Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
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BethinPA
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Blocking a beretOkay, I've knitted a beret for my MIL. It fits me just fine (well, maybe a tad large), but she's a tiny, petite little thing. Only 5 feet tall if she cheats a little. And I'm 5'9". So, I imagine her head's smaller than mine.
Now, I've read on DS about blocking hats, but is there a difference to blocking a beret? It's a slouchy one, but the brim should fit more snugly. Step-by-step instructions for a beginner would be fantastic, as well as any special notes for berets.
Oh, it's chunky, soft wool. (I assume that makes a difference?)
I'll be eternally grateful!
Beth
(And I'll post pix once it's done.) 
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sally_in_wales
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are you just blocking or lightly fulling as well?
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BethinPA
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Is fulling like fluffing it up a little?  Really, I'm a fledgling when it comes to this! What would you do, Sally?
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sally_in_wales
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what sort of pattern is it? if its completely plain, a light fulling can be very useful, if its lacy its not usually a helpful plan. Also, you'll only be able to full it if it isnt a machine washable wool
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BethinPA
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Oh my goodness, it's really large. It's a plain, mostly stockinette stitch (with a spiral purled rib through it, and a k1p1 rib brim), no lace involved. Can I shrink it a little bit, safely?
I'm either going to knit another one for myself (out of less bulky yarn - doesn't get as cold here as it does in Minnesota where MIL lives), or I'll make a new (smaller) one for MIL, and mess around with this one for myself.
Is it salvageable, being too large?
Oh, and is there some beret blocking method that involves a dinner plate, or did I dream that? 
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BethinPA
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Shoot. Read the label, and it's machine-washable wool. It has a little acrylic in it. So, I'll bet I can't shrink it, either, right? Sigh.
(trudges off to see if it'll fit over the tea pot as a cozy)
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sally_in_wales
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whats the brim like, is it single or double thickness?
Normally, what I'd do with berets is wash them vigourously by hand in the sink to slightly full them, then pat them by hand to shape first before carefully strentching over a dinner plate f the right size., The brim can then be smoothed down nice and small, and if its a double brim, you can put a ribbon through it so that it can be adjusted to exactly the right size for the head.
When everything is dry, you just pop it off the plate and it should be a perfect shape.
A hat that is way to big can be converted into a bag very easily- so if it really is too huge, consider adding handles or a strap and a closure and a lining if it needs it, there is no such thing as a hat that can't be salvanged for something
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BethinPA
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Thank you, Sally! I'll try blocking it. It's a single rim, so I can't thread a ribbon through it. But, perhaps it'll work when blocked.
If not, I'll find something useful! It looks like a big, raspberry-purple sea urchin at the moment (I mean that in a good way  ), so I won't abandon it entirely!
Many thanks!
Beth
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sally_in_wales
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you can also take the brim in by taking a pleat in it and adding a button or other decoration, like I did with this one
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BethinPA
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Oh, now that's gorgeous! I'm going to play around with it. Actually, adding a button or a crocheted flower might be right up my MIL's alley. 
You're a life-saver! (Or at least a hat-saver!)
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sally_in_wales
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yay
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nats
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What on EARTH does blocking mean?? I don't knit, so I guess I don't really need to know - just nosey!!
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BethinPA
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Nats, you could still use blocking, even if you don't knit! If you wash a wool sweater, you need to lay it out on towels or some such in the shape you'd like it to keep (i.e. not with gorilla arms or stretched out of shape body). If it dries that way, it's likely to stay the right shape.
Likewise, when you've knitted something, you can wet it and then shape it to dry. Helps even out the stitches and create the right shape. A good example might be if you knit two front panels for a cardigan sweater. You'd want to block them so that they're identically shaped and sized, so that the sweater comes together properly.
Oh, yeah, I can talk a good game, let's see if I can block and shape the enormous beret now! (Or salvage with a pleat and button!)
Must shower first, as am covered with leaves and dirt from cleaning up the yard.
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nats
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OK so Blocking = Drying to a specific shape
Am I right?
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BethinPA
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Yup, that's the gist of it.
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