We’re sharing some of our best tips for working the beautiful hand-dyed yarns that is the specialty of the Yarnover Truck. If fact, if you didn’t know, we carry hand-dyed yarns exclusively on the Truck! We’re starting with the end and discussing Blocking! A good block can really transform your projects and we recommend blocking for everything you knit and crochet!
We’re showcasing Maridee’s recently completed Hug Shot shawl. And in showing it off, we’re going to talk about the importance of blocking your finished pieces. The beauty was made using Time Turner from Forbidden Fiber Co and Jasmine from Western Sky Knits. Don’t they look great together?!?!
If you want to make this pattern but these are not your colors, be sure to check out our Facebook Photo Album of color combos. We’ve put together a bunch of different combinations and hopefully one of them will catch you eye!
Before Blocking
This photo is the Hug Shot before blocking. Blocking really should be the final step in completing all your projects – for both knit and crochet. It’s pretty simple, plus it can really benefit your piece. It helps to relax and even out your stitches. Plus as the Yarn Harlot says: “Your yarn is dirty – wash it!”
Blocking doesn’t necessarily involve stretching either, unless you’re knitting lace and then you really must block it to show off all your hard work! Just wetting and washing your piece and then laying it flat to dry can transforms the piece!
During Blocking
Here’s the piece being blocked. After a bath in cool water, with a little bit of SOAK, it was spread it out to dry. I used a couple of blocking wires to straighten out the bottom edge and placed a couple of pins to hold it down When I did this, we were having some very warm temps so it didn’t take long to dry.
If you don’t have blocking wires, you can use straight metal needles. Second hand shops often times have lots of these for not a lot of money. They are also really helpful for smaller pieces that you want to have a straight edge.
After Blocking
Here is the piece after being blocked. Can you see the difference between this and the earlier photo? It looks so much better!
Look at how it has opened up and the stitches are much more uniform. Plus you can now see the couple of rows of lace details included just before the final pink section!
Some of our favorite designers have written extensively about the wonders of a good blocking. Here are some additional resources you should check out:
- Hunter Hammerson’s blog post HERE
- Yarn Harlot’s Walk Around the Block HERE
- Patty Lyon’s Ode to Blocking HERE
If you haven’t blocked your pieces before please give it a try! We think you’ll be really happy with the results!