Well if this is a question you have asked yourself before take a look at this.
This is a scarf I started whilst sipping afternoon tea at the Old Deanery in Ripon where we spent a couple of days chilling recently.
I thought this would be a good example to show the difference blocking makes to a project so I have blocked half and left the other half it it’s just finished state so we will be able to make a direct comparison.
I have to admit the pinning part of blocking this took ages and the truth is that I ran out of pins at the halfway mark so had no choice than to do it in two stages. It was having to block all the little picot edging that used so many pins.
You can see the difference already but first I will need to spray it with water and leave it in place to dry so it can take on it’s new shape.
I have tried to take a photo to show how different it looks you can see very clearly from this image how curly the edges are without blocking.
And here a close up.
I loved this pattern, the lacy, delicate pattern looked so intricate but yet was actually quite simple to do. But now it is blocked I think it looks even more lovely.
Well, what do you think?
I had better get to work pinning out this second half before it will be fit for wearing! And then I am going to make a Beanie Hat to go with it.
Related articles
- How I block lace (knitthehellout.com)
- finished a fun shawl! (notyouraveragecrochet.com)
- First go at blocking! (yarn2.com)
thegrangerange.wordpress.com 
Reblogged this on Crafty Projects I Like.
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Great to hear from you and thanks for reflagging this post.
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Ok this is confirmation that I’m going to have to figure something out to block my granny square blanket… I have no large foam board nor do I have pins… or maybe I’ll just wait till I get home to Australia to do it haha!
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I sometimes even resort to doing in on the rug in my workroom if it is something large. I think the most important thing is to block it!
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Wow, great scarf! The blocking makes a huge difference – thanks for sharing, I’ve never blocked anything and never seen why I should before! I know better now 🙂
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So pleased you liked the demo, be prepared for it is a pain to do and patience is required (that’s the hardest part) but it really does make a difference.
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As much as I hate blocking, it really does make a huge difference. Especially with your delicate pattern!
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Yes, thanks, it was worth the effort, or at least it will be once I do the other half!
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I just made my first blocking board today! I’m excited to get my hexagons blocked before I start joining them…
The lace is beautiful! Is there a pattern we can see?
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Yes, I am so sorry I forgot to put the pattern reference in but I have made a hat to go with the scarf so I will add the pattern to that post.
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I love the changing colours, such a pretty scarf. The blocking really accentuates the pretty lacy nature of the pattern, doesn’t it?
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I think so too, I have to be honest though and admit that I still haven’t blocked the other half. We were away last weekend but I will make a pledge now to do it this weekend for sure.
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I never feel like my projects are truly finished until they have been blocked! With that being said, I don’t always have the patience to do it as well as I probably should.
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Well at least you do do it so you are showing willing.
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Yes, it sure does make a difference. Thank you!
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Thanks for visiting again.
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Your most welcome. You give the most informative information.
Later
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Yes, thank you. Now I truly see what a difference blocking makes.
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Blocking takes time and patience but is worth it in the end.
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beautiful scarf, blocking really made it pop.
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Thank you so much for your kind comment.
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Beautiful. Such lovely colours. Looking forward to seeing the hat
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Watch this space, I am just writing the hat post and hope to get it posted tonight. It doesn’t actually match the scarf in terms of the pattern as I couldn’t quite make that work but the colours match so I think it will look ok.
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Wow it’s really clear how important blocking is! 🙂
Beautiful scarf, by the way.
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Thank you, I knew blocking helped enhance the appearance of a project but I think this particular scarf pattern truly benefits from blocking.
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What a great experiment, it shows the effect of blocking really well. I definitely recommend blocking when you have made a piece with pretty stitches like this. It relaxes the fibres and makes things drape better! I steam block acrylic fibres and wet block as you did above for natural fibres. The only time I wouldn’t block is if I want my piece to remain stiffer like for a bag or 3d piece like a flower brooch. 🙂
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I totally agree, I treat natural fibres and acrylics in the same way as you describe, I cannot say that I quite understand the science behind it but it does work.
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Beautiful scarf (looks too complicated for me) and yes, it needed blocking to show it off properly.
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Thank you for your comments, I forgot to give details of the pattern so I will post it with the Beanie hat that is almost finished. It’s one of those patterns that looks complicated but is actually quite simple to execute.
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What a beautiful scarf! AND a great blocking job!
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Pleased to have done it but oh what patience it has taken!
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Blocking is a way of paying respect to one’s work. Love your pattern. 🙂
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What a great way to look at it. I think you are right, when you have put the time and effort into creating something it is good to see it properly finished and looking it’s best.
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Seeing the difference that the blocking made, you’ve convinced me, so I’m going to have a go at it next time I crochet anything with cotton yarn 🙂
I tried with acrylic yarn, but it didn’t seem to make any difference 😦
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Great to think I may have converted you! With acrylic yarn I usually use a steam iron, just hover over the work once you have it laid out in the shape you want.
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That’s great to know, thanks, as I wasn’t sure how to block acrylic! 🙂
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Hope it goes well, please let me know.
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It is beautiful.
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Thank you, I am loving your Christmas sweater too.
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I knew it mattered, but you did a great demo! truthfully, I don’t block everything, but anything lacey, I do. And anything that is rolling when I don’t want it to, I do. But hats, socks, things like that, I just don’t. I’m lazy.
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I agree that some things you can probably get away without blocking. It is a bit of a pain to do, I think it is because you have to be patient and you can’t do anything , just wait and as crafters we like our hands to be busy.
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and I get bored putting all those pins in. 🙂
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Oh I know it is such a bore but worth it in the end.
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it is, I know. And it feels good when you stop, too. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing Geraldine – the scarf is beautiful!!
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Thank you so much.
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A beautiful scarf either way but I can really see the difference that blocking makes!!
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I think it is worth the effort on this project.
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That is lovely!
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Thanks.
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It DOES make a difference. Thanks for sharing I will definitely be doing this. So it is just pinned, sprayed with water and left to dry? Best wishes, Carina
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Thanks.
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Yes that’s about it, it’s the waiting that gets to me, having to resist removing the pins too soon.
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That is a truly gorgeous scarf and you have quite dramatically highlighted the benefits of blocking. Looking forward to seeing the Beanie 🙂
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Thank you, I am surfing for a pattern as we speak.
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It looks sooo much better blocked doesn’t it. It really opens out the pattern. We all hate doing it but it finishes off every project very well. You might need to remind me of this when I am next avoiding doing it 😉
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It really does make a difference, worth the painstaking effort of pinning. I will be keeping an eye on you ready to drop a quick reminder if required, ha, ha!
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