On Blocking Boards

re: On Blocking Boards

mrsnoache — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:54:51 GMT

My current favorite for blocking is an old foam exercise mat.

re: On Blocking Boards

EdithH — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:13:42 GMT

For blocking I use a heavy white vinyl table cloth liner, I was just going to throw it away and when WOW!. I can fold it to what ever size I need and I place it on my family room floor that is carpeted. Because its vinyl its water proof. I don't have to worry about any color or dye running onto my project. I place heavy books at the four corners if I think it might shift from the pulling of my yarn. I am then able to place pins in my project and everyone in the house knows Not To STep On It. Works great and is cheap and reuseable.

re: On Blocking Boards

zoomingirl — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:05:09 GMT

Now that my youngest is in a twin size bed, I've taken the "platform," as the directions called it, the wooden thing the matress rests on, and covered it with lawn and leaf trash bags. I put one on each end and duct taped them together where they overlap. I cover that with thick velour beach towels. This works great. You easily can move it around if you need to. I even blocked a knitted in the round fairisle sweater on it. It wouldn't be large enough for a triangular shawl, though. I'm going to get the kids interlocking foam pieces, they sound like they're the most versatile for my needs. Thanks for the great ideas, everyone!

re: On Blocking Boards

CTGirl — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:05:14 GMT

I used to block on my ironing board using my steam iron. It took forever to do the afghan panels I generally knit. Then I read on another site a really great hint. I bought at joanne's a dressmaking cutting board. It is marked in 1" grids , is 36" wide and 72" long which is just about the size of my dining room table with one leaf. I covered it with the Press n' seal plastic available in the grocery store. As for blocking wires, went to Michael's and in the floral section, bought 14 gague floral wire (18" lengths - if green, make sure you wipe them down before using - for $2 for 12 of them) which I weave along the edges of my knitting. I use T-pins in intervals to secure my project to the plastic covered board. I then use a sprayer with cool water and thoroughly wet the project. I leave it in this out of the way place until dry. It seems to work beautifully. sue

re: On Blocking Boards

JessicaL@2 — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 04:00:14 GMT

When an item is too big for my terrific "real" blocking board, I use a queen-sized gingham flat sheet. It could be used over foam, a spare bed, interlocking tiles, or simply on the carpet in the basement, as I do (for the same reasons as Deborah, who commented above, does). The squares make it simple to line up edges neatly and accurately.

re: On Blocking Boards

DeborahT — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 23:46:41 GMT

Sounds silly, but I block things on my basement floor. I am blessed with a nice dry basement, the floor is carpeted in wall-to-wall berber, the cats are not allowed down there, and it's big enough to handle anything! I use lacemakers' brass pins and blocking wires to hold things in place.

re: On Blocking Boards

Margaret "Marea"S — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 12:30:11 GMT

I used wide bias tape and "jewel glue" to hinge insulation boards, making a stack that unfolds like those car insulation boards. Hinge 2 sets, then turn over to make the opposite hinge to fit those together. A few spare "planks" extend the edges as needed. My 4x8 board has one hinge and is held off the floor with tray tables while pinning. Then down to the floor or add another table to support the extension. Just string and t-pins for big pieces.

re: On Blocking Boards

Growsomething — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 01:10:24 GMT

I'm tired of looking at that "Tomato" sweater! Frankly, it's not very flatering. Please, please, find some fresh examples to illustrate your tips. Thanks!

re: On Blocking Boards

Bmac — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 11:02:10 GMT

I put a plastic tablecloth on my dining room table and then beach towels. It's a large surface and I don't have to worry about the water. The dining room table doesn't get used every day so things can stay undesturbed until dry.

re: On Blocking Boards

ShannonD — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 01:41:28 GMT

I live and knit in the Southeast Alaskan rainforest, where evaporation is nonexistent. Blocking is a serious hassle, because an item can take a week or ten days to dry! Do you have any tips on blocking methods that involve less water?

re: On Blocking Boards

Charmaine — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 06:55:14 GMT

I use a cheap foam yoga mat with a towel on top. It wasn't getting used for yoga very much!

re: On Blocking Boards

SallyI — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 05:58:32 GMT

My blocking board is made from puzzle like pieces of foam intended to make a soft floor for children to play on or for workers to stand on. They are black on one side and bright red, green, yellow or blue on the other side. There are 8 pieces 2' X 2' each. They fit together to make a variety of sizes for blocking and they come apart for easy storage. The surface is dimpled and textured so lining up the pins is easy. the foam is thick enough to poke the pins into and the pins stay put.

Sally Ingram

re: On Blocking Boards

RuthC@4 — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 13:31:59 GMT

I block a lot of shawl so need a large surface, I've found using a foam mattress cover puts the job at a good height and accommodates most of the shawls

re: On Blocking Boards

seldsalt — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 02:21:58 GMT

I'm another one who favors the interlocking foam floor mats. Mine came from Costco, a package of 5 for about $10, each one about 2 1/2' square and marked with a relief pattern that helps align the pinning. By using only as many as I need, I can shuffle around to accommodate either wide or long items. And, as another commenter noted, they stand up so that they aren't as cat-attractive.

For the commenter who asked about blocking superwash, I have found it makes a big difference in how it looks, especially for the assembly if you're seaming in pieces--you can block the sizes out smoothly to the same dimensions so you're not stretching or gathering as you sew. I've even blocked 100% acrylic--it benefits from a bath and the evening out of stitches that blocking provides. It's time and fiddling, but it results in a much more finished-looking item.

re: On Blocking Boards

RitaW — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 22:37:22 GMT

My response to those who are asking about sock blocking; for superwash fibers it is probably not necesary but for natural fibers, blocking makes the socks look and fit much better. I wash in mesh bag in the machine (or hand wash if really special yarn) and spin out excess water. I use wood or plastic sock blockers (available from most yarn shops or online); just pull each sock onto blocker and hang over hook to dry.
Rita