Blocking is the quiet, behind-the-scenes step that makes handmade look polished. A gentle block evens out tension, sharpens blanket edges, opens up lace, and helps garments land at the right size and drape. It’s often the difference between “nice” and “how did you make it look so professional?”
In this guide, you’ll learn what blocking is, when it’s worth doing, and the two main methods—wet blocking and steam blocking (with a quick note on spray). In simple terms, blocking means washing or steaming your piece, shaping it with pins on blocking mats, and letting the fibres relax as it dries. The result: stitches settle, texture pops, and the whole project looks clean, calm, and ready to wear.
Things to consider
Before you block, consider the fibre and texture—this decides how to block knitting and crochetsafely and which method ( wet blocking, steam blocking, or spray blocking ) to use.
Natural fibres love blocking.
Wool, alpaca, and cottonbloom when blocking: stitches even out, gaps fill, and the fabric relaxes into a clean drape. Expect a touch more length/width after blocking wool, blocking alpaca, or blocking cotton. Yarns like Empire 100% Merino and Maya 100% Baby Alpaca really shine with a gentle wet block.
Delicate fibres need extra care.
Angora and silk can be damaged by water or heat. Skip wet blocking here. If shaping is essential, choose spray blocking: pin dry on blocking mats(useKnitPro Knit Blockers for straight edges), mist until damp, then let dry.
Texture-first projects may not suit blocking.
Novelty yarns, highly textured handspun, or patterns with tight puffs can lose character if overworked. When in doubt, do the lightest spray block or skip blocking.
Acrylic behaves differently.
Blocking acrylic yarn won’t create big size changes—it has limited give—but a light block can tidy stitches.
Avoid over-blocking.
Too much stretch or repeated heavy blocking can flatten fabric and strip bounce. Follow the care label, pin with gentle tension, let it dry fully, then stop. This is the simplest way to keep blocked pieces looking fresh and professional.
When should you block
With all of this in mind the question arises then, when should you block your beloved handmade item?
I would highly recommend blocking, specifically wet blocking if your design includes elements such as lace or cable knitting. In these cases, blocking takes what is often an unrecognisable explosion of knitting on the needles and transforms it as the stitches open up and relax into their positions revealing the lovely lace work or cable motifs featured in your pattern.
Another brilliant use of blocking is with blankets and shawls where an elegant drape is sought after. This is because as the yarn relaxes into the stitches the drape of the overall piece changes as well. You will find a garment that may have been stiff and curly hanging over your shoulder will take on a smooth cascading effect once it is blocked. This can be seen in the Shadow shawl pattern by Antonia Shankland. This lovely piece recommends using Manos Del Uruguay Fino or Serena and utilises garter ridges to create three-dimensional definition between the two featuring colours. As this piece is blocked not only will the simple details like the yarn over holes lining the centre of the shawl open and become visible but the way it sits on the body will change. The delicate folds and even edge is achieved as a result of strict pinning keeping the edges taught and straight.
Blocking Tools
Blocking does require a few tools in order to have the most effective outcome and it is important to ensure the tools you are using are clean and free of any harsh chemicals such as bleach or heavy detergents that could damage your wool.
The tools you will need include:
A clean basin, sink or bucket to wash and soak your piece in.
Towels: We recommend two clean old towels in case there is any unexpected dye bleeding!
Wool Wash: Soak is a lovely brand stocked in our shop specifically made for handmade wool washing.
Rust-Proof T-pins: Rust proof is a must! These pins will be exposed directly to your work while it is wet for a long period of time and you may risk permanent rust stains if the pins are not suitable. KnitPro Blockers are a great option instead of or in addition to T-pins. They are little combs with multiple pins in each comb making blocking faster and allowing more of an item to be pinned at once. They also have anchor holes in each blocker which allows you to attach string along large sections which can be pulled and pinned to maintain consistent tension.
Blocking Mats
Blocking mats do the quiet heavy lifting. They give you a flat, gridded, heat-safe surface so you can pin to size, steam or spritz without warping, and leave pieces to dry in peace. The interlocking tiles build out to whatever you’re making—shawl today, cardigan fronts tomorrow—and that grid keeps edges straight and seams honest. Simple, tidy, reliable.
Rust proof blocking wires: These are particularly useful for achieving perfect straight edges and lace work! Blocking wires come in a variety of weights and lengths, becoming the perfect tool for curved edges.
Additionally it is helpful to keep your pattern handy to reference for sizing and any tips from the designer. But with these tools available you are more than ready to begin blocking!
Overall it is important to remember there are no rules in crafting. If you love your piece just the way it is you don’t have to block it. But I highly recommend anyone give it a go and experiment with the wonderful effects blocking can have on handmade items. Blocking may be an extra few more hours of work but the amazing finish it provides to my projects is something I cannot go without.
Now that you've learned what blocking is and decided if your latest project needs to be blocked, here are two methods of blocking that we think work wonders. The first is wet blocking and what our staff tends to use the most and the second is steam blocking which is loved by ARNE & CARLOS
Step-By-Step Guide to Wet Blocking
If this is your first time blocking we recommend practicing these techniques on a sample square swatch to get a feel of how your fibre will behave and how the steps below function. If you are doing so in preparation of blocking a finished piece it's a good idea to use the same yarn used in your project to ensure they behave the same.
Additionally, if you are blocking a garment that is already seamed together to try it on prior to blocking to take note of the fit and if you would like to stretch its size a little.
Step 1: Wash & Soak (Wet Blocking)
Fill a basin for wet blocking—deep enough to submerge the piece.
Check the yarn label for temperature (e.g., cool water under 30 °C).
Add a rinse-free wool wash such as Soak for gentle cleaning and softness. If using a non–rinse-free wash, rinse once or twice after soaking.
Gently press under water to release air; don’t agitate.
Soak 20 minutes to fully hydrate the fibres—the foundation of good blocking for knitting and crochet.
Lift & de-water
Scoop the fabric out (don’t let it hang).
Press, don’t wring. Lay on a towel, cover with another, and roll to remove excess water.
Step 2: Pin & Shape on Blocking Mats
Move to interlocking blocking mats in a ventilated spot.
Smooth to the desired shape and pin edges at regular intervals to avoid scallops.
For straight edges, use KnitPro Knit Blockers; add blocking wires for crisp shawl points and seams.
Check measurements against the pattern—this is how to block a sweater, blanket, or shawl to size.
Dry Completely
Leave flat to dry (overnight or longer, weather-dependent).
Ensure it’s dry top and bottom before unpinning—some bounce-back is normal with wool.
Aftercare
The fabric may relax over 24 hours. Store folded to keep edges neat and the drape consistent.
Steam Blocking (Option)
Ideal for fibres that dislike soaking. Light steam blocking over the pinned piece, let it dry fully, then unpin.
After you've blocked your project it is time to enjoy all the hard earned hours you’ve poured into your piece and wear it proudly! Do you enjoy blocking your finished items? Let us know in the comments below and any questions you may have. We also love to see items made from our yarns so please feel free to send us pictures or tag us on Instagram!
