, making it the ultimate cozy statement piece. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a new challenge or a confident beginner ready to expand your skills, this free pattern will guide you through creating a stunning, handmade garment.

This pattern is unique in its construction: the body is worked in the round from the bottom up, then split for the front and back. The hood is picked up and knit in a contrasting color, creating a striking color-block effect. The combination of brioche and cables might sound advanced, but with our detailed, step-by-step instructions, you'll find the rhythm in no time. Let's dive into the world of textured knitting and create a piece that evokes a cabin-in-the-woods vibe.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather your supplies. The Emberwood Cocoon Hoodie uses a worsted weight wool blend, which provides excellent stitch definition for both the brioche and cable patterns. Here is everything you'll need:

• Yarn: Worsted weight wool blend (e.g., Malabrigo Rios) – 1200 (1350, 1500) yards in 'Ember' (burnt orange) and 200 yards in 'Smoke' (charcoal grey).
• Needles: US 8 (5 mm) 32-inch circular knitting needles for the body, and US 8 (5 mm) double-pointed needles for the hood decreases.
• Notions: Cable needle, stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge

Getting the right gauge is crucial for achieving the correct size and drape. Always knit a swatch and block it before measuring.

• Stockinette stitch (blocked): 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches.
• Brioche stitch (blocked): 16 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is written for sizes S/M (M/L, L/XL). The finished chest measurements are 50 (54, 58) inches, with a length of 24 (25, 26) inches. Remember, this cocoon is designed to be oversized and drape loosely.

Abbreviations

Familiarize yourself with these abbreviations before you start. We'll use them throughout the pattern.

• k = knit
• p = purl
• yo = yarn over
• k2tog = knit two together
• sl1yo = slip one with yarn over (slip stitch purlwise with yarn in front, then bring yarn over needle to 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)
• C4F = cable 4 front (slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle)
• C4B = cable 4 back (slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle)
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker

Body (Worked in One Piece)

We'll start by casting on and working the body in the round. This creates a seamless, cozy tube that we'll later shape.

1. Cast On: With 'Ember' yarn, cast on 180 (196, 212) stitches. Join in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches. Place a marker at the beginning of the round.
2. Ribbing: Work k2, p2 ribbing for 3 inches. This creates a sturdy, stretchy hem.
3. Increase Round: Increase 20 (22, 24) stitches evenly across the round – you should now have 200 (218, 236) stitches.
4. Begin Brioche: Start the brioche pattern:
   • Round 1: *sl1yo, brk* repeat to end of round.
   • Round 2: *brp, sl1yo* repeat to end of round.
   Repeat these two rounds for 4 inches. The brioche stitch will look like a ribbed honeycomb.
5. Incorporate Cable Panel: The cable panel is 16 stitches wide and will be placed at the center front. Place a marker before and after the cable panel.
   • Setup Round: Work brioche pattern over 92 (101, 110) stitches, pm, work cable panel as follows: C4F, C4B, C4F, C4B (16 stitches), pm, work brioche pattern over remaining 92 (101, 110) stitches.
6. Cable Panel Pattern (worked over 16 stitches, every round):
   • Rounds 1-4: k16.
   • Round 5: C4F, C4B, C4F, C4B.
   • Rounds 6-8: k16.
   • Round 9: C4B, C4F, C4B, C4F.
   • Rounds 10-12: k16.
   Repeat Rounds 1-12 for the cable panel. Continue working brioche on either side of the cable panel until the body measures 16 (17, 18) inches from the cast-on edge, ending after a cable twist round.

Divide for Front and Back

Now we'll separate the work to create the armholes and shape the shoulders.

1. Next Round: Work brioche pattern over 92 (101, 110) stitches (this is the front), bind off 16 stitches (the cable panel) loosely, work brioche pattern over remaining 92 (101, 110) stitches (this is the back). Turn your work. You will now work back and forth in rows.

Back (Worked Flat)

1. Row 1 (WS): Work brioche pattern across all 92 (101, 110) stitches.
2. Row 2 (RS): Work brioche pattern.
3. Repeat these two rows until the back measures 8 (9, 10) inches from the divide. Bind off all stitches loosely.

Front (Worked Flat)

1. Attach yarn to the right side of the front section. Work brioche pattern across 92 (101, 110) stitches.
2. Continue in brioche pattern until the front measures 4 (5, 6) inches from the divide, ending with a WS row.
3. Shape Neckline: On the next RS row, work brioche pattern over 36 (40, 44) stitches, bind off 20 (21, 22) stitches, work brioche pattern over remaining 36 (40, 44) stitches. You will now work each shoulder separately.
4. Left Shoulder: Continue in brioche pattern, decreasing 1 stitch at the neck edge every RS row 3 times – you will have 33 (37, 41) stitches. Work even until the front matches the back length. Bind off.
5. Right Shoulder: Work the same as the left shoulder, mirroring the decreases.

Hood (Pick Up and Knit)

Time to add the cozy, contrasting hood. We'll pick up stitches around the neckline and work in the round.

1. With 'Smoke' yarn and the right side facing, pick up and knit 20 (21, 22) stitches from the right front neck edge, 20 (21, 22) stitches from the back neck edge, and 20 (21, 22) stitches from the left front neck edge – 60 (63, 66) stitches total. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.
2. Round 1: *sl1yo, brk* repeat to end.
3. Round 2: *brp, sl1yo* repeat to end.
4. Work in brioche pattern for 2 inches.
5. Increase Round: *brk, sl1yo, brk* (increase 1 stitch) – you should now have 90 (94, 98) stitches. Continue in brioche pattern until the hood measures 10 (11, 12) inches from the pick-up.
6. Decrease for Crown: We'll now shape the top of the hood.
   • Round 1: *brk, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, brk* (increase 2 stitches) – 120 (126, 132) stitches. Work 1 round even.
   • Round 2: *brk, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, brk* (increase 3 stitches) – 150 (158, 166) stitches. Work 1 round even.
   • Next Round: *brk, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, brk, sl1yo, brk* (increase 4 stitches) – 190 (200, 210) stitches. Work even for 2 inches. Bind off all stitches loosely.

Sleeves (Optional)

For a more traditional hoodie look, you can add sleeves. For a true cocoon style, you can skip them entirely.

1. If desired, pick up 40 (44, 48) stitches around the armhole openings (you can create armholes by leaving a gap in the side seams).
2. Work in k2, p2 ribbing for 2 inches, then bind off.

Finishing

The final steps will bring your sweater together and give it that polished, professional look.

1. Weave in all ends with your tapestry needle.
2. Block the sweater to shape, gently stretching the brioche sections to open up the texture.
3. Sew the side seams if you left them open (for a cocoon, you can leave them open for a draped look).
4. Fold the hood in half and sew the top edge together to create a rounded hood shape.
5. Attach a 'Smoke' colored toggle button at the neckline for closure (optional).

Your Emberwood Cocoon Hoodie is now complete! This textured, cozy wrap is perfect for slow mornings, crisp evenings, and everything in between. The rich burnt orange and charcoal grey palette evokes the warmth of a cabin in the woods. Enjoy wearing your handmade creation, and don't forget to share your finished project with the knitting community. Happy knitting!