I would love to see a video on how to block things that aren't so obvious, like hats, gloves, and cowls that fold. Most sweaters, scarves, blankets, and shawls are pretty straight-forward when it comes to blocking, but i haven't the slightest clue as to whether i'm blocking my hats and gloves correctly. Also, (and I may have missed it if you did talk about it) i've heard of blocking using an iron, and would be interested in hearing about that as well! Great video! Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
Well, as long as you are getting a result you like you are doing it "correctly". Those kinds of items is where you have to get creative and I have seen many solutions to the problems presented by oddly shaped pieces. I have a video where I steam block yarn with acrylic content, is that what you meant by with an iron? th-cam.com/video/0hH8eCcOsic/w-d-xo.html
Your exuberance cracks me up and makes my day every time I watch your videos! Love the salad spinner idea. I use the spin only cycle on my washer same deal -extreme spinning! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Ooooh, extreme spinning sounds awesome! Because I almost exclusively knit smaller accessories I can get away with the salad spinner - but I can totally see using the washing machine for bigger pieces.
What a brilliant idea the salad spinner is - I just bought a new one solely for my knitting and it works so very very well - no more soggy towels! Thanks so much Barbara :)
I just caught up with this session. Thank you for the wonderful use of the salad spinner. I just washed and spun a pair of socks, it worked beautifully even helped the socks to dry faster. This is now my go to for socks. Thank you, thank you.
I now know why I love watching your videos. Apart from the great content we are on the same wavelength. You definitely always need to know where your towel is. 🤪🤪🤪
Thank you this is really informative. I've been knitting/crocheting since I was about 3/4 years old having learnt from my mother. I don't think I've made anything for the last 15 years ago and really want to get back into , only to find out things have improved like everything I suppose. This has been a real eye opener and looking back I can see where my knits were not perfect but realise it may have been the blocking technique.that you are discussing thank you!
Great video, Barbara. You explained all the basics perfectly. I am NOT a fan of blocking, and always do it rather begrudgingly, but I think if I get a salad spinner it might be more fun! LOl.
My son is seventeen, and on the autism spectrum. We met you last year at New York Sheep and wool and he wrote in his school journal that he met a "real live you tuber named Barbara Benson". He was disappointed that you were not there this year. As for knitting, he told me in a craft store that I have too much yarn, @@WatchBarbaraKnit
I remember, although that weekend is kinda a blur LOL. That was my first ever big event and I was so very, very nervous. Hopefully I will be there in 2019 - the move really put a cramp in a lot of things. My son's friends are also slightly impressed when they find out that I have a legit TH-cam channel. LOL
Wow, there is much to learn about blocking. This basic overview helps out tremendously and most appreciative; thank you for sharing. Hopefully you will have more classes scheduled. Respectfully, Donna K.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit I don't travel much, but hopefully if you come to an area close by, I would love to take one or more of your classes offered. Thank you so much. Happy Holidays to you and your family. Respectfully, Donna K.
Omg, the whole time that you're describing how delicate the wet fibres are and how to dry them out carefully with the towel, I was thinking "ok, but can I get away with using my delicates salad spinner?" I love that my hack is blocking teacher approved!! Great thorough video - thank you so much!
Awesome sauce, thank you for the info. I was wondering about blocking, I use a lot of 100% acrylic yarn and the 70% acrylic and 30% wool and other yarns that I haven't used yet. Looking for that just right pattern for the yarn.
Great info on blocking. I don't usually block things in stockinette, but maybe I will now. Also, "you always need to know where your towel is. I'm a frood dude." almost made me spit out my coffee! LOLOL
This is why you should never stop learning from others. Your video just auto played after I watched another and now I'm looking down on my work, saying: "I need to be done with you, cardigan, so I can stuff you in the salad spinner" Thanks for the tip
You are soooo entertaining! :). I have enjoyed all your tutorials: you're informative & you explain everything so clearly. One question: does one have to block garment after each washing ?
So there is a lot of different kinds of blocking. Technically "lay flat to dry" is blocking. So the answer is it depends on the piece. A fine lace shawl - yes, you'll need to reblock. A pair of socks - eh, your feet do that. A sweater might need some reshaping in the "lay flat to dry" part of the program.
So helpful!!! Thanks 😊 - I have some pure wool I’m making into a cable cardigan - do I block before I stitch all the pieces together, or after? Thanks!!
HI ! I love you and am going to subscribe !!! I just watched you presentation on blocking and yes your right, I do have more questions now. I have been working on this sweater for a year now- I am a beginner and was determined to make something nice for my 25 year old son. And now I am up to blocking!!! Almost Christmastime and this Christmas i want to give it to him! The pattern is a called a "Bulky Coat Sweater No. 176" and I got the pattern on-line (I think it's from the 1950's or 60's). The very nice gentlemen in the knitting store recommended that I use 2 strands of Plymouth Yarn Encore Chunky, knitting worsted weight 75% acrylic and 25% wool ( one strand blue gray and the other a blackish )and except for the ribbing where I used size 11 needles, I used size 15 needles. It is quite bulky and has a buttoned front and a large collar with a facing. Questions#1. The instructions recommend to place garment wrong side out on pressing board, pin shape to size. but do not block ribbing. ( what does that mean?) Question #2 Then it says to STEAM with mod hot iron over wet cloth but not to let weight of iron rest upon any one spot. Everything I've read says do not let the iron actually press onto the garment but hold iron above the garment. Question #3 Do I press open the seams ? Question #4. It has 2 front pockets but I have not attached them yet to the garment. Should I block pockets first and then attached to blocked garment or attache first and then block it all together at once? Question #5 I have the button markings in place with alternate colored yarn, but have not sewed on yet, Do I put the buttons on before or after the blocking . Question #6. Since the collar is so bulky and double sided ( front and facing ) do I do something special with that when blocking? Ok that's it! I hope I have not over-stepped my boundaries and asked too many questions. I love knitting, but because of Covid I have not been able to take a in-person class or join a knitting group. I think because I am a beginner that also complicates the issue. I am very proud of my project but I don't want to mess it up in the final process. Sincerely, Michele Finley. michelefinley.ehs@gmail.com
Thank you so much for this video! I’m ashamed to admit that I never really blocked my knitting because I thought it was a very complicated thing to do, but you actually just got me really excited about blocking! I have a couple of questions.. - In the case that I need to change the size/stretch/.. the knitted piece, do I have to do it every time I wash it or just the first time? - Is there a particular way to block hats (that’s the majority of items I knit)? Thanks again!
Pretty sure this is going to be the last thing you expect, but I block hats with balloons LOL! You can also use bowls or plates to block hats. If you are trying to change the size of something you can only do it a little bit and remember that if you block for more width you will lose length and vice versa. Knitting is still beholden to the laws of physics LOL! When you "Lay flat to dry" then you will need to pull it to size.
Okay, you got me. I went into this video thinking, ah, blocking, I get that already. Ha - apparently, I fall into the category of thinking blocking is only EXTREME BLOCKING. :) (Yes, I do a lot of lace.) I had always thought that blocking meant stretching of some type, and couldn't for the life of me figure out why something like socks or a cowl would ever need blocking (why would I want to stretch my socks out???). So, when you said blocking was cleaning and shaping - I had to rewind the video a few times to make sure I'd heard that right! So, it seems I do block my other pieces. Just not like lace. :) Thanks for a great vid!
Hi Barbara! Your videos are so informative - thank you. I have been knitting for decades and am embarassed to admit I have never blocked anything. Now I know why I can never get garments to fit correctly. I always wondered, though, if I'm going to be washing the garment, won't anything I achieved in blocking be undone by washing it? I am still wondering this. I am knitting a sweater with cascade 220 superwash which is machine wash cool, and tumble dry low. I knitted a gauge swatch and washed and dried it and now I'm wondering if I was supposed to block it before I did that? Also, it was quite square before washing, and now a little wonky after washing. So I'm wondering if blocking it first would have eliminated this issue or not; and thus, whether it is necessary to mess around with blocking this garment at all? Thank you!
So here's the thing, if the way you are going to care for the garment is machine wash, tumble dry ... then machine washing and tumble drying is your blocking method. Honestly, even if the yarn says tumble dry is ok - I am going to dry flat LOL. So if the tumble dry made it wonky you might want to consider skipping the dryer and using the lay flat to dry time to do a little gentle blocking which will get it into better shape.
I just made a cardigan from big chunky yarn mostly acrylic with 20%wool and its nice but the wool is kind of loose spun. I m worried about pilling and felting and i wonder is blocking it in some kind of way will prevent the yarn from doing that? Thanks for the video btw!
I'm afraid that blocking won't do anything to prevent pilling. 20% isn't a particularly high wool content so I don't know that I would worry much about felting. Pilling shouldn't be a huge problem but that all depends on the yarn.
@@CaravelKiwi I recently watched their blocking video and they have a very different approach to blocking. They are steam blocking which is a completely different technique than the one I am describing in this video.
Hi there I have a question, after blocking a sweater, do I need to have some type of precautions everything I wash that same sweater? Thank you from Portugal
I'm knitting lace scarves in alpaca/silk blend for friends of mine. They are not knitters, and don't have blocking pins or wires. Do you know how I can teach them to care for the shawls when they wash them? I can tell them to get wool wash and wash gently by hand and all that, but I don't know how to tell them to get the shawl open without blocking...
Unless they block they won't get the super open look, but you can tell them to lay out flat to dry. If they put some time into laying it out and pulling it into shape they should be able to achieve something nice. But really, how often do you clean scarves?
I love your videos! Do you need to block after every wash? I made a baby blanket in cotton and blocked it. Looks great. Instructions said to wash and tumble dry. However now I’m using a super wash wool nylon blend (KnitPicks biggo). When I blocked my swatch it really lost its shape. Lots of pinning to block it out. I’m wondering if I’ll have to block this new blanket every time.
For some items yes, you have to reblock every time ... like a lace shawl. For a baby blanket - I wouldn't. Technically, washing and tumble dry is blocking, just a different type. Superwash is notorious for growing when wet so it is really important to swatch. If the pattern isn't designed for superwash you might have to do a couple of swatches to get gauge. On the other hand, some people have success getting superwash to behave by giving it a bit of a tumble dry, but you have to watch out because Nylon hates too much heat. This video might be helpful: th-cam.com/video/ek-PY7Yn7qM/w-d-xo.html
@@WatchBarbaraKnit thanks for the quick reply. I am following a pattern and this yarn was called out. I wanted an easy care blanket for myself. This may not be it. Lol
A few years ago in a fit of frustration that after days my sweater didn't dry I tossed in dryer on low heat. The sweater shrunk. I can't get it to a wearable size even after restocking repeatedly. Help!
Hi Barbara, thanks for this great video. I just blocked my first sweater and it has stretched horribly out of shape 😭 I think my mistake was not supporting it properly when I lifted it out of the water, so it was puuulllled out of shape, but then I was so focused on getting it to “lie flat” that I ignored my schematic measurements 😬 if I had followed my schematic, I think I would have really ended up almost overlapping or bunching up the body of my sweater in order to get the right length after it stretched...would this have been ok?? All the blocking tutorials I watched have only ever mentioned how to use blocking to make a garment bigger! And stressed the importance of laying everything out smooth and flat, so I really thought that “bunching” was something that wasn’t allowed...however now I have an unwearable sweater with a body and sleeves that are both about 4 inches too long 😬
My immediate, knee jerk troubleshooting reaction is to ask if you used superwash wool to knit your sweater - because your dilemma is a common one with that fiber.
Thank you! I have specifically been told that I should steam block my pieces before I put it together. The yarn is 60 percent wool, 20 percent alpaca and 20 percent silk. Do you have any advice?
I knit a small sweater for a baby and I made littles holes to run a piece of ribbon. Do I have to block my knitting before putting the ribbon or with the ribbon on?? Thanks.
Hi Barbara Thank you for this helpful video. I knit a top down sweater for my daughter. It is too tight for her. Can I reasonably expect to "upsize" it by blocking. An inch in the chest and a bit in the shoulders would do the trick. Any advice?
@@WatchBarbaraKnit Thank you. My wife has gently suggested I give it to another family member. So I'll knit another , a relaxed fit, for my daughter. Your videos are great.
I have a question! You’ve mentioned blocking swatches for knowing gauge? My assumption is that it dries naturally to see what your gauge actually is? You’re inspiring me to block AND do swatches but I am not clear about this process exactly. Thank you for the great information on blocking after a project is completed!! This video was done a while ago, so not sure I will get a reply. Thought I would ask anyway!
You need to block your swatch in the manner that you plan on blocking your finished piece. So if your blocking method is going to be "throw in washing machine, lay flat to dry" then that's how you treat your swatch. If you plan on laying it out and stretching it with pins and wires, then that is how you process your swatch. There are many different ways of blocking.
I soaked a sweater for 1/2 hour once (worsted weight yarn) and it took a day to dry. I knitted another sweater with the same brand of yarn and soaked it for 2hrs, (was busy and running around and couldn't get back to it ) and it took 3 days to dry. I guess the yarn just soaked up too much water. it was interesting to experience this though.
So if it is knitted in squares or strips or any other type of piece then you should block the pieces separately before seaming. Otherwise - I just do it on towels on the floor, if you really need to pin it out you can use a Dressmaker's Board ( amzn.to/3bHj5mv affiliate link). I once helped a friend pin out an absolutely enormous circular lace shawl and she had to bring it over to my house and we both had one of these boards and we did it in my basement. Furniture was moved. You can try to dry it folded over but how that works out will depend on how humid your environment is.
I accidentally soaked the front AND back of a sweater, but only have enough blocking squares for the back... can I just leave the front in to soak until the back is dry? Or will that screw everything up? I’m scared to block the front on a yoga mat or something like that because it doesn’t have the dimensions and I don’t want to pin it incorrectly.
I would not leave it soaking so long, because you might be talking about over a day. Use a yard stick and do the best you can! If it goes wonky, resoak & block!
Loved your video.. 16:38 had me rewinding again & again 😂😂 As a new knitter I tend to be really serious about my knitting because I don't want anything to go wrong.. Your cheerful and happy go lucky attitude makes me very relaxed and happy 😊 Thank you !
That's a whole other ball of wax. Once you start introducing blends you have to factor in the behavior characteristics of the different fibers. It's why I actually teach a 3 hour class in blocking!
Hei Barbara, I am a new watsher on your youtube Channel , good and informative , thank you. I am a little koserntb over soaking fior about 20 min, i am afraid if, when your projekt has many Colourbox, that the Dark ones, colours the lighter colours in a bad Way.
No you did not. I was just covering the basics of wet blocking because it is the most common form of blocking. I do have another video where I talked a bit about steam blocking. You can see it here: th-cam.com/video/0hH8eCcOsic/w-d-xo.html
Hi! The gauge that is provided on patterns is typically a blocked gauge, so you shouldn't be measuring your gauge until after you have blocked your swatch. That will tell you the answer to your question! I have a video on how and why to do a gauge swatch that might help you? th-cam.com/video/eP_hz5_5czs/w-d-xo.html
Does your pattern tell you to block it? It really depends on the blanket. If it has lace elements, most definitely. Same for cables or colorwork. Blocking isn't always complicated. Blocking can be as simple as washing it and then laying it out flat to dry.
Thank you for explaining blocking. I would love it if there was a way to buy that 3 hour class on blocking. Because there is NO way I'll be able to attend the Colorado show. I do have one question for now. do you have to block every time you wash something meaning using pins or that wire you showed. or just laying flat is enough(because thats what I do and after its dry it always looks a little wonkie(not straight). But I don't always have time time or space to reblock.
One of my hopes for the future is that, once my son is older, that I will be able to travel and teach more. Until then I'll have to stick to videos LOL. As far as your question goes, that falls in the "it depends" category. If you are talking about a lace shawl or most any kind of lace - yes, you'll have to reblock it entirely. For things like socks, not so much. You have to decide for yourself on a project by project basis. But if it looks wonky, go ahead and bully it into looking like you want. It isn't going to hurt anything!
Unfortunately the answer to your question is "it depends" LOL. Some blocking is better with wires/pins, some doesn't require it. I use them all of the time but I mostly make scarves, shawls, and other things that benefit from the technique.
I’m a little late to this video but just wanted to say I’m so sad you live so far away because I would love to sit and pick your brain haha I’m a self taught knitter (I do other crafts but knitting is my favorite) and I live in the middle of nowhere so there is no one to ask my questions besides the vast world of TH-cam and Facebook. Also love knitting lace and the “extreme blocking 🤘🏼” that comes along with it
You're not late at all! Thank you for taking the time to comment. If there are any specific questions you have feel free to ask them and if I can I will answer in a video or here. Also, I have Ask Me Anything videos where you can send me questions on postcards and I will answer them on video! th-cam.com/video/CuGO8XBOslU/w-d-xo.html
I've noticed you don't necessarily have full tutorials, whole garments shawls, socks, etc I'm a very visual person. I need to watch something made, patterns are useless for me
You are correct, I do not have full tutorials. My job is writing and selling knitwear patterns and I started this TH-cam channel as a support for that primary business. Most of my tutorials are to provide support for my written patterns as well as to educate about knitting in general and to have fun with fibery stuff. I hope you can still find my videos fun to watch even if they do not contain full patterns.
I would love to see a video on how to block things that aren't so obvious, like hats, gloves, and cowls that fold. Most sweaters, scarves, blankets, and shawls are pretty straight-forward when it comes to blocking, but i haven't the slightest clue as to whether i'm blocking my hats and gloves correctly. Also, (and I may have missed it if you did talk about it) i've heard of blocking using an iron, and would be interested in hearing about that as well! Great video! Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
Well, as long as you are getting a result you like you are doing it "correctly". Those kinds of items is where you have to get creative and I have seen many solutions to the problems presented by oddly shaped pieces. I have a video where I steam block yarn with acrylic content, is that what you meant by with an iron? th-cam.com/video/0hH8eCcOsic/w-d-xo.html
LOL'ed so hard at "EXTREME BLOCKING"
I'm glad that you found it amusing! I did it on impulse and then in editing I was shaking my head at myself. Sometimes I am so silly.
Your exuberance cracks me up and makes my day every time I watch your videos! Love the salad spinner idea. I use the spin only cycle on my washer same deal -extreme spinning!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Ooooh, extreme spinning sounds awesome! Because I almost exclusively knit smaller accessories I can get away with the salad spinner - but I can totally see using the washing machine for bigger pieces.
You're a delight, Barbara. Had so much fun watching this video. Thank you for the info!
Yay! Thanks for watching!
Hey Barbara, I really enjoy your tutorials! Straight talk I can understand and some comedy as well! Thank you for sharing your knowledge! From Canada
I am so glad you like the videos, thank you!
What a brilliant idea the salad spinner is - I just bought a new one solely for my knitting and it works so very very well - no more soggy towels! Thanks so much Barbara :)
Yay! I have a dedicated one as well. I've had too many yarns bleed into the soak to want pink lettuce LOL.
Thank you. I'm still learning to knit and heard the word blocking and this video was more helpful than the other ones I watched.
I'm so glad I could help.
I just caught up with this session. Thank you for the wonderful use of the salad spinner. I just washed and spun a pair of socks, it worked beautifully even helped the socks to dry faster. This is now my go to for socks. Thank you, thank you.
I'm so glad it was helpful! The salad spinner is the best.
I now know why I love watching your videos. Apart from the great content we are on the same wavelength. You definitely always need to know where your towel is. 🤪🤪🤪
You''re a frood dood. ;)
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy reference!!!! Live this!!!!
Always! I am totally a hoopy frood dude.
I love your instruction style… up beat, pertinent information that kept me mesmerized … thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you this is really informative. I've been knitting/crocheting since I was about 3/4 years old having learnt from my mother. I don't think I've made anything for the last 15 years ago and really want to get back into , only to find out things have improved like everything I suppose. This has been a real eye opener and looking back I can see where my knits were not perfect but realise it may have been the blocking technique.that you are discussing thank you!
I am so glad to be able to help. It is never too late to learn and improve and it is great you are open to that.
My jaw dropped when you talked about the salad spinner. Not kidding. I need to try that!
It's the best LOL.
Thank you Barbara 😀
You were very thorough. I learned a lot.
Yay! That is my goal! Thanks for watching.
Great video, Barbara. You explained all the basics perfectly. I am NOT a fan of blocking, and always do it rather begrudgingly, but I think if I get a salad spinner it might be more fun! LOl.
The salad spinner does make it super fun LOL.
So glad I watched this video. As soon as I saw the same salad spinner I own, I knew this is the right blocking method for me 😉. Thanks!
You are so welcome!
Not Knitting related, but when I played your video my son looked over and exclaimed "yeah, Barbara Benson!"
Woo Hoo! How old is your son (just curious, so I can visualize this exchange appropriately) LOL. Is he gonna learn how to knit?
My son is seventeen, and on the autism spectrum. We met you last year at New York Sheep and wool and he wrote in his school journal that he met a "real live you tuber named Barbara Benson". He was disappointed that you were not there this year. As for knitting, he told me in a craft store that I have too much yarn, @@WatchBarbaraKnit
I remember, although that weekend is kinda a blur LOL. That was my first ever big event and I was so very, very nervous. Hopefully I will be there in 2019 - the move really put a cramp in a lot of things.
My son's friends are also slightly impressed when they find out that I have a legit TH-cam channel. LOL
Hope to see you next year, it is a new annual family event.
Hoi Barbara, what a great idea! The salad-spinner to squeeze the water out. Thank you, groetjes Ella
😃🙋🏻
My pleasure! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
So helpful! I had so many aha moments during the video! Thank you so much!
Glad it helped!
Wow, there is much to learn about blocking. This basic overview helps out tremendously and most appreciative; thank you for sharing. Hopefully you will have more classes scheduled. Respectfully, Donna K.
I'm glad you liked it! I love to teach and would love to travel more and teach, but finding the opportunities is a challenge.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit I don't travel much, but hopefully if you come to an area close by, I would love to take one or more of your classes offered. Thank you so much. Happy Holidays to you and your family. Respectfully, Donna K.
Thank you, this is a good explaination, and delivered with passion :)
I get a little more hyped about blocking than your average knitter LOL!
And Merry Christmas and a Happy NewYear ✨✨✨
Thank you and right back atcha!
Thanks for the lesson and I did enjoy it and may God bless you
You are very welcome
Thanks for the information! I am new to knitting and never understand blocking,therefore I have never block!
Your finished pieces will get so much better if you block! It's magic I tell you.
Omg, the whole time that you're describing how delicate the wet fibres are and how to dry them out carefully with the towel, I was thinking "ok, but can I get away with using my delicates salad spinner?" I love that my hack is blocking teacher approved!! Great thorough video - thank you so much!
LOL! Just make sure you don't use it for salad.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit I already have a dedicated laundry one that lives in my bathroom! I don't actually have one for lettuce!!
Awesome sauce, thank you for the info. I was wondering about blocking, I use a lot of 100% acrylic yarn and the 70% acrylic and 30% wool and other yarns that I haven't used yet. Looking for that just right pattern for the yarn.
You can totally block acrylic, you just have to use steam heat and it's a different technique! Have fun!
Great info on blocking. I don't usually block things in stockinette, but maybe I will now. Also, "you always need to know where your towel is. I'm a frood dude." almost made me spit out my coffee! LOLOL
Yay! I was wondering if anyone would catch that. I mean, how often do I have an opportunity to sneak that in?
Thank you for your great videos!
Grace
And thank you for watching! I am glad you enjoyed this one.
Thank you! Amazing
Glad you liked it!
Salad spinner for fine washables has been my go to method for the last 20 yrs rofl, nice to know I'm not the only one. lol
We are legion LOL.
I wish I could do your 3 hour class, but I’m in portugal lol
Great videos, very informative 👍🏻
I had someone from Australia join one of my Zoom ones once!
This is why you should never stop learning from others. Your video just auto played after I watched another and now I'm looking down on my work, saying: "I need to be done with you, cardigan, so I can stuff you in the salad spinner" Thanks for the tip
Yay for salad spinners! It makes me happy every time I use this trick.
Great video; thank you.
It was my pleasure!
You are soooo entertaining! :). I have enjoyed all your tutorials: you're informative & you explain everything so clearly. One question: does one have to block garment after each washing ?
So there is a lot of different kinds of blocking. Technically "lay flat to dry" is blocking. So the answer is it depends on the piece. A fine lace shawl - yes, you'll need to reblock. A pair of socks - eh, your feet do that. A sweater might need some reshaping in the "lay flat to dry" part of the program.
Love the Hitchhikers reference. And yes, you are clearly a hoppy frood who knows where her towel is... to say nothing of her salad spinner!
LOL, gotta get my nerd on when I can.
Fabulous, of course.
Thank yoU!
You’re welcome 😇 .
So helpful!!! Thanks 😊 - I have some pure wool I’m making into a cable cardigan - do I block before I stitch all the pieces together, or after? Thanks!!
Typically yes, you block before assembly.
HI ! I love you and am going to subscribe !!! I just watched you presentation on blocking and yes your right, I do have more questions now. I have been working on this sweater for a year now- I am a beginner and was determined to make something nice for my 25 year old son. And now I am up to blocking!!! Almost Christmastime and this Christmas i want to give it to him! The pattern is a called a "Bulky Coat Sweater No. 176" and I got the pattern on-line (I think it's from the 1950's or 60's). The very nice gentlemen in the knitting store recommended that I use 2 strands of Plymouth Yarn Encore Chunky, knitting worsted weight 75% acrylic and 25% wool ( one strand blue gray and the other a blackish )and except for the ribbing where I used size 11 needles, I used size 15 needles. It is quite bulky and has a buttoned front and a large collar with a facing.
Questions#1. The instructions recommend to place garment wrong side out on pressing board, pin shape to size. but do not block ribbing. ( what does that mean?)
Question #2 Then it says to STEAM with mod hot iron over wet cloth but not to let weight of iron rest upon any one spot. Everything I've read says do not let the iron actually press onto the garment but hold iron above the garment.
Question #3 Do I press open the seams ?
Question #4. It has 2 front pockets but I have not attached them yet to the garment. Should I block pockets first and then attached to blocked garment or attache first and then block it all together at once?
Question #5 I have the button markings in place with alternate colored yarn, but have not sewed on yet, Do I put the buttons on before or after the blocking .
Question #6. Since the collar is so bulky and double sided ( front and facing ) do I do something special with that when blocking?
Ok that's it! I hope I have not over-stepped my boundaries and asked too many questions. I love knitting, but because of Covid I have not been able to take a in-person class or join a knitting group. I think because I am a beginner that also complicates the issue. I am very proud of my project but I don't want to mess it up in the final process.
Sincerely, Michele Finley. michelefinley.ehs@gmail.com
I am so excited by your enthusiasm and can tell you are going to grow into an amazing knitter. I responded to your email that I received!
Thank you I didn’t know by washing projects that I was blocking them.
Pretty much LOL.
Thank you so much for this video! I’m ashamed to admit that I never really blocked my knitting because I thought it was a very complicated thing to do, but you actually just got me really excited about blocking!
I have a couple of questions..
- In the case that I need to change the size/stretch/.. the knitted piece, do I have to do it every time I wash it or just the first time?
- Is there a particular way to block hats (that’s the majority of items I knit)?
Thanks again!
Pretty sure this is going to be the last thing you expect, but I block hats with balloons LOL! You can also use bowls or plates to block hats. If you are trying to change the size of something you can only do it a little bit and remember that if you block for more width you will lose length and vice versa. Knitting is still beholden to the laws of physics LOL! When you "Lay flat to dry" then you will need to pull it to size.
Okay, you got me. I went into this video thinking, ah, blocking, I get that already. Ha - apparently, I fall into the category of thinking blocking is only EXTREME BLOCKING. :) (Yes, I do a lot of lace.) I had always thought that blocking meant stretching of some type, and couldn't for the life of me figure out why something like socks or a cowl would ever need blocking (why would I want to stretch my socks out???). So, when you said blocking was cleaning and shaping - I had to rewind the video a few times to make sure I'd heard that right! So, it seems I do block my other pieces. Just not like lace. :) Thanks for a great vid!
LOL. Well, I am glad I was able to provide a different viewpoint on the subject! I'm pretty much firmly in the BLOCK ALL THE THINGS camp.
Hi Barbara! Your videos are so informative - thank you. I have been knitting for decades and am embarassed to admit I have never blocked anything. Now I know why I can never get garments to fit correctly. I always wondered, though, if I'm going to be washing the garment, won't anything I achieved in blocking be undone by washing it? I am still wondering this. I am knitting a sweater with cascade 220 superwash which is machine wash cool, and tumble dry low. I knitted a gauge swatch and washed and dried it and now I'm wondering if I was supposed to block it before I did that? Also, it was quite square before washing, and now a little wonky after washing. So I'm wondering if blocking it first would have eliminated this issue or not; and thus, whether it is necessary to mess around with blocking this garment at all? Thank you!
So here's the thing, if the way you are going to care for the garment is machine wash, tumble dry ... then machine washing and tumble drying is your blocking method. Honestly, even if the yarn says tumble dry is ok - I am going to dry flat LOL. So if the tumble dry made it wonky you might want to consider skipping the dryer and using the lay flat to dry time to do a little gentle blocking which will get it into better shape.
I just made a cardigan from big chunky yarn mostly acrylic with 20%wool and its nice but the wool is kind of loose spun. I m worried about pilling and felting and i wonder is blocking it in some kind of way will prevent the yarn from doing that? Thanks for the video btw!
I'm afraid that blocking won't do anything to prevent pilling. 20% isn't a particularly high wool content so I don't know that I would worry much about felting. Pilling shouldn't be a huge problem but that all depends on the yarn.
So funny love your humor,😂
Thank you!
I made a neck warmer, but I am going to add the fleece liner . Would you recommend blocking before I sew the fleece or after sewing the fleece. Thanks
I would block before sewing.
Thanks for a very informative video... do I block sweater pieces BEFORE stitching together?
Yes you do!
@@WatchBarbaraKnit Arne and Carlos say no
@@CaravelKiwi I recently watched their blocking video and they have a very different approach to blocking. They are steam blocking which is a completely different technique than the one I am describing in this video.
Hi there
I have a question, after blocking a sweater, do I need to have some type of precautions everything I wash that same sweater?
Thank you from Portugal
Typically lay flat to dry and pat into shape works.
making me wish I bought that salad spinner!
You can still LOL.
I'm knitting lace scarves in alpaca/silk blend for friends of mine. They are not knitters, and don't have blocking pins or wires. Do you know how I can teach them to care for the shawls when they wash them? I can tell them to get wool wash and wash gently by hand and all that, but I don't know how to tell them to get the shawl open without blocking...
Unless they block they won't get the super open look, but you can tell them to lay out flat to dry. If they put some time into laying it out and pulling it into shape they should be able to achieve something nice. But really, how often do you clean scarves?
I love your videos! Do you need to block after every wash? I made a baby blanket in cotton and blocked it. Looks great. Instructions said to wash and tumble dry.
However now I’m using a super wash wool nylon blend (KnitPicks biggo). When I blocked my swatch it really lost its shape. Lots of pinning to block it out. I’m wondering if I’ll have to block this new blanket every time.
For some items yes, you have to reblock every time ... like a lace shawl. For a baby blanket - I wouldn't. Technically, washing and tumble dry is blocking, just a different type. Superwash is notorious for growing when wet so it is really important to swatch. If the pattern isn't designed for superwash you might have to do a couple of swatches to get gauge. On the other hand, some people have success getting superwash to behave by giving it a bit of a tumble dry, but you have to watch out because Nylon hates too much heat. This video might be helpful: th-cam.com/video/ek-PY7Yn7qM/w-d-xo.html
@@WatchBarbaraKnit thanks for the quick reply. I am following a pattern and this yarn was called out. I wanted an easy care blanket for myself. This may not be it. Lol
A few years ago in a fit of frustration that after days my sweater didn't dry I tossed in dryer on low heat. The sweater shrunk. I can't get it to a wearable size even after restocking repeatedly. Help!
Unfortunately once it's shrunk it's shrunk. There is no way to fix it.
Hi Barbara, thanks for this great video. I just blocked my first sweater and it has stretched horribly out of shape 😭 I think my mistake was not supporting it properly when I lifted it out of the water, so it was puuulllled out of shape, but then I was so focused on getting it to “lie flat” that I ignored my schematic measurements 😬 if I had followed my schematic, I think I would have really ended up almost overlapping or bunching up the body of my sweater in order to get the right length after it stretched...would this have been ok?? All the blocking tutorials I watched have only ever mentioned how to use blocking to make a garment bigger! And stressed the importance of laying everything out smooth and flat, so I really thought that “bunching” was something that wasn’t allowed...however now I have an unwearable sweater with a body and sleeves that are both about 4 inches too long 😬
My immediate, knee jerk troubleshooting reaction is to ask if you used superwash wool to knit your sweater - because your dilemma is a common one with that fiber.
Thank you! I have specifically been told that I should steam block my pieces before I put it together. The yarn is 60 percent wool, 20 percent alpaca and 20 percent silk. Do you have any advice?
If the pattern tells you to do something a specific way (and you are using the same or similar yarn to the pattern) then I would follow the pattern!
Which side of blocking boards should the damp work be pinned to? I have always used the foam side. Is this wrong?
Nope, not wrong. You can use either side!
I knit a small sweater for a baby and I made littles holes to run a piece of ribbon. Do I have to block my knitting before putting the ribbon or with the ribbon on?? Thanks.
I would block it first and then put the ribbon on.
Hi Barbara
Thank you for this helpful video.
I knit a top down sweater for my daughter. It is too tight for her.
Can I reasonably expect to "upsize" it by blocking. An inch in the chest and a bit in the shoulders would do the trick. Any advice?
The only thing you can do is try. But keep in mind if you block for width you will loose length.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit Thank you. My wife has gently suggested I give it to another family member. So I'll knit another , a relaxed fit, for my daughter.
Your videos are great.
I have a question! You’ve mentioned blocking swatches for knowing gauge? My assumption is that it dries naturally to see what your gauge actually is? You’re inspiring me to block AND do swatches but I am not clear about this process exactly. Thank you for the great information on blocking after a project is completed!! This video was done a while ago, so not sure I will get a reply. Thought I would ask anyway!
You need to block your swatch in the manner that you plan on blocking your finished piece. So if your blocking method is going to be "throw in washing machine, lay flat to dry" then that's how you treat your swatch. If you plan on laying it out and stretching it with pins and wires, then that is how you process your swatch. There are many different ways of blocking.
I soaked a sweater for 1/2 hour once (worsted weight yarn) and it took a day to dry. I knitted another sweater with the same brand of yarn and soaked it for 2hrs, (was busy and running around and couldn't get back to it ) and it took 3 days to dry. I guess the yarn just soaked up too much water. it was interesting to experience this though.
They can be like sponges LOL!
Blocking makes your finished objects look professional :) Don't skip it
Exactly! You get a gold star!
If the pattern and 100 percent Merino 2x2 after clicking what happens if it already 2x2 before blocking go down a needle size Thanks Marianne 😀
I think that this video might answer your question fairly well: th-cam.com/video/eP_hz5_5czs/w-d-xo.html
How would you block a large knitted afghan? Large items are difficult to lay out. I have knitting mats. Any strategies?
So if it is knitted in squares or strips or any other type of piece then you should block the pieces separately before seaming. Otherwise - I just do it on towels on the floor, if you really need to pin it out you can use a Dressmaker's Board ( amzn.to/3bHj5mv affiliate link). I once helped a friend pin out an absolutely enormous circular lace shawl and she had to bring it over to my house and we both had one of these boards and we did it in my basement. Furniture was moved. You can try to dry it folded over but how that works out will depend on how humid your environment is.
I accidentally soaked the front AND back of a sweater, but only have enough blocking squares for the back... can I just leave the front in to soak until the back is dry? Or will that screw everything up? I’m scared to block the front on a yoga mat or something like that because it doesn’t have the dimensions and I don’t want to pin it incorrectly.
I would not leave it soaking so long, because you might be talking about over a day. Use a yard stick and do the best you can! If it goes wonky, resoak & block!
Loved your video.. 16:38 had me rewinding again & again 😂😂 As a new knitter I tend to be really serious about my knitting because I don't want anything to go wrong.. Your cheerful and happy go lucky attitude makes me very relaxed and happy 😊 Thank you !
I totally understand wanting to to it RIGHT all the time - but it's supposed to be fun. I am so glad you enjoyed the video.
What about mixed fiber. (Polyester, wool, and rayon)
That's a whole other ball of wax. Once you start introducing blends you have to factor in the behavior characteristics of the different fibers. It's why I actually teach a 3 hour class in blocking!
Hei Barbara, I am a new watsher on your youtube Channel , good and informative , thank you. I am a little koserntb over soaking fior about 20 min, i am afraid if, when your projekt has many Colourbox, that the Dark ones, colours the lighter colours in a bad Way.
If you are concerned about dye running you can use something called color catchers when you soak. amzn.to/3CBdecU
Did I miss the details on steam blocking?
No you did not. I was just covering the basics of wet blocking because it is the most common form of blocking. I do have another video where I talked a bit about steam blocking. You can see it here: th-cam.com/video/0hH8eCcOsic/w-d-xo.html
Doesn't the salad spinner over stretch the fibers of the garment?
I have not had that happen.
Hi, my gauge is slightly off, it matches number of the stitches but not number of rows. Will blocking help?
Hi! The gauge that is provided on patterns is typically a blocked gauge, so you shouldn't be measuring your gauge until after you have blocked your swatch. That will tell you the answer to your question! I have a video on how and why to do a gauge swatch that might help you? th-cam.com/video/eP_hz5_5czs/w-d-xo.html
WatchBarbaraKnit thank you so much you’re the best
Is is necessary to block blankets?
Does your pattern tell you to block it? It really depends on the blanket. If it has lace elements, most definitely. Same for cables or colorwork. Blocking isn't always complicated. Blocking can be as simple as washing it and then laying it out flat to dry.
36 c is body temperature best for woollens
Works in acrylic? 🤔
No. Wet blocking does not work with acrylic yarn. Check out this video for blocking acrylic: th-cam.com/video/0hH8eCcOsic/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for explaining blocking. I would love it if there was a way to buy that 3 hour class on blocking. Because there is NO way I'll be able to attend the Colorado show. I do have one question for now. do you have to block every time you wash something meaning using pins or that wire you showed. or just laying flat is enough(because thats what I do and after its dry it always looks a little wonkie(not straight). But I don't always have time time or space to reblock.
One of my hopes for the future is that, once my son is older, that I will be able to travel and teach more. Until then I'll have to stick to videos LOL. As far as your question goes, that falls in the "it depends" category. If you are talking about a lace shawl or most any kind of lace - yes, you'll have to reblock it entirely. For things like socks, not so much. You have to decide for yourself on a project by project basis. But if it looks wonky, go ahead and bully it into looking like you want. It isn't going to hurt anything!
Hiya! great video! Do I need to use a blocking pin or wire to block my knits? Many thanks
Unfortunately the answer to your question is "it depends" LOL. Some blocking is better with wires/pins, some doesn't require it. I use them all of the time but I mostly make scarves, shawls, and other things that benefit from the technique.
Extreme blocking - so metal lol!
Totally!
I’m a little late to this video but just wanted to say I’m so sad you live so far away because I would love to sit and pick your brain haha I’m a self taught knitter (I do other crafts but knitting is my favorite) and I live in the middle of nowhere so there is no one to ask my questions besides the vast world of TH-cam and Facebook. Also love knitting lace and the “extreme blocking 🤘🏼” that comes along with it
You're not late at all! Thank you for taking the time to comment. If there are any specific questions you have feel free to ask them and if I can I will answer in a video or here. Also, I have Ask Me Anything videos where you can send me questions on postcards and I will answer them on video! th-cam.com/video/CuGO8XBOslU/w-d-xo.html
blocking is the "press your seams" of the knitting world
LOL.
“Yarn barf”….lol!
I call it like I see it LOL.
Salad spinner!!!
It works great!
WatchBarbaraKnit I tried it yesterday and yes it did!
I've noticed you don't necessarily have full tutorials, whole garments shawls, socks, etc
I'm a very visual person. I need to watch something made, patterns are useless for me
You are correct, I do not have full tutorials. My job is writing and selling knitwear patterns and I started this TH-cam channel as a support for that primary business. Most of my tutorials are to provide support for my written patterns as well as to educate about knitting in general and to have fun with fibery stuff. I hope you can still find my videos fun to watch even if they do not contain full patterns.
I thought it was funny how you said "y'all" but you don't have a Southern accent!
Turns out spending your childhood in the Midwest but moving to the south mid-high school makes for a fairly bland accent LOL.