And that is all there is to blocking acrylic! Once you try this method, you will never go back! It it so fun to watch the steam envelope the stitches…and then pull your project up and find it perfectly blocked!
I would love to help! To find out about ALL blocking methods, visit this post. To view all my free patterns, click here. If you did enjoy this post, I would love if you shared it in the following places so many MORE people can see it! Sign up to instantly download the Crochet Garment Cheat Sheets!
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I tried keeping my head up and doing it. Now it sits on my floor. They are stainless steel. This blanket was so far off I did the best I could. You can steam as much or as little of the project as needed.
Doing so will not be an issue at all. The main reason is because of the anatomy of the stitch… they tend to naturally lean a little to the left. Hello Jennifer: I just received my blocking squares and blocking pins.
There are 16 squares, knit all at once, no seaming required. If blocking is not permanent, do I need to block at all?
I will wash and dry it before giving as a gift. Or should I wash and dry then block? Each square has a bear motif. One square has the bear in garter stitch with the area around the bear in Stockinette. The next square has the bear in stockinette and the area around it in garter stitch alternating squares across the blanket. I want the blanket to lay flatter.
So,if I block then wash and the blocking washes out it seems like a wasted effort. I would appreciate any advice you have for me. But, if you steam block, and you steam just past the blocking stage before killing the acrylic…only slightly killing it , it will be permanent.
I am working on an afghan now and I love how steaming can change the drape of the fabric…plus it softens it up nicely. These are then sewn together before adding a border. I planned to block the sections before sewing together so I can line up the squares better. I guess I will need to block after the border is attached too? Hi Kim, I apologize for the delayed response. I was out of state all last week. My response may be too late, but personally I would lightly block the squares to prepare them for seaming and then after you added the border you could steam more heavily to soften it up.
My thought is that if you were to kill it before seaming, it may make it harder to manipulate and seam easily. I hope this makes sense. Great article. I would like to steam block and am looking to purchase a garmet steamer. Any advice or recommendations? Thank you! Blocking is very new to me. I am wondering for an accessory bag and headband I made. So for the accessory bag it has a single crochet border so I should block before I put the border on it after?
The same with me headband, block it before I see ends together or after? I would block as closely to the end of the project that you can. Hi Lilly — I answered that question in an e-mail as I was away from my computer when I received it and it was easier to respond via e-mail. I do that all the time…and then forget to update comments. As far as machine washing and drying, I would only do this with acrylic yarns. When you machine wash wool, your project will end up felting and shrinking.
It all depends on the fiber content, but generally you will want to re-block a garment after washing just as you would more delicate store bought garments. What are your thoughts on blocking ribbing? Hi Karyn — You are correct. Blocking acrylic will not be permanent unless you happen to kill it, which then I can see it would lose any elasticity. Can I block it still? Or will washer and dryer do the trick?
If so what settings do I use for the washer and dryer? I blocked a hat and probably overdid it, it is a little bigger than i want, i did not kill it. Can i undo blocking and try again?? HI, I found this article by chance through Google. Thank you for this article. Yes, if the garment is washed it stays pretty like that.
One of the joys of using acrylic yarns. Thanks for the reply! Thank you for taking the time to write this information and for sharing it! It is quite valuable and I will be sure to share it with my knitting friends. We just talked about blocking acrylic and I was told it couldn't be done! Well now I am convinced it can and should be done! Thank you again! I have another question Have you blocked with this type yarn? If yes can you tell me if it reacts the same way or does the cotton completely change how it works?
I had absolutely no idea! This is so cool. I have an acrylic project on needles and the border curls up just it did on your sweater. I'm going to try this.
Thank you thank you thank you! Thanks for great directions! I have read other places how to block the acrylic, and have asked about it, but it is great to have the specifics. Thank you for these clear, encouraging directions. Thank you so much for this! It's going to need some blocking and your answer was awesome and better yet Thank you for this! I just made a scarf with Caron simply soft and tried a very low iron but it was still too hot and it changed the sheen on a small part of it.
I'm glad to know how to do it right and your post made me smile. Good news for me! I'm making a purse that's currently all curly and I was dreading figuring out how to get it flattened out. Hi Linda, Thank you so much for showing proof with your blog! Not only did blocking cure the silly curls, it also enhanced the colours! I love it that you even added a little tip on pinching cables. I am knitting a scarf for my bf who is about 6 ft tall.
I've found a place where acrylic is not a dirty word!!! Wonderful tutorial. Good to see that what Grandma taught has some merit! Thanks for sharing your comment experience today on Ravelry. I really appreciate it, and I enjoyed peeking at your blog! Beautiful background!!! Thank you for sharing this tutorial. I am definitely book marking it so I can refer to it in the future! This will be especially handy when I block baby blankets or squares for blanket projects. Thanks for the tutorial!
It helped me so much! I made it out of Vanna's Choice and it came out gorgeous! Thanks so much - I have been knitting for years and have ruined a couple of scarves and a vest trying to block acrylic yarn. I can't wait to try this with the current scarf I am knitting. Now I just have to find some blocking wires Are there any alternatives?
Great information! If I steam blocked a garmet and "killed it" is there anyway to get it to go back. My problem is a stockinette sweater with garter stitch striped bands at the sleeve and bottom's edge.
Can I save the garter stitch to plump up more or do I need to start over? JaninCA asked "I have another question It will react just the same as if it were. It will stretch as much as you want to block it to I suppose. Both acrylic and wool have a lot of elasticity. I would recommend knitting a 5 foot scarf. My husband is 6 foot 4 and he likes it about that long. I wouldn't stretch it a lot when you block it unless it's lace. Goia asked: "If I steam blocked a garment and "killed it" is there anyway to get it to go back.
Killing actually melts the yarn and destroys it's elasticity. Even if you frog it and reuse the yarn to knit it over, that part of the yarn that is killed will be limp and flat.
You have to really steam a lot to kill acrylic. The weight of an iron put directly on the fabric, even if there's a pressing cloth between, will kill it too. If you just hover for a few seconds, you should be fine. I recently finished a scarf for my son. It curls a lot even though I used garter stitch on both sides and the ends! It actually looks more like a tube than a scarf.
I want to fix this I was so glad to find this post a few months ago and I've been steaming away! What's your preference? Thanks so much for providing such great information. Suggestions on blocking this ruffle which is going to be harder since I can't lay it flat. Groups that I donate to often require acrylic yarn products.
I am so glad that I found this. I've been putting of finishing a scarf just for that reason. But most of the things I was reading did not make sense. Maybe people are just arrogant. I do not have a blocking board. However, I was wondering if doing a waste yarn method on a scarf would work?
And could that method be used being tied around a door. Reason for a door? My steamer leaks if I try to flat steam. I've never tied anything to a door to block it before.
My instinct says no, but I suggest you give it a try. It's the only way you'll know the answer. Personally, I would either lay a sheet out on the floor and use the carpet as a blocking board the sheet would protect the carpet and the project , or use my bed.
I'd use duct tape to plug the leak on the steamer. But that's just me. I come from a long family line of duct tape lovers. Thanks for the great instructions! I had no idea that I should have been blocking all my acrylic projects. Just one question though, should the garment be wet or dry when you steam block it?
Or do you just spray it lightly so that it's damp? Thanks for this info! I've just finished a baby blanket that definitely needs blocking. It's my first try of acrylic blocking, so fingers crossed! Another project I want to start on is a sweater in acrylic, but the pattern is worked in the round.
Could you tell me how to go about blocking it then, as I cannot block the separate parts before seaming as there is no seaming, the reason I love knitting in the round Thanks - Jo from Belgium. Dear Jo from Belgium: Well, obviously it can't be pinned out like pieces knitted flat. I usually just lay the sweater out on my blocking board, making sure there are no wrinkles, and steam it-avoiding the edges so I don't steam in any creases.
There is a blocking device called a Sweater Blocker that is similar to sock blockers for blocking sweaters knit in the round. They are usually made of wood. There is also the Wooly Board, which is also for blocking sweaters. They are adjustable for many sizes. If you plan to knit a lot of sweaters this way, it might be a good thing to get a sweater blocker of some sort. I knew it!! I just made a hex multi colored tote which had some bumps and curves in the wrong places.
I had heard the ole "You can't block acrylic" and didn't know what I was going to do to straighten things out. So I googled it and found your post!! I just pinned it to my ironing board and steamed it and now it is perfect!!! Thank you, thank you!! Hi - I remember my Mum ironing suits by laying them out and putting a wet towel on them and then ironing the towel. Presumably this pushes steam into the fabric below. I've always been wary of blocking acrylic in case I melt something but your post has given me confidence.
Thanks :o. Thanks for the great tutorial. I have never blocked anything before. I usually use acrylic because I am allergic to wool. I am knitting my sis-in-law a sweater and the pieces look really good now.
I can't wait to get it put together and finished. Thanks for the tutorial, but how do I use the blocking wires? Run them through the edges or??? It takes a lot less pins to hold the garment at the size and shape you want with blocking wires than it does with just pins.
You also don't get that scalloped look on the edges that can sometimes occur with pins. Your Steamer is going on my Christmas wishlist. Thanks so much for the blocking instructions and pictures. Instead of using my fingers to pat the fabric flat, I use a small,fuzzy paint roller. I find it works very well without leaving little fingerprints. Thank you much for solving the myth. I just started learning how to block my knits and crochets. I did a very cute owl wall hanging for a friend that had pretty bad curled edges.
Steam blocked it, and now it's all nice and pretty! Much appreciated! Thank you so much for this post. I never tried blocking before since I was also told that Acrylic cannot be block but since I read your post last night, I have been blocking since this morning and it does makes a difference. I am now a fan of blocking!! I'm going to try this at home! And now I know that accrylic is best to be steamed blocked. Another message of gratitude!
A year ago I finished an entrelac baby blanket made--as a kindness to the new mom--out of washable acrylic. But I "knew" acrylic couldn't be blocked so it's sat in the Box o' Shame all this time. Bless you for sharing your wisdom with us!
Thanks so much for this info. But I, too, have some questions: how does one block a ruffle? And how far above the item should one hold the steamer? Anonymous, You asked "How does one block a ruffle? Just be careful you don't burn yourself. Thank you so much for this lesson in blocking!
I've been crocheting in acrylic for 20 years, and I tried blocking for the first time this evening after reading your instructions. Wow, it worked so beautifully! I put a towel down over the carpet and pinned everything right to the floor.
It took some time, but it was worth it! Thanks again, Jenn. Thank u so much for this great explananation of acrylic blocking!! I especially love the photos of the side-by-side it makes things SOO much clearer!! I wil def be visiting a lot more often! I am knitting an acrylic scarf and it is a bit rough.. Should you let acrylic projects air dry or can you put them in the dryer? Thank you SOO much for all this great information.. Thank you so much for this tutorial!!!
I love working in acrylic for babies and small children, but have always just accepted the slightly goofy garments I get when done. On a whim, I searched for blocking acrylic, and your excellent site came up. I am going to block the sweater I just finished.
Mandy, First of all, hair conditioner does nothing for acrylic. Acrylic yarn is not made of animal hair. It's made of a special plastic. I would not bother washing it by hand.
The whole point of using acrylic yarn is that it can be thrown in the washer and dryer. I wash mine on the gentle cycle in warm water and tumble dry on the permanent press cycle. This usually softens up the crustiness of acrylic quite nicely and fluffs it up a bit. I usually steam block before washing, but if the project is visibly soiled I will wash it first, and then block.
Thank you!! I am a fairly new knitter and your response is extremely helpful. I will steam block it and then wash it. I hope it stays flat!
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