What is blockage?
Blocking is used to give a project its final, defined shape. It evens out the tension that was created while crocheting the piece.
How do I block a project?
1. The bath
In a sink, soak the knitted item in cold water and soap (preferably a soap specifically designed for natural fibers like Eucalan). Avoid the washing machine: it could damage your delicate project.
2. The wringing
After 15 minutes in the bath, wring out your project by squeezing it with your hands, then wrap it in a towel to remove excess water.
3. The blockage
Lay your project out on a foam mat. Then shape it and pin it in place. You can use regular sewing needles or blocking combs (available in craft stores).
4. Drying
Leave your project on this mat until it is completely dry. Use a fan to speed up the process.
5. Carrying
Once dry, you can put away your mat and pinning pins. Your project won't need blocking anymore since the fibers will keep their shape… even after another wash! (Wonderful!) Your shawl is now ready to wear. Show it off proudly to all your friends.
What to block?
Officially, it's said that only natural fibers can be blocked: cotton, alpaca, merino, etc. However, some projects made with synthetic fibers (acrylic) can also take on a more defined shape after blocking. The result won't be as impressive as with natural fibers, but there can be a noticeable improvement.
Also, the finer the yarn, the more significant the blocking will be. It's rather difficult to do this treatment with very thick yarn, like bulky yarn.
Attention!
This process will stretch your project: it will be larger after blocking. It's therefore important to plan for this before you begin knitting. For a shawl, the size isn't really critical, but if you're making a sweater, it will be important to knit a gauge swatch and take the blocked result into account when calculating your measurements.
Good blocking!
A big thank you to Joanie Giguère for the photos of her Horizon shawl !
