The Basics of Blocking, Part One

Poll Results II: Why Our UFOs Become UFOs

Knitting Daily — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:56:52 GMT

Better Than Booties , but still a bit lonely Now that we know that there are over 69,000 UnFinished Knitting

How The Swatch Saved The Day, or At Least, The Bonsai

Knitting Daily — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 11:02:18 GMT

Sandi's Wise Swatch Thank you for the hilarious comments, and all the helpful suggestions, that were

re: The Basics of Blocking, Part One

Amaia — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 20:03:49 GMT

Do I really need to block if I've been matching up the pieces as I go along? I've never blocked anything; am I a lazy knitter? I've always just thought that this is why knit, but I don't sew.

re: The Basics of Blocking, Part One

horselove — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 15:34:43 GMT

I've only blocked one garment in my entire life and it was a wool sweater that I soaked, pinned down, and left to air dry. (It smelled like a wet sheep in my house for a week!) I don't understand how to block anything other than wool, or how these other blocking methods work.

Is it even possible to block something made of acrylic yarn? I've tried using the soaking method (the only method I know) and it failed miserably. The swatch went right back to the size it was before the second I unpinned it. What method is best for blocking something made of acrylic yarn?

re: The Basics of Blocking, Part One

tkessler — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:43:58 GMT

I've blocked peices and flat items. I've just branched out to knitting slippers. How do you block an article that's not flat?

Poll Results II: Why Our UFOs Become UFOs

Knitting Daily — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:43:40 GMT

Better Than Booties , but still a bit lonely Now that we know that there are over 69,000 UnFinished Knitting

The Basics of Blocking, Part Two

Knitting Daily — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:43:14 GMT

Ready to block! On Wednesday , we began our Adventure in Blocking with a review of the basic tools and

The Basics of Blocking, Part Two

Knitting Daily — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:43:14 GMT

Ready to block! On Wednesday , we began our Adventure in Blocking with a review of the basic tools and

re: The Basics of Blocking, Part One

irene — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:50:48 GMT

just finished a sweater using lion brand incredible ribbon yarn. should i block it? its a little short how can i add to the length

re: The Basics of Blocking, Part One

Petit.pomme — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:17:51 GMT

Hi Sandi, Thank you for The Basics of Blocking. I'm definitely going to get one of those boards!

I do have one question about blocking bamboo yarn: does it swell when it gets wet? I just finished the Lace Nightie pattern from Interweave Knits Spring 2007 using Southwest Trading Company's 100% Bamboo yarn. It looks beautiful and fits great as it is. I'm afraid it will get too big if I block it. Do you think I should? Any advice would help. Thanks!

re: The Basics of Blocking, Part One

Petit.pomme — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:17:42 GMT

Hi Sandi, Thank you for The Basics of Blocking. I'm definitely going to get one of those boards!

re: The Basics of Blocking, Part One

Marimoms8 — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 17:16:10 GMT

I am contemplating the Bonsai Tunic from Rowan soft Bamboo. I've swatched and washed it. The bamboo yarn bloomed and changed gauge. Have you found any change in the bamboo yarn you have used. I actually rewashed the swatch and threw it in the dryer on cool. It actually got closer to gauge on this second swatch. I'm thinking about knitting a smaller size to compensate for the change after wet blocking. Any comments?

Any responses to this comment? I looked through everyone and could not find it. mp-k

re: The Basics of Blocking, Part One

DotT — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:06:02 GMT

I was knitting the body of an alpaca wool lace sweater and was pretty disappointed with how it was coming out. It was bunchy and bulky and not holding it's shape. Then, I read your blocking article...I finished the body and proceeded to block it, not truly believing it would "save" my ugly lace sweater. I pinned and sprayed (and prayed). When it dried, I unpinned, and much to my surprise, it turned out gorgeous. It drapes nicely and the lace pattern and sweater are holding a beautiful shape. It's like a miracle. I'm almost done with the sleeves now and can't wait to block those too and put the whole thing together. Thanks for the article and blocking tips!

re: The Basics of Blocking, Part One

ClaudiaC@2 — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:59:25 GMT

For years one of the blocking surfaces I've used is a cardboard cutting board like sewers use. They have great grids, they are large enough to lay out an entire sweater for a broad shouldered man, and they are comparatively inexpensive. I use a wet blocking method, and I find they don't warp (at least not enough) to matter for quite a while. When they do after time, I buy another for a few bucks. Also, by refreshing them every couple of years, I don't end up with so many pinholes that it compromises the integrity of the board.

re: The Basics of Blocking, Part One

BrittanyN — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:39:47 GMT

Hmmm....do you have to re-block knitting like this everytime you wash it????