Tools for Blocking your Knits
Blocking is essential for making your knits look their best and I’m frequently asked what products I use. The following are some of my FAVORITE tools for blocking. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, but I only recommend these because I use them every time a design comes off the needles. Many of these items are also available through your LYS, so be sure to check there first!
Knitter’s Pride Knit Blockers: Most knitters know that pins are essential to blocking shawls, as they can stretch the fabric to open up the stitch patterns and create beautifully draped fabric. These blockers make all the pinning go 4-8 times faster, as each blocker has 4-8 pins in a straight line! Not only does the pinning go faster, but these pins occasionally remove the need for blocking wires, particularly for smaller swatches. I have three packages of these, and it is just enough for some of my larger designs. There is also a rainbow version (which might just be on my Christmas list…).
Blocking Wires: To get the straightest lines, weave blocking wires through each edge of your knitting. It keeps the lines of the shawl crisp and allows you to stretch the fabric without making it wonky. Need to block a crescent shawl? The wires are flexible, so with the help of pins you can create a nice, smooth curve. This kit comes with T-pins that keep the fabric secured that can work in place of knit blockers.
Knit IQ Blocking Mats: (Only 1 is pictured, but 9 mats are included in each kit.) While I had foam connecting mats before, these are the BEST! I saw one of my MKAL participants using them last year, and after reading reviews I immediately bought three packs. They were just the upgrade I had been searching for! They are super thick, so the pins never touch the carpet. You can even stand them up against the wall while they’re connected if your knit is well secured and you’re short on space! The white background allows me to see the colors of my work, as opposed to the multi-colored foam I had before that made my knitting look tacky and unappealing. Best of all, the lines help ensure my geometrically designed shawls have sharp lines and straight edges. These mats definitely fall into the ‘can’t live without’ category for me!