Blocking your project is an important final step when you finish a knitting or crochet project that will really elevate your results. The process helps to even out the tension of stitches, prevents curling and helps to shape the piece. Decorative stitches become more defined and for garments it can also help with how well the piece fits. It is well worth the little extra effort it takes.
Four Ways to Block Knitting and Crochet
There are four ways to block knitting and crochet. The method you choose will depend on the type of yarn you have used. Wet blocking is best for natural fibers like wool and cotton. Steam blocking is ideal for delicate projects. Spray blocking and dry blocking are the fastest choices and ideal for quick fixes.
Wet Blocking
Wet the fabric, depending on the yarn you have used wet it by submerging it in lukewarm water.
Gently squeeze out the water but don’t wring it as this may distort the piece or even damage it. Once you have most of the water out you can roll it between two clean towels and squeeze gently to remove more water.
Lay out the pieces of knitted or crochet fabric on a flat water-resistant surface that you can pin them to. Adjust it so that it matches the size and shape you want and then pin it in place. You can buy special blocking boards and T pins for this purpose.
Allow the pieces to dry slowly. This might take 24 hours.
Wet the fabric, depending on the yarn you have used wet it by submerging it in lukewarm water.
Gently squeeze out the water but don’t wring it as this may distort the piece or even damage it. Once you have most of the water out you can roll it between two clean towels and squeeze gently to remove more water.
Lay out the pieces of knitted or crochet fabric on a flat water-resistant surface that you can pin them to. Adjust it so that it matches the size and shape you want and then pin it in place. You can buy special blocking boards and T pins for this purpose.
Allow the pieces to dry slowly. This might take 24 hours.
Steam Blocking
Start by wetting a protective pressing cloth and squeeze it out until it’s wet but not dripping. Lay your piece of knitting or crochet and place this wet cloth over the top.
Set your iron to its lowest steam setting, once it is to temperature hold it above the protective cloth (but don’t press it) the aim is to allow the steam through the protective cloth to steam your project. If you put the iron down onto the cloth you may flatten the stitches or melt the fibers.
Once the yarn relaxes and feels moist, set your iron aside and remove the protective cloth. Now position and pin your pieces.
Leave to dry, this should just take a few hours.
Start by wetting a protective pressing cloth and squeeze it out until it’s wet but not dripping. Lay your piece of knitting or crochet and place this wet cloth over the top.
Set your iron to its lowest steam setting, once it is to temperature hold it above the protective cloth (but don’t press it) the aim is to allow the steam through the protective cloth to steam your project. If you put the iron down onto the cloth you may flatten the stitches or melt the fibers.
Once the yarn relaxes and feels moist, set your iron aside and remove the protective cloth. Now position and pin your pieces.
Leave to dry, this should just take a few hours.
Spray Blocking
Lay out the pieces of knitted or crochet fabric on a flat water-resistant surface that you can pin them to. Adjust it so that it matches the size and shape you want and then pin it in place.
Using a spray bottle of clean lukewarm water, spray the pieces so they are damp rather than wet. This will relax the yarn fibers. Smooth the fabric with your hands.
Allow your knitting/crochet to dry completely before removing the pins.
Lay out the pieces of knitted or crochet fabric on a flat water-resistant surface that you can pin them to. Adjust it so that it matches the size and shape you want and then pin it in place.
Using a spray bottle of clean lukewarm water, spray the pieces so they are damp rather than wet. This will relax the yarn fibers. Smooth the fabric with your hands.
Allow your knitting/crochet to dry completely before removing the pins.
Dry Blocking
Start by stretching the piece horizontally (the cast on and cast off edges should be top and bottom.) Hold the sides of the piece of knitting/crochet you want to block and gently stretch it. If the piece is too wide to stretch it all at once you might need to work in sections.
Repeat but stretch the piece vertically. The stitches should start to look neater. If you find any areas where you have a particularly large stitch pull on the surrounding sections to distribute the yarn more evenly.
Start by stretching the piece horizontally (the cast on and cast off edges should be top and bottom.) Hold the sides of the piece of knitting/crochet you want to block and gently stretch it. If the piece is too wide to stretch it all at once you might need to work in sections.
Repeat but stretch the piece vertically. The stitches should start to look neater. If you find any areas where you have a particularly large stitch pull on the surrounding sections to distribute the yarn more evenly.
