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Setting up a Glass Fusing Studio…the small version

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So you want to fuse glass. But how do you get started? Well, I’ve been looking up different sites trying to find well rounded advice on what to do, how to do it and where to do it. I’m going to share a couple of different sites and you can check out what they have to offer and see what works for you. A little from here and a little from there.

First we’ll start with Tammy Powley at about.com and her advice on starting up fusing. Tammy has tons of great advice on jewelry making in general so you may want to sign up for some of her regular newsletters. She covers many aspects of setting up a starter studio which really doesn’t require a lot of space but does require you keep things organized and clean. It is glass you’re going to be working with after all.

The other site to check out is craftstylish.com. She gives good advice on setting up. A lot of the same things are covered but that’s because that information is universal for setting up a small glass fusing studio. In a future posting we’ll cover what it takes to take your studio to the next level. More equipment, glass storage ideas and other goodies.

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Knitting Market Bag Patterns

There are certain things that just make sense to knit at this time of year, and market bags are one of them. We tend to use our canvas bags more often in the summer with trips to the farmer’s market and the library, but string bags and market bags are great to use all year.

I love the Three Oranges Bag by Hana Cho, which looks just like a knit version of a plastic shopping bag, but with three cute oranges stitched on. The bag uses intarsia to make the oranges, but you could use duplicate stitch or intarsia to add a different design if you like. It calls for fingering weight yarn and you can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Sharyn Anhalt’s Market Square bag (also on Ravelry) uses worsted weight yarn and a mosaic pattern to make a pretty bag you’ll want to use every time you go shopping. The bag comes in two sizes and is worked in two colors of the same yarn for a fun mixed up effect that’s almost like weaving.

Speaking of fun colors, the Market Bag from Hubbabubbie Art uses a multicolored cake yarn (specifically Lion Brand Mandala) to produce fun color changes without any extra work. This bag is worked from the bottom up with a crocheted bottom and knit mesh sides. It’s a free pattern on Ravelry.

The Pike Place Market Bag from Blue Bird Pine Shop looks like a massive bag to hold all your market goodies (that is a child holding it, but still). The bag calls for worsted weight cotton yarn and the mesh is worked on extra large needles to help it open up to hold everything you want held.

The Knit Farmer’s Market Bag form Design BCB is another good one, made mostly of mes with a little stockinette for extra stability. The base is also worked in stockinette so items you put in it will sit flat.

This mesh bag from Sheep and Stitch doesn’t have a base, and the body is worked flat before being joined in the round to make the top and handles. That makes it easy to make the bag just the size you want because you can stop knitting whenever you feel it’s big enough. The pattern includes a step-by-step video if you need extra assistance.

And the Eco Market String Bag from Mama in a Stitch has a solid knit base worked in a contrasting color from the mesh body. It’s an easy project that comes out a great size for your market needs without being too huge.

Do you have a favorite knit market bag pattern? I’d love to hear about it!