Guilty confession...

[pipi_k]

In all the years I've been knitting and crocheting, I have never blocked a finished project.

Until just recently.

I'm knitting an afghan using mitered squares. Well, it's a kit, and although they do try to send yarn that works up to the same gauge, sometimes it doesn't. So some squares turned up different sizes. They're supposed to be a final size of 6.5 inches square.

And I got some foam blocking squares and T-pins, sprayed those squares down, and started blocking.

Holy cow, does it ever make a difference!!!


So that's my guilty confession.

Ms. "I don't need to block this!!" is now reformed.


Anyone else have a guilty confession to make?

[2banon]

1. thanks for sharing this tip..

well, my only confession is that I'm a total dunce with basics in crochet and sewing! I'm always un-doing my seams, or stitches. Sometimes I just try and hide or camouflage my mistakes if possible. I call it the Art of Imperfection. LOL! Or "Conceptual Art"..

[surrealAmerican]

2. I've always been reluctant to knit anything that would require blocking ...

... because then it will need to be re-blocked every time it's washed. I know I'm too lazy about laundry to actually do that.

[KitSileya]

3. Huh... I had to google blocking to figure out what you were talking about.

I've been knitting for over 25 years, and have never done that. My knitting is done Norwegian style (yes, it is faster than both English and Continental, we've timed it) and after a piece is finished, we dampen a tea towel and iron it with the tea towel between the knitted piece and the iron, to release the steam. Square pieces are in perfect squares already, the only adjustment is done prior to knitting when estimating needle gauge and stitch number.

I guess your guilty confession is the same as mine...

[PushyGalore]

4. Blocking is essential

when one has knit a lace project. Such as a shawl, doily, tablecloth or and edging. Blocking really opens up all the yarn overs that make lace, well, lacey.

Google "lace before/after blocking" in Googe Images and you'll see what I mean.

[tea and oranges]

5. Blocking is Transformative

By blocking I mean complete immersion of finished object (FO)in water laced w/ a product like Soak, roll FO in a towel, dance on towel. This removes excess water.

Spread FO gently by hand on a blocking board (this can be a layer of towels on your bed) & pin into shape. Let dry.

What this does to the drape of your yarn (yes, even acrylic) is astonishing! Stitches open up, yarn softens & blooms - it's a wonder.

For lacework & shawls it's a good idea to invest in wires.

My confession is that I'm addicted to what I call interim blocking. By that I mean I'm too impatient to wait until something's done to see how the stitches will look or what size it'll turn out to be (even if I've wet swatched) or sometimes to see what something looks like before I add an edging.

Once blocked, an FO will retain much of its shape if washed gently. Simply spread out & let dry.

[PennyK]

6. This is a sewing confession

I never had good results when sewing clothing made of rayon. A book I have, by Sandra Betzina, says to NEVER use steam while pressing, that it will make the rayon grow.
Uh, yeah. It does.

[dem in texas]

7. I am fanatic on finishing, blocking on knitting and pressing on my sewing projects.

I used to knit and crochet and I always blocked the finished project. It is easy to do. When we lived in Alaska, I knit sweaters all the time, even won a prize at the Alaska State Fair for one of my sweaters. Living in Texas, it's too hot for heavy sweaters which are usually what I made. I haven't knit one in long time.

I have been sewing more lately. When I sew, I am a fanatic about steam pressing the seams as I go. This is a step that many people skip, just like blocking. I am also obsessed with finishing the inside of the garment I am making. If I can, I will make French seams, if not, I finish the raw seams with a zig-zag stitch.

I am making a quilt now. I had purchased the book on Red and White quilts from the American Folk Art Museum. This book inspired me to make a red and white quilt. I am using the Ohio Star pattern with alternating blocks with solid red or natural muslin worked with red and white prints. I have to press each part of the blocks as I sew, it takes longer, but if I don't press it, I am not pleased with block. It is going to take a few more weeks to finish the quilt top. I am running out of the red and white prints. I just purchased some more fat quarters off Etsy, hope to get them in the next few days. Once I have the quilt top done, I will probably take to a quilt shop and have it quilted.