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Kiln Forming – Things You Need to Know

by

Jon Firth

How do you work with glass? Are you a torch worker, making beads and little sculptures? Do you fuse or kiln form, making pendants and plates and tiles and goodies like that? Do you do stained glass? Or mosaic work? This post is going to talk about kiln forming also know as fusing and slumping. I’m sending you over to the Warm Glass web site to learn about the process and some of the situations you may encounter. Then you’re to go over to the Bullseye Glass site to see the chart on what there glass is like. These are things that are important if you want to get started playing with glass in this fashion. Or maybe you already fuse and just need a few questions answered. These are a couple of great places to get your information.

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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/