Great show! I am a lonely knitter because I don't have anyone around me that knits or crochets or anything. So I always look forward to your videos. I also get so excited when you answer my questions. I made my non crafty sister watch this episode with me and she seemed really interested in the beginning. LOL her eyes just glaze over when I try to talk to her about knitting or anything crafty! Her hobby (it's a family hobby) is cleaning! Can you imagine, a whole family that only think about how clean everything is!!!! I think they are all a little mental!
Hi Sonia! Oh you are so sweet. I'm glad you (and maybe your sister?) enjoyed the video, lol! Well, maybe someday she'll come around to the crafty side. ♥
Hello Sonia Guzman, I understand how lonely it can be to knit alone. I will say a prayer for God to send you a knitting friend. Some yarn stores will let you sit and knit there you might find someone near to knit talk with. My stores are nearly 100 miles away so that is not convenient for me. I am blessed, my husband is an artist and I go to him with color questions and he is interested in seeing what I am doing and I show him new ideas. The hard part is he does not have WIPS to show me. He does watch some podcasts with me and I pray to one day show him how to knit.
I'm the same Sonia. I've knitted and crocheted for the best part of 55 years or more. I basically love anything that involves textiles in various media and needles etc. but I have to admit, I rarely feel lonely. I must admit though, like you, I love the videos and it's great how you can pick up tips. Every days a school day as they say. I have actually taught my very non crafty best friend how to crochet and it was an amazing feeling passing on the knowledge. Keep knitting Sonia and remember, you're a member of a very large, close family. Happy crafting!
Just blocked a shawl I just knit. Wow now I understand blooming. The yarn transformed into a beautiful squishy defined stitch I really appreciated how you explained this process. Make it a great first week in class.
Kat Gore Just wonderful, I been tryin to find out about "things to knit for a baby" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Veyillian Noncarlett Eradicator - (just google it ) ? Ive heard some decent things about it and my colleague got great success with it.
I'm so glad I found this video. I learned basic crocheting from my mom, but she only made blankets and never blocked anything. I recently started learning how to spin yarn and every video talks about projects being blocked, but I couldn't really find an explanation as to what that was. Thank you for explaining it so clearly!
Hi Kristine - another great episode - I do share your love for the office supply store. When I was a little girl, I wanted to own an office supply store because I loved everything in one. Blocking info was great!
I really enjoy your classes. Thank you for helping to demystify blocking. I have worked mainly with synthetic yarns. My Dad was given a wool prayer shawl. That required the care wool needs. Hence, the many prayer shawls I've made since are synthetic and can just go in the washing machine and do fine in the dryer on low. I have found "blocking" them after washing to be beneficial. Since I am looking for EASY care, the extent of blocking is simply laying the shawl out flat, hand shaping, and letting it dry. I don't even pin it. The lace pattern shows more clearly. It also makes it larger so it wraps around more. Steaming acrylics can be beneficial too. Even before the point of melting the fiber, you can induce permanent changes in the fiber. Sometimes that can be a good effect, but care needs to be taken so you do not accidentally "kill" the yarn. Gently steaming a curling edge has helped it relax. Just CAREFUL!
Hi Marjorie -- thanks so much for commenting here. You are absolutely correct about washing and gently steaming synthetics. :) I love reading about your blocking experiences.
You took the mystery out of blocking. I have always been puzzled by the whole process and now I will dare to block the sweater I am knitting. Thanks for the budget friendly tip about using playmats . 😀
I liked the review of school supplies too. I usually wet block things, but that's because I usually knit with wool. Thanks for all the great information. Have a great first day of school!
I've blocked both wool and acrylic. I used the iron for the acrylic and held it real close to the knitting. It did work to block it. I find that the wool is much easier to block. Thanks again for all the great info!
I am somewhat new to blocking my knitting. I do have mats, rigid and flexible wires and a lot of T pins. I was so nervous the first few times that is seemed so difficult. Now that I have done it a few times it is a lot easier and I like the results that I get.
Thank you for the blocking information. My favorite back to school item is the new sharpie pen. Writes dark but doesn't bleed through. I have retired from teaching but still love to buy school supplies, so I head to the stores at the end of summer and buy school supplies for students new to Canada.
Hello, and thanks for watching! It's so awesome that you donate school supplies. I've tried the Sharpie pens and like them ok, but I like the gel pens a little better for writing smoothly. But you can't go wrong with colored pens, whether they are markers or gel pens. ♥
Thank you for a very informative video. I have been in the process of buying blocking supplies and this has been very helpful. Although I have been knitting and crocheting for years I haven't done much blocking. Usually gauge swatches. Time to get up to speed! Thanks again!
I loved your review of favorite school supplies. My favorite store has been Staples for as long as I can remember. In fact, my co-workers always buy me gift cards for Christmas and my birthday 😀 I am right there with you on the Sharpie hi lighter, but my go-to pen has always been the Unibal non-gel pens. A bit pricier but such a fantastic writing experience. Thanks for always producing a well-thought podcast that I can learn from! I enjoy the content you provide. ☺
Loved your podcast. It is really important to assure that your T pins or other pins are really RUST PROOF. I was wet blocking a sweater this spring and realized to my dismay every pin along the rib edge of my sweater had a rusted. I used lemon juice on a Q tip on each stain and let it dry in the sun. Luckily it worked.
Thanks for the blocking tips. My favorite school supply is binder clips! If you wait until after Labor Day, you can get them so cheaply and they have a myriad of uses. Even though I have taken a few years away from teaching, I too love the back to school supply displays. Hugs-Amy
Hi Amy -- thanks so much for watching. Oh yes, and they make some really pretty binder clips now. I have some with flower designs and in different colors. :) They are so useful!
I am over 60 and have used every organizational system in the world. For the past 4 years I have used Gallery Leather Co calendars. There are expensive online but you can find at Barnes and Noble. I love the 18 month calendar. It is month at a time because I don't need hour by hour planning. I love this because there is a large section of blank pages in the back that I can design my own "bullet" journal.
great video! Information I wish I knew in the first year of knitting! I just block with T pins but have recently added blocking wires to my blocking for shawls. I have the same tube kit with the wires. My husband bought some large foam suuares for me but i needed it wider so I will be investing in some blocking squares. I have blocked on a bed before. Yes, it really opens up the lace.
Totally addicted to office supply stores even though I don't tend to buy much anymore. I teach exclusively online at Northcentral University -- psychology -- and in Second Life a course on my favorite area in psychology and a course with my favorite colleagues Dr Doris Molero -- from Argentina -- and Dr Nellie Deutsch -- from Canada. We teach a course on education in virtual worlds, mostly higher education and language learning. But oh boy do I love office supply stores. When I was very young (pre MSEd) my boss at Chicago City Wide College used to give me a talk before he sent me to Horders on Wabash Ave in Chicago because as he told his colleagues I had an office supply store jones. :-)
I just found your videos and am learning so much. Thank you. I block acrylic sweaters and wool sweaters that I create for AG and other 18"dolls (and bears!) for my Etsy store LinLovelies. I pin them to my ironing board and hold my steam iron about 1/2" over each section for 30 seconds. Works very well.
if I had to choose a favorite office supply, I have to go with binders and trapper keepers. there's just something about putting papers and pens in set places that makes sense to you, kinda like making your own book or tome. I also love back packs, especially the kinds that can compress when not in use and aren't bulky when filled to the brink.
I have blocked acrylics. I used high steam on one that was a scarf,so that I could kill it. It was curling at the sides, and I didn't want that to happen. It had a garter stitch border, so I dont know why it curled. I've also blocked an acrylic shawl that had a lace pattern. I used low steam and plenty of t-pins. Both came out nicely. I have the gridlined 12" square blocking mats. I recently purchased anti-fatigue mats from Ocean State Job Lot. You can block an Afghan with one package. Thanks for your tutorial. It was very informative.
thank you for each explanation on blocking. i've attempting blocking before using mats and t pins and even used a balloon for hats. I currently have made a caplelet in 100% wool that the designer suggests steam blocking. I didn't use the suggested yarn not checked my gauge. So it is a little smaller than what it should be. I'm going to attempt a wet block but wonder what the best way to pin the capelet into shape. After watching your podcast I think I'll try pinning it out on a board and see what happens.
I find blocking acrylic squares helps me put them together. Usually I just wash the afghan and damp dry on very low heat. A little work and letting it dry flat does the trick. Nice job on the equipment. I love my knit pix blockers. They will be my Christmas present to her, if I can wait that long. BTY, I also have a long term love affair with school and stationery supplies.
I stumbled upon your video by chance. I love your approach and especially appreciate the office supply recommendations! (Elementary inclusion teacher here!!!) I’ve recently begun knitting again during the pandemic. I started my first lace project and am curious about how much I should be stretching my swatch when blocking as required by the pattern. Can I try to attain gauge by blocking if it’s a bit off and then plan to stretch the final piece to size as well? Thank you for your help. I can’t wait to delve into the rest of your videos!
Hi Dr. Kelly. My favorite place for office supplies is Office Depot. I'm definitely going to try those Sharpie highlighters you showed us. I'm curious- what do your colors in you planner represent? I have orange for meetings, yellow for travel, green for personal appointments and blue for blocking off time for working on particular projects. The best part of starting the school year as a child was always getting a new Trapper Keeper! I enjoy your videos. May you have a great semester!
Hello Michelle! I like Office Depot, too, but the closest store is about an hour away from me. As for my color coding, I use orange for meetings, too! Yellow is personal things like hair or doctor's appointments. Purple is for my classes. Blue is office hours. Pink is for knitting groups. I think that covers most of it. I'm glad to hear that you do the color coding as well! Thanks for sharing! XO
Thanks, Kristine for the video on blocking. I'm glad I found you yesterday. My daughter, granddaughter and I are all knitting the same pattern hat. I'm almost done, but my daughter finished first and last night blocked her hat on a balloon. It resolved the shape issue she was concerned about, but turned out to be too big. It fit well before the blocking, so she is very disappointed. Is it possible to RE_BLOCK it and make it slightly smaller?
I have always loved loved loved office and school supplies. My home town had a local one, School Specialty. They had a store downtown. I frequented it often. My mom got a job there after I was out of high school and she worked there over twenty years. By then the store added stamps and scrapbook supplies, gifts, Lang calenders, a great science section and many children's books. The company was bought out and has since dissolved but I have still never come across as good an office supply store than it. Dr. Kelly, now I have to go out tomorrow and buy colored pens!!! And I don't really NEED them. Has anyone ever accused you of being an enabler?!? 😉
Hi Stephanie! Enabler here. Haha! I hope you enjoy the colored pens. Love the story of your hometown office supply store. That would be an amazing place to visit. Too bad they closed. XO
Hello Kristine - I love your videos and watch them all! Question for you - what is the name of the green shawl pattern in the start of most of your videos? I would love to make one like that as a gift for someone special! Thanks in advance for your help. -Sas Z PS I bought the large notebooks and I love it!!!
I think it is a "teacher / organizer" thing that loves school supplies. I used the sharpie highlighters and the are great! I also must have post-it notes!
Love your work! I am a French teacher but majored in art and psychology for undergrad - thought I was going to be an art therapist. So, I love office supplies - fountain pens and markers especially. I adore the online store jetpens.com. They sell a wide variety of pens, markers, inks, notebooks, pen cases and do extensive reviews on them. They have a good selection of imported supplies you can't find in local stores. Adore them! I found the Pilot V-Tech pen in a refillable version there so I can stop throwing away all that plastic - love it! Blocking question: Do you sew your ends in before or after you block? I've heard people suggest both ways. What do you think? Thanks for all you do and have a wonderful 2017-18 academic year!
Hi Karla! Thanks for the recommendation -- I have to check out everything they have at jetpens! As far as weaving in ends, I've also seen the controversy about that. It seems to make sense to me to do it after blocking to take advantage of the yarn blooming. But honestly I'm not sure if it makes a big difference. Maybe I will have to do a scientific test on that sometime, lol! ♥
I have a mohair and acrylic sweater that I must washed improperly and it seems to have shrunk , appearing somewhat matted. Is there any way to get it to return to its original, larger self??
Hello -- it is called Upstairs Downstairs by Paula Emmons-Fuessle (from Knitting Pipeline). Here is the link to the pattern on Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/upstairs-downstairs-a-cowl-in-three-sizes
Hi Kris! I have a question about blocking superwash wool. I knit a cardigan out of fingering weight yarn that was in pieces. I blocked them and tried to shape them to the dimensions given but they stretched out too much and consequently the sweater was ginormous 😬 Is that because it was superwash? I tried wearing it a few times but it was just too big! So I'm leery about making anything but socks and shawls out of fingering. Great podcast - loved how you lit up when talking about school supplies 😍
Hello sweet Kathy! ♥♥♥ You know, I don't think that would happen because of superwash wool. But what I would do if the sweater was too big is throw it in the washer and dryer because it will probably shape up. Let me know how it goes if you try it! ♥
Hi Denise! Yes, I definitely think it would be good to block your swatch to measure gauge before you start knitting the item. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. ♥
CHECK this out: "Fisher Space Pens are handcrafted and able to write underwater, over grease, at any angle, upside down, 3-times longer than the average pen, in extreme temperatures ranging from (-30°F to +250°F), and in zero gravity." I'm looking into these.
Oh my! I absolutely love the office supply store. Many great smells in there! My faves are mechanical pencils and colored paper. This pretty paper makes homeschool less boring!
I've just discovered woolly board. I LOVE the idea. I can't seem to find anybody that sells them though. Really would love to have one. My Guild would love it too. If you have any information that would be wonderful. Thanks
Hi Monique -- thanks so much for watching and for taking the time to leave a comment. I didn't know that the woolly boards have become so hard to find. When I checked the link I provided in the description box, I saw that it was out of stock. And yes, everywhere I look it is out of stock. I guess it has been discontinued. So I'm not sure where you would be able to get your hands on one. Sorry. XO
Have you had to repair any of your knitting? I have a pair of socks that I made that turned out too big so I use them as slippers. I really love the way they feel on my feet. The last time I washed them, I found a little hole! I don't want to throw them away so I guess I'm going to have to learn how to darn them. Have you ever had to darn socks or fix a hole in a sweater?
Hi Sonia! You know, I was thinking about doing a video on darning techniques. Maybe I will do that this fall. I have to admit that I don't have a ton of experience in darning, but I have fixed holes in sweaters, mainly by picking up stitches and hiding the hole that way. I would definitely not throw the socks away! :)
No I won't be throwing them away! I'm glad that you'll be doing a video on darning! I will be watching that for sure. I wish I had noticed the thinning spot on my sock before it became a hole. Doing the duplicate stitch on a thin spot beats trying to figure out how to fix a hole.
After I wet my item to be blocked, I squeeze out as much water that I can. Then I place it in my washing machine. (I have a top loader) and spin out the rest of the water. My knitted item is damp but not too damp and dries faster after I block it.
I've loved using heavy-duty weed trimmer line to block the edges of shawls. It is easy to weave through the edges and can be pinned out either curved or straight. Here is a project where I used trimmer line and t-pins ravel.me/foxinbox/rp2 to block the edges of a scarf.
I just started blocking my knitting. And absolutely love the way they turn out after. I keep a bin of fresh knits until have have several in there then I have a blocking party. I mostly wet block, but I have steam blocked using my iron a few times. I like to "dry block" my socks and just leave them on a blocker for a week before wearing them. I dry blocked my crochet granny squares before seaming them as well.
Those children's foam play mats have been proven to be toxic. I forget what the chemical is. This has been a known fact, but is not disseminated well. Please advise parents and knitters that they should not use them.
As far as the other rubber mats, I am assuming that they are a problem as well. But I have no info. Someone with more time on their hans could google it.
Hi Zoe -- the chemical you are talking about is called formamide. It's toxic in liquid form, and this type of play mat does contain small amounts. However, in scientific tests 50% of the products released no measureable amount of formamide, and the rest released very small amounts. They found that in order to reach health-affecting levels, children would have to ingest about 14 square feet of the rubber material every day over their entire life. For people who are concerned, there are EVA-free mats that can be purchased. Thanks for your comment and concern.
Good level of details. Blocking topic starts at time 13:00.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
Thanks
Thanks, I was wondering when blocking would start. Glad I didn’t wait to find out lil
Great show! I am a lonely knitter because I don't have anyone around me that knits or crochets or anything. So I always look forward to your videos. I also get so excited when you answer my questions. I made my non crafty sister watch this episode with me and she seemed really interested in the beginning. LOL her eyes just glaze over when I try to talk to her about knitting or anything crafty! Her hobby (it's a family hobby) is cleaning! Can you imagine, a whole family that only think about how clean everything is!!!! I think they are all a little mental!
Hi Sonia! Oh you are so sweet. I'm glad you (and maybe your sister?) enjoyed the video, lol! Well, maybe someday she'll come around to the crafty side. ♥
Hello Sonia Guzman, I understand how lonely it can be to knit alone. I will say a prayer for God to send you a knitting friend. Some yarn stores will let you sit and knit there you might find someone near to knit talk with. My stores are nearly 100 miles away so that is not convenient for me. I am blessed, my husband is an artist and I go to him with color questions and he is interested in seeing what I am doing and I show him new ideas. The hard part is he does not have WIPS to show me. He does watch some podcasts with me and I pray to one day show him how to knit.
I'm the same Sonia. I've knitted and crocheted for the best part of 55 years or more. I basically love anything that involves textiles in various media and needles etc. but I have to admit, I rarely feel lonely. I must admit though, like you, I love the videos and it's great how you can pick up tips. Every days a school day as they say. I have actually taught my very non crafty best friend how to crochet and it was an amazing feeling passing on the knowledge. Keep knitting Sonia and remember, you're a member of a very large, close family. Happy crafting!
I am so glad you made everything clear about blocking. Especially the tools to use. I have only used the blocking board and t-pins.
Hi Karen! Thanks for letting me know. I'm glad you found the information useful. ♥
Just blocked a shawl I just knit. Wow now I understand blooming. The yarn transformed into a beautiful squishy defined stitch I really appreciated how you explained this process. Make it a great first week in class.
Hi Kat -- I'll bet your shawl turned out stunning. Thanks so much; it's been a busy week but good. :)
Kat Gore Just wonderful, I been tryin to find out about "things to knit for a baby" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Veyillian Noncarlett Eradicator - (just google it ) ? Ive heard some decent things about it and my colleague got great success with it.
I'm so glad I found this video. I learned basic crocheting from my mom, but she only made blankets and never blocked anything. I recently started learning how to spin yarn and every video talks about projects being blocked, but I couldn't really find an explanation as to what that was. Thank you for explaining it so clearly!
Hi Kristine - another great episode - I do share your love for the office supply store. When I was a little girl, I wanted to own an office supply store because I loved everything in one. Blocking info was great!
Hi Rena! Oh what a great idea -- to own an office supply store. Maybe it could be next to a yarn shop. :)
Yes! Perfect - LOL
I really enjoy your classes. Thank you for helping to demystify blocking. I have worked mainly with synthetic yarns. My Dad was given a wool prayer shawl. That required the care wool needs. Hence, the many prayer shawls I've made since are synthetic and can just go in the washing machine and do fine in the dryer on low. I have found "blocking" them after washing to be beneficial. Since I am looking for EASY care, the extent of blocking is simply laying the shawl out flat, hand shaping, and letting it dry. I don't even pin it. The lace pattern shows more clearly. It also makes it larger so it wraps around more.
Steaming acrylics can be beneficial too. Even before the point of melting the fiber, you can induce permanent changes in the fiber. Sometimes that can be a good effect, but care needs to be taken so you do not accidentally "kill" the yarn. Gently steaming a curling edge has helped it relax. Just CAREFUL!
Hi Marjorie -- thanks so much for commenting here. You are absolutely correct about washing and gently steaming synthetics. :) I love reading about your blocking experiences.
You took the mystery out of blocking. I have always been puzzled by the whole process and now I will dare to block the sweater I am knitting. Thanks for the budget friendly tip about using playmats . 😀
I liked the review of school supplies too. I usually wet block things, but that's because I usually knit with wool. Thanks for all the great information. Have a great first day of school!
Hi sweet Cayenne! I agree about the ease of wet blocking. This week at school was busy but good. ♥
Thanks so much for your amazingly helpful videos. I'm new to crochet and you answered every question I had about blocking.
I've blocked both wool and acrylic. I used the iron for the acrylic and held it real close to the knitting. It did work to block it. I find that the wool is much easier to block. Thanks again for all the great info!
Hi Jen -- thank you! It's great to hear that you were successful in steaming your acrylic. ♥
Very helpful information! I was just learning about blocking, and this course cleared up a lot of my questions. Thanks, Dr. Kelly!
Hi June -- that's so great. I'm glad you found the information useful. Thanks for watching! ♥
I am somewhat new to blocking my knitting. I do have mats, rigid and flexible wires and a lot of T pins. I was so nervous the first few times that is seemed so difficult. Now that I have done it a few times it is a lot easier and I like the results that I get.
Hi Christina! That's awesome -- it sounds like you are doing a great job with blocking. :)
Thanks Kristine.
This was a timely episode for me as I have to steam block a baby sweater before I assemble it and had no idea how to do that! Thanks for this episode!
Hello, and thanks for watching! I'm glad the information is useful for you. ♥
Thank you for the blocking information. My favorite back to school item is the new sharpie pen. Writes dark but doesn't bleed through. I have retired from teaching but still love to buy school supplies, so I head to the stores at the end of summer and buy school supplies for students new to Canada.
That's a wonderful way to give back and welcome immigrants. Bravo to you!
Hello, and thanks for watching! It's so awesome that you donate school supplies. I've tried the Sharpie pens and like them ok, but I like the gel pens a little better for writing smoothly. But you can't go wrong with colored pens, whether they are markers or gel pens. ♥
Thank you for a very informative video. I have been in the process of buying blocking supplies and this has been very helpful. Although I have been knitting and crocheting for years I haven't done much blocking. Usually gauge swatches. Time to get up to speed! Thanks again!
Hi Thea -- that's great to hear. I'm glad you found the information to be useful, and hope you enjoy your future blocking experiences. XO
I loved your review of favorite school supplies. My favorite store has been Staples for as long as I can remember. In fact, my co-workers always buy me gift cards for Christmas and my birthday 😀 I am right there with you on the Sharpie hi lighter, but my go-to pen has always been the Unibal non-gel pens. A bit pricier but such a fantastic writing experience. Thanks for always producing a well-thought podcast that I can learn from! I enjoy the content you provide. ☺
Loved your podcast. It is really important to assure that your T pins or other pins are really RUST PROOF. I
was wet blocking a sweater this spring and realized to my dismay every pin along the rib edge of my sweater had a rusted. I used lemon juice on a Q tip on each stain and let it dry in the sun. Luckily it worked.
Hi Esther -- oh I'm so glad that didn't become a disaster. You are right; the pins must be rust proof! ♥
Hi Julie! We are kindred spirits. :)
Thanks for the blocking tips. My favorite school supply is binder clips! If you wait until after Labor Day, you can get them so cheaply and they have a myriad of uses. Even though I have taken a few years away from teaching, I too love the back to school supply displays. Hugs-Amy
Hi Amy -- thanks so much for watching. Oh yes, and they make some really pretty binder clips now. I have some with flower designs and in different colors. :) They are so useful!
Oh my goodness, buying office supplies and the books for classes was my favorite part of college!
I am over 60 and have used every organizational system in the world. For the past 4 years I have used Gallery Leather Co calendars. There are expensive online but you can find at Barnes and Noble. I love the 18 month calendar. It is month at a time because I don't need hour by hour planning. I love this because there is a large section of blank pages in the back that I can design my own "bullet" journal.
Hi Deborah -- thanks for the recommendation. Those Gallery Leather planners are beautiful. Thank you for sharing and for watching my video. ♥
great video! Information I wish I knew in the first year of knitting! I just block with T pins but have recently added blocking wires to my blocking for shawls. I have the same tube kit with the wires. My husband bought some large foam suuares for me but i needed it wider so I will be investing in some blocking squares. I have blocked on a bed before. Yes, it really opens up the lace.
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for watching and for sharing your experiences. ♥♥♥
Totally addicted to office supply stores even though I don't tend to buy much anymore. I teach exclusively online at Northcentral University -- psychology -- and in Second Life a course on my favorite area in psychology and a course with my favorite colleagues Dr Doris Molero -- from Argentina -- and Dr Nellie Deutsch -- from Canada. We teach a course on education in virtual worlds, mostly higher education and language learning. But oh boy do I love office supply stores. When I was very young (pre MSEd) my boss at Chicago City Wide College used to give me a talk before he sent me to Horders on Wabash Ave in Chicago because as he told his colleagues I had an office supply store jones. :-)
Hi Nan! So nice to hear from you, another psych professor. :) And office supply lover -- we are kindred spirits. ♥
I just found your videos and am learning so much. Thank you. I block acrylic sweaters and wool sweaters that I create for AG and other 18"dolls (and bears!) for my Etsy store LinLovelies. I pin them to my ironing board and hold my steam iron about 1/2" over each section for 30 seconds. Works very well.
if I had to choose a favorite office supply, I have to go with binders and trapper keepers. there's just something about putting papers and pens in set places that makes sense to you, kinda like making your own book or tome. I also love back packs, especially the kinds that can compress when not in use and aren't bulky when filled to the brink.
I have blocked acrylics. I used high steam on one that was a scarf,so that I could kill it. It was curling at the sides, and I didn't want that to happen. It had a garter stitch border, so I dont know why it curled. I've also blocked an acrylic shawl that had a lace pattern. I used low steam and plenty of t-pins. Both came out nicely. I have the gridlined 12" square blocking mats. I recently purchased anti-fatigue mats from Ocean State Job Lot. You can block an Afghan with one package. Thanks for your tutorial. It was very informative.
Brilliant and extensive information, thank you.
thank you for each explanation on blocking. i've attempting blocking before using mats and t pins and even used a balloon for hats. I currently have made a caplelet in 100% wool that the designer suggests steam blocking. I didn't use the suggested yarn not checked my gauge. So it is a little smaller than what it should be. I'm going to attempt a wet block but wonder what the best way to pin the capelet into shape. After watching your podcast I think I'll try pinning it out on a board and see what happens.
I find blocking acrylic squares helps me put them together. Usually I just wash the afghan and damp dry on very low heat. A little work and letting it dry flat does the trick. Nice job on the equipment. I love my knit pix blockers. They will be my Christmas present to her, if I can wait that long. BTY, I also have a long term love affair with school and stationery supplies.
Hi Linda -- I love your blocking ideas and techniques. School supplies are the best. :)
I stumbled upon your video by chance. I love your approach and especially appreciate the office supply recommendations! (Elementary inclusion teacher here!!!) I’ve recently begun knitting again during the pandemic. I started my first lace project and am curious about how much I should be stretching my swatch when blocking as required by the pattern. Can I try to attain gauge by blocking if it’s a bit off and then plan to stretch the final piece to size as well? Thank you for your help. I can’t wait to delve into the rest of your videos!
Hi Dr. Kelly. My favorite place for office supplies is Office Depot. I'm definitely going to try those Sharpie highlighters you showed us. I'm curious- what do your colors in you planner represent? I have orange for meetings, yellow for travel, green for personal appointments and blue for blocking off time for working on particular projects. The best part of starting the school year as a child was always getting a new Trapper Keeper! I enjoy your videos. May you have a great semester!
Hello Michelle! I like Office Depot, too, but the closest store is about an hour away from me. As for my color coding, I use orange for meetings, too! Yellow is personal things like hair or doctor's appointments. Purple is for my classes. Blue is office hours. Pink is for knitting groups. I think that covers most of it. I'm glad to hear that you do the color coding as well! Thanks for sharing! XO
Thanks, Kristine for the video on blocking. I'm glad I found you yesterday. My daughter, granddaughter and I are all knitting the same pattern hat. I'm almost done, but my daughter finished first and last night blocked her hat on a balloon. It resolved the shape issue she was concerned about, but turned out to be too big. It fit well before the blocking, so she is very disappointed. Is it possible to RE_BLOCK it and make it slightly smaller?
I have always loved loved loved office and school supplies. My home town had a local one, School Specialty. They had a store downtown. I frequented it often. My mom got a job there after I was out of high school and she worked there over twenty years. By then the store added stamps and scrapbook supplies, gifts, Lang calenders, a great science section and many children's books. The company was bought out and has since dissolved but I have still never come across as good an office supply store than it. Dr. Kelly, now I have to go out tomorrow and buy colored pens!!! And I don't really NEED them. Has anyone ever accused you of being an enabler?!? 😉
Hi Stephanie! Enabler here. Haha! I hope you enjoy the colored pens. Love the story of your hometown office supply store. That would be an amazing place to visit. Too bad they closed. XO
Thank you for this video. I am new to the knitting world.
Hi Melinda -- welcome! I hope you are enjoying your projects. :)
Hi, question about the con air steamer, can it be used horizontally?
Hello Kristine - I love your videos and watch them all! Question for you - what is the name of the green shawl pattern in the start of most of your videos? I would love to make one like that as a gift for someone special! Thanks in advance for your help. -Sas Z
PS I bought the large notebooks and I love it!!!
I think it is a "teacher / organizer" thing that loves school supplies. I used the sharpie highlighters and the are great! I also must have post-it notes!
Hi Greta -- oh yet, post it notes are a necessity, too! ♥
Love your work! I am a French teacher but majored in art and psychology for undergrad - thought I was going to be an art therapist. So, I love office supplies - fountain pens and markers especially. I adore the online store jetpens.com. They sell a wide variety of pens, markers, inks, notebooks, pen cases and do extensive reviews on them. They have a good selection of imported supplies you can't find in local stores. Adore them! I found the Pilot V-Tech pen in a refillable version there so I can stop throwing away all that plastic - love it!
Blocking question: Do you sew your ends in before or after you block? I've heard people suggest both ways. What do you think?
Thanks for all you do and have a wonderful 2017-18 academic year!
Hi Karla! Thanks for the recommendation -- I have to check out everything they have at jetpens! As far as weaving in ends, I've also seen the controversy about that. It seems to make sense to me to do it after blocking to take advantage of the yarn blooming. But honestly I'm not sure if it makes a big difference. Maybe I will have to do a scientific test on that sometime, lol! ♥
I have a mohair and acrylic sweater that I must washed improperly and it seems to have shrunk , appearing somewhat matted. Is there any way to get it to return to its original, larger self??
What is the cowl pattern that you show the knit blocker by knit picks on?
Hello -- it is called Upstairs Downstairs by Paula Emmons-Fuessle (from Knitting Pipeline). Here is the link to the pattern on Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/upstairs-downstairs-a-cowl-in-three-sizes
Hi Kris! I have a question about blocking superwash wool. I knit a cardigan out of fingering weight yarn that was in pieces. I blocked them and tried to shape them to the dimensions given but they stretched out too much and consequently the sweater was ginormous 😬 Is that because it was superwash? I tried wearing it a few times but it was just too big! So I'm leery about making anything but socks and shawls out of fingering. Great podcast - loved how you lit up when talking about school supplies 😍
Hello sweet Kathy! ♥♥♥ You know, I don't think that would happen because of superwash wool. But what I would do if the sweater was too big is throw it in the washer and dryer because it will probably shape up. Let me know how it goes if you try it! ♥
I'm still a newish knitter and have only steamed block one thing. Question: should you block a swatch before starting on the full item?
Hi Denise! Yes, I definitely think it would be good to block your swatch to measure gauge before you start knitting the item. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. ♥
CHECK this out: "Fisher Space Pens are handcrafted and able to write underwater, over grease, at any angle, upside down, 3-times longer than the average pen, in extreme temperatures ranging from (-30°F to +250°F), and in zero gravity."
I'm looking into these.
Oh my! I absolutely love the office supply store. Many great smells in there! My faves are mechanical pencils and colored paper. This pretty paper makes homeschool less boring!
Hi Brandie! I had to chuckle, you are so right. :) Thank you for brightening my day. ♥
Thank you....informative and interesting!
Hello, and thanks so much. XO
Thank you for everything so much
I like blocking. I really think it evens out my stitches. I wet block everything!
I've just discovered woolly board. I LOVE the idea. I can't seem to find anybody that sells them though. Really would love to have one. My Guild would love it too. If you have any information that would be wonderful. Thanks
Hi Monique -- thanks so much for watching and for taking the time to leave a comment. I didn't know that the woolly boards have become so hard to find. When I checked the link I provided in the description box, I saw that it was out of stock. And yes, everywhere I look it is out of stock. I guess it has been discontinued. So I'm not sure where you would be able to get your hands on one. Sorry. XO
Have you had to repair any of your knitting? I have a pair of socks that I made that turned out too big so I use them as slippers. I really love the way they feel on my feet. The last time I washed them, I found a little hole! I don't want to throw them away so I guess I'm going to have to learn how to darn them. Have you ever had to darn socks or fix a hole in a sweater?
Hi Sonia! You know, I was thinking about doing a video on darning techniques. Maybe I will do that this fall. I have to admit that I don't have a ton of experience in darning, but I have fixed holes in sweaters, mainly by picking up stitches and hiding the hole that way. I would definitely not throw the socks away! :)
No I won't be throwing them away! I'm glad that you'll be doing a video on darning! I will be watching that for sure. I wish I had noticed the thinning spot on my sock before it became a hole. Doing the duplicate stitch on a thin spot beats trying to figure out how to fix a hole.
Looking forward to seeing your repair/darning videos.
After I wet my item to be blocked, I squeeze out as much water that I can. Then I place it in my washing machine. (I have a top loader) and spin out the rest of the water. My knitted item is damp but not too damp and dries faster after I block it.
Hi Peggy -- I love that idea. Thanks for sharing! ♥
I've loved using heavy-duty weed trimmer line to block the edges of shawls. It is easy to weave through the edges and can be pinned out either curved or straight. Here is a project where I used trimmer line and t-pins ravel.me/foxinbox/rp2 to block the edges of a scarf.
Hi Lisa -- beautiful project. I love the trimmer line idea! ♥
I just started blocking my knitting. And absolutely love the way they turn out after. I keep a bin of fresh knits until have have several in there then I have a blocking party. I mostly wet block, but I have steam blocked using my iron a few times. I like to "dry block" my socks and just leave them on a blocker for a week before wearing them. I dry blocked my crochet granny squares before seaming them as well.
Hi Fallyn -- love your idea to save up your knits and then block them all at once. Thanks for sharing! ♥
Those children's foam play mats have been proven to be toxic. I forget what the chemical is. This has been a known fact, but is not disseminated well. Please advise parents and knitters that they should not use them.
As far as the other rubber mats, I am assuming that they are a problem as well. But I have no info. Someone with more time on their hans could google it.
Hi Zoe -- the chemical you are talking about is called formamide. It's toxic in liquid form, and this type of play mat does contain small amounts. However, in scientific tests 50% of the products released no measureable amount of formamide, and the rest released very small amounts. They found that in order to reach health-affecting levels, children would have to ingest about 14 square feet of the rubber material every day over their entire life. For people who are concerned, there are EVA-free mats that can be purchased. Thanks for your comment and concern.