Use enough pins. Cover a clean area of carpet or mattress with a bedsheet or pin straight into your blocking board or blocking mats. Craft stores sell blocking boards that are rigid enough to hold your project in the desired shape, but soft enough to stick pins through repeatedly without causing damage; or you can make your own out of thick cardboard with a plush towel over it. Meet the team ». The only other thing you need is a surface where your knits can dry that you can pin into. The most dramatic change takes place the first time the yarn gets wet in its new knitted shape. Blocking Knitting Without Special Equipment. In anticipation of blocking a blanket I'm working on, I started shopping around for a blocking mat. Once the sweater is secured in the shape that you want, use a spray bottle to evenly dampen the surface and allow to dry completely before you remove the pins. Instead I pin them down dry, and spray them wet to block. Lay out your piece on your blocking boards and begin pinning it to the measurements the pattern specifies. Essentially, blocking is getting your knitting wet, shaping it how you want it to be, and holding it in that shape until it dries. What are your secrets for blocking your sweaters into shape? As for your Georgina, I have a few words to say about that. Usually I just stretch out my FOs on the floor but this one involves lace and a lot of stretching to get the right shape, so I figured it was time to be a grown up and get an actual blocking mat and pins. My Frugal Knitters Wooly Board is fully adjustable, so it can be used for your petite AND your husbands Investigate how much extra width and/or length can be added to a garment, by stretching it while blocking, without ruining the look of it. This can be as simple as gently stretching and patting a sweater so that it looks good flat, and leaving it to dry. Knit Picks Podcast Episode 337 - Knitting and Crochet with Briana K. New Colorways for Popular Knitting Patterns. Everyone should have sewing pins, they’re useful for all kinds of things. To wet block your sweater you will need several colorfast towels and a surface that you can sink pins into. All that shlubbiness can be prevented with a little water, some straight pins and patience. For blocking large projects, use a firm mattress or a carpeted floor (away from pets). I will say that my frugal self searched for the least expensive, largest foam mats I could find. When I mention blocking your knitting, I get a lot of blank looks from my students, and concern about how to do it and what they need to make it happen. It’s like magic! Towel (or blocking board, if desired) Spray bottle; STEP 1: Lay your project out on a towel (or a blocking board) and pin it down. Blocking makes … Blocking Mats / Blocking Boards. Lay out your piece on your blocking boards and begin pinning it to the measurements the pattern specifies. Learning about the process of how to block knitting smooths and evens your stitches, sets the final dimensions, and gives your project that professional, finished look. You may have to move the pins as you smooth out the whole project, and that’s fine. I used to demonstrate blocking with pieces of carpet, but … In blocking we take advantage of the fact that the yarn can form new shapes, and influence those shapes in the direction we want. How do I block something without special gadgets? I have wondered how tho do this and you have given me the perfect solution. Do not rub, twist, or wring a handknit. It also gives a good idea of what your finished project will be like when it’s washed later. Several People: I don’t block because it often makes things worse, if by worse you understand that I turned a sweater into a dress with blocking or my hat turned into a hood. When the sweater is noticeably drier on the front, I flip the sweater over and leave it flat to dry for another 8-10 hours — without blocking pins. Thanks! Lay your pieces on a blocking board. Experiment with blocking your gauge swatch before you block an actual knitted piece. To steam block a garment, you will prepare it just as you would for spray blocking above. As I noticed that many crocheters did not know how to block acrylic yarn, I decided to write a tutorial for you on how to do just that. If you need extra help stretching your sweater, use some pins to secure the perimeter of the garment. To block your project, you’ll need just a few supplies. If your knitting takes more than 3 days to dry, start over. You will see, lower down, that this method does … Sometimes it can change quite a bit, expanding or relaxing in response to the tensions (or lack of) that are now on it. Satisfaction — Restoring a Treadle Cabinet. It’s gentler on the fibers, and gives them a chance to relax before being under tension. ( Log Out /  (Note: the underside of the fabric should be damp). Some pins and a place to hold them will do, and sometimes you don’t even need that. Favorite Add to More colors Granny Square Blocking Board, Afghan Squares Wooden Blocker Custom HiBusyBees. Wet-blocking is easiest for adding length. It just means using water and/or steam to set the final shape of something after you knit it. When the fabric gets wet, the yarn has a chance to settle into its new shape. To block large items such as sweaters, afghans or shawls, for example, a guestroom bed or a large, well … An ironing board or a couch cushion covered with a towel are good choices for small projects. Probably not. A blocking "board" needs to be a flat surface that's large enough to hold the piece or pieces you want to block. Will I have to block my knitting every time I wash it? And when you finish knitting something, it may have been dragged all over hither and yon and have oils from your hands (or sticky stuff from your toddler) on it, and washing it is probably not a bad idea anyway. After 20 years of teaching knitting, I’ve never grown tired of instructing my First-time blockers are always amazed by the difference blocking makes to the final appearance of their knitting. With a little care and attention, you can transform a crumpled piece of knitting into a bea… Find a place for your knitting to dry WHERE YOUR PETS CANNOT GO. That provides enough tension to hold in place when I pin onto it. When your finished project is clean and damp, it’s ready to block. Hello, thank you so much for the well presented information. You can ask me how I know this tidbit, too. Try again, this time squeezing more water out before pinning. I have a shawl to block and I have been looking for some alternative methods; thanks! To help me block the squares from the Block a Week CAL 2014, I have made myself a DIY Blocking Station. Use this method if: Your project is made out of any natural fiber. ), You can also stretch/shape your object while it’s dry, and then steam it to set the shape. On the side of each rod, starting at the ‘join’ end, drill 10 6mm diameter holes, centred 2.5cm apart, starting 10c… Usually after the initial drying period, the pins are not as crucial. It is preferable to block individual pieces before sewing them together. The one on the left has been crisply blocked and is ready for finishing. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! (You can use several towels layered over one another to create an appropriate blocking surface.) A Frugal Knitters Wooly Board is a great way for crafty types to make their own Sweater Blocking Frame out of PVC pipe and fittings instead of the traditional wood. Using too few pins if you’re trying to stretch your project will result in an undesirable final shape. The video also shows you what to do for the three different blocking methods (wet, spray and steam). I’m not counting them as special equipment, but, it’s worth getting some with large, easy-to-see heads if you don’t have them already. 5 out of 5 stars (30) $ 23.00. Any fan will do, position it a few feet away from the blocking board so the air is blowing across the garment. Bring your hand knit items to their full potential with blocking pins, wires and boards. These results would probably not have been the same if the swatches had been made of another fiber, or I had used another blocking method. ( Log Out /  Soak the sweater in some cool water until it is thoroughly saturated. You could purchase a blocking mat specifically marketed for blocking, but a similar item will suffice. Always block a swatch first. Favorite Add to More colors Granny Square Blocking Board, Afghan Squares Wooden Blocker Custom HiBusyBees. I read that some have caused rust. It is lumpy and ill-fitting. I’m going to state an uncomfortable truth here. After investing a great deal of time into knitting a sweater, you want to give it a beautiful finish. Allow the sweater to dry for at least 12-15 hours on one side. It takes a little practice to get a sweater off and on without help, it is much easier with a helper. You can buy fancy blocking … For medium/heavy blocking, leave the cloth in place until it has dried. Over the weekend, I finished up a sweater that has been lingering on my needles for ages! ALL IMAGES AND MATERIALS ARE COPYRIGHTED BY CRAFTS AMERICANA UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. I opened up the lace with my fingers while it was damp, and pinned the two edges parallel. A lot of times I use the same folded piece of flannel that I iron on. All content and images are copyright Tasha Miller Griffith, unless otherwise noted. The one on the right is just off the needles and super shlubby. Advertisement. But I know that the results will make all of the hard work worth it! Blocking acrylic yarn might be less noticeable. It's possible to block knitting about 5% smaller in size. Spraying: This is my preferred method. February News: Cabled Accessories & Limited Edition Hawthorne. If your garment is going to be pieced together, you should block the pieces before sewing them up. To spray block your sweater, you will shape the garment or pieces first and then wet them. Really soaking the fibers results in … Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Thank you for this great information. And although there are a bunch of gadgets (special mats and pins, forms, blocking wires etc.) For big items I stretch an old sheet over my bed (see below). Your knitting will have a not-so-fresh smell to it. As I noticed that many crocheters did not know how to block acrylic yarn, I decided to write a tutorial for you on how to do just that. get it completely submerged in water, then press in a towel to semi-dry (do not wring) Choosing a Blocking board. Perfect those sweater shapes and lace repeats on a dedicated pin-friendly surface with this helpful DIY blocking board tutorial from Jessica Joy! And in particular, how to block sweaters with “non-edge” shaping. A damp yarn object is easier to shape. Feel free to look around here for tutorials and inspiration, and to reach out if you have questions! Shaping and Pinning. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Blocking is the final step of making your project. That way you can match a blocking technique that is best suited for the fiber type of your sweater. After subsequent wearing of the sweater, wash the garment as the yarn label indicates. For my sweaters, the weight of the bottom bar pulling down on the sleeve seam works fine. I like plain flat-head pins for sewing, but they get lost in the structure of hand knits. How to block a sweater Fill your sink or basin with lukewarm waterand wool wash if desired. Using either towels, blankets, or a clean carpet that you don’t mind getting wet, lay your garment flat (blocking mats are also available if you’d like to purchase something specific to blocking). You don’t want to touch the steamer or iron directly to the fabric because it could flatten the stitches or create an undesirable sheen. Instead I decided to experiment with different sizes of rolled up towels, and found a combo which was the right size to block it around. Make sure that the surface is slightly larger than the measurements your piece needs to be blocked to are. This is a way of squishing out the extra water without wringing. Sometimes more dramatic blocking is part of what makes a pattern shine, like stretching lace as much as possible to make the most of the open areas in the pattern. Follow along and discover your next inspiration as we cast on for projects we love, explore new techniques, and dish about the latest and greatest from Knit Picks. Use some no-rinse wool wash if the garment needs to be cleaned. The board needs to be able to handle pins, moisture and heat. Insert a dowel peg into one of the ends. STEP 2: Fill a spray bottle with water, and spray your project until it is damp. More details are on Ravelry, and pictures of it worn are also in this post on slowness.). When blocking a cardigan do you button when blocking? With your knitting still dry, pin it down while shaping it based on your needed size or instructions. (see more on the difference, and felting here.) (And speaking of good timing, Karen posted an eloquent argument this morning about why you should wash/block a swatch before embarking on a big project. Unless something extreme happens to it, it will stay more or less how you blocked it, with the additional influence of how it’s worn. Spray blocking is the most gentle blocking process and is great for expensive and delicate fibers like silk and cashmere. In general, to block you wet the item, then reshape it on a flat surface to the shape you want it to take when dry. You may need to block again if your project gets wet (like if … Using a hot iron, press lightly down on the pillowcase, forcing steam through the fabric. If you are worried about touching the knitting with the steamer, you can place a thin towel or sheet between the heat and the sweater. Seeing as I’ll be blocking my sweater soon, I’d love to hear your tips and tricks for blocking! 5 out of 5 stars (104) $ 6.00. Don’t be intimidated by blocking. Soak the sweater in some cool water until it is thoroughly saturated. She's also … © 2021 BY CRAFTS AMERICANA. Wet Blocking. Then take the iron away and reshape it with your fingers. ( Log Out /  Usually after the initial drying period, the pins are not as crucial. The nicer blocking wires will also block your knitting into a fabulous curved shape, perfect for shawls and other curvy knitting needs. It finally looks good to me; the fabric has opened up and moves more now. I find I can control the shape and size better, but each project is different. Note: do not do this in stocking feet. Knit Picks has mats that pack up into a carry case. Alpaca yarn is an animal fibre, softer than wool, that is lightweight while holding in warmth, making it a suitable choice for cool weather items. Doing so may distort the stitches beyond correction. If your knitting is still damp, allow it to dry before removing. The only thing that I think could be approved is that the ends of the sleeve section do not connect. After 20 years of teaching knitting, I’ve never grown tired of instructing my students on finishing techniques. Allow the sweater to dry for at least 12-15 hours on one side. Wet Blocking … When the sweater is noticeably drier on the front, I flip the sweater over and leave it flat to dry for another 8-10 hours — without blocking pins. You can use one of the following: a mattress, a yoga mat, a foam board, etc. Pin in place any pieces that try to shrink back, away from the shape you want. Your blocking board will need to be in a location where it can remain undisturbed until the blocking is finished, which can range from just a few minutes to more than a day, depending on the circumstances. These are a marvellous tool and well worth the financial investment. This allows these rods to be pinned together. Today’s topic: Blocking. It was fiddly to reduce the size of the swatch, but it was successful. Then pin, if necessary, and leave to dry. Just set your iron on steam and wave the iron slowly over the knitting, being careful not to touch the work with the iron. Most are made from foam tiles that fit together to make a complete board. To wet block your sweater you will need several colorfast towels and a surface that you can sink pins into. Wet blocking is one of the most transformative processes in knitting. Gently wet your sweater. But, for large pieces such as these, you can also achieve beautiful results by blocking without the use of steam. Ask me before you use anything! This way, if you misread the yarn label, melt your yarn, or twist it out of shape, you’ve only messed up your swatch and not the sweater you’ve spent months making. Blocking Methods . What you use as a blocking mat is totally up to you. In general, I prefer the wet method for a few reasons. When it comes to acrylic yarn, I always thought you had to block by spraying water on it and letting it dry on a blocking board! Some have grid markings to help you measure. $13.99 Mesh Hanging Sweater Dryer - Double Tier. For light blocking, you can now lift the cloth and allow the knitting to dry. This will help you to line up seams and to even out the garment to make the joining easier. Also I am featuring the awesome blocking boards from Chetnanigans as they are truly the best to work with.. Yarns, especially wool ones, can change shape much more easily when they’re wet. We show you how a curled-up shawl can be stretched and placed on a towel. Most knitting patterns will include a schematic that tells you the blocking … sold specifically for blocking, you don’t need to use any of those to get good results. Blocking boards are helpful because they have a grid and you can use the measurements to stretch your fabrics to size. Blocking is actually a simple concept. It's true that some of your sweaters might require re-blocking every time you wash them (consider wearing a bib next time you order soup!). I do this by submerging my … I could have blocked it flat, a couple of sections at a time, and that would probably have worked fine, especially if I steamed it. Do this twice if the first towel does not remove all of the excess water. It is also a good idea to test your blocking method on your gauge swatch to see the results before you begin on your final project. Although it can be a magical transformation, it doesn’t need to be mysterious. I think if I knit a lot of lacy shawls and things then getting a “real” blocking setup with wires etc. When you block a sweater, you are setting the stitches and evening out the fabric in addition to preserving the correct sizing. Tips and Tricks. I’m going to take you through how to block a sweater … Haley Pierson-Cox from Red-Handled Scissors is a maker of crafts, a lover of cats, an avid swearing enthusiast, a cross-stitch book author, and a general purveyor of quirk. For the cowl at the top of the post, I wanted to stretch the lace sections, but not the plain knitting in between. Grab your tape measure and t-pins. ... You can buy blocking boards or mats, or repurpose other items you may already have in your house, like a padded ironing board or children’s foam play mats. Your blocking board will need to be in a location where it can remain undisturbed until the blocking is finished, which can range from just a few minutes to more than a day, depending on the circumstances. Stretch your items out and pin them to the correct dimensions on a blocking board or other colorfast, absorbent surface. As you can probably tell, I’m not into buying extra things either … good luck with your scarf! If you are making numerous granny squares or motifs, why waste time pinning and blocking each one individually? Need a knitting or crochet blocking option that’s more sturdy than your favorite fluffy towel? For the in between seasons when its not really hot, but the heat isn't on yet, I use a fan to speed along the process. I wanted to use the finished sweater as an opportunity to share how to block a sweater using the delicate fabric wash, Eucalan. Haley Pierson-Cox. You should always consult the washing instructions for your yarn before blocking or washing your sweater. Wet blocking knitting is an appropriate method for blocking man-made fibers, novelty yarns (except for some very delicate novelties that may fall apart when wet—check the label for care instructions and don't wet anything that says it shouldn't be wet) and some wools and wool blends if done carefully (remember heat and agitation can cause wool to felt). Pin to blocking boards. I have a few seams to finish up and ends to weave in, and then it is going to need a good blocking session. (This is my Indigo Boomerang, made with handspun. I use children’s play mats to block my projects, like the Pineapples for Everyone Shawl, a free … Wooly Board Sweater Blocking Frame DIY Instructions IndigoFiberCottage. The process is not complicated, and the results are well worth the effort. I just finished my first lacy scarf and you’ve made it sound pretty easy to block so the pattern comes out with more definition. It’s like magic! I’m in love with this soap and can’t wait to start washing all my delicates in it. Then decide if you want to wet block or steam block your piece. Allow the knitting to remain in place until it is completely dry. Set up your blocking mat with your towels covering the surface. Change ). The board needs to be able to handle pins, moisture and heat. ), I knew I still had a bit of work ahead of me. I do wash all my finished knitting projects, shape them gently with my hands, and then leave them to dry. great ideas, here! Wooly Board Sweater Blocking Frame DIY Instructions IndigoFiberCottage. Easy Crochet Blocking Boards for Knitting and Crochet Projects - Wooden Blocking Mat for Knitting with 20 Stainless Steel Pins and Pin Holder - Bonus Crochet E-Book - 11 x 9 Inches. I brought 2inch t-pins from Joann fabrics, but they were not 100% steel, but nickel, and steel. Donna Herron from USA on November 09, 2012: This is really helpful :) I don't usually soak my knitting projects to block them. This often involves blocking the sweater to the proper dimensions. How-to Block a Knit Item (Without a Blocking Mat) There is nothing worse than shlubby looking knits. My Frugal Knitters Wooly Board is fully adjustable, so it can be used for your petite AND your husbands It is perfect for people who hate pinning crochet blocks down (or are too lazy to block them as they make them – like me). A Frugal Knitters Wooly Board is a great way for crafty types to make their own Sweater Blocking Frame out of PVC pipe and fittings instead of the traditional wood. FREE Delivery by Amazon. An ironing board is also a useful alternative. You also can steam block without a protective layer of fabric. Take 2 of the 90cm rods, drill a 6mm diameter, 2.5cm deep hole into one end of each rod. This is why for most cases you should block your swatch the same way you will wash the finished thing. Find a location to block your item where it won’t be disturbed while it dries (beware, pets tend to gravitate to freshly-blocked knits!). would make sense. The sweater will dry more quickly in a warm, dry location. A blocking mat is a great choice. You have a … Perfect those sweater shapes and lace repeats on a dedicated pin-friendly surface with this helpful DIY blocking board tutorial from Jessica Joy! Blocking allows you to straighten yarn projects without ironing, as ironing could damage the fibres. 5 out of 5 stars (30) $ 23.00. Or, if you don't mind sticking pins through your carpeting, spread a clean towel out on the floor and use that as your blocking board. Spray Blocking . Using a large spray bottle of chemical-free water, mist the piece thoroughly until it is lightly wet (semi-saturated). spray blocking a knitted cardigan sweater (c) purl3agony 2013. First, you’ll set up your foam blocking boards (or whatever you’re pinning to). After the item is pinned into place, pass an iron (on the steam setting) or a steamer over the fabric, holding it about an inch above the knitting itself. I'm Tasha, I'm a maker, teacher, and writer. Your knitting should dry in a day or 2 depending on the climate (I love blocking outside in the summer, it’s so quick!). Wet Blocking . Step on the towel to gently press out excess water. 99 £32.99 £32.99. Ask me how I know this. First check your yarn label to make sure that the yarn/wool can get wet/be washed. At any time of year, blocking is a waiting game. This often involves blocking the sweater to the proper dimensions.

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