Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Where do you Block?

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Many knitters do not spend the time to block their finished projects, especially if they knit with [tag]acrylic yarns[/tag]. A nice thing about acrylic is that it’s self-blocking – just toss it into the washer and dryer, and it springs back into the shape it’s supposed to be. Just make sure it gets dried thoroughly.

But, other yarns, like wool, do need to be blocked. This helps to set the shape of the garment, it helps to relax your stitches and it helps to show off your stitch design. [tag]Blocking[/tag] can also help the drape of your project and correct parts of the item that just don’t look or fit properly.

Most knitters block their piece where ever they have a flat surface: washing machine, dryer, spare bed, floor, kitchen counter – you name the place and an inventive knitter has used the space!

Other knitters feel the need to use a blocking board. Sometimes you just don’t have a large enough flat surface to fit your project and a [tag]blocking board[/tag] gives you a surface you can get wet and stick pins in! The inch grids on the board help you to square up your item and block to size properly.

This board is available through [tag]Webs[/tag] and it can be folded up and slipped into a closet when you are finished.

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Comments

  1. I made my own blocking boards. I am very proud of them and find them imensley usefull. I wouldn’t be without them now and I would never NOT block my work as it really does make it easier to sew together and gives it a much more professional look.

  2. Thanks for the comment Rachael. The more I use natural fibers, the more I see how the knitting just “pops” after blocking. Really finishes the garment!

Have you read?

Knit a Garter Stitch Blanket with a Twist

When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]