FAQ....Is your STOCKINETTE CURLING? Here's the solution!

[bohemkit]

I'm reading about blocking. Have no idea what that is. Help please?

[suzeeq]

Blocking is done to finished items to either shape them or even out the stitches, or both. Only natural fibers block, and some don't do it well. Acrylic is usually just machine washed and dried to even out the stitches. Not all items really need it, even if they're wool.

[Mpi]

Blocking is done to finished items to either shape them or even out the stitches, or both. Only natural fibers block, and some don't do it well. Acrylic is usually just machine washed and dried to even out the stitches. Not all items really need it, even if they're wool.

Would blocking work with a yarn of 20% wool and 80% acrylic?

[tarrentella]

It might do but it would only have a limited effect. IT is most liely to helpw ith evening out stiotches and pattern but might not have a huge effect on shape or stopping a scarf from curling. IT is worth a try though. I would use a technique like soaking, pressing out excess water and pinning to shape with towls etc to absorb water until dry. Avoid using hot methods like steaming as this could effect the acrylic in the blend.

[suzeeq]

Would blocking work with a yarn of 20% wool and 80% acrylic?

It depends why you're blocking. If it's to even out the stitches, then just a machine wash and dry will do that. If it's to stop the curl, it probably won't. You can 'kill' acrylic by steaming through a damp cloth, and that is permanent, but it may not stop curling. If you have curling edges, best thing is to put an edging on or reknit. And it depends on the item too. If it's sweater pieces, seaming them together will stop the edges from curling.

[PiscesDreams]

Hello everyone. First of all, sorry if this has been asked, don't have much time. Anywho, I handspun some alpaca that I am now trying to knit. Using seed stitch (I think: k1, p1) border, but it still rolls whenever I pick it up. Is this a problem that can be fixed with blocking, or should I start over and try a different pattern?

[Ingrid]

It depends on how many edge stitches you are making. If you start with about 5 rows of seed stitch, and then work 5 seed stitches at each edge, the scarf will tend to still curl, but alpaca usually blocks well.

[suzeeq]

It may also curl if your tension is tight, you might try a larger needle.

[PiscesDreams]

I've got four rows of seed stitch at the bottom, and four on the sides. I don't think it's a tension problem, because the yarn is a little under worsted and I'm using 8 needles (i think), I'll try blocking a little today to see if that helps.

[suzeeq]

That would be correct by most patterns, though IMO size 8 and worsted weight produces too dense a knit that can be stiff no matter what yarn you use. But blocking can help.