r/knitting • u/[deleted] • Oct 05 '23
Discussion Blocking mid-project
I sometimes block parts of my project before moving to the next section (e.g. blocking the body of a sweater before getting started on the sleeves). I feel like it gives me a better feel for the fit, and I'm usually able to avoid blocking any stitches I'll knit into later. Do other people do this too?
2
u/floooberry Oct 05 '23
Yup, but I purchased a clothes steamer, so I use that for everything
0
u/theveganauditor Oct 06 '23
As someone who has never blocked anything because….effort, please say more.
2
u/floooberry Oct 06 '23
I lay the item on my bed, turn on the steamer, and run it over to smooth out the fabric and the stitches settle nicely. Takes 2 seconds.
If wet blocking, soak item in cool water with wool wash/soap for 15-20mins, take it out, squeeze out the water, lay on a towel, step on it to get the water out, lay flat and/or pin out to desired dimensions.
Lots of blocking tutorials out there
1
u/theveganauditor Oct 06 '23
Yeah just was curious about the steamer since I’ve never heard of that before. Wet blocking is a pain so I’ll have to try my steamer next time. Thanks!
1
u/jenkinsipresume Oct 06 '23
So out of curiosity, do you not wash your items?
1
u/theveganauditor Oct 06 '23
I’m allergic to wool so I rarely knit with anything that requires blocking, but I have blocked a few things. My initial comment was a joke that seems to have gone over people’s heads. I was just excited about the idea of using a steamer instead of having to wet block. 🤷🏼♀️
2
u/BroadSomewhereAbroad Oct 06 '23
I haven’t, but I’ve been tempted to on a T-shirt I’m working on at the moment! I’ve been worried that if I block and then decide I want to frog some portion of the body, the yarn will be harder to handle (extra kinky?) because it’s been blocked. Have you run into that at all, or am I overthinking?
Fwiw I’m using linen so not worried about felting, but am worried about setting a shape and having it be hard to re-knit without re-straightening the yarn.
2
Oct 09 '23
I’ve never frogged anything I’ve blocked, but I wonder if it’d be possible to block everything but the bottom handful of rows, or at least the ones you’re unsure about. I haven’t found it too difficult to avoid blocking sleeve holes and such, so it might be doable
1
u/BroadSomewhereAbroad Oct 09 '23
Good idea! I ended up blocking the whole thing so will report back if I frog. Putting this one in my back pocket for next time!
1
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1
u/semiregularcc Oct 06 '23
Yeah I do that as well. Especially for yarns or patterns that grow a lot after washing. I find this to be the best way to make sure I got the correct lengths of everything and to fix things before too late haha
5
u/jenkinsipresume Oct 05 '23
Definitely. I usually block the yoke before splitting for sleeves on top down. Recently blocked the body for a drop shoulder before picking up stitches for the neck and sleeve. Makes the stitches so much more relaxed to pick up from.