Blocking

To block is simply just to stretch a moist finished project and place it in a desired shape to dry. The process is repeated each time the garment is washed to keep the right shape.
In this DROPS video we show just a little piece of the side on a shawl.
Put the shawl in lukewarm water until it is soaking wet. Gently squeeze out the water from the shawl - do not twist!
The shawl should be only slightly damp when placed on a carpet, mattress or blocking boards - carefully stretch it to the correct measure and secure the edges with pins. The knitting needle we put in the shawl shows the knitting direction.
Let the shawl dry. At the end of the video, we show the difference between the side that has been blocked and the side that hasn't.

REMEMBER to also read instructions in the pattern in addition to watch our video, sometimes you are supposed to put the pins following a specific pattern on your piece to create tips.
NOTE! It is very important not to stretch the finished project too much, but just stretch it to the measurements that are written in the pattern.

To see a pattern with this technique, see: DROPS 156-2
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Video #516, listed in: Other techniques, Block & Shape

Our videos do not have sound. We are a worldwide company and our videos are watched by people speaking endless of different languages and many do not understand English. So since there is not a given language for us to use, we instead have written instructions to accompany the video, and then there is no sound to disturb while watching.

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Alexandra wrote:

Bonjour est ce que la laine muskat se détend un peu au blocage? Merci

30.05.2024 - 08:53

DROPS Design :

Bonjour Alexandra, tout dépend de la laine et de votre tension, bloquez votre échantillon au préalable si besoin, vous aurez ainsi une idée du résultat avant/après. Bon tricot!

30.05.2024 - 16:03

Mona wrote:

Kan man blokke Drops Air?

27.05.2024 - 14:26

DROPS Design :

Hei Mona. Ja, men resultatet kan jo variere på hva det er du blokker. Men husk at det er viktig at man ikke strekker plagget for mye, men at det strekkes/legges til de mål som er oppgitte mål i oppskriften. mvh DROPS Design

03.06.2024 - 07:08

Rene wrote:

I am knitting your Winters Night Enchantment pattern with the recommended Merino Extra Fine which is a superwash yarn. I have read that superwash grows when blocked. How much do I need to factor that in when determining my size/dimensions?

17.12.2023 - 07:05

DROPS Design :

Dear Rene, the measurements indicated in the measurements schematic should be the final measurements. This garment does not need to be blocked. You can see in the webpage for this yarn here: https://www.garnstudio.com/yarn.php?show=drops-merino-extra-fine&cid=19, in the Care section, after the colours, how to care for this garment so that it doesn't stretch. Happy knitting!

17.12.2023 - 17:38

Rachel Dowding wrote:

I'm knitting a baby blanket using 2 strands of Alpaca and a simple seed stitch pattern. The pattern doesn't really show up, but just looks like uneven knitting. I'm wondering if blocking it and spraying (once it's finished) will help, or would it be better to wash it and then block? Thanks in advance for your help. Rachel

27.11.2023 - 23:27

DROPS Design :

Dear Mrs Dowding, with a seed stitch pattern you might just wash it and let it dry flat. Happy knitting!

28.11.2023 - 09:11

Kate wrote:

Hi, i just finished a sweater in drops lima and the washing instructions say not to let the project soak, so i was just curious as to what the best blocking method would be for the yarn and is it okay to block it on a towel as some of the yarn tips for drops say not to do that? any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated!

08.11.2022 - 17:31

DROPS Design :

Dear Kate, avoid as possible to let dry on a towel - read more here - you can simply moisten the piece or wash it following the care instructions and let dry flat to the finished measurements. Happy knitting!

09.11.2022 - 08:57

Jacqueline Garolle wrote:

Bonjour à vous merci pour tout 👌vidéos laines et modèles ma question est la suivante est-ce que bloquer un ouvrage avec une pattemouille humide et un fer à vapeur est bien Merci pour votre réponse

24.09.2022 - 20:34

DROPS Design :

Bonjour Mme Garolle, tout dépend de la laine que vous utilisez, certaines ne supportent pas le fer à repasser, la technique montrée dans la vidéo peut se faire avec toutes les qualités de laine. Bon tricot!

26.09.2022 - 12:02

Anita wrote:

Hei. Får ikke spilt av denne videoen, kan det være noe feil på den?

06.01.2021 - 08:57

DROPS Design :

Hei Anita. Ja, her var det en link som var feil. Dette er nå ordnet og du kan nå se videoen. Takk for at du gjorde oss oppmerksom på dette. mvh DROPS design

11.01.2021 - 14:03

Tini Von Nessen wrote:

Hallo, ich verstehe nicht ganz, wie man das Tuch 146-28 Wings abkettet. Vielen Dank für die Hilfe. Lieben Gruß

27.09.2020 - 22:32

DROPS Design :

Liebe Frau Von Nessen, Sie sollen mit Umschläge abketten,dh die Umschläge so oft arbeiten, wie beschrieben - dieses Video zeigt, wie man mit Umschläge abkettet. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

28.09.2020 - 11:20

Wiebranda wrote:

Hallo, ik vroeg me af of je ook kledingstukken die niet van wol zijn moet/kunt blokken: bv katoen, viscose en ik maak nu een trui van Eucaluptusblaadjes.

14.05.2020 - 20:57

DROPS Design :

Dag Wiebranda,

Kledingstukken van katoen hoef je niet te blokken/ op te spannen. Dit is alleen voor (dunne) wolgarens met kantpatronen.

05.08.2020 - 21:15

Merja wrote:

What yarn is it, in this video?

13.04.2020 - 17:10

DROPS Design :

Dear Merja, it can be either DROPS Lace or DROPS BabyAlpaca Silk - as suggested in the First Frost shawl pattern shown in the video. Happy knitting!

15.04.2020 - 08:33

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