Oh blocking. Surprisingly I never learned to block a project until I started knitting. I had an old roommate Rachel Humbrecht (http://www.rhumbrecht.com) who was the first person who even mentioned blocking, after 3 years of crocheting, when I mentioned how a crochet scarf I had been working on was coming out really wonky. Shortly after I didn't finish that scarf and got absorbed into finishing college. But now that I picked up knitting I was reading about blocking.
Blocking for me is my favorite parts of knitting other then finishing the piece. For me this is like the victory lap of knitting. The piece in the photos is a ravelry pattern by Megan Goodacre, called New Bittersweet Cowl. I knitted this Malabrigo's worsted color charrua.
To start off I fill my sink with hot water but not scolding hot, you do not want to burn your hands! While the water is filling ad either some dish soap or some Soak knitting detergent. I found that there are different opinions on how long you should leave the item in the water, I leave my items in the water from 15-30 minutes. I made the mistake once of leaving a scarf in too long and the water got cold and made it difficult to block the scarf, also the scarf gained a musky smell, so I had to reblock the scarf.
To start off I fill my sink with hot water but not scolding hot, you do not want to burn your hands! While the water is filling ad either some dish soap or some Soak knitting detergent. I found that there are different opinions on how long you should leave the item in the water, I leave my items in the water from 15-30 minutes. I made the mistake once of leaving a scarf in too long and the water got cold and made it difficult to block the scarf, also the scarf gained a musky smell, so I had to reblock the scarf.
Once 15-30 minutes have passed drain the water from the sink and gently press the water out of the knit. DO NOT WRING THE KNIT! It will warp your item. After pressing the water out of the item roll the item in a thirsty towel, I use my hot yoga, Yoga Rat towel because it sucks up water like crazy! To the point the knits almost dry! I then use an old soft wooden drafting board from college (other people use styrofoam, or the puzzle piece mats for kids) and a hand towel I wash between each blocking.
On each pattern there is a designated final size and these will be the measurements you need to follow. For the New Bittersweet Cowl the final measurements are 42 inches in circumference and 10 inches tall. Since this item was worked in the round it is blocked to half the height and folded. Also I took away one row of the repeat pattern away so I did not follow the final measurements. (I may re/do the blocking so I get a better definition for the openings as seen in the detail picture) So the final size of mine was 18 inches in half and 8 inches tall.
To then get your measurements use rust proof pins, pin the item starting in the corners to length. Then start pinning the center to width, and then every inch start pinning pinning to measurement. This is also where you can start adding scalloping edges also! And then once you have checked your measurements leave alone in the sun or a warm dry (if you can animal proof) place for at least 24 hrs. I found 12 hrs can work out but depending on the yarn, density, and size drying times are changeable. Unpin and Voila! You have a production shaped and finished item! Enjoy it!
Got a cool project you want to share? Email it to me! I'd love to feature it!
Happy Blocking!
Lauren
Got a cool project you want to share? Email it to me! I'd love to feature it!
Happy Blocking!
Lauren