How to block hand knitting

Block hand knitting for the best possible finish even when many synthetic yarns advise you not to iron your garment. However your finished piece will look far more professional and neater if at least the edges are blocked.

We're going to show you the easiest and safest methods to block your finished knitting.

This page gives you the blocking overview, and the steps to block a hand knitted simple item such as a synthetic yarn or cotton scarf or table runner.

Use our how to block purses, bags, totes page for specific details and photos for blocking more complicated pieces - which you may also consider lining.

Warning : temperature is critical - hotter is not faster or better. If in doubt - start low and gradually raise the temperature.

Step 1 - Is it clean?

Make sure your knitted item is clean. If you're unsure of the safest easiest washing methods to use view wash hand knitting ( if this page doesn't open in a new window hold down your "Ctrl key and click the link again, your pop-up blocker may be stopping it).

Step 2 - Equipment required

Gather your equipment together. You will require :

• steam iron (or regular iron and damp clean cloth)
  
• pins - steel pins - not those with plastic heads.
  
• tape measure
  
• measurement finished piece should be.
  
• ironing cloth, or clean white handkerchief or cloth
• surface to work on - ironing board, or if large item, a padded table.

Step 3 - Prepare your iron

Fill with water, plug in and turn steam setting on. Also set the temperature to silk or wool, if neither setting is available set it to the lowest heat setting.

While your iron heats up prepare to block your hand knitting.

Step 4 - Prepare your surface

Lay your item on the ironing board or padded surface. Check you have the measurements your finished piece should conform to.

If you have knitted a scarf this is fairly straightforward. Simply measure your scarf in several places along its length.

The key is to place plenty of pins – you will discover it will shrink into place (horrors…..no, the yarn doesn't shrink – it simply fills the air pockets between your stitches!!).

Should your scarf be a little narrower than desired, pull it gently out to desired width and pin into place, you will also need to pin the opposite side of the scarf to stop it simply moving over, instead of widening.

Were the measurements correct? If so well done. Simply place a few pins down the length of your item and into the padding without distorting its edging.

(Remember you are pinning down through the padding not in and out as if you were pinning two pieces of fabric together.)

Step 5 - Ready to block

By this stage your iron should be ready. You'll now see why you aren't using pins with plastic heads – they would melt onto your knitting.

Hold the iron just above - but not touching - your knitting - let it steam for for 3 or 4 seconds. Don't rub or move the iron the way you normally iron your clothes – just hold it there. (If you are using a regular iron and a cloth you may need to actually touch the knitting through the cloth)

Repeat the above over the edges you wish to flatten and any areas that look a little lumpy or bumpy.

Check a) the iron did the job and you item is neat and all edges are in place. b) Have any visible gathers disappeared?

If yes to above you're done…just let your knitting cool for a couple of minutes before you un-pin and store it flat.

If you still have gathers or it doesn't look the correct shape, re-pin and repeat.

Keep in mind the thinner the knitting the less time your iron needs to be in used.

Well done …you now know how to block hand knitting for a straight forward item such as a scarf or table-runner, whether made of wool or cotton.

Return to top of page

Return from block hand knitting to knitting