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Time: 30 mins

Learn how to block with mats to give a professional finish to your knitting and crochet projects
Blocking is essentially the process of evening out and reshaping your knitting or crochet once you’ve finished the actual knitting or crocheting. It’s an important step for any knitting or crochet project and often makes the difference between something that looks a bit untidy and something that looks even and professional. Wetting the fibres allows them to relax, so that they can be manipulated into shape, and pinning them out while they dry ensures that they will keep that shape afterwards. It’s really straightforward, and KnitPro’s blocking mats make the whole process even easier.

Posted by McAdirect from Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom • Published 10th July 2015

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McAdirect #. published her project How To Use Knit Pro Blocking Mats: A Tutorial 10 Jul 06:00

Step 1
Work out how many mats you’ll need to accommodate your work and assemble them by joining the edges. Be generous and allow space to stretch your project out.
Step 2
Dampen your knitting or crochet, either by gently submerging it in a basin of clean, lukewarm water or by generously spritzing it with water. Roll it up in a towel like a Swiss roll.
Step 3
Squeeze the towel to remove excess water, then unroll. Your knitting or crochet should be damp, but not dripping. The fibres in your knitting or crochet are now relaxed and can be stretched to the correct dimensions and shape.
Step 4
Stretch your knitting or crochet out to the desired shapes and dimensions, and pin into shape. For straight edges, you can use Knit Blockers to keep the edges even. Otherwise, you can use any stainless steel pins (to prevent rust). KnitPro T-Pins are handy for holey projects, e.g. lacework, thanks to their wide heads, or tough/heavy projects, as they are very sturdy.
Step 5
With square pieces, be sure to pull the corners out to prevent them looking too rounded.
Step 6
Putting in the pins at an angle makes them more secure, as they are less likely to move. It also means they won’t stab through the back of your mat.
Step 7
Prop your mats up in a sunny place and wait until your knitting or crochet is completely dry before unpinning.
Step 8
Marvel at your beautifully even stitches!