To Block or Not to Block ?

Good Morning,

I know you are thinking, "what kind of question is that?" Not to block? Aren't we supposed to block everything we knit? Like you I thought the same thing until I got the book Finishing School by Deborah Newton for gift. I have read it cover to cover and refer to it often. Ms. Newton is a knitwear designer of some renown. She has patterns and projects featured in Interweave and Vogue Knitting. Ms. Newton also shares her wisdom about finishing your knitting project at Vogue Knitting. For 25 years she has been considered an expert on finishing your knitted pieces.

What is blocking? Simply a process in which you use water or steam to even out irregularities or unevenness in your fabric. If you are like me, my tension is not always consistent, I don't buy $50 a skein yarn, and I love to try new pattern stitches. Those 3 things can contribute to the aforementioned irregularities, BUT I find that blocking sometimes detracts from the patterns but felt I was not finishing if I didn't block.

Ms. Newton gave me the freedom to say "not this time, not this item." Or at least the not the pin and measure type of blocking. In her book, she states, "Sometimes all knitted pieces need is a very light shot of steam, or even no blocking at all." I think she is saying, take a look and decide for yourself what needs to be done to make your project look its best. Better I practice on my seaming and edges to get those right and not depend on blocking to make up for those 2 things completed poorly. In future posts, I will concentrate on methods of seaming. Not all seams are created the same. I have needed to learn which type works with which garment or item.

You need to ask the following questions in order to make a decision re: blocking:
1. Are the fibers able to endure blocking, heat, steam, etc.? If the answer is no, skip blocking.
2. Take a look, does it really need blocking? No? then move on.
3. If blocking is necessary, what is the least invasive blocking required? 

There are 3 methods of blocking: Steaming, Wet Blocking and Wet Towel Blocking

Steaming ~ a) Shot of Steam - no pinning, just carefully lay out your garment. Hold your steamer an inch or so above your fabric and, shoot. Never press. b) Mega-Steam - Lay your knitted item on a fabric surface (layers of towels, your bed, blocking board or other soft surfaces) pin if necessary, then lay a damp cotton or linen cloth over the knitted piece. Put the iron on a hot setting and touch it lightly to the damp cloth, allowing large bursts of steam to permeate the pressing cloth. Do this in sections, re-dampening your cloth for each section. You might need to do a little finger work, opening the eyelets gently or pinching the cable tips. Not unlike we do with fabric when finger pressing. 

Wet Blocking ~ More time consuming but especially necessary for lace knitting. This time you need that tape measure, lots of space and T-pins. The term is self-explanatory. Dip each piece into a small sink or container of water, squeeze the water out gently, roll it up in a towel and gently squeeze out more water. Then on to the blocking surface and with your schematic and pins, stretch out your item as much as needed with your hands, then pin the item to match the measurements needed. Let dry. 

Here is a nice video to help you by Kathy Elkins of WEBS Yarn Store.

Wet Towel Blocking ~ Lay a wet towel over a dry piece of knitting, pinned or unpinned. Leave it alone until the towel is completely dry, and remove. 

I hope this has been helpful. Happy Knitting! See you soon!