Tools, the blocking edition
I am particular about blocking. It makes such a tremendous difference in how your finished knitting looks (and fits) that it’s worth taking a the extra time to do it right. It’s only going to take a fraction of the time you’ve already spent knitting, so it seems well worth the effort.
I’ve been blocking things for the photo shoot (April 7, remember…you’re all supposed to be arranging for a warm, bright-but-overcast day, with no snow on the ground, ok?), and thought I’d take a second to show off some of the tools I like best for blocking. You can see four of my favorites here.
The most important bits are probably the blocking mats and pins. I like the mats they sell for floors of play rooms or gyms. They’re markedly cheaper than the ones they sell specifically for knitting (and generally come in a wider array of colors). I’ve had these for almost three years, and they’ve held up well. You can see that I’ve stabbed them full of pins, but they still work perfectly. I will issue a general warning that, if you have an insane cat who loves to chew foam (no flip flop or yoga block is safe in this house), keep them away from the cat. But I think that says more about Kitten Overlord Barry and his odd predilections than about the mats.
I also have strong feelings about pins. I spent the many years blocking things with the straight pins you use for sewing (the kind with the little colored plastic ball on the end that always melts when you accidentally iron over it). I would like those years back. T-pins are much much better. They’re easier to grip, sturdier, less likely to stab you (someone tell me I’m not the only one attacked by straight pins), and just nicer to handle. I strongly recommend getting the two-inch ones in preference to the shorter ones (you can drive really torque on your knitting and drive them into your mat at an angle). I use these, and I’ve ordered at least three boxes over the years (pinning out a curl takes a lot of pins). I’ve bent one or two, but I’ve never had one rust (you don’t want anything rusty near your damp knitting, that would just be heartbreaking).
The next two are maybe a bit more eclectic. I confessed when I talked about my travel tools that I have a favorite ruler. So perhaps it will come as no surprise that I have a favorite yard stick too. And yes, yes I totally do use a yardstick when I pin things out. For the love of yarn those points should all be the same distance apart. Do yourself a favor and get two. That way you can set your yard sticks up on your mat (just put pins on each side to hold them firmly in place) and pin your knitting out between them.
And that brings us to the last thing. I don’t actually expect many of you to decide you need this, but if you’re truly, deeply obsessive, get yourself a pair of framing squares. That’s what those L-shaped bits in the picture are. Think of them as two rulers (in this case, one side 16 inches and the other side 24 inches, but they come in other sizes, too) held forever together at a perfect right angle. You can use the two of them together to make small rectangles (they’ll make sure your corners are straight), or use them with yard sticks like I did above to make larger rectangles. I know this is likely far more obsessive than any normal person needs to be, but I am rather smitten with mine.
Those four (plus the free custom graph paper I mentioned over here) let me block pretty much anything I need to. So how about you guys? Do you have any favorite blocking tools? Do you measure it all carefully, or just pin things out by eye? Are you using mats, or just pinning things out on the bed or carpet? I know it can be a touchy subject (and I promise I’m not going to tell you you’re doing it wrong), but I’m curious how much time folks are willing to spend getting the blocking just right.
I use mats, t-pins and a straight edge, I also have a set of old sock blockers that adjust… Also I love what I am seeing on your blocking mat !!!
Mats, T-pins, yardstick, and wires. I love using wires on a straight edge, or on a row of points. Quicker than a plethora of pins!
I need to get some wires! I’ve promised myself a set of flexible blocking wires before I block the projects in the next Curls book. I think they’ll be well worth it!
Yes, blocking wires are great, especially for shawls, it saves so much time. I saw very positive reviews on the flexible ones you mention. I use the same kind of pins and cheap mats that are pierced throughout. The frames are a great idea. I don’t have a stick yard, but I carefully measure the piece as I’m blocking it, especially the sweater pieces. I agree with you, blocking makes a world of difference, I used to dread it but with practice, I love it.
I use and beach towel sewing pins and sometimes a yard stick! My cat also loves to help!
I use mats, wires, and T-pins. I line it up using the indentations on the mats, but a ruler would be faster and I already have a square so I’ll try to remember next time. I am fairly anal about spacing points, my Aeolian is the fussiest with that.
I distinctly remember making a giant compass (pin through the hole in a tape measure, swing it on around) to block a shawl. If you’re going to do it…do it all the way!
I dislike blocking enough that I try not to knit lace. except for socks because I just toss those on sock blockers and call it good.
I have these mats and NOW have pins that don’t rust. I had a rusty pin-cowl incident once that ended with a surprisingly nice overdye job.
I’m wondering if I was happier with my blocking results if I might like it more….something to think about.
I use a fold up blocking board that has lines and measurements on it and T-pins. I like this board especially for blocking sweaters. My cat also likes to lay on it when I’m blocking things. I like the framing square you use which I may have to get. I also have those blocking mats that I use sometimes, just depends on what I’m blocking. I have blocking wires which I use occasionally. The result is great but it can take a while to put your shawl or scarf on the wires.
T pins galore, a wood yard stick that needs to be much longer than just a yard, and tig wire – my brother in law gets it very cheap as he’s an engineer and it’s the same stuff as the wires that come in the knit blocking kits, but either cheap to buy yourself or free courtesy a fantastic family member. I just use the carpet, but occasionally a bowl or plate needs to help.
I haven’t thought about 2 yard sticks, but good idea! I have an official set of blocking mats and t-pins. I also have wires, but I don’t like stringing them through wet knitting, so I don’t end up using them. I tend to block things out by “eye”, which works even though I’m an engineer. 😉 I think I usually have shawls with curved edges, so unless I get a giant compass, I just do the best I can. (sjn821 on Rav)
I just purchased the blocking mat from Signature Needle Arts. I used it to block a laceweight sweater, and it was fantastic! I put it on top of the foam mats. It covered with a 1″ grid, and it made blocking a lot faster for me than constantly measuring with my tape measure. I like blocking wires as well.
Wait, there are people who don’t have framing squares? In multiple sizes? Just because they’re cool and exceedingly useful things to have? I am honestly shocked.
I would assume drafting triangles could serve a similar purpose. We all have those around the house because no home is complete without them, right? Or is that just me?
However, I will admit that I’m disappointed in myself that I hadn’t thought of using them with yardsticks to mark out blocking.
Well, I’ve got a whole bin full of my old drafting tools. Complete with adjustable T-squares, right angle triangles, french curves, a whole lot of gizmos for drawing mathematical curves, and a more than seems reasonable number of stencils for adding furniture/fixtures onto floor plans (erm, and one for adding tanks and other things onto maps, but that’s a sightly different story). Because by god when I took drafting classes (highschool, early college) we were not doing everything on the computer quite yet.
I just read this after blocking my first Curl. Interesting. I use those blue foam floor mats (got 2 sets from Toys R Us in about 2007 or 8 or thereabouts — I forget when). But after a cotton washcloth got rust spots from nickel plated T-pins (rust resistant, not rust proof), I quit using them. (Reknit the gift washcloth.) I have a lot of long quilting stainless steel straight pins (with big heads) from JoAnn’s sewing notions section, but mostly I use the U shaped blocking pins I got from KnitPicks and I look at them a lot to make sure…. Oh, and yes, I do have a set of blocking wires (firm and flexible). Several tape measures and a bunch of yard sticks collected over the years. Had not thought about T-squares or related framing squares — interesting idea. Might have a triangle or three around. Hmm.