17 March 2012

Tutorial: Blocking Acrylic Yarn

I work with Acrylic yarn a lot.  And for some reason, I feel the need to justify this to you.  I'll just say that Acrylic lends itself well to the type of projects I tend to make (e.g. 8-bit game crochet, miscellaneous items that need to be durable, etc.).  Furthermore, I rarely ever make any sort of garment, thereby making it not economically nor practically favorable to work with cellulose or natural fibers.  Lastly, there's that small part of my 12-year-old self that sort of loves the squeaky, grossly-colored variegated yarns of mismatched and puke-styled purples and greens and says I couldn't ever possibly let go of acrylic yarns.

I've almost finished a knitting project made entirely of acrylic yarn.  Honestly, I make many things without finishing them properly and I normally regret not putting in that little bit of extra time to make it look more professional.  This time, I'm doing it right; I'm finishing my knitted project off by blocking each individual square, and I am sharing the tutorial with you.

Everyone has a slightly different method they prefer for blocking yarn.  In fact, some people will argue with you that blocking acrylic yarn should NEVER be done.  But, I believe in lightly blocking acrylic.  Keep in mind that your blocking will be permanent.  I've tried using steam before, and I find that with the yarn I use (most often Red Heart, and Loops & Threads Impeccable), this ends up making the yarn really flat, shiny, and scratchy.  Also, you can use this method for blocking other types of materials too!


Here is my method for how to Block Acrylic Yarn:




Make your own Blocking Materials:


     Materials: Foam core board, ruler, craft knife, thin batting, scissors, tape.     

1.    Measure the foam board to the size you'd like your finished pieces to be. My squares were each to be 10"x10".
2.    Cut the piece out of the foam board.
3.    Lay the board atop a thin layer of batting, and cut the batting leaving a couple of inches overhanging on all sides.
4.    Fold a side of the batting over the board and tape it down.
5.    Fold and tape the remaining sides of batting over the board, keeping the batting taut as you go.
6.    The front of the blocking board is the side completely covered in batting.




Blocking Acrylic Yarn:


     Materials:  Blocking square, T-pins, Spray Bottle with water, material to block. 

1.    Lay the material to be blocked onto the blocking board face-up.
2.    Start by pinning the piece of material on all corners, stretching it out evenly.  T-pins are my favorite to use for this.
3.    Now pin the centers of each side.
4.    Continue placing pins on all of the sides, interspersing them between the existing pins until the piece appears as desired. (I used 32 pins total.)
5.    Spray the piece lightly with water until semi-damp.
6.    Blot the material with a dry rag to remove some of the water.  Then, wait until dry and remove the pins.  Ta-da!



Before and After

Here are all of the before and after pictures so you can see beneficial the blocking was:

So, the next time you're working on a project and think that it'll be too difficult to block it, just try this method!  It's fast, works well, and doesn't leave your project feeling scratchy or looking gross.

Let me know if you've tried this or you have any other favorite methods for blocking!

66 comments:

  1. thanks for sharing !!!
    your beautiful fabric collections

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  2. great, thanks very much!! I have about 20 large squares waiting to be blocked, but I've been putting it off, because I wasn't sure how to do it! I'm off to buy some foam...

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    1. Yay! So glad to hear it. Good luck with your project!

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    2. Hi, sorry I realise this isn't what you usually make, but do you know if it's possible to stretch an acrylic beanie hat? And if so, how to do it? Thanks, Hayley

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    3. I was recommended to this site, but it's too late:( I had already Blocked my Acrylic, the wrong way, I used a damp cloth and a steam iron and, I have been told that this melted the Acrylic. I am devastated, my work has gone all flat, and I have been working on it since Christmas, and hoped to sell it. Does anyone have any ideas??

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    4. 1200 Centigrade, what about getting some glitter spray, and lightly coating it. It might camouflage the melted shiny look. It wont make it bounce back, but it could make it look like it is supposed to be that way!
      Good luck!

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  3. Thanks for sharing. This is awesome and it looks so easy. Found you via pinterest

    Christine @ projectsaroundthehouse.blogspot.com

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  4. Er, do you have any idea where to get thin batting? I barely know what it is haha!

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    1. I purchased my thin batting at Hobby Lobby, but you should be able to find some near the fabric section of any craft store that sells some quilting supplies. It's normally used to fluff up quilts and such.

      Here is a link for an example of batting: http://www.onlinefabricstore.net/quilting/quilt-batting/polyester-quilt-batting/buffalo-batt-light-weight-polyester-quilt-batting-.htm

      Hope this helps-- thanks for stopping by!

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  5. Do you have a method for blocking 3-D items? I have always wanted to give my hats and booties a more finished look, but haven't figured out a good way. I'm wondering if there is a way to modify your technique to work.

    www.facebook.com/MEMamaCreations

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    1. I don't often block 3-D items, mostly out of pure excitement to wear them and not completely finish them. I've heard that you can block hats by slipping them an upside-down bowl, or placing it over a water balloon filled to an appropriate size and placed in a bowl for support. Here is a helpful link for blocking hats: http://community.knitpicks.com/notes/Blocking_-_Hats.

      As far as blocking booties--I would probably cut a few templates of the foot and ankle size out of foam, and then stack 3 or 4 together with glue to form a 3-D pattern.

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    2. What about getting one of those polystyrene heads? You could pin straight on to it and let is dry in position.

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  6. I had no idea that you could block acrylic using this method. Thank you for sharing!

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  7. You shouldn't feel ashamed about using acrylic yarn. There are a lot of great acrylic yarns out there and they are, as you say, durable and washable. Plus they don't make you itch!

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  8. Forgive my ignorance, but how does it wear with washing? Does it retain its shape?

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    1. Luckily I've been so lazy that I haven't put my blocks together yet, so I went ahead and threw one of each of them into the washer/dryer to check. The blocks retained their shape just fine for me; no more blocking was needed for my purposes. This is just my experience though. Thanks for asking!

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  9. I have a really stupid question. Please go easy on me. Why do you need to block?

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    1. Blocking can do a lot of different things for your knitting. Blocking can help shape your piece to a desired figure, it can help even out the natural unevenness that occurs due to variations in tension from your knitting. Blocking can help flatten out a work of knitting that is lumpy or somehow misshapen. It is a form of finishing often done on knitted or crocheted work to improve the overall look of the project.

      Hope this helps!

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  10. jessica,
    i'm so happy to have found your blog. this article contains very useful information that i want to share with the readers of my blog. i've featured your article on my blog in an article that will publish on november 3, 2012.
    jd in st louis
    http://crochet.craftgossip.com

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    Replies
    1. So glad you enjoyed the article. I sincerely appreciate the feature!

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  11. As I'm new to the whole knitting/crochet world. This is probably the reason that my dish cloths that were once a good size have now shrunk to a very small (not able to fold) size. I need to block the rest, that I haven't used or gifted. Thanks so much for the lesson in blocking. It's truly opened my eyes!!!

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  12. Do you have to re-block each time you wash something?

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    1. Not from my experience. Often, throwing your knitting or crocheted pieces in the washer also helps even out stitching and issues from tension.

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  13. Awesome, thanks for sharing! I have an 8-ft scarf I want to block, so I think I'll try this method. :)

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  14. thanks! i'll have to do that. i just started crocheting and have used some acrylic yarn, but i've never blocked any type of yarn before. the pictures help :)

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  15. I saw the link on Craft Gossip. Think, next time I will try this one. Usually I steam the piece with steam iron,but making sure the iron is not touching the crochet. I keep the iron just above the crochet and let the steam work on it. Then pin the damp piece to the ironing board to the shape and let dry. The wet blocking you suggested makes more sense. I think, I saw the batting at Walmart. Another expense to my hobby, but i think, my scarves will look more better with this method.

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  16. I am so glad I found your post! I'm almost done knitting a Log Cabin Blanket, and the squares are a good size, but they do need that finishing look. I use acrylic yarn because it's cheaper haha!, but the tutorial for the blanket calls for natural fibers and steaming for blocking. It sounded like a lot of work so I am very excited to find an easier alternative. Now after all of that, what are the patterns you used on your pieces in this tutorial? I love the green and the blue square!

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  17. Thanks so much for the tip, I like acrylic for the same reasons as you do ;) besides I am not wasting my time knitting/crocheting for my friends who do not know the difference and have them ruin a good wool in the washer...I will def give it a world... thanks again

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  18. That is soooo awesome!!!
    One question - you say above that this is permanent, so if I were to wash the piece the blocking will stay? Or would I have to block it again?
    Thank soo much!!!

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    1. Sorry, I guess I should have read through the other comments - no need to reply to my comment, I see where you have replied to others on this question.
      Thank you!!!

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  19. Quick question...I am blocking acrylic for the first time using this method...and I find that the squares still shrink a little...is this normal?

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  20. OMG thanks to someone on the Knitting Help forum for showing me this page, I now have some help in blocking Acrylic yarn! Thanks!

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  21. This is fantastic! Thank you so much, acrylic yarn is pretty well all I work with. Like you, mostly Red Heart. I also tend to work in stockinette stitch a lot so my pieces are forever curling on the ends, this should fix that! Thanks!!

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  22. Why do you have to use the batting? Can't I just pin it directly into the foam board? This may sound stupid, but I am just wondering!

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  23. Ok so I tried this just using the foam board and it works just fine! Thanks so much for this, I am now really excited about the project I am working on! (I know I am bad I bought more yarn instead of the batting). Can you ever have enough yarn!?!

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  25. Thanks for the tutorial! I wondered about washing and noticed the answer in another comment. I use synthetic yarn for a lot of projects. I hate to give a mile long list of washing instructions with a gift. People can be so snobbish about yarn. Who cares as long as the look and feel is what you want?

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  26. Thank you so, so much for this! I just finished a triangle shawl/scarf in acrylic and it needs to be blocked desperately, and I found the link to this tutorial. Now to go block the shawl...

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  27. Sounds so easy and money saving! Can you make a foam block of any size to form a block without shrinking?

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    Replies
    1. I cello-taped 2 pieces of foam block together to form a 10 ins one and it worked fine.

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  28. Can you go about the method you've described with a much larger acrylic item? (A poncho to be exact.)

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    1. I was wondering this exact thing. I just finished a poncho and I was wonder how the heck I would block it. It is my first item of clothing(other than scarves/hats). Very interested in any tips.

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  29. I am sold on this method! Just used it on a cowl and it is so much improved. My husband said it looks like it came from a store...not sure that's a compliment ;-)

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  30. I've just knitted a baby blanket and needed to block 20 squares. Using this method it was so easy and I just used the foam block without the batting. So glad I found this tutorial as I didn't fancy the steaming method.

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  31. Hi, I want to block my scarf which measures about 6ft. Will I have to make a foam board measuring this length?

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  32. For anyone reading this, you don't have to use the exact materials listed for the blocking board. You can block on a mattress (if you don't have some kind of special cover on it that would be ruined--I do, so I don't use this method), or you can get those foam squares that fit together like puzzle pieces and are often used as a floor cover. Just get a special set that WON'T be used on the floor and mark them in some way and you can fit them together to suit any shape you need. I've seen commercial blocking boards made of similar material, but just getting the blocks that aren't labeled for craft work is way cheaper. (MAN do they like to gouge us crafters.)

    By the way you can block any blockable fiber like this. It doesn't have to be acrylic.

    T-pins work best for pinning. If you're ever in the market for blocking WIRES, they can help a lot with lacy pieces too.

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  33. I have a really big blanket made of acrylic using the ten stitch blanket pattern (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ten-stitch-blanket) which causes it to be huge by time im done what do i do? I don't know how to block the whole thing and its different weights and maybe some different fibers but its mostly acrylic how do i block this

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  34. if you block with steam and you press iron on your acrylic, then it would be shiny, flat etc. Trick is do NOT make any contact, just steam and patience. Works well for me. I tried use just water, but blocking is slower to dry and if you have big garments.. steam is a lot quicker and because blocking any method is permanent, then I can let steam blocked sweater just hanging anywhere to let dry. I prefer acrylic for garments also.. some need to be durable, need to washed often and some people just cant be bothered to wash delicate yarns like mohair, silk etc.

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  35. Hi Jessica

    This is a super way of teach kids to block their crochet and knitting projects. I am putting a book together to teach students to knit and crochet. I would like your permission to use your tutorial for blocking in the book. Kindly let me know. My e-mail address is polymerprofiles@gmail.com. Kind Regards Trudie van Dyk

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  36. I'm glad I found this as I had been originally linked to Expression Fiber Arts for blocking info and she claims you cannot block acrylic. Which worried me since the shawl I'm working on is made from acrylic. I'm thinking she's just biased towards natural fibers lol.

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  37. I have found a cheap way to block my knitting creations. I bought foam, interlocking floor squares ( come in a 4 pack) for $12 Australian ( much cheaper than a professional blocking mat which is very expensive) and use long pins to anchor my knitting which I have washed in cool water post finishing, rolled up in a towel to absorb excess water and then blocked. I cover the foam squares with a towel. The foam squares hold up well and don't seem to show the pin marks post removal and even when interlocked, lay nice and flat. The result is a beautifully finished, hand knitted work.

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  38. Hi! I was curious as to whether or not your way of blocking acrylic yarns is good for getting rid of the extreme fuzziness that tends to happen when knitting with acrylic yarn? I love the colors that lionbrand yarn has and have made a few scarves with it, but they always end up being so fuzzy and frizzy afterwards! Is this just something that I will have to deal with or will blocking your way help? I tried to steam block them and failed miserably and the way you did it seems so much easier! Thanks!

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    1. I haven't Really had problems with acrylic yarn becoming fuzzy but I think steaming it is a no no as it changes the fibers. Just try cool wetting, spread out on towel, roll up to absorb excess moisture and then block with pins to desired shape and let dry naturally. I se the interlocking floor squares of rubber you can buy, cover with a towel and the pons are easily secured into the board through the towel.
      Hope this helps.

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  39. I wish your method would help me. A year ago I knit a mid-length coat, a rather complicated pattern and expensive acrylic yarn (yes, there is such a thing). Since I've been knitting for almost 60 years but am rather new ~ 10 years - to blocking. I did a lot of research before I even pinned it to block, using your exact method, all to no avail. Edges still curled, shaping sprang back to its original shape - all in all a failure. I tried a few variations, but no luck.

    Last week I came across a different method: spray lightly and use a steam iron or a hair dryer at least 2" above the item, while patting the garment to work it smooth. With everything else that has failed, I figure it's worth a try. Oh, and I am knitting a 12"x12" piece to try first. Can't hurt. I'll let you know how it goes. It'll be a while though.

    I am glad to see that you're still encouraging blocking acrylic. Something WILL work for me!

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  40. Can you please tell me the method to block a hat?

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  41. Greetings from Indonesia! Best compliments and wishes for your beautiful artworks. Also, thank you very much for your like on “Acrylic”, “Wooden” and for visiting my art activities on https://jasaneonboxsignwoodensteelmetal.wordpress.com

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  42. When you make this blocking board, can it be reused???

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    1. I've not made one, but I noticed some ladies are making it with the foam only. That should be able to be reused.

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  43. Excellent tutorial. You make it look easy. Thank you!

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