Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

How to Block

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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.

Comments

  1. 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.

Have you read?

Beyond Basic Pumpkin Knitting Patterns

Over the years I have shared a lot of pumpkin knitting patterns, and I’ve knit and crocheted a lot of pumpkins myself. But it feels like there are always more fun things to try with knit pumpkins, so this year I wanted to look a little more beyond basic stockinette or ribbed pumpkins and share some pumpkin patterns with cables, bobbles and colorwork. 

In the cable collection we’ve got these cute little basic cable and ribbed pumpkins from Elly Bear Knits. There are two sizes that make a wide, flat pumpkin and a taller round pumpkin. Both are worked in the round as a tube that’s cinched top and bottom when you’re done, and they use bulky weight yarn. 

Another cute cable pumpkin knitting pattern comes from Gray Bear Akswokrat. This one is knit flat and it looks like a chunky yarn but you could use other weights to make pumpkins of different sizes. This one also has an I-cord stem and uses yarn to cinch up the sections of the pumpkin, giving it a more natural look. 

Add some bobbles to your pumpkins with this design from Autumn Shelter Makes. Also worked in the round in a tube, it features a repeating pattern of bobbles and uses yarn wrapped around the outside to make segments. This one looks like worsted weight yarn to me. 

Of course there’s nothing that says your pumpkin has to be a single color, so let’s throw in some colorwork. I love the look of the Cozy Fall Pumpkin knitting pattern from South Stitch Girls. The little leather loop adds a rustic touch but you could also just add a stick. These pumpkins have five colorwork options and are worked in worsted weight yarn in the round. 

There’s also the Autumn Fair Isle Trio pumpkins pattern from Equestriann Style, which has three different sizes of pumpkins with four colorwork designs. They are worked in super bulky yarn in the round and look good with high contrast or more muted color combinations.