Comments on: Blocking Crochet

By: Carol D.

Carol D. — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:00:39 +0000

I wash my afghans (mostly baby), and while still wet, I place it on my “board”. My board is a large foam board that I made myself. I bought a 4′x8′ foam board at my local home improvement store. I scored it with a very, very sharp box cutter, both sides , then snap it in half. The edges don’t look pretty, but that doesn’t matter. Then I take a new large roll of plastic wrap and wrap the board. First , one way, several layers, then cut off and tape on edges.Then the other way to cover the other 2 edges. I do several layers, each way. Then I place my wet afghan on it and stretch and adjust it to the right size and sometimes pin it, if I have to stretch it. I have 4 boards that I have going almost at all times. The pins won’t hurt it, and I just keep wrapping over the layers, if needed. But I have done this only twice.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 19:37:40 +0000

Hi Wendy, I think your blanket will stretch a bit, but I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I’ve made some blankets with the same hook size you used and they turned out fine. If you block it, it’ll probably reshape to it’s natural shape each time you wash it, so I wouldn’t bother blocking it.

By: wendy

wendy — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:42:12 +0000

Hi,
I am making my first crocheted baby blanket. I’m using 100% cotton yarn (I Love This Cotton) in a two-color ripple/chevron pattern. I used a J hook and it is not tightly-stitched (purposefully). Have I messed up? Will it stretch out hopelessly? If I were to block it when done, would it stretch out each time it is washed? TIA for any help.

By: Sherry

Sherry — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 03:15:36 +0000

I’m getting ready to block it now so I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks for your help!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:10:05 +0000

Hi Sherry, I would try just the water and see how that goes. If you want you can just do one of the corners and not the entire rug to see how it looks first.

By: Sherry

Sherry — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:03:02 +0000

I have a question about blocking a crocheted rug, It is a star shape pattern and from point to point it is about 36″ any suggestions on how to block it without starching or ironing? Will using the spray water do the trick? I have never blocked anything this large and wonder how it will work. Thanks and love this site!

By: Ali

Ali — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 07:23:13 +0000

Hi, I use a pin / cork board for my smaller items that need to be blocked e.g. motifs made from 100% cotton or Granny Squares – I pin them to the board and spray with starch or water. I then leave the board on top of a radiator (for the heat) in the winter on in the sunshine in the summer to “bake” them dry (same as using a steam iron I suppose) and when they are dry they are perfectly shaped!!
For larger items I use towels spread over a bed, pin them down, spray and leave to dry in a warm room overnight. Works wonders too!
Ali

By: Crochet Spot » Blog Archive » Blocking (Killing) Acrylic - Crochet Patterns, Tutorials and News

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:56:41 +0000

[...] Wet blocking is an easy way to work with natural fibers, but for acrylic, it often isn’t enough. Blocking acrylic with heat is commonly referred to as “killing” acrylic. It’s a handy thing to know how to do, and it’s important to do properly because once it’s done, it can’t go back to its original shape. Blocking is great for getting the edges or shaping you want on a project, and stretching the acrylic while blocking can actually give a finished project more drape. [...]

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 01:21:22 +0000

Thank you. Guess I better remove the edging. You are such a great help to me.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:23:39 +0000

Hi Angela, I wouldn’t count on the blanket keeping it’s shape after it’s washed.