Blocking Crochet & Blocking Knitting Projects: What You Need to Know

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When it comes to blocking crochet and blocking knitting projects, few things have a bigger impact! “Blocking” in the world of crochet and knitting is a finishing technique that sets the stitches exactly where you want them, shaping the project.

So, if you’ve ever had a project that looked a bit off, and you thought you made a mistake – chances are, it just needed a good blocking to make it look polished.

UPDATED: DECEMBER 20, 2023 BY BRITTANY
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A picture of a blocking mat with a granny square and t-pins.

This guide was created to answer all your questions about blocking crochet and blocking knitting projects. So, if you’re wondering if you have to block your finished projects if blocking is permanent, or what will happen if you don’t block, you’re in the right place.

Here’s a quick overview of the topics we will cover in this article:


How to Block Crochet & Knitting Projects

Blocking is typically done in one main way, although we’ll also discuss a few quicker methods. The more common term you’ll hear is “wet blocking,” and that’ll help you understand the techniques better.

The blocking process happens after you finish your last stitch. You can choose to weave in your ends first or do that part after blocking.

Step 1: Soak your project with lukewarm water.

If you used wool or animal fiber yarn, be extra careful during this process. Agitating, wringing, or scrunching the yarn too much may cause pilling or felting. Hold the project under the faucet or dunk it in a sink.

You can add a bit of wool wash if you’d like, but it’s not required. Some people prefer to spray their project with a spray bottle instead. We’ll talk more about that later.

Step 2: Gently remove excess water.

If you soaked the project in the sink, let the water drain by removing the stopper. Then, squeeze out the excess water.

Folding the project several times and gently pressing it can remove enough water without agitating the fibers too much. You want it to be wet but not dripping.

Step 3: Pin the project on a flat surface.

The goal is to pin it to the size and shape you want it to be after blocking. You have to stretch it for the blocking process to work. If you pin it down without stretching it, it’ll dry in the same position you started, and blocking wouldn’t have worked.

Remember, your goal is to stretch it a bit so the stitches can set in the new position you’re giving them.

Step 4: Allow the project to fully air dry.

This is why the blocking process takes some time. Some acrylic yarns will dry overnight, while some animal fibers can take two days to fully dry.

Regardless, don’t remove the pins until it’s completely dry to the touch. If you remove the pins before it’s fully dried, the blocking effect won’t be as good.

Projects That Can Really Benefit from Blocking

While I generally always recommend blocking your crochet and knitting projects when you’re finished, I recognize that not all project types require blocking. This list isn’t exhaustive, but here are some projects I always block when I finish them.

  • shawls
  • scarves
  • garment panels
  • motifs like granny squares
  • placemats or table runners

To help you decide, think about the shape of the finished project. Does it need crisp, clean edges or corners? If so, blocking will definitely help.

Does your pattern instruct you to block to a certain measurement? If so, don’t skip that step.

When you finish, are you satisfied with what you see? If not, consider if the stitches were more open or the edges a little straighter, would you be happy with it? Blocking will never harm your project (as long as you follow some general guidelines), so if you’re ever in doubt, block.

As great as blocking is, there are projects that never need to be blocked at all. Amigurumi falls into this category.

There are many more that fall into the “can be blocked, but the choice is yours” category. Things like hats, mittens, headbands—objects that tend to stretch when worn can be blocked, but they don’t necessarily require it. Trust your judgment and consider the nature of the project and the look you want to achieve.

What is Steam Blocking?

While wet blocking is the most common way to block crochet and knitting, there are other methods as well. Sometimes you might hear about using a steamer because it’s a faster process. With a steamer, you skip steps 1 and 2 entirely and go straight to step 3, pinning it out. Instead of letting it air dry, you use your steamer to finish the job.

Our experience with steam blocking is much less than wet blocking. Even though it’s quicker, the results don’t seem to be as good, and the block doesn’t hold as long.

You also need to be careful with the yarn because the steam can be a bit too much for certain fibers.

What is Finger Blocking?

Here’s an even quicker method for steam blocking if you’re really short on time: finger blocking. However, it only works in specific situations.

You probably do this already without realizing you’re “blocking.” Pulling on the project in different places to make the stitches go where you want them is essentially finger-blocking. However, if you’ve done this, you know it doesn’t last.

Finger blocking is a temporary fix, but if you pair it with something like a spray wrinkle releaser, it can hold a little longer. Starch products like this will effectively stiffen the yarn to keep it in place, although this may not always be the result you want.

It’s also not something I’d recommend for natural fibers.

What You Need To Block Your Project (and What Items are Optional)

By now, you know wet blocking is a pretty simple process. You soak the project, pin it out, and let it dry. But, as you’d expect, there are many products to help you do all this. Let’s begin with the absolute essentials.

Pins for Blocking

The most crucial thing about a pin used for blocking is the material. After all, it’ll be in contact with water for long periods, and that can lead to rust if you’re not careful. Check the packaging to see if it says “rust-proof,” “rust-free,” or stainless steel. The last thing you want is for your project to get stained with rust.

I prefer T-pins the most because they’re more comfortable to work with than pins with small pinheads. When you’re pushing dozens of these, your fingertips will thank you.

Blocking Boards

This is the surface you’ll use to pin the project, and I’ve tried just about everything, from dedicated crochet and knitting blocking boards to ironing boards and towels on a bed.

Having a spongy, foam-type board is really the best option in my experience. Pins stick in it well (and stay in place), and it’s not affected by water.

Whether you use something specifically made for blocking or something like an athletic flooring tile or those letter blocks your kid has is up to you. They all work pretty much the same.

However, the one big benefit to using a blocking board that’s specifically for crochet and knitting is the grid. This will make blocking shapes and corners much easier. I bought these blocking boards on Amazon a few years ago, and they’ve been great!

Optional Products Used for Blocking

Spray Bottle – If you prefer to skip the soaking step, pin first, then spray with water. You’ll need some kind of spray bottle. Just make sure you fully saturate it so the blocking will be effective.

Blockerslike these you can pick up on Amazon, these nifty little things will no doubt cut down the pinning time, but they also make it a little easier to get perfectly straight edges. It’s like having several pins in one piece.

Blocking Wires like this set on Amazon is perfect for an intricate lace project that needs blocking. You just feed them through the outer edge of the lace pattern and use pins only where you need them.

Starch or Wrinkle Releaser – These products work well for 3D objects you can only finger block, like crochet flowers.

Sock Blockers – Some projects are challenging to block because of the shape, including socks. Wet your socks and slide them onto a sock blocker like these to get the job done.

Wooden Blocking Boards – These are excellent for when you’re working on a big granny square (or other motif) project. Place the bars exactly where you need them and block several motifs at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blocking Crochet and Knitting

Is blocking crochet and knitting permanent?

After taking the extra time to block your project, you might wonder how permanent that change will be. Fortunately, natural fibers will hold the block until they get wet again (so if you wash or re-block it). However, acrylic fibers will only hold the block for a certain amount of time. Eventually, you’ll notice them start to return to their softer shapes, and you may have to block them again.

Do you have to block crochet or knitting projects?

The straightforward answer is no. You don’t have to block if you don’t want to, and in some cases, you won’t have to at all. However, blocking can significantly improve the look of your project, so we think it’s worth investing a little time in.

Should you block your project?

The type of project will help you answer this question. If the pattern instructs you to block to a specific size, then yes, you should. If the project requires straight edges or clean corners, then yes, you probably should block the project.

Can you use an iron on your project or use the steam setting on the iron to steam block?

I strongly advise against using a hot iron on a finished project made with yarn, especially acrylic yarn. The iron can permanently damage your project in a matter of seconds. If you want to steam block, I suggest getting an inexpensive laundry steamer like this one from Amazon. Something like this is definitely the safer choice!

Can you use spray starch for blocking crochet and knitting projects?

I haven’t experienced issues using spray starch on my projects in the past, although I don’t do it often. If you decide to use spray starch, avoid spray starches that need heat to activate. Products like wrinkle releasers can be useful for 3D projects that only need a little help keeping the stitches in place. It’s pretty useful in this case, but I don’t recommend using it to replace the wet blocking process.

What happens if you don’t block your crochet or knitting?

Generally speaking, if you choose not to block your project, nothing bad will happen. However, if your pattern instructs you to block to a certain measurement, you’ll want to follow those instructions. That can be the difference between a project that fits and one that doesn’t. If nothing is noted in the pattern about blocking, and you choose not to block, your project just may look less “polished” than it could if it were blocked.

Can blocking crochet make your project bigger or smaller?

The quick answer is yes and no. Wet blocking stretches the project to allow the stitches to settle into a better position. This will make it slightly bigger. Blocking will never make your project smaller.

Can you block crochet and knitting more than once?

Absolutely. You can block as many times as you want. For natural fiber projects, the second blocking can reverse the effects of the first blocking and “reset” the stitches to the newly blocked position. For projects made with acrylic yarns, the blocking will eventually soften, and you may have to block again.

Can you use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process?

Technically yes, but it’s best to let the project air dry. Speeding up the drying process means less time in the fixed position, which will lead to results that aren’t as good. Plus, you have to think about the yarn and how it will react to hot air being forcefully directed at it. This is a risk I typically just avoid.

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