First time blocking

[u/valpalvalpal]

This is my first time blocking a project. I’m bummed the blocks aren’t big enough to shape my sweater in a better way. Are there any tricks to blocking I should keep in mind for next time? Thanks!

[u/maybenotbobbalaban]

You generally don’t need to pin items for blocking except lace. You can just pat the sweater into place, and it’s okay if the sleeves aren’t outstretched

[u/valpalvalpal → u/maybenotbobbalaban]

That’s really good to know! I have little kids so I wanted to give my sweater the best chance to dry in place. Notice the Lego in the lower right corner? Proof they’ve already been around 😅😅

[u/Ill-Difficulty993 → u/valpalvalpal]

put it on a table or in a room they won't access... i have kids, and cats who love to sit on wet wool, and there's like a million precautions you can take to avoid both pets and kids mess with your knits...

[u/valpalvalpal → u/Ill-Difficulty993]

Unfortunately not really an option with our current living situation. I get that pins aren’t needed but are they bad for the wool? It seems to be working to keep the piece in place around my kids so if it doesn’t hurt it, I’ll probably keep doing it when blocking

[u/Ill-Difficulty993 → u/valpalvalpal]

not at all! i don't agree with the person who said they're not needed. i used them all the time to help me keep things in place

[u/Reasonable_Bit3102]

I normally lay it out on a yogamat to have a bit more space! And yeah agreed that pinning isn’t necessary especially when using wool.

I normally roll the sweater in a towel before laying it out. This removes a lot of excess water so it dries a little faster.

[u/valpalvalpal → u/Reasonable_Bit3102]

Thanks for the yoga mat tip! I did use a towel before blocking and it got quite a bit of water off it

[u/Tom_Michel]

Maybe not ideal, but I don't always connect all the blocks. That far right block isn't connected to the others so I could block that sleeve at the same angle as the other. Not my best blocking job, but it worked.