Finishing, I have learned, starts when the knitting/crocheting ends. What do you mean GG? Tell me if you felt this way too. I didn’t get the big deal with blocking until I did it? This goes back to my lessons learned post, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. When I first started knitting I was about the go big or go home life. I still can’t imagine blocking the bulky things I have made. Insert fingering weight natural fibers and yes..block it baby!
Before I get into to block or not, let me explain what I mean when I say finishing. I am completely finished when the blocking has been done, the edges have been weaved, I had my personal photo shoot AND I updated my project page on Ravelry. LOL, the pictures and Ravelry is just me being extra. If I am to be honest, all of that needs to happen for me to move beyond a project.
The question is do you block your projects? I know you can wet block or steam block. My question is do you do either of them?
Finishing – Wet or Steam Block?
Yes I block my items, I even blocked a hat once. I don’t do that often but I did. According to one of my favs, Cocoknits, Blocking is the process of wetting or steaming your final pieces of knitting to set the finished size and even out the stitches. When I was a new knitter I I truly didn’t get the why behind blocking. I mean, that’s for real knitters right? Wrong. If you are going to invest in the yarn to make something, that yarn deserves to be blocked (natural fibers). So I finally finished the sweater and blocked it. I grabbed a big bowl, my wool wash and some water. Let’s do this!
**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
When I block a sweater, I usually wet block. Wet blocking is when you soak the sweater in cool water with a little wash. I love the Eucalan brand. After you rinse out the soap, then you gently remove the excess water and lay it flat to dry. I don’t know what it is about this process that makes the yarn bloom, but baby there is nothing like a block piece of material. NOTHING!
I also have a steamer that I have used to block too. I usually steam shawls or cowls. There may have been a sweater or two that I steamed…because lazy. Steam blocking takes way less time in my opinion, AND gets the job done. If I had to say which one does the job best…hands down Wet Blocking is the champ.
So do you block? Which technique do you use? Let’s discuss.
Steam from an iron, pressing with damp cloth and hot dry iron, must and pin, and the whole soak and wet block. All used, all work, but pick you process to match your yarn and project.
Taking over the spare bed, and telling the dogs they have lost their bed for a while is always fun!
Lots of good pins, foam mats, and wires make the process easier to work through. The changes the process brings about can really make your project shine!
Like you, at the beginning of my knit journey I didn’t block. I finished and rocked the piece. When my knitting began to include more lace pieces, I realized the importance of blocking. As you know, it really opens up your piece and allows the lace to display itself.
I purchased a steamer to block things knitted in bulkier yarn. I always wet block finer pieces. I like Eucalan because there is no need to rinse. However, I’ve also used Dr. Bronner’s castile soap. If less expensive but does require rinsing.
Hey Bonnye! Thanks for reading and responding 😘😘
Morning! Ok, so I absolutely KNOW that blocking will make my projects polished and so much better looking, but I have a sweater I finished in March I think that still hasn’t been blocked yet cause you better believe once I wove in those ends, I threw that baby on and haven’t stopped wearing it long enough to do a wash and block!
My mom keeps asking me if I’ve washed it yet, lol.
For the Orange love KAL, I knitted with white yarn, then dip dyed it orange, so I had to block it after, it was part of the process. But when I finished knitting, I was like, I’m done! Wait, no I’m not! But I loved how it blocked. It was acrylic, and the way it stretched out was really cool. I really like results of blocking, I just wish someone else would do it for me!
When I found a set of interlocking blocks with grids, I gave away my plain ones! I have the pins, the blocking wires – but usually I can follow a tip (think it was from Morehouse Farms) and just lay the piece out on a blanket and shape as I wish – the blanket fabric will hold it there (OK, sometimes a couple of pins 🙂
The blocks are great, too, especially for things like afghan blocks – easy to get the correct measurement.
I try to start this by soaking the project soon after I get up (and almost always with a bit of vinegar, for color fastness – after the time I thought I could soak a few things at once – wrong, but amazingly salvaged!). Plenty of time rolled in a towel as well – then on the bed under the ceiling fan, and by the time I’m ready for bed that night, it’s dry or nearly so!
For some things I will pull out the ironing board, and an old white handkerchief. Pin the piece on the board (if need be), soak the hankie, and (ancient!) iron on highest setting to press. Learned that one from my mom!
Great info! Thanks for sharing
Like you, when I was new to knitting I didn’t block the scarves and hats I started with. Now I block everything – even socks! It’s amazing how much better knits look after a bath.
Yes I feel you
I wet block all the way. The only time I whip out the steamer is if I want to take a quick look at something on the needles and get an idea of how it is going to look when it’s done. (And I never rinse out the wool wash; instructions say I don’t need to, and I am essentially lazy.)
🙌🏾
I like to think of blocking as a chance for your fabric to bloom (so to speak.) Most designers recommend knitting LARGE gauge swatches and wetting and blocking them. It does pay off. The results of a wetted swatch has stopped me from knitting an entire sweater in yarn that when wet and dried turned into a sweatshirt material instead of the beautiful textured piece I envisioned!
Oh that’s a great share. I never thought of that
I HATE blocking anything! I knitted a lace scarf many years ago, and that was the only thing IMO that really needed blocking to show the beauty of the stitches. But here’s my peave: you knit something to gift to another, and once they wash whatever it is; no one is going to block it for them and they will be stuck with an unblocked item. Soooo…. as much as I would like to knit all of those beautiful patterns not only for myself, but for others, I stay away for the reason I listed above. Another thing: blocking takes up valuable real estate in your living space. What you discover after you’ve become a knitter or a crocheter is: you need a “Blocking Room.”
Yes space is needed
Oooo, yes, blocking makes such a difference, but the time it takes!
My projects (crochet) tend to linger “after” being “done” but before being blocked.
I too had the compulsion to include updating on Ravelry as the official done (and now that I can’t use it, I’m not sure what I will do). 100% complete, but not “done” until blocked and posted.
Anyways, I’ve only ever steamed acrylic to block it, everything else is wet.
I just can’t seem to get a non-acrylic dry project pinned right unless it’s damp.
Blocking wires and those 4-pin and 8-pin blockers are a huge time savings and have really made blocking much more approachable for me.
My biggest “block” for blocking is finding the space for things, until I realized I could use my covered back porch for all but the largest shawls. Amazing how fast a shawl will dry with a little breeze and warm temps.
Can I ask a question? I wet block smaller stuff (sweaters, scarves etc) and have a set of interlocking mats and pins for that, but how would you block a full-sized blanket/afghan? I feel the one I’m working on would benefit by blocking but size/space/equipment….seems unwieldily.
Is it all in one piece? What yarn are you using? Look at the washing info o the label – when I have done large one-piece afghans, they are usually acrylic/blends; often a machine wash and dry is enough. For ones done in pieces, I would block the pieces separately, and then seam together. Not sure what to do for a large non-machine one; will be watching for answers!
It is all one piece and it is superwash wool so I could definitely wash it! I want to block it to size to open up the stitches a bit, though. Maybe I will look into the blocking wires option below…
HI Peggy,
By full sized, do you mean knit or crochet in one piece? If it’s modular, you can set up a nifty blocking station https://lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/diy-blocking-station-crochet-squares/ I used a bulletin board with tall pins when I made the Illicium blanket.
It will be fun to see what GG recommends.
I made a baby blanket that grew a surprising amount when it got wet, so after a roll and squish in a towel, I just spread it out on my bed and let it dry. It took longer than expected to dry, so it had to move overnight, but you could put a blanket on towels on a bed and maybe that would help it go faster?
Blocking wires might work?? They’re really long. I also saw this great shawl blocking contraption one time that looked great. Sorry I didn’t grab it because now I can’t find it??
It looks like everyone have you good answers. You would definitely need the space to leave it do it could dry
Thank you so much to you and the GGmadeit community for these ideas!
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Yay
I definitely wash and block since it really gives a nice finish to what I’ve knit except socks). It lets the yarn bloom and takes care of any slight variations in tension. And after it’s dry, it just looks polished.
I always block because I’ve learned how much better my projects look when I do. I have to admit that sometimes I ask for help. I have a great friend, who is really good at finishing. I try not to take advantage of her, though so it’s usually for more complicated shawls.
That said, I do wet block unless the yarn label says not to. I do weave in my ends before I block.
I think your sweater came out beautifully, and is well worth the time you put into it. Can’t wait to see you wear it!
I plan to blog about the sweater. Stay tuned
I block almost everything. To me it’s like pressing when sewing. Just makes a huge difference. I use the pins and blocking foam squares and pass my iron on steam just over the surface. I always let sit for 24 hours. Never disappointed!!
I would wash it, then spread it out on my bed (queen size) and straighten the edges, pinning if necessary. Turn the ceiling fan on, and let it dry. If you are not satisfied with the result, you can always get the wires and re-wet.
I blocked my Hipster Shawl and anything lacy to open up the stitches. I don’t usually block hats, but did block one because the wearer claimed they had a larger than normal head (Really? Okay…). I generally don’t block blankets or scarves, but most of mine have not been fancy and wanted to be worn right away! And I feel ya YDJ about folks not blocking anything fancy!
Mostly I wet block, but I have a steamer and could use that. I want blocking wires so badly and the Knitter’s Pride blocking set! T-pins work, but love those larger stretches of pins in the blocking set! As long as fading isn’t an issue, where I am it is hot as Hades, so blocking outdoors is a good option!
🤗
I spent three months knitting a charted color hat for a friend’s Christmas gift. And it was meh, but it was already Christmas so I decided to block it. And it transformed the hat. I don’t consider projects finished now until they have been blocked
Yes it’s amazing how it transforms
I block **most** things, but not all. Sometimes I’m just lazy. But a tip for steamers! If you block but don’t take pics right away? The steamer will take out any wrinkles before your photo shoot. 🙂
Yes I love a good steam session
I love blocking! The way it transforms a piece from lumpy to magnificent is like magic. I wet block. I steam block. I block hats!! I use all sorts of tricks like plates and balloons to get just the right hat shape! Don’t get me started on steaming pompoms!!!!!
Wait Pom poms? Do tell