Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

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.

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?

Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.