Blocking

[Tauri]

What is and how do I block a stockinette pattern once completed?

[Mike]

There's mainly 3 methods of blocking.
Soaking, spraying and steam.
Blocking helps the stitches even out and sets them.

You basically get it wet pin it out to the shape and size it should be and let it dry.
Or you pin it out to the shape and size it should be, spray it and let it dry.
Or you pin it out to the shape and size it should be, steam it and let it dry.

Instead of pins you can also use wires.

This may help describe what it is.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blocking_(knitting)

It's not so much the stitch as it is the fiber that dictates "how to".

There also seems to be a lot of opinion rather than fact when it comes to blocking (I've been trying to figure this out this week).
About all you can really do is make some swatches and try the different ways and see which one produces the results you want.
(If you use steam I strongly suggest trying a swatch first, learn from my mistake.)

[saracidaltendencies]

I was looking this up just yesterday...lol...To add to the question, I'm (still) working on a sweater for hubby...I have the front and back pieces finished, and, it looks like the back is a little bit longer than the front...Not terribly, but, noticeably...will blocking the pieces make them even (as long as I block them evenly)?

[Doodknitwit]

a tip from a friend..she takes a beachsize towel places on a bed or carpet. pins out the pieces then places a beachsize towel she ran through washer and spun dry over the pinned pieces and lets it airdry... it works well!!!