Big Pile O’ Knit
As you’ve probably noticed, I love to knit. However, I’m not particularly enamored with the finishing that usually accompanies the knitting. And the finishing technique I despise most of all is blocking.
Some people love it; I find it stressful. Mostly because I’m paranoid one side of my finished piece will be a fraction longer than the other side.
Need proof of my aversion to blocking?
Yup, I have no fewer than 5 completed projects that just need blocking. And they’re not all lace projects, either. Scoop du Jour can’t be assembled and finished until the knitted pieces are blocked.
At least I’ve made a start on that:
I also have two scarves I knit up this week which both need a nice wet block.
And while I was searching for my blocking wires and forked pins, I uncovered a Grinda scarf and a rather large shawl (of my own design), both of which I barely recall knitting but both of which also just need blocking.
So what’s a grrl to do while Scoop du Jour hogs the blocking board?
Why, knit a neck warmer and a pair of baby socks, of course:
Pattern: Chevron Neck Warmer by Veronik Avery
Yarn: Kathmandu Aran (color 153)
Time to Knit: one night (fast and easy)
Pattern: Pieces of Eight Baby Socks
Yarn: Crystal Palace Maizy (a blend of corn fiber and elastic)
Time to Knit: an evening
FYI–The Maizy yarn was nice to knit with and the finished socks are soft and stretchy. But the dye from the yarn bled all over my fingers.
I got a nice email from Crystal Palace saying they’ve had trouble with the darker colors crocking. Just a heads up.
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Susan | knitting, shawls, lace, scarves
Well I guess there’s no question whether you’re a process knitter anymore
Seriously Susan, think of all the handknits you could be wearing!
Umm, I guess you don’t like blocking? Seriously, that’s crazy, 5 projects. Block on!
I can just picture you obsessively measuring to make sure the blocking is completely even. I say, “done is better than perfect” and you should just do it.
I’ve never blocked anything before so I can’t give an opinion but… I LOVE the neck warmer. It’s 10F this morning in Michigan so a neck warmer sounds absolutely divine!
I’m more of a “close enough” blocker myself. I figure what the hell, as long as the sleeves are within an inch or so I should be fine. I can always shrug one shoulder slightly all day long if I have to.
At least you’re NOW making progress. It’s separation anxiety, me thinks.
I think I have blocking board envy!
Boy, can I identify. I have several things waiting for blocking (mostly lace). This is the beginning of a stash, you know?
I have several other stashes, too. Of course there is the stash of yarn. Then I became a spinner, and now there is a stash of spun yarn — mostly sweater lots. And naturally a stash of spinning fibers. And the stash of works in progress, some of which have been in progress for a pretty long time. Just lately I realize that I also have an actual stash of spinning wheels (five at the moment with one on order), not to mention the stash of drop spindles… But this is good. This the definition of “security.”
About the dye on your fingers (and there is probably some on your knitting needles, too): get some SYNTHRAPOL, made by Jacquard, the dye people. One of its intended uses is to exhaust dye out of fibers. Wash your hands and needles with just a couple drops of this stuff. It is also great for scouring fresh fleece, and I use it to hand-wash my knitting. You can probably get this at any shop that sells spinning fibes and equipment, or go online.
The yellowy, grey, browny one looks really nice. Can’t wait to see it all done! Also the bluey one, the pinky one, and the other pinky one. I think I get so excited to see what they finally look like, I can’t wait to block!
Anne in Calgary
But blocking is so much fun! (Aside from the sore back and hands, that is.) I love watching the lace transform, don’t you?…
That sure is a lot of knitting! There’s a new wardrobe there!
i love the mystery magic of blocking and i don’t much care if one side is a bit off. are you sure the color on your fingers isn’t scorch from how fast you knit?
Whew, that’s dye, I thought you bruised your knitting finger! Seriously though, I have to get me some of that. You’re the second person I’ve read who’s tried the corn yarn. I feel so behind the times, not that that’s anything new.
I’ll mark you off the list of knitters to hit up for help with blocking my stuff then.
Well, you have just released me from all possible guilt I felt about my comparatively small pile of all-but-blocked objects.
Dude, I’ve been waiting to see that cardi. So. Glad you’re finally doing it.
Oh, what a relief! I though it was just me!
Crocking? One might expect a bit of bleed from a hand dye… I’d see what the socks do when they’re washed. And then maybe give Crystal Palace a hard time about their product qc… You DO have a pile of lovely knits.
I seriously love your blocking board - I never felt I’ve needed one for things like shawls or hats, etc, but now that I’m moving on to sweaters I totally need one like that - where did you get it?
Wow, that’s a seriously big pile of knit. And I understand how you feel about blocking, I have 2 pieces waiting to be blocked right now, and am I doing anything about it? Nope, no way.
You’re way ahead of me there. Keep it up, you can block that!
Block those up! The neckwarmer and baby socks are great : )
Dive right in and just do it! Think of all the wonderful hand knits you’ll have once your five pieces are dressed. I’m not that much of a perfectionist when it comes to dressing my knitting, just slap it down with pins and let it dry. Knitting is very forgiving.
One of the things that surprised me the most when I started to read blogs was the aversion to finishing–which always energizes me, especially seaming. But I do procrastinate a bit about wet blocking complicated and large pieces (shawls) because of the time it takes. It also monopolizes my living room until the thing dries, making my habit a bit more annoying (and visible) to others in my household. It is one thing to store skeins upon skeins in plastic boxes where they can’t be seen, and another to have a hugh hulking FO on the floor for a day or so. But think of all the great stuff you’ll have after the blocking is over!
You can bet that neck warmer will be on my short list. Thanks for the heads up. And blocking… I am right where you are. I do have a steamer, though. Just saying.
blocking? what’s that? i thought it was a football move.
I was about to suggest blocking wires, but am glad to hear you have them… that always gives me extra confidence in getting the size just right, and less pin marks too (I am fussy about how the places where the pins are dry ‘pointy’). I do love Steph’s comment just above mine… so like her! You could always stick with hats, which don’t need blocking (after all, they are just going to get wet anyway out in the nasty weather) and socks that you can throw on sock blockers to drive. I like the chevron pattern:)