Everything Your Enthusiastic Hobbyist Knitter Friend Thinks You Should Know About Blocking

You've finally finished that huge project and woven in all your ends, but you may still not be done! 

What the heck is blocking?

Blocking is the process by which we encourage a finished object to take the shape we want it to hold, typically by getting it wet (either with steam or washing and pressing out the excess moisture) and then draping it over something of the desired shape. For example, you might stretch a hat over a salad bowl to emulate the shape of a human head. 

Which projects actually need to be blocked?

Lace projects are especially important to block - they open up significantly during this process and every designer will assume that you do it, so your finished object may look substantially smaller or wonkier than the example photos from the pattern if you don't! 

A knitted object being more solid or flat doesn't necessarily meaning knitting isn't important, however. Highly textured objects (think cables or multi-row slipped stitches) may be scrunched up if you don't block them. Colorwork or marled projects could have some differences in tension for the different colors of yarn that don't show up until the first wash, so it can be helpful for you to do a wash and block to make sure everything is where you want it to be! 

What do I need?

You're going to want to gather these before getting started: 

• The finished knitted object
• Whatever you'll block it on. If you've made a sweater and you have a dressform of yourself, cool! More often, you'll be working with foam blocking mats.
• The means of securing your object to the blocking target. This is likely to be pins, blocking combs, blocking cords for things with a long straight edge, etc.
• If you plan to do a full wash and block:
  • The appropriate detergent/soap/cleanser for your yarn composition (e.g., wool soap for wool yarns, free and clear laundry detergent for cottons, etc.)
  • Towels, preferably multiple that you don't mind color bleeding onto if your yarn dye might run
• If steam blocking will suffice, then get the steamer!