Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

Jutti — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:02:11 GMT

I love knitting lace scarves. I've had a hard time finding something long to block them on. Blocking boards just aren't long enough. Then, while at Home Depot I saw some runner rugs on sale. I selected one that has geometric patterns running the length of it. Now I just lay it out on my bed and use the patterns as a grid.

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

DeLainaS — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:37:05 GMT

I live in a 16 by 10 dry cabin in fairbanks and I dry my peices on a bullein board that I hang from the ceiling, but Ive been thinking about changing to a screen with a wodden frame so that I can also use it for drying things like herbs. the only problem with that would be that if the peice is wet enough to drip its all going to drip right onto the middle of the floor.

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

Slickchick — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:17:48 GMT

Having a husband who is a carpenter and always being in a renovation, we always have sheets of gyprock (drywall) around the place. It's the only thing big enough for a shawl. I place towels on top and pin through. Mind you, your pins are useless afterwards. I'm planning on trying drawing pins next. The added advantage is you can stand it up out of the way whilst it dries. Lisa

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

KatY — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:57:51 GMT

At a garage sale, I found a padded seat for porch glider swing. It works great for sweaters and such. For larger pieces (such as shawls and scarves), I have a 4X8 piece of foam core which I can lean up against the wall.

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

TommyS — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:40:33 GMT

The Yoga mats are so cheap. I have only blocked little things, but I'm about to block my first lace scarf. The Yoga mat will be perfect for this.

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

Vivi M — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:08:45 GMT

I used to have one of the cardboard, fold up cutting boards years ago and tried to find a new one recently with no success. Can anyone tell me where I can find one? Many thanks.

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

QueenM — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:37:32 GMT

I have standard, no window, segmented, hollow garage doors. One of them is never opened. I used heavy foam core topped with foam and then covered with muslin and fit panels into each segment of the door so I now have a vertical (wall) blocking board and it is totally out of the way so my Pi Shawl in worsted weight weaver's wool (for example) can take as long as it needs to dry while blocking.

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

Phyllis Speer — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:39:07 GMT

Could you please post where to buy a good blocking board? I'm new to this blocking and haven't been pleased with my results thus far. Love Knitting Daily & Interweave.

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

Baraka — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:21:26 GMT

As a seamstress as well as a knitter, who used to make elaborately trimmed belly dance costumes on which I would often glue sequins in geometric patterns, I had long used a regular cutting board from the fabric store (they run about $12) for my sewing. Since these are just cardboard marked with a measured grid, the waterproofing problem is solved with clear contact paper. For under $20, I get the same results as anyone with a much more expensive blocking board, and it folds up and stores in about 1.5" of space. My current board has been in use for 15 years, so replacement isn't a big issue either. When I started knitting about 6 years ago, I found that using this board was the easiest, cheapest and most logical solution for blocking.

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

VickyL — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:34:15 GMT

I use 4' x 8' sheets of fiberglass foam insulation from the local hardware store. It is completely shrink wrapped in plastic and has tung and groove sides so you can make it really BIG! It costs about $15 per sheet and lasts me five to ten years. It is very light weight, pin pricks easily for blocking all my work and stands against the wall when not in use.

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

BoyceS — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:03:14 GMT

A large flannel backed vinyl tablecloth is great to cover the bed, floor, etc., where you plan to do you blocking. Also, when blocking a large, lace project I have used a large piece of flannel, placed on the wall and the item pinned to it. It is so much easier on the back!

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

machtknits — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:54:34 GMT

Like many others, I too use layered cardboard boxes cut to size and duct taped together. I use these for cutting boards as well, and anything else you may need a board for. It is super inexpensive and last a long time.

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

Louise@4 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:35:59 GMT

What ever happened to the curtain stretcher? That would be the obvious solution for large retangular/square pieces. Thanks so for the suggestions.

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

JennieVH — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:10:20 GMT

TamiH touched on this, but it is too good not to emphasize. The use of a fan, especially an oscillating one, will cut your drying time in half, especially for wet-blocking. It is an amazing tool. Also, make sure your pins are rustproof!

re: Tips for When You Don't Have A Blocking Board

RebeccaM@7 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:09:40 GMT

What NOT to use: an inflatable EZ bed. Lace shawls are worth it, but . . . That $15 hank of merino wool suddenly makes a $315 shawl. yikes.