How to Block Knitting Projects

Instructions and Tips for How to Block Knitting Projects using wet blocking, spray blocking, and steam blocking.

Once you’ve finished knitting your blanket, scarf, throw, washcloth, sweater, or other knit project, you need and want to block it. Sure, you could get away with not blocking, but after all the work you’ve put into it, don’t you want it to look its best? Especially if you are giving your knit project as a gift. Blocking your knitting does make a big difference in how your finished project looks, making it more finished and professional-looking.

The image below shows the front and back of my Christmas Tree pillow. Blocking it before sewing it together ensured that my seams would be the same size. Even though I cast on the same number of stitches for each piece, variations in tension can cause slight differences in the seam length. Blocking not only evens out loose and tight stitches but allows me to dry it to the size it needs to be.

Why Should You Block Your Knitting?

Blocking your knitting project does several things:

1. It evens out the stitches; if you knit one stitch too tight and another too loose, blocking helps everything even out. Blocking is especially necessary if you have a stitch pattern. Eyelets will pop much more after blocking as the lace opens up.
2. Blocking will set your knit project to its appropriate size. This is especially important when you will be seaming two knit pieces together, as in a sweater. By blocking them before you seam them, you can ensure that they are the same size.
3. Blocking helps create straight edges. That being said, if your stockinette is curling because you don’t have an adequate edge, blocking will not permanently fix that.

There are Three Blocking methods: Wet Blocking, Steam Blocking, and Spray Blocking.

Wet Blocking

The wet blocking process is best for natural fibers and animal fibers like wool, cashmere, merino, and linen. I also wet block my cotton as well, but you do need to be careful that you don’t stretch it as cotton is very inelastic. Many knitters prefer steam-blocking their cotton knit projects, but since most of my cotton projects are baby blankets, they need to be washed anyway.

I almost exclusively wet-block because I like to give my finished knit projects a good wash before I use them or give them away. You wash or soak your knit project with wet blocking per the yarn label instructions. After soaking the knit piece, you shape and pin it to its desired shape and size.

Materials Necessary for Wet Blocking Your Knitting

• Wool Wash, I like to use Eucalan No-Rinse Wool Wash. Not only does it not require rinsing, but the Eucalyptus and Lavender scents repel moths. Eucalan is good for both wool and other animal and plant fibers.
• A clean sink, tub, or basin
• Towels – Absorbent, clean towels preferably in a white or light color
• Blocking Pins / T-Pins – stainless steel pins that don’t rust
• Knit Blocking Mats or another blocking surface. I really like my Knit IQ Blocking Mats, but you could also use foam mats, a yoga mat or a makeshift blocking board by laying a plastic sheet over a spare bed or the floor and then laying towels over that. I did the makeshift thing for many years before I purchased the Blocking Mats, they were an expense well worth it if you knit frequently. The grid lines on the mat are very helpful, otherwise, you will a tape measure to make sure you block to the right size. I have two sets of the mats so that I can block my blankets.
• Pattern or the shape and desired dimensions of the finished project.
• Blocking Wires or String are useful for lace knitting, shawls, and sweaters.
• Sock Blockers for socks

How to Wet Block

With both Steam Blocking and Spray Blocking, you shape and pin your work onto your blocking mat before you dampen it.

Steam Blocking

Steam Blocking is useful for acrylic yarn and cotton yarn, if you are concerned that your cotton will stretch with wet blocking, when your fabric doesn’t need much stretching or when you only need to block a small area of your knit project.

Materials Necessary for Steam Blocking Your Knitting

• Steam Iron or Steamer
• A flat, heat-resistant blocking surface like an ironing board, countertop, or knit blocking mat.
• Blocking Pins / T-Pins – stainless steel that doesn’t rust
• Pattern or the shape and desired dimensions of the finished project.
• Blocking Wires or String are useful for lace patterns, lace shawls, and some sweaters.

How to Steam Block

• If you aren’t using a blocking mat, make sure your surface is covered with a heavy blanket or towel for protection.
• Lay out your knitted piece on your surface, pinning it to the shape or desired final dimensions.
• Set your iron to its steam setting and hold it an inch above your knitted piece and press steam. Be very careful to not let the hot iron touch your knit fabric.
• While the fabric is slightly damp from the steam, use your hands to form the fabric to its desired shape and size.
• Let the fabric cool completely before removing pins.

Spray Blocking

Alpaca, angora, silk, bamboo, acrylic fabric, and other synthetic fibers work well with spray blocking. Spray blocking is best with delicate fibers and knit pieces that don’t need much stretching or shaping.

Materials Necessary to Spray Block Your Knitting

• Spray bottle with clean, cold water
• A flat blocking surface like an ironing board, countertop, or knit blocking mat.
• Blocking Pins / T-Pins – stainless steel that doesn’t rust
• Pattern or the shape and desired dimensions of the finished piece.
• Blocking Wires or String are useful for lace patterns, a lace shawl, or a sweater.

How to Spray Block

• If you aren’t using a blocking mat, make sure your surface is covered with a heavy blanket or towel for protection.
• Lay out your knitted piece on your surface, pinning it to the shape or desired final dimensions.
• Use your spray bottle to mist the fabric until both sides are damp.
• While the fabric is slightly damp, use your hands to form the fabric to its desired shape and size.
• Let the fabric cool completely before removing pins.

Is Blocking Your Knitting Necessary?

Honestly, there is no rule that says you have to block. But you just went through all the time and effort to create a beautifully knit piece, surely you can take a few minutes to really finish it off nicely.

Do You Have to Block Your Knitting Every Time You Wash it?

No, but you will have to reshape your knit piece and let it dry flat after each wash.

Should You Weave in Your Ends Before Blocking?

Yes! Always weave in your ends before blocking as the blocking process will lock the loose ends in place.

Can You Make a Knit Piece Bigger by Blocking?

No, well…technically you could stretch a knit piece. But you will stretch it out of shape if you try to make it much bigger.

How Long Does it Take to Block Knit Pieces?

It will take you about 30 – 40 minutes from when you start soaking your knit piece until it is fully pinned on your blocking mat. Then, depending on the humidity, it will take a day or two to fully dry on your knit blocking mat.

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