How to Block Hand Knits
Article by KarensVariety.com

When you knit, crochet or even sew an article of clothing, blocking is the final touch. If you have ever completed an item and thought that it didn't look quite as good as you thought it should, it probably needs shaping to give it that professional look. As you make your item, it will stretch and skew its shape. Blocking simply means getting the shape even.

Lay your item on an ironing board or padded surface. Have the measurements you require handy to refer to. Begin pinning your item to conform to these measurements. Insert your pins down into the padding. Use pins that do not have plastic heads.

If sections are slightly wider or longer than they should be, push these towards the centre of the garment, if not wide enough, carefully stretch evenly outward from the centre and pin, and if not long enough gently stretch evenly.

Plug in your steam iron, check the setting against the fabric. Do not use an iron on acrylics or synthetics, they can melt. You do not want your iron too hot. Hold your iron just above, but not touching the item and let it steam for a few seconds. Do not rub the iron over the item. If you require a firmer touch, lay a damp cloth on the item (the pins will bend), and set your iron on top of the cloth for a few seconds.

To block synthetics, once it has been pinned, spray it lightly with clean water from a spray bottle and allow it to dry.

Once you have finished blocking, check the measurements again.