can we talk about steam and immersion blocking?

[mamaBlue]

I have blocked by steam two different ways. I either 1) pin out a dry garment and then steamed it an iron and a damp pressing cloth, or 2) I have spritzed my garment with a water bottle and steamed it with an iron and a dry pressing cloth. I have not liked steaming all that much, it didn't really seem to make much of a difference in the look of my work, although I have yet to make anything super delicate like a spiderwebby looking lace shawl, etc.

I have also immersed my garment in water, rolled it in a towel and pinned it flat to dry. That seems to work better for me. I know that some yarn bands do not suggest immersion blocking, but in some cases theres no go reason why not. I think I like it better.

I can have trouble getting my knitting to look as perfect as the pattern photos. Obvoiusly some of that comes from the fact that I have not been knitting since I was 5. Anyone have any good blocking tips? What do you do?

[Rachel]

:lurk

[pamelamama]

I rarely knit stuff that needs blocking!

[CraftyMommaOf2]

i don't really block either. i mainly make soakers and i soak them in my wash, spin them out in the washing machine and lay them on a towel in front of a fan. i have tugged at a couple of them that i thought weren't straight enough in spots. so, i guess i kind of immersion block. :LOL

[Cynthia]

Steam blocking can be great but you need a LOT of steam. As soaker knitters know, it's hard to get wool wet. So when I steam block wool I use a really damp cloth -- wet, really -- and I keep re-moistening it as it dries. If you're steam blocking a more delicate fiber you might not need to blast it as much.

The spray bottle approach doesn't get your item evenly wet, so it doesn't work too well unless you spray it, then put it in a plastic bag and leave it for a few hours so the moisture can distribute itself.

Mostly I immersion block, after I've washed the piece. That way you get any leftover spinning oils or any other grubbiness out of the finished item. Some of my projects take years and have been in all sorts of places (and under all sorts of cats, kids, etc.) before they are finished, so they can really use a wash. And I always wash something delicate like a lace shawl before I block it. Wool is easy to stretch when it's wet; I think you can block lace much further wet than dry, and you can certainly do it more evenly. I'd worry about stressing some of those threads too much if I were severely blocking wool lace when dry but I've never had any trouble when it was wet.

Does this help? If you really get interested in blocking (fitted or complex garments and lace benefit the most, many other things don't need it) you might investigate things like wooly boards, sock stretchers, and blocking wires -- all cool tools to have if you use them.

Cynthia
mother of George (almost 4!) and Charlotte (17 months)

[The Yarnist]

I block prior to seaming. For wool I use the spray and let dry method, for cotton I use steam. After finishing the pieces then I wash and block again.