How to Block – Knitting

Yesterday I wrote about where knitters block, today I’m giving you websites with tips on how to block.

[tag]Kim Werker[/tag], editor of [tag}Interweave Crochet[/tag], has a great tutorial on [tag]spray blocking[/tag] using a blocking board. Kim is showing how to block crochet squares, but the idea transfers to any knit project as well.

Another great article is at [tag]Knitty[/tag], written by [tag]Jessica Fenlon Thomas[/tag]. Jessica explains the nature of some popular fibers and explains how to block these fibers as all natural fibers require small tweaks in the blocking process. Jessica also has a supply list of tools necessary for the blocking process, including directions on how to make your own blocking board. The two unusual items she uses in creating her blocking boards are gingham and [tag]homosote[/tag] which is also spelled [tag]homasote[/tag]. Gingham helps you keep projects squared up and homosote helps wick away water faster.

Next Pattern:

I’ve shared a lot of Christmas stocking knitting patterns over the years (see posts 1, 2, 3 for example) but what if you want to knit a stocking for a non-human member of your family. If you’re looking for Christmas stocking knitting patterns for your cats or dogs, this is the post for you.

These large paw print stockings are perfect for either dogs or cats, so they’re great to knit if you have both. They are worked in the round using DK weight yarn, and the stocking measures about 17 inches/43 cm from the top to the heel. You can get the pattern from nicolaluke.

The K4 Project has a super cute Kitty Christmas stocking pattern, which is worked in worsted weight yarn. They also have a dog version, or you can buy both and get a discount if you have both dogs and cats to knit for. Both projects have two patterns, showing how to work the stockings flat or in the round.

Put your dog into a Christmas scene with this stocking pattern from ifanhourChild. It shows a dog in a dog house in the snow, and has room for the dog’s name at the top. It’s worked flat using worsted weight yarn and the pattern includes charts for many small and medium dog breeds (there’s a separate listing for bigger dogs) so you can stitch a dog that looks like yours.

Annie’s Woolens has both dog and cat stocking knitting patterns that are worked in worsted weight yarn in the round. You can change up the colors to suit your pet if you want, and they come with an alphabet chart for personalization. Or you can stick with holiday colors and buy a kit to make the dog or cat stocking.

Waiting for Santa Paws is a pattern from Kate Agner on Ravelry that would be cute for a dog or a cat. It looks like a leg with a paw print on the bottom part of the foot and more paw prints running around the top of the leg. This is a great option if you don’t want to mess with a heel turn because it doesn’t have a heel, because dogs and cats don’t have heels so why would their stockings?

Book Review – 20 to Knit: Tiny Christmas Toys to Knit

Book Review – Knit Christmas Stockings

Comments

Ashley says
April 29, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I’ve looked at all these sites but not one of them lets you know if how far to stretch your piece when blocking. I am making an afghan composed of blocks but I can’t seem to get them to stay blocked after spray blocking. I am using a 75% acrylic 25% wool yarn and they are all mostly uniform but need minor adjustments. I don’t know how far to stretch them without ruining the yarn, and if anything else will allow it to stay in place.

Next Pattern:

Comments

Have you read?

Leave a Reply