First Time Blocking, Way More Difference than Expected

[u/Flying_Snarf]

I’ve always been the crocheter that didn’t block anything, and I figured that I probably never would. Been working on a cashmere blanket made of multiple unraveled sweaters, meaning that the yarn isn’t 100% equal in gauge, so I figured I’d do it just this once to make the squares match as much as possible before joining.

Wow. The difference between the blocked and unblocked squares is huge, and I wasn’t anticipating just how crisp the corner edges on the blocked squares would become.

I can’t say I find the blocking process enjoyable (probably mostly because my blocking board is a bunch of darning needles stabbed into a shoebox), but this has definitely converted me to seeing the value in doing it

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[u/PothosInAPot]

I've never bothered to do it either, but now I'm interested. Thanks for sharing

[u/Flying_Snarf → u/PothosInAPot]

I hope it works out well for your projects too!

[u/09star]

That is a big difference! Did you block with just water?

[u/Flying_Snarf → u/09star]

I took the opportunity to fully hand wash the squares so used detergent as well, but for blocking purposes soaking in water was the only part of it that really mattered :)

[u/aLt564_3]

Blocking squares is so satisfying to me. There is nothing like joining nice crisp even squares that all perfectly line up with each other!

[u/Flying_Snarf → u/aLt564_3]

This is my first true squares-based project, and I have to say so far I completely agree with you! So satisfying!

[u/kalthoraa]

Beautiful work & love the idea of unraveled sweaters for an afghan! Be careful using cardboard to block. I find it molds easily.

[u/Flying_Snarf → u/kalthoraa]

Thank you, and appreciate the heads up! I blocked the first ~30 squares a few days ago and the box is still looking good, and plan to do the second half of the squares in a couple days. I’ll get rid of the box after that, fortunately I always have spare shoeboxes on hand because my cat is obsessed with them.

After this, though, I’ll probably look into getting a more legitimate blocking device. The cardboard was awesome for testing the process, but it is a little too janky for me to want to block with it regularly

[u/iamsusans]

My sister insists it doesn’t make any difference… as loudly as I insist it’s absolutely necessary!