Blocking
FAQs
I have been crocheting for a very long
time. At the time of writing this it’s been about 45 years. I’ve
learnt a lot in that time
Here is my take on blocking crochet
What
Is Blocking?
Blocking is a term used to describe
the process of pinning the crochet out to the proper shape and size.
There are several methods used
See How to Block for step by step
instructions
Is
Blocking Really Necessary?
People often ask if blocking is
necessary
The bottom line is that there are no
hard and fast rules. You can do what you want, it's your crochet
BUT if you want your work to look
professional and clean, blocking will help
Blocking helps the stitches stand out,
gives them each their own clear space. It also sets the work to a
particular shape and size. It can also stretch the item slightly, if
needed
But
do you need to do it to everything you crochet?
Not really. If you're making a doily
or snowflakes, it's definitely worth it. But if you are crocheting
blocks for a blanket, and they're all going to be joined up, it's
probably not worth it, unless the sizes are too different
Is
Blocking Permanent?
Sometimes
If you block acrylic with heat, it
will be permanent
Cotton and wool will need a little bit
of blocking after each wash
Can
You Press Rather Than Block?
Again, it's up to you
BUT
- it will flatten the stitches
- you will not be able to set the work to a particular shape
- if it's acrylic, it may melt your work, and stick to the iron
What
Tools are Required For Blocking?
- something firm that pins can be pinned into
- rust-proof pins
- spray bottle
- towels or plastic
- measuring tape
- optional, steam iron or steamer
- optional, blocking templates
What
can you use as a blocking board
Any firm flat surface that you can put
pins in will do
Any type of foam mats, including kids
play puzzle mats, floor tiles, or yoga mats
Just a few layers of cardboard wrapped
in cling wrap (I like this when I use a template underneath)
A carpeted piece of floor, covered
with towels
Even a mattress covered with lots of
towels or plastic
Or you can buy proper blocking boards
that have grids on them
If you need to block a lot of squares
for a blanket, you can put nails onto a wooden square board. Or drill
holes that can have small dowels put in
Do
you block squares before joining or after?
If the crochet you are doing has many
pieces, such as granny square blocks being joined together, or
clothing, you will need to block the pieces individually first,
before joining
What
if it's a big piece?
You
can put down lots of towels on the floor, or bed, and pin to that
Is
it difficult to do?
No,
it’s very easy
How
do you know where to block so the piece isn't over stretched?
You
push it slightly outwards with your hands. This means it’s only
slightly pushed out, and not really stretched
How
do you do it without damaging the stitches?
Don’t
overstretch the item. Use lots of pins
Temp
of water, how long in water or is it sprayed?
For
the temperature, it’s a good idea to check the label on the yarn.
But if you don’t have it, or are unsure, lukewarm water, or even
cold is fine.
Just
up to 5 or 10 minutes is long enough to soak
Just
a spray is also fine, but my preference is to saturate it all
thoroughly
How
long to dry?
This
can vary on temperature of the room, humidity, and dampness of the
piece
A
hairdryer (on cool setting) can help, or a fan
Tips
for Wool vs acrylic vs cotton etc.
Be
careful to not overwork wool, or it may felt.
Some
people believe acrylic can’t be blocked, but I completely disagree
with that. Blocking works perfectly on acrylic, and is generally
permanent. If you overheat it, you might “kill” it, ie, it will
go limp. But even when killed, it is still useful, and very soft
Cotton,
works well with steam blocking, but any other method is also fine
What
pins to use
- You can use any pins that don’t rust
- brass or stainless steel are good options
- nickel plated pins may rust
- wedding dress pins or t pins are generally rust-proof
- you can also buy specific blocking pins and wires
- Another option is to use toothpicks
How
to pin?
Pin
the center. Then press the item outwards from the centre, using your
fingers. Pin again. Press outwards again, pin again. Continue like
this until you reach the outer edges
I
like to use a template under plastic matching the circles to points
on the crochet, so I can keep it even
Do
you flip it to dry other side?
No,
you pin right side up only
Is
there any chance that colours will run during the blocking process?
What can I do if I’m concerned about this?
This
will depend on your yarn. It would be best to test before starting
the crochet.
But
if you don’t know, try soaking in a vinegar solution for half an
hour, and rinse thoroughly. Salt can also help
How
wet does it have to be?
The
item doesn’t even have to be wet, you can block when it’s dry.
But I don’t find this very effective.
I
think damp, but not dripping, then steamed, is most effective
You
can press it in a towel to get some extra moisture out
But
any stage of dampness will do
Wash??
& with what? Or... just dampen?
It’s
a good idea to take this opportunity to wash the item. But this is
very much personal choice. Launder with your usual detergent that is
suitable for the fibre
It
can be dampened, by saturating in water, and squeezing out excess
water, and/or squeezing in a towel
Or
it can be blocked dry, then steamed (I find this not as effective)
Do
you have to do it after each wash
Generally,
yes. But if acrylic has been done with heat, it will be permanent,
and won’t need to be done after each wash
Other
fibres will need a bit of blocking after each wash. But this will
mostly just be a case of drying flat and shaping
How
do I block items that are not square or round, for example a
snowflake made for a Christmas decoration
The
same way, but it’s a good idea to use a template to make sure the
snowflake is even
What
can go wrong?
The
only thing I can think of is pulling too hard, and
not using enough pins
at the very edges of the work, creating scalloped
edges and points
You
can prevent this by pushing the work to the edges, and using lots of
pins before, and/or at the edges
Blocking
wires can also help with this
What
is a blocking template?
This
is basically a piece of paper with the shape of the item on it. It
has sequential circles/squares an equal distance apart and a lot of
markings to help measure your piece to a set shape and size.
For
square or rectangle items you only need a grid, and many forms of
foam blocks will already have that
When
it comes to circles, doilies or snowflakes. You will need a circle
guide with the same number of spokes as the points on your snowflake,
doily or circle. If your item doesn’t have points, match the number
of starting stitches with number of spokes instead
There
are some great templates here by Kate Crochets
http://katecrochets.blogspot.com/2006/11/blocking-guides-for-doilies-and.html
How
do you use a blocking template?
If
you already have a blocking board with grids or markings, you won’t
need one
But
if you don’t, my preferred way is to print out the template on the
usual A4 paper. Then put it into a plastic sleeve protector, and
place it onto the board.
If
the item is a bit larger, you can print the template with the poster
option on the computer, printing it out on 4 or more pages. The pages
then get joined together on the blocking board
If
the item is very large, it’s not even necessary to have a template.
But a measuring tape would be useful to keep the measurements on all
sides even
Do
you need to use a blocking template?
No,
but it will keep your work even and professional looking
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