Knitters, I need advice please! I am knitting a sweater (the St James) in the round. It is well shaped as it is, and fits nicely. My question is...do I need to block it? And if so, how would I do this...could I lay it flat? And how do I know what size it should be?
I have never fully understood blocking and when to use it....so these may be stupid questions but I am completely clueless. All advice gratefully appreciated!
K xx
If it fits you and isn't a wrinkley mess, then you probably don't need to block it. My mother puts her finished knitting under the sofa cushion and sits on it for a week or so, just to flatten her seams. Other people wash or dampen their knits and then pin them out on a towel or mat to dry, stretching them to fit their chosen dimensions. This is more important with funny-shaped things like triangular shawls. But if this is a sweater for yourself, your own body is the best thing to shape it with!
ReplyDeleteThanks Roobeedoo...I think i'm going to chance it with a view to perhaps blocking it later if needs be!
DeleteI would say definitely block it. Usually patterns have a chart with measurements- if yours doesn't, then decide on how you feel about the fit pre-blocking, and then block accordingly. Blocking helps to even out stitches, provide additional shaping, etc. if you plan to wash your sweater later, blocking is important because it will give you a sense of how your sweater will change when washed. Did you wash your swatch?
ReplyDeleteErm...no! The world of knitting garments is completely new to me but thanks for the tips, I will certainly plan to wash my swatch in future!
DeleteWell you'll need to wash it eventually anyway, so you may as well :) I'd soak it for 15-20 minutes with some conditioner or wool wash if you have it, gently squeeze the water out with a towel, then lay flat to dry on a towel :) And as Mika said, it smooths out the stitches, and the conditioner/wool wash will also make it softer!
ReplyDeleteAshley x
Thanks for the tips Ashley :)
DeleteI agree with Roobeedoo - if you're happy with it I wouldn't worry about blocking it. Blocking smoothes things out and helps you get the jumper into the shape and size you need, so if you are already happy with it, that's fine. when you do wash it though, just make sure you dry it nice and flat and keep it in shape.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kestrel, there certainly seems to be a divide in opinions on this one! I'm going to see how it goes without blocking as I am impatient to wear it, but we will see how it turns out!
DeleteI'm not a knitter, so I can't help with the blocking question.
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