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KnitIQ Blocking Mats for Knitting - Extra Thick Blocking Boards with Grids, 100 T-pins and Storage Bag for Needlework or Crochet - Pack of 9 | Set for Knitting?
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I ordered these from Amazon: KnitIQ Blocking Mats for Knitting - Extra Thick Blocking Boards with Grids with 100 T-pins and Storage Bag for Needlework or Crochet - Pack of 9 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FVI1IGK/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_tvpeEbTAVH7YF
They come in a nice storage bag with pins, too!
These are the ones I have. I like foam because it's easy to stick pins in it. Pinholes do remain though, it's not self-healing like cutting mats. The surface on mine also doesn't mind pieces that are saturated in fabric starch (I make 3d flowers, jewelry and appliques for towel toppers that need to be able to stay vertical and not flop over).
If you need more than 9 another set is definitely compatible. Also it has grid lines in case you need to pin things along a straight line (e.g. granny square, etc.) Blocking mats are a great investment.
In the future, grab some of the puzzle piece blocking mats like these. The beauty of them is that you can pin an FO to them then stand the mats up and lean them against a wall to avoid cats laying on them. It works with all but really heavy objects like blankets.
In the US, on Amazon, I fund and bought these. Nine squares plus pins for $40. Worked great for steam blocking a large blanket.
My only complaint so far is that the little plastic box of T-pins has a crack in the lid.
If you knit or crochet, they're also used for blocking things after they're washed so that they will become and remain the right shape. These pins are much stronger than straight pins and they're pushed into blocking boards that are much like cushy play carpet squares for children.
I stretched a friend's wool sweater that she'd accidentally thrown in the dryer and shrunk into a size small back into a large by letting it soak in Eucalan and cool water overnight and then rolling it into a fresh towel to get the excess water out, and then stretching the hell out of with the help of T-pins and welding TIG-rods that I sanded the points off (way cheaper than blocking wires.)
These are the blocks I like best Once it dried, it was wearable once again.
Ok so I hear you on this. Technically Google could answer, but when I decided to start blocking some of my work, I wanted to know what actual people were using. So I completely get it. 🙂 Here’s what I use to pin my work down- you do this to kind of ~encourage~ some of your work into the final shape that you want it to be:
And to wet my work once it’s been pinned down, I use one of these little spray bottles (I use warm water because I find it tightens fibers up a bit more, but that’s just my personal opinion):
You don’t need to block all of your work- I tend to only block my work if I’ve used higher end yarn (such as Sheepjes) or natural fibers, like cotton, which do respond really well to blocking. Blocking will help straighten out wonky edges in pieces like shawls or cardigans, where you do tend to want to have nice crisp edges. For things like hats and amigurumi, I don’t block.
I’m so excited for you!! You’re going to have so much fun, and you’re going to be absolutely shocked how far along you’ll be in just a month! 🙂
Amazon! KnitIQ Blocking Mats for Knitting https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FVI1IGK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_TgxlBbA0QT6C8 are a a square foot each. I actually need to buy another set or two for bigger projects .
KnitIQ Blocking Mats for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FVI1IGK?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
Hear's the Amazon link.
So my blocking mats aren’t big enough, so I fold my shawls in half with a hanger in the fold (so it’s really straight) then I use these knit blockers. Finally, I steam block using my steamer. Here’s a photo so you get the idea, plus my cat is sitting on it, because he really likes sitting on damp knitting?
Thank you! I got them on Amazon.
basically, you soak your garment in water for ~15 min, gently squeeze out the water, and lay it flat to dry. the stitches relax as it dries and this often makes the finished piece a little bigger. i haven't invested in blocking mats yet, so i just lay my project out on some towels, sometimes i pin it in place. it makes a much bigger difference for some fibers than others. blocking wool and cotton in my experience makes a huge difference, but blocking acrylic, not so much.
this video is fantastic as an intro to knitting gauge and blocking swatches to help you get a good fit for your finished project. happy knitting 😁
Well in spite of the fact that it sounds like the shawl really was trying to fight you on its creation, it looks gorgeous!
If you are interested, these blocking mats from KnitIQ helped satisfy the Type A part of me that gets frustrated by crooked blocking. They're thicker than other mats and the lines don't smudge when wet (I read some nightmare reviews on a few other similar products from different brands). I have two sets and used them to block my Morticia shawl (also by BooKnits), and will definitely be getting a third because as you can see in my picture, given the size of some these lace shawls, I had to do some creative arrangement of the mats. But just start with one, if you're curious, to see how you like them.
KnitIQ. I purchased them from Amazon.
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