Should I block my knitwear once I have finished it? What does blocking mean? Read on to get all your questions about blocking answered!
What does it mean to block knitwear?
Blocking is a finishing technique used in knitting (and sometimes crochet) that involves manipulating the finished piece to achieve its final shape and size. It's called "blocking" because you're essentially shaping or "blocking out" the item to its intended dimensions. Typically it is done with larger garments such as sweaters but we would recommend doing it for any type of knitwear you make such as scarves, hats, socks, sweaters, shirts etc.. Whether your knitwear has texture or is straight stockinette stitch you should block it!
How do you block your knitwear?
Begin by filling a clean bucket of cold water and dunking your knitwear into it. Make sure the entire piece is fully submerged in the water and let it soak for about an hour. After an hour, gently squeeze out the excess water without wringing the piece. If you have a washing machine that just has a spin cycle you can put the piece through that for about two minutes. Then lay the piece flat on a clean towel to dry. At this point you can stretch the piece to the correct measurements if needed. Allow the piece to completely dry before wearing.
What are the benefits of blocking?
The benefits of blocking knitwear are significant. Blocking improves the overall appearance of the sweater by evening out stitches and smoothing the fabric. It also enhances drape and fit, and can even correct minor sizing issues. Unblocked sweaters may have uneven stitches, appear slightly misshapen or bunched, or not fit as well as it could. See the image below where the body of the sweater has been blocked while the sleeve has not. Notice how the sleeve appears a bit more bunched while the body of the sweater is flatter and more even.
While blocking takes a little extra time before you can start enjoying your finished piece, the polished result is well worth the effort!
