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How to Block a Knitting Project

March 18, 2014 4 Comments

How to Block a Knitting Project at Hands Occupied

Blocking is something I took years to start doing with finished knitting projects. Just like test swatches. It turns out that both can be pretty important as your knitting gets more sophisticated. Especially if you are making a wearable item, testing your yarn by knitting a sample swatch and blocking it is how you’ll establish a good fit. Here are the basics of how to block a knitting project.

Supplies

finished knitting project
cold water
clean basin or sink
wool wash (I like Eucalan and Soak.)
towel
timer
blocking board (optional)
pins (optional)

Directions

Yesterday I shared how to set yarn color so it won’t bleed, potentially ruining a finished project. Here’s where we left off:

These Colors Won't Run: How to set yarn color

The finished knitting project was given a special bath to set the color. If you’re not worried about setting the color, you can simply soak your knitting in a bath of tepid to lukewarm water with the wool wash of your choice. Stir around your project in the bath to get the wool wash into the yarn. Let soak for 30 minutes.

Full disclosure: Since I already soaked my knitting in a vinegar bath for 30 minutes, and since I used a simple cotton yarn instead of a wool, I skipped the wool wash, but I normally use it otherwise. 

How to Block a Knitting Project at Hands Occupied

When the half hour has passed, gently squeeze out the excess water, but do not wring it out. Lay out your project on a towel. I always use a dark towel like this old maroon one, particularly when I haven’t done the colorfast bath, in case some color bleeds.

How to Block a Knitting Project at Hands Occupied

Roll up the knitting in the towel like a burrito.

How to Block a Knitting Project at Hands Occupied

Pound all over your towel burrito, then turn it 90 degrees and pound all over it again. This gets out the excess water without wringing it, which can damage your knitting.

How to Block a Knitting Project at Hands Occupied

Next, lay out your work on a flat surface. If you need to use a blocking board and pins to set it to specific dimensions, you can do that. Since this is just a cotton baby blanket, laying it square was all I needed to do.

How to Block a Knitting Project at Hands Occupied

Filed Under: DIY FYI, Knitting, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: blocking. knit, diy fyi, fit, how to block knitting, Knitting

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a knitting, crochet and crafts designer. She first learned to knit at age 8 from a grandmother who saw in her a need for something to keep her busy. She's now a full time designer, video host, blogger & teacher. You can keep up with her designs and more by following handsoccupied on your favorite social network.

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Comments

  1. Kokeshette

    March 18, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    Thanks for this post and the pictures ! I have to admit, I don’t block my knitting projects yet… Only recently I started to make test swatches…
    I guess I still don’t have enough years of knitting behind me ;) (and I knit cowls, mostly…)
    I will try for the next project, with the help of your post !

    Reply
  2. María Ivelisse Fortunato

    March 24, 2014 at 11:43 am

    Excelente este articulo me encanta lo voy a poner en practica con mis trabajos.

    Gracias

    Reply
  3. Bonnie mcmillen

    March 30, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    I feel so dumb, I always thought blocking was done with an iron and a damp towel.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      March 30, 2014 at 9:18 pm

      You’re 100% smart! There’s more than one way to block a knitting project: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/FEATdiyknitter.html This is just my preferred way :).

      Reply

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