From shop CraftyRhino48, ad by Mames7760 Note that I use crochet as an example here but these blocking methods are the same for knitted items. We do this with marketing and advertising partners (who may have their own information theyve collected). Once youve taken off the excess water, its ready for the blocking bit (i.e.   United States   |   English (US)   |   $ (USD). This post goes into more details about caring for your crochet. Pin in the centre of the sides and keep stretching the fabric out towards the corners. I guess it could be compared to icing a cake. Ad from shop ZoriaMillinery You will see here that there are dips in the fabric between the pins. Some, but not all of these are essential and I explain how they are used throughout this ebook. From shop Mames7760, ad by RedSuricata Ad from shop HiBusyBees Ad from shop EasyCrochetStore From shop MomentoMagico, ad by HandcraftedAccents Also take care that your pins do not go through the board and scratch or damage the surface underneath. Steam blocking is the recommended method for blocking acrylic yarn and fibres which dont do well with wet blocking. Outfittercoleather [] the process of blocking and the different kind of methods you can use but this fab blog post from Dora Does explains them all so much better than I ever []. You may just need to block the corners or border, or none at all. From shop PindropShop, ad by MomentoMagico From shop EasyCrochetStore, ad by number8blanketland Etsy is powered by 100% renewable electricity. Good news! ), Finished blankets (to get the shape right), Water you can soak your project in a clean bowl, basin, sink or bath, and you may also find a simple spray bottle useful, Steamer or steam iron (for heat / steam blocking). Im making an Easter dress for my great niece and the skirt part is a lace pattern. Its also a good way to see how the fabric will stand up to washing and blocking. Set where you live, what language you speak, and the currency you use. Please. From shop Olikraft, Sale Price $44.99 CraftyRhino48 As the name suggests, soak blocking is a kind of wet blocking which involves completely submerging your project in cold or room temperature water. If you make a lot of motif based blankets or accessories (such as granny square based projects), then pegged blocking boards could be the thing for you. Shipping policies vary, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when you purchase from them. Saying no will not stop you from seeing Etsy ads or impact Etsy's own personalization technologies, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive. We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. From shop RebelMetals, ad by MlynJedrow (15% off), ad by SomethingIvy That said, the extent to which the blocking is undone when you wash your crochet item will depend on a number of factors, including the stitch pattern and fibre content, as well as the original blocking method used and your method of washing. Looks like you already have an account! They are still on my wish list! The seller might still be able to personalize your item. Click for full tutorial. AllYour3DPrints MlynJedrow Each board, Learn how to block crochet or knit hexagons or granny squares with this incredibly easy and inexpensive DIY blocking board (made from a garden kneeling pad!) Especially if youre working with lace patterns. ErinsFabricShop Ad from shop SheepThrillsYarnShop You might want to lay a clean colourfast towel underneath your work when blocking it as this will allow it to dry quicker (most blocking boards are water resistant so the underside can take much longer to dry). TheTrimmingCompany Learn the SECRET to Blocking Acrylic Yarn with Steam and Block Board - DIY Crochet and Knitting Tutorial by Nicki's Homemade Crafts - blankets, granny square, block, yarn, blocking, blocking board, review, chetnanigans, handmade, easy, steamer, avoid, make, successful, right, wrong, How to spray block a granny square - a great crochet tutorial, How to Store Granny Squares and Keep them Flat. From shop YourVarietyStoreYVSO, $69.98 Never ring out or scrunch up your item as it can damage or felt the fabric. Ad from shop PindropShop | MakeAndDoCrew.com. Never place a hot iron onto your fabric, you may end up with quite the mess. I have a small place and theres nowhere that I even have a big enough floor space to block something of this size! I place the pins at an angle away from the edges so that the fabric doesnt slip. From shop SomethingIvy, ad by EweMomma From shop mikagogogo, $18.00 This tutorial is full of step by step photos. This will differ depending on what options are available for the item. From shop number8blanketland, ad by HappilyCrochetingCo Crochet Explained: What are stitch multiples? Dont try too many at once though as the ones in the centre may not dry properly! From shop WendyXmadeXwithXlove, ad by DyeabolicalYarns Note this is separate to The WiP TiP email newsletter. I have recently discovered a product called Knit Blockers, which are essentially a group of pins lined up like a comb, if each tooth was a pin. To use them, you weave the sides of your fabric onto the wire (think of the tip of the wire as a yarn needle) at regular intervals, spreading one side out evenly over the wire. The general consensus is that blocking before you sew in ends gives a better finished look, but it really depends on your project. Some of the larger yarn craft websites such as We Crochet and Love crafts sell blocking kits and tools. I havent used these yet, but they look like a great way to avoid the little peaks you sometimes get with individual pins if youve aggressively pinned out your project. LilasDesignsLLC Dora Does Limited, Registered in England. Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items. There are various ways of approaching blocking, some very quick and simple, some more involved. It would depend on the specific design. Ad from shop SomethingIvy Without icing the cake will still taste good and fill you up (as an unblocked sweater will still keep you covered up and warm) but a decorated cake will look a lot more appetising than an unfinished one! So, to me, it follows that if youre going to wash and block the end project, then yes, you should wash and block your swatch! Ive never tried it with cardboard so I cant speak from experience. Its hard to be definitive about which projects will retain the best stitch memory, but its the kind of thing that becomes more intuitive with experience. Ad from shop TheTrimmingCompany Thanks for the review Hazel, thats good to know!! And you will have extra in case you lose some around your house! This is not an exclusive list but gives you an idea of the kind of things which would look better after blocking. So I thought it would be helpful to put together a little tutorial to explain just that How to Block Knit and Crochet Items. $44.99, $49.99 DyeabolicalYarns Note that blocking boards with measurements can be useful for blocking to size, but they arent essential. How to Block Knit and Crochet - Whenever I recommend blocking an item, I sometimes am met with a blank stare and then some questions about exactly what, why, and how to do this. Stick your pins in directly to the foam and let your knits dry in peace. remembering account, browser, and regional preferences, remembering privacy and security settings, personalized search, content, and recommendations, helping sellers understand their audience, showing relevant, targeted ads on and off Etsy. I just finished a mandala from mandala madness and its larger than any towel or bed, but it recommends blocking. This means if you click a link to a product and go on to make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Try using a different browser or disabling ad blockers. Ad from shop CraftyRhino48 I hope that helps!! (10% off), ad by TheTrimmingCompany With powerful tools and services, along with expert support and education, we help creative entrepreneurs start, manage, and scale their businesses. In this post I explain what blocking is, why and how and when to block your crochet projects. Whether you are using a wet or dry blocking method, you will need to stretch and shape your project and secure it in place, most commonly by using pins. Note that in my experience, soak blocking doesnt work well with acrylic yarn. Keep the heat / steam at a safe distance. All patterns, photographs, written and other content is for personal use only and may not be shared or reproduced without prior written consent. From shop ErinsFabricShop, ad by AllisFabbies Its a fine line between using heat to break and manipulate acrylic fibres and irreversibly flattening it. From shop HiBusyBees, ad by MotherKnowsBestAu When a pattern says block to size, it usually means to dimensions (i.e. Milward Blocking Boards with 12 pins is perfect for blocking out crochet squares and small items like hats and baby clothes. If you have found any of my blogs, resources or free patterns helpful and would like to make a contribution, I welcome voluntary donations, no matter how small. It is also used to evenly shape pieces; whether they are panels for a sweater or simple granny squares, finished items look a whole lot better if their parts are neatly shaped. From shop HappilyCrochetingCo, ad by RebelMetals Im looking for a fabric stiffener and when searching gorilla glue clear spray keeps coming up, has anyone used this as a fabric stiffener? From shop FonsecaWear, $26.00 Take full advantage of our site features by enabling JavaScript. But thats just my intuitive thoughts on the subject, others may see it differently. FREE shipping, ad by HatSolution Original Price $2.99 $62.99, $69.99 Each pin measures 12cm long, including the 1cm long screw. So keep it at a distance. Ad from shop GoPinForce From shop MlynJedrow, $73.56 Ideally you would use a garment steamer because you have more control, however a steam iron can work if you hover it an inch or so above the fabric. It may feel counterintuitive, but do not put your first pins in the corners. This gets rid of those pesky peaks and troughs you sometimes get with pins. The same goes if you are working with any other delicate fibre. WendyXmadeXwithXlove Great! Would she have to re-,block it after every wash or can she just ordinary wash and airdry? This is the bit that always caused me stress, so here is my advice on how to approach it. I would like to know, do you block a blanket before or after making the border? It helps keep me doing Dora! EasyCrochetStore DIY Blocking Station for Crochet Squares I have never blocked squares because I didn't know of a good way to do it. Original Price $8.25 ), robust and easy to use, however any rust-proof dressmakers pins should work too. Etsy uses cookies and similar technologies to give you a better experience, enabling things like: Detailed information can be found in Etsys Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy and our Privacy Policy. Always check the care instructions on your ball band for advice on how to wash your fabric. Im a beginner and Im making a full size afghan. $1.79, $2.99 For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. HatSolution Thanks. A swatch should be treated the same way you treat the finished item. Blocking wires come in different gauge / diameter suitable for different weight projects. I have used an old yoga mat in the past and in this example am using a kids foam puzzle style play mat! Spritzing is another, form of wet blocking. Ad from shop HappilyCrochetingCo size and shape). Below are a couple of alternatives to pinning. SheepThrillsYarnShop The blocking board is available for purchase separately. Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions. The sleeves and the body needed very little attention. From shop LilyRoseQuiltsShop, Sale Price $6.19 (10% off), ad by LilasDesignsLLC HookanoryCrochetClub If it is something simple like a round of single crochet, then I would probably add it after blocking, but if its a bit more intricate or a stitch pattern which would benefit from blocking then I would add it before (depending on how much blocking the blanket itself needs, or even, and heres the unpopular answer, block the blanket, add the boarder and give it a second block! This guide shows you the wet blocking method using a foam blocking board and quilters' pins. In stock - order is shipped as soon as possible, Skip to the beginning of the images gallery. LilyRoseQuiltsShop Ad from shop CraftsByKFRod They are essentially boards with holes drilled into them at regular intervals, like peg boards, into which tall solid doweling type pins (pegs) will fit. Chetnanigans 13992263. Ad from shop DyeabolicalYarns YarnShop4U (15% off), ad by Chetnanigans I have used glitter glue mixed with water (Im not sure what sort of glue gorilla glue is so not sure if it works) to stiffen small items such as decorations I talk about it briefly in my little Christmas trees post https://doradoes.co.uk/portfolio/little-christmas-trees/ But I would add some caveats to that. Ad from shop ThimbleDots2 Ad from shop Olikraft After the wash, you will need to dry it flat and pin it out to shape again. ), special blocking wires or even thread. Original Price $49.99 I like these T-Pins (they are SHARP so be careful!! Note that if blocking is an essential part of a pattern then the gauge statement should tell you if it relates to the blocked or unblocked stitch pattern sometimes you will get one gauge measurement for each. . I feel your pain! FlyYarns From shop Outfittercoleather, ad by mimisneedlebasket ad by ThimbleDots2 Once you have allowed the fabric to fully soak, carefully squeeze out the excess water and lay it flat on a towel. Ad from shop FlyYarns They are good to pin longer lengths at a time. From shop MotherKnowsBestAu, ad by CraftsByKFRod So there we have it. From shop AllYour3DPrints, ad by QuiltinaDayStore I am making a baby blanket for a friend. The next pin(s) should go half way across the gaps between pins and so on until you have your straight edges. For example, an intricate, open lace wool shawl will need more blocking after washing than a cowl made with acrylic yarn using double crochet throughout. | www.1dogwoof.com, Handmade solid pine blocking board for needle crafts. Then I tried it and it wasnt nearly as scary as I thought. Id love to hear how you get on if you finally give blocking a go. Im glad you found the post useful! If you have an item with a curve in, then the thinner wires will bend to accommodate this. Personally I like to block crochet panels before joining (so I know the pieces are the same size and will join easily) but it would depend on the specifics of the project and your preference. Different fibres respond differently to different blocking methods, so here is a quick summary of how to block the most common fibre groups. This article was SO helpful. Before we get into the actual process of blocking, below I have listed out some of the materials / tools you may wish to use for blocking, along with some alternate options. Thats a simplistic example which gives you an idea of the variation. RebelMetals UniquelyPrintStudio Knitters - this is good info! From shop Lazadas, ad by GoPinForce That depends on the type of stitch and the fibre used. Ad from shop MlynJedrow For example, a simple beanie using easy stitches is going to get shaped and stretched into position as it is worn. Original Price $5.50 Ad from shop UniquelyPrintStudio Lazadas I aim to reassure you too, that its not as intimidating as it can seem. From shop GoPinForce, ad by Outfittercoleather YourVarietyStoreYVSO First lets look at the different ways you wet your fabrics and which version to use when. mimisneedlebasket Ad from shop AllYour3DPrints First you will add 1 wire on each side of your project. This post contains affiliate links. DiVintageBlessings Then either pin the wires out flat to shape or hang the piece from one of the wires, depending on the shape youre working with. From shop ThimbleDots2, Sale Price $4.74 From shop HookanoryCrochetClub. If youve read any of my posts on gauge, you will know that I am a fan of always making a swatch for any crochet item which needs to fit. FREE shipping, ad by Lazadas It is great for shawls and items with straight sides (triangle shawls, blankets etc.). number8blanketland Better to shrink a 5 inch swatch than a 30 hour sweater! Ad from shop mikagogogo kuksaci From shop SheepThrillsYarnShop, $35.00 Original Price $5.58 Ad from shop mimisneedlebasket Company No. Ad from shop HookanoryCrochetClub These may come in handy for those beautiful crescent shawls! I usually block all my garments but to some extend it depends on the fibre and stitch pattern Ive used. Blocking wire is an alternative for bigger pieces or more delicate garments. If you do use a towel be sure that it is secured and does not slip about as you pin! Captcha failed to load. Ad from shop EweMomma Ad from shop WylieWoodcraft Some purists might say absolutely, but honestly I dont think its necessary in every project. Ad from shop LilasDesignsLLC Learn more. From shop Chetnanigans, ad by FonsecaWear If your hat has a complex stitch pattern or there is some issues with tension then it may be worth it but otherwise, imo, life is too short!! For most of the designers I make, I give the gauge unblocked (because mostly my designs need very little blocking), but this can vary with different designers. Hi, thats a really good question. Never apply direct heat to any yarn. Generally speaking, blocking is not permanent. Dont see this option? Yes, you CAN block acrylic yarn to help with joining squares! This is the same regardless of whether you use the soak, steam, spritz or dry blocking methods. There is also a link to a YouTube video demonstrating one form of blocking linked further down the article. How to Wet Block Crochet and Knit Fabrics by Soaking. If you are working with a larger or more complex shape, this process can take a while as you may need to adjust pins as you stretch and shape your work. Believe me, this is something up with which one cannot put if one adores ones teeny moggy ! I think it depends what kind of boarder you are working with. It is helpful for items that only need a light block and uses a quicker way of getting moisture into your fabric. Ad from shop Mames7760 I will go through these options below. Blocking involves dampening the crochet fabric, stretching it out to shape, pinning it out and allowing it to dry. Cotton tends to soften with wear and wash so will probably need less blocking with time (less so if it is mercerised you can learn more about that in this post: https://doradoes.co.uk/2018/07/20/focus-on-fibre-working-with-cotton-yarn/) From shop CraftsByKFRod, Sale Price $62.99 They box has two sizes. I hope that this has given you a good overview of the blocking process, rather than confusing you more! Ad from shop Chetnanigans Keep your pins away from pets and children. Ad from shop FonsecaWear Once you have the pins in the centre of the sides, continue to evenly stretch the fabric, then you can add the pins in the corners. From shop DiVintageBlessings, ad by ErinsFabricShop Much easier than fiddling about with individual pins! EweMomma Original Price $69.99 If youll pardon the pun, blocking my crochet projects was always a mental block for me. HiBusyBees You can read my full affiliate disclosurehere. From shop AllisFabbies, Sale Price $4.67 FREE shipping, ad by ZoriaMillinery Ad from shop DiVintageBlessings HappilyCrochetingCo stickchick Thank you. The moisture is added, the fabric is shaped and fixed (usually using pins or wires) then left to dry. Ad from shop YourVarietyStoreYVSO You've already signed up for some newsletters, but you haven't confirmed your address. If you sew in your ends after you have blocked your work then you know you are working with the final tension. Includes 12 bamboo pins and instruction sheet showing possible combinations. CraftsByKFRod FREE shipping, ad by WendyXmadeXwithXlove ZoriaMillinery RedSuricata This is just a rule of thumb and there may be exceptions, depending on how the fibre is spun for example. Absolutely! Id recommend blockers to any yarn crafter! My lovely crochet friend becks at The Pigeons Nest makes handmade blocking peg boards. I think combining the blockers and t-pins to meet the needs of your project sounds sensible too! Mames7760 Knitpro Blocking Kit has the full set of blocking materials needed for any garment. So give it a try! Does shopping on Etsy help support small businesses? Knitpro T pins are the fiddly individual pins which are perfect for getting into corners and pinning out points in your lace. Ad from shop LilyRoseQuiltsShop FREE shipping, ad by PeanutSisterDesigns Try contacting them via Messages to find out! Ad from shop stickchick $6.19, $8.25 It works best with natural fabrics like cordon which dont repel water. Blocking Supplies. The plastic fibres are water resistant so the whole endeavour is be a bit pointless. While many of the items on Etsy are handmade, youll also find craft supplies, digital items, and more. Is it absolutely necessary? Blocking is essentially a way of using water to shape your crochet (or knit) fabric to achieve a more finished look. Its also home to a whole host of one-of-a-kind items made with love and extraordinary care. (My cat likes to try chew on the tops and it terrifies me!). From shop RedSuricata, ad by YourVarietyStoreYVSO Ad from shop HatSolution [] beautiful crochet patterns and regularly do deep-dives into many aspects of crochet including this one on blocking. If you dont have anywhere to lie it flat, a washing line can work but you need to be careful of over stretching it in some areas. I also think that the longer you wear a blocked crochet project, and the more often you re-block it, the less blocking it will need the next time. A simple blanket would likely just need stretching out when damp after a wash. Great article. If the gauge doesnt mention blocking, you might want to check in with the designer, especially if its a lacy pattern where blocking will change the gauge. With steam blocking, you will only get the fabric damp but it is still important to leave it pinned out until it is completely dry so it retains the shape. From shop HatSolution, ad by kuksaci From shop YarnShop4U, ad by mikagogogo Ad from shop WendyXmadeXwithXlove Washing it will have the soak effect yes. My friend Fay from Fay DH designs and the Crochet Circle Podcast has a great video showing how she wet blocks her shawls. Olikraft A test on 11 swatches. MomentoMagico You could block it in sections bit by bit or it may be that hanging it on a washing line outside if available may be enough? I have learned that it is really worth the effort (I concede that it can be a bit of a palava) for that extra finished look. Will just washing it losen the stitches and even it out? It is definitely worth your while to sign up to the []. AllisFabbies As I already alluded to, there is more than one way to shape your project when blocking it. with something like a afghan its a judgement call. From shop DyeabolicalYarns, ad by LilyRoseQuiltsShop Your fabric will be damp but not soaked and ready to pin out. What Ive done in the past when space has been an issue with blankets is to spritz block one section at a time, the bigger the section the better the result but sometimes one has to be creative in the face of space constraints!!! The tube contains rust-resistant stainless steel wires of differing length (6 wires of 95 cm, 6 wires of 50 cm, 3 flexible wires of 95 cm length) 20 T pins, and a measuring tape. Our customer service is available Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00 CEST. If you sew in ends and then block your work, the sewn in ends may cause some resistance meaning you dont get an even look. But I still add a few T pins if necessary. I use the knit blockers. From shop kuksaci, $27.00 From shop EweMomma, ad by PindropShop When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. From shop UniquelyPrintStudio, ad by SheepThrillsYarnShop In each case, shape the work and allow it to dry naturally. More about that later! Found something you love but want to make it even more uniquely you? Hehe, I am with you on the impatience. Fill out the requested information. When pinning out, place the pins around a cm or more in from the edge to minimise this dipping, particularly if you are bringing quite a lot of stretch to the project .