Blocking

[Shandeh]

Just wondering, when you launder finished item, do the squares try to return to their original wrong size or loopy shape or do they sort of same like they were after they were blocked because now they have been anchored in place with adjoining squares? The only things that I have kept for myself are some crocheted wool socks. After I have worn them a few times the heels get stretched out of shape, but after they are washed they return to original size, though of course they were never blocked at all. Wondering what this acrylic yarn does.

In my experience, the items will stretch with use, but will spring back into shape after washing and drying.

As you mentioned, the seams will hold everything in place....so that helps.

By the way, I always wash my hand knitted and hand crocheted items in COLD water, on the DELICATE cycle. And I dry them on the DELICATE cycle as well. I want to baby my hand created items, so they will last for a very long time.

[iheartjava]

Just finished clue #2 motifs, and decided I better get started on blocking some of these squares. I followed the pin and towel method and got 2 squares blocked from week 1. I had to do some tugging and stretching to get the squares to fit correctly. When they were all done and dry though, they feel thinner than the other ones not blocked and clue #2's motifs. Is this normal? When I did my gauge before I began the CAL, I needed to go down to a G hook. My squares were a little off, but not too bad. For the 2nd clue I saw everyone was having issues with sizing, so I used my H hook and they were right on. I won't have to block much for these pieces. Will the finished product be odd with some thinner than others, or am I just blocking wrong? I almost wonder if I should scrap all of week one's squares and start over with the H hook... I am very confused!

Sorry for the detailed question. This is my first time doing this

[Shandeh]

Just finished clue #2 motifs, and decided I better get started on blocking some of these squares. I followed the pin and towel method and got 2 squares blocked from week 1. I had to do some tugging and stretching to get the squares to fit correctly. When they were all done and dry though, they feel thinner than the other ones not blocked and clue #2's motifs. Is this normal? When I did my gauge before I began the CAL, I needed to go down to a G hook. My squares were a little off, but not too bad. For the 2nd clue I saw everyone was having issues with sizing, so I used my H hook and they were right on. I won't have to block much for these pieces. Will the finished product be odd with some thinner than others, or am I just blocking wrong? I almost wonder if I should scrap all of week one's squares and start over with the H hook... I am very confused!

Sorry for the detailed question. This is my first time doing this

Well, since you had to tug and stretch the Clue 1 squares to make them fit, that would explain why they are thinner now. Maybe it would help to make a square with an H hook, just to see how it blocks in comparison to the others. I know you want your blanket to be beautiful, so it's worth giving it a try.

[dogfoster]

I have never blocked acrylic much before and came across this site that I thought was very helpful.
http://beadknitter.blogspot.com/2009/03 ... rylic.html
My question was does the item retain its shape after blocking after washing. Apparently it does.
" If your gauge is just a little bit off so the piece is a little too small, you can stretch it out to where it's supposed to be. The change will be permanent once the blocking is complete."

[Shandeh]

I have never blocked acrylic much before and came across this site that I thought was very helpful.
http://beadknitter.blogspot.com/2009/03 ... rylic.html
My question was does the item retain its shape after blocking after washing. Apparently it does.
" If your gauge is just a little bit off so the piece is a little too small, you can stretch it out to where it's supposed to be. The change will be permanent once the blocking is complete."

Great tutorial!

[joaniebeadgood]

I had this from when my son did a lot of macrame and it works well as a blocking board (it's a corrugated cardboard sandwich design) has a grid marked on it already and is cheap enough that you could buy several for multiple square blocking.
http://www.amazon.com/Pepperell-Braidin ... 457&sr=1-1

[Shandeh]

I had this from when my son did a lot of macrame and it works well as a blocking board (it's a corrugated cardboard sandwich design) has a grid marked on it already and is cheap enough that you could buy several for multiple square blocking.
http://www.amazon.com/Pepperell-Braidin ... 457&sr=1-1

Awesome!

[SuesOriginals]

I finished the motifs for clue #2 and started those for #3 and just measured my motifs. They are WAY less than the 11" suggested. I made the squares using a J hook and they were just a tiny bit smaller. Is there any way to do it without ripping them all out?

Sue

[kerby]

OK. I'm feeling a bit lost and so new at this, when I haven't had any issues w/ the patterns yet. LOL

I am a very consistent crocheter (which is generally a good thing), no matter how much I try to loosen or tighten my stitches to make them the right size. ACK!

My dilemma, especially w/ this, isn't so much whether or not my pieces will work together throughout or even the finished size. I just truly want to understand this.

I started the first square w/ the H hook, but it's way too small for the template. So, I made one in I, then J, and then K. At what point do I stop. (And, these aren't too tight, either.) I think I could probably make one w/ an L hook, even. (That one would probably fit w/out stretching it at all, but I really don't want to use that size for all my pieces. I would rather not use the K even.)

Am I the only one who has had to go to the K hook for size???


How do you block? Why is this done?

Thanks for your help - and understanding. LOL

K

[Shandeh]

Am I the only one who has had to go to the K hook for size???

No, you are not the only one. Several forum members have had to change to a much larger hook for this blanket. It is designed to be crocheted loosely, so the motifs will lay flat and open.

How do you block? Why is this done?

Blocking will make your motifs the right size, and will help in making them look flat and smooth. It will also open up the lace design in the motifs, making them look even nicer.

There is a very good discussion already going about blocking. It would be best for you to read through that, instead of me explaining all the details about blocking here. You'll find some photos there, that will help in understanding.

Here it is: viewtopic.php?f=191&t=1643