I was checking out some of the questions over at glasscommunity.com’s forum and came across a good one that I bet a lot of kiln formers/fusers have trouble with. Sometimes as I look around etsy and other sites where people sell their fused pieces I see the same situation. To me it looks like the piece was fired either too fast or too hot or both. I think this was the situation with the piece pictured at the site. I don’t necessarily want to post this picture since it is their “problem” piece. I’d rather show the solution since I want to show things in a good light. If there were before and after pictures that would be different. Have you had the problem of the sides pulling in when you’ve fired a piece? Doing a dog bone kind of thing? You’ll need to ramp it up a bit slower, fire it cooler and you could hold it longer, especially when slumping. Check out the answers to this persons question. It may help you with one of your fusing/slumping projects…
Have you read?
Book Review: Brioche Knitting Workshop
Brioche knitting is a fun technique that’s relatively easy once you know how it works. It’s been popular for a few years now as a way to make a super squishy, warm knit fabric that looks dramatic even in it’s simple forms but becomes something really unique when you add in shaping and other skills.
Lavanya Patricella is a big fan of brioche and has been teaching the techniques behind it for years. In Brioche Knitting Workshop she brings patterns and techniques for those totally new to brioche knitting as well as those looking to make more intricate projects.
The book covers the basics and notes that the easiest way to learn brioche knitting is working with two colors in the round because you don’t have to move your stitches around as much and working with two colors makes it easier to see what is happening with the stitches. From there you can move on to two color worked flat or a single color. The book includes lots of pictures to help you see all the techniques involved, with both English and continental methods shown.
The patterns are good for a range of skill levels, starting with a two-color in the round cowl with no shaping if you’ve never done brioche knitting before. There are hats in one and two colors, scarves in two colors with and without shaping, cowls with shaping and with two-color garter stitch as a contrast to the brioche, a syncopated shawl, mittens with brioche and garter stitch, a giant poncho and a pair of cozy socks, to name most of the patterns. You can find them all on Ravelry if you want to take a look.
These patterns are fun looking and include detailed instructions so brioche knitters of all skill levels should be able to complete them. Many use bulky yarn so you can finish projects quickly as you gain skills.
This book would be a great one to check out if you’re learning brioche knitting or want to go beyond the basics to some more complex but still totally approachable accessories.
About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 15 patterns. Published 2023 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99/