To be totally honest, blocking always seemed like a frou-frou thing to me. While I vaguely remember learning how to block a crocheted scarf for the 4H fair at the leader’s ranch (yes, I was a dork as a child. But that scarf did go on to win grand champion, sooo that might make up for it?), I haven’t done it since. Since I usually knit in the round, there just didn’t seem to be a point. The opportunity presented itself today when I designed a cabled knit winter headband and crocheted the borders. It didn’t turn out very even.
Maybe it was the inspiration of a Stuff Mom Never Told You podcast about Martha Stewart that I had listened to earlier that day, or maybe it was the irritation of such ending up with such a wonky shape when I had just spent a few hours on the headband…but I was inspired to take things up a notch and to find out how to block the darn thing. And it turns out, it’s pretty easy- it just takes patience.
You’ll need:
- Folded towel or padded mat (some parents have them for kiddos to play on)
- Sewing pins
- Spray bottle with room temperature water (if it’s hot, it will felt!)
- A ruler
You’re all set to go! Now:
- Fold the towel into fourth or stack two halved towels on top of each other. Lay the work flat on top.
(before…)
2. Using your ruler as a straight edge, begin to pin the edges in between stitches in a straight line. The pins can be anywhere from a few centimeters to inches apart- it depends on how much help your project needs and how thick the yarn is. Your work will begin looking similar to Gulliver when he’s giant and tied down– at least that’s where my brain went. :p
3. Work one side at a time, gently manipulating the work to have straight edges.
(Look at how crazy the side closer to you is! This is why I needed the blocking.)
4. Once your work is completely pinned down, use your spray bottle to mist your project. Do not completely soak it unless you want to wait forever to let it dry.
5. Wait until it dries.
6. Remove the pins and you’re good to go!
Do you block your work very often or as little as possible ?
4 COMMENTS
MrsCraft
10 years agoI like to block lacy crochet as it makes it so much neater. I normally only use acrylic to knit with and I find that harder to block. I’m terribly impatient when it comes to waiting for it to dry!
lightasabutton
10 years agoI have never blocked before but have been thinking about trying it on a few items. Thank you for this tutorial I will give it a try!!
kniftylittlething
10 years ago AUTHORGood luck!! It’s really easier than I thought it would be:)
fromthiscloth
10 years agoCan definitely relate to this. I hadn’t blocked anything in years (odd wobbly knitting or hem that have faded from memory) but then I had to try and save a weaving project and had that same response – this is so easy!
I often block by pinning my item to the ironing board and then covering it with a cotton cloth and using a coolish steam setting on my iron. Faster than spray-and-dry, which suits me because I have no patience.
Love the antler pattern on your headband!