Blocking Crochet

By Rachel Choi – 23 Comments

Blocking crochet is the process of “molding” your finished work into the shape that you desire. For example, you may want to block your crocheted bag so that it keeps a nice, sharp bag shape. Different techniques can be used for blocking your work depending on the type of yarn you used and the shape of the object being blocked. Here are some general guidelines to follow.

Step 1: Lay the item you want to block into the shape you want it to be. You may choose to use pins to hold your item in place. Try using pins that won’t rust. There are also boards specifically made for blocking, but you can use any surface that works for you. A layer of towels is great for adsorbing water and placing pins into.

Step 2: Wet it. Blocking is done be wetting your item and letting it dry. The method for wetting your item will depend on the type of yarn you are using. Check the yarn label for special instruction to make sure that you don’t violate any. You may choose to use a spray bottle to wet your item. You can also choose to steam your item using an iron. Since some materials should not be ironed, the safest way to block is via the spray bottle. You can also switch steps 1 and 2 and use the sink to wet the item.

Step 3: Let it dry. After your item is dry, it should be blocked!

Do you have a blocking tip? Fell free the share it by leaving it as a comment!

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23 Comments

  1. Pam says:

    Hi! When I block, I wet the item first, and then (because I hate working with pins) I stretch it out to the shape I want it on a towel. Then I place a similar-sized towel on top, and then place a pile of heavy books on top of the whole thing. The next day I replace the towels with dry ones, and continue with the heavy books on top. Then I just let the item air-dry the rest of the way by itself.

    After that is done, I lightly spray it with spray starch on both sides to help it be “stiff”.

    This procedure is mostly for the doilies I make, but I guess could be used for other things.

  2. […] squeeze out as much water as possible and lay to dry. Often times you will want to block your work. Blocking crochet and other items is really easy, just set your item into the finished shape your desire and let it […]

  3. Katy says:

    I deeply appreciate all the neat how-to articles and the gorgeous patterns. I’m building up my how-to folder quite quickly and most of it if from crochet spot. Thanks!

  4. Hey, thanks for the information. I have never really known how to do this. I’ve only seen things that have been steam ironed, and I hate the look of ironed crochet! Any gifts like this I ever received, I’ve immediately washed and air-fluffed in the dryer. Love all the neat hints and stuff on your site!

  5. […] Blocking. In my opinion this the best thing to do. Blocking crochet is the one simple step to “mold” your work into the way you want it. Whether you choose to steam it with an iron or wet it and let it dry, blocking can be fast and easy to do. Learn more about Blocking Crochet. […]

  6. […] projects require blocking for completion. See Blocking Crochet how to accomplish […]

  7. jaci says:

    i tried blocking my scarf so i layed it flat and let it dry but it didnt work, any suggestions? thanks!

  8. […] might need to “block it” before or after assembly – read the pattern. Search the internet on blocking. How hard can that […]

  9. […] stitch is one that looks best when blocked, depending on the type of yarn you are using. Check out Blocking Crochet for more information on what blocking is and how to achieve […]

  10. Angela says:

    Hello again Rachel, lol

    I have crochet the pound of love hooded baby afghan and I put an edging on. Well what happened is I now have a curve in the blanket. Think I pulled the stitches too tight. Once I block the blanket will it have to be reblocked once the person who receives it wash it or is it set permanently? Please help me. Thank you so much!!

  11. Angela says:

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

  12. […] 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. […]

  13. Ali says:

    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

  14. Sherry says:

    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!

    • Rachel says:

      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.

  15. wendy says:

    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.

    • Rachel says:

      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.

  16. Carol D. says:

    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.

  17. val says:

    Another neat way to block large items like afghans or blankets is to pull out of washer, fold in quarters, clothes pin it all together. and let dry on top of the dryer, wait a few hours and flip it over, take off the clothes pins, and you should be good to go.. 😉

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