The Benefits of Blocking
Even your tension: It’s hard to always have a perfectly even tension. Blocking will make these irregularities in your fabric disappear.
Opens up your stitches and eyelets.
Highlights textures: Textured stitches such as crochet puffs and bobbles or cables will pop out more after blocking.
Shape your project: Blocking is the magic trick behind making granny squares perfectly square and round pieces completely round.
Gives drape, shine and softness to your fabric. Blocking doesn’t only improve the look of your stitches it also improves your fabric.
How to Block: 3 Methods
Steam Blocking
Supplies: Blocking mat, steamer or iron with steam setting, pins.
How: Lay project flat on the bloking board, pinning flat if needed. Hold the iron just above the project (but do NOT let it touch), and let the iron release steam onto your project. Allow the pins to help the project stretch and/or lay flat, or gently use your hand (be careful not to burn yourself ).
Use Case: This method is great for projects that need a light blocking. It can be a helpful method for acrylic yarns as long as you don’t let the iron touch the acrylic.
Mist Blocking
Supplies: Blocking mat, misting spray bottle, pins.
How: Mist your fabric lightly with water, and lay it flat to dry. If that doesn’t get the job done, pin your project to the desired dimensions, and then mist it and leave it to dry.
Use Case: This is a good “play it safe” method for blocking. It gives the yarn a little moisture without completely submerging it, and it keeps the yarn from being exposed to too much heat.
Wet Blocking
Supplies: Blocking mat, tub or sink with cold water, towels, pins.
How: Submerge project into a tub of cool water and let soak for 20 minutes. Drain water and gently press out the excess (do not wring or twist!). Use towels to blot out the rest of the water. Lay project flat on blocking boards to dry. Use pins to stretch it into desired dimensions on the blocking board.
Use Case: Stitches are easier to stretch when they are this wet, so use this for a project that needs to be stretched or intensely blocked. Try this with cotton or wool projects, especially if they have lace stitch patterns.