colour it green
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blocking knittingI'ma lazy wossit and never block stuff.... what does it do? what difference does it make?
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judith
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I used to be a lazy wossit, but now I'm a convert. It just seems to give a more professional feel to the garment, and you can make sure that everything lines up properly before you start sewing.
Ditto for using mattress stitch for the seams.
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Helen_A
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Lots 
My mum taught me to block twice - once when you get to the end of the pieces, because this means that you are joining uniform pieces of the same size etc., and again (with steam if steamable, or with a damp cloth if not) when you finished to ensure no curly edges (unless they are meant to be there!) and that the piece is flat to wear generally...
,... I find that you can rescue slightly ropey tension with blocking as above 
Helen_A
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Jamanda
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What's blocking then?
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toggle
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it usually involves pinning a damp item out in the exact shape you want it and letting it dry.
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wellington womble
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| toggle wrote: | | it usually involves pinning a damp item out in the exact shape you want it and letting it dry. |
See, that's the bit I don't get - how do you know what shape it's meant to be? Exactly, I mean?
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toggle
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well, if ti's a jumper, then most will give measurements for the size it is supposed to be, other things, you learn to judge how stretched they need to be, blocking is done on shawls and sutff like that to open up the lace.
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marigold
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| wellington womble wrote: | | toggle wrote: | | it usually involves pinning a damp item out in the exact shape you want it and letting it dry. |
See, that's the bit I don't get - how do you know what shape it's meant to be? Exactly, I mean? |
Rowan patterns give you a little diagram which is very helpful. Blocking is quite a satisfying little job (especially once you've treated yourself to some glass headed pins  ) and improves the finished item no end. I pin the pieces right side down onto an old folded blanket, cover them with a damp tea towel and press them very lightly - just enough to moisten and warm the fabric.
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toggle
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i give mine a dusting with a plant spray. I also block on a bit of carpeted floor, and have some lovely pix of one of my cats sitting on one of my damp blocking blankets giving her bum a good lick
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marigold
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| toggle wrote: | | i give mine a dusting with a plant spray. I also block on a bit of carpeted floor, and have some lovely pix of one of my cats sitting on one of my damp blocking blankets giving her bum a good lick |
Ah yes, I forgot to say that pieces left to block on the floor = cat beds 
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toggle
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it has the same effect as spreading a broadsheet newspaper out on the floor to read
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sally_in_wales
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I mostly do hats, so I block by handwashing the hat then drying it over something head shaped. It really helps give the right finished look
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Frewen
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Sometimes I block my bowls 2 or 3 times until it goes right.
I've ruined a couple of knitted jumpers by blocking at too high a heat with the iron though
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toggle
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you block with an iron? 
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colour it green
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good grief... I'm not getting the iron out! I dunno where it is!
so ah... if I continue to not block... I will continue to make those lovely.. 'homemade' looking items.... cool!
seriously though.. I can see blocking would be useful prior to sewing together.. and I can see it would make hats.. hat-shaped - but as for jumpers etc.. dont they go all unblocked etc once washed the first time?
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marigold
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You wash your woolies?
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toggle
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the seams tend to add stabillity, and some items do need reblocking after washing, others look reasonable after drying flat.
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Helen_A
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At this time of year you can quite effectively block with a plant spray and some sunshine in the garden
Or in the greenhouse, conservatory, sunroom, any where in the full glare of a south facing window as long as it gets good and warm....
No cats here or at mums thankfully... I think I got taught to block because it meant that someone else could do it...
Helen_A
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Frewen
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| toggle wrote: | | you block with an iron? |
*press lightly through a damp tea towel* was what it said.
Not now I dont
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judith
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I use the iron and damp tea towel method
I'm too impatient to wait for things to dry naturally.
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toggle
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the [problem with that, is while it may make seaming easier to have less curl, you can't shape as effectively, or open up a lace pattern.
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