How do I?

Re: Blocking in the Boonies

AprilMJ — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:23:32 GMT

Thanks for all the tips!

Re: Blocking in the Boonies

Cheryl728 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:11:02 GMT

Hi April

I have tried an ironing board for blocking my crochet. I now use an insulation board. I just did a blog post and video of Blocking Crochet. My method is not expensive and works very well.

http://www.purplebutterflycrochetcollection.com/?p=1732

Hope it helps.

Re: Blocking in the Boonies

doc4dolls — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:14:59 GMT

http://www.target.com/p/Edushape-Edu-Tiles-Play-Mat-25-pc/-/A-11295527#?lnk=sc_qi_detailimage

just an example

Re: Blocking in the Boonies

doc4dolls — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:05:03 GMT

Yes, you can get those puzzle piece blocks that snap together, for children, at any Walmart, target, etc...you can even buy them online and have them shipped. They sell them in knitting stores but, the kid's ones work fine. My daughter has friend's who do this. I'm getting ready to buy some myself. I was a little worried the colors might fade into the project but a large towel or old blanket over them would protect the project. They you can pin to size you want and let dry. Understand?

Good luck. Never under price your items or people with think they are inferior and not buy them. I always had problems pricing, under priced. Linda

Re: Blocking in the Boonies

JennieBates — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:59:43 GMT

Google blocking there is a nice video on youtube and there is also a nice article from Michaels which is a craft store. They are both very helpful and it seems as if you are already doing what is recommended for the most part.

Re: Blocking in the Boonies

onecraftycathy — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:56:01 GMT

I'm like you GrammaArizona, I prefer blocking on the ironing board. However, most of my projects are bigger than the ironing board and my fallback has always been the floor. The carpet makes a great "pinning board" with a sheet between it and my project. I use the spare bedroom floor and once I've steamed, I close the door while it's drying so the cat doesn't walk on it. I've had one of those large folding cardboard pinning boards but still ended up putting it on the floor because I didn't have a big enough surface to support its size. So, I guess what I'm saying April is that you needn't be worried about using the floor -- it works! (Not so great for the back, but it works!) Just remember to protect the floor surface as that hot iron can damage carpet fibers or floor surface.

Re: Blocking in the Boonies

GrammaArizona — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:57:12 GMT

Do you have an ironing board? If so, lay your item on the ironing board. Using safety pins or the pins with colored balls that are used in sewing and pin your item to the ironing board. For a pressing cloth, lay a damp piece of material ( like an old pillow case) a towel, or a washcloth on top of the pinned item and steam it with an iron or if using no steam, hold the iron close to the pressing cloth, just touching but not pressing, and letting the heat from the iron steam the pressing cloth. The lighter the "pressing material", the better your item will be steamed.

Do not remove the pressing cloth until the cloth and your item is absolutely dry. Remove the pins and your item will hold it's shape.

If you do not have an ironing board, the next best thing is to take a sheet and fold it until it is at least 6-8 layers thick. Lay the folded sheet on a counter or a table and pin your item to it as with the ironing board. Block your item as the instructions for the ironing board.

Be sure to measure your item before pressing and use tools while pinning your item in order to keep its shape. A plate for round items. A piece of cardboard for square or rectangle items.

The material that you decide to use as a pressing cloth should be kept with your iron and used only for pressing. That way you will always have it.

The main thing to keeping the shape of an item is to make sure it is DRY before removing the pins. If you are not sure that it was steamed enough to hold the shape, steam it again. Better safe than sorry.

I taught myself how to crochet when I was 22 years old. I am now 75 and all of the items I have made over the years are still in use and are still holding their shapes.

I wish you the best of everything in your venture to sell your items. Good Luck, April

Blocking in the Boonies

AprilMJ — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:13:51 GMT

I'm 16 years old and I've been crocheting for a few years now, but one of my biggest problems is blocking. I live out in the country, and the nearest crafts store is an hour's drive away, in a completely different county. I've searched for a blocking board, wires, anything to keep my works from curling in on themselves. The best I've been able to do is spread my projects out on the floor, cover them with a towel, and steam them with an iron (all of my works are used with worsted acrylic yarn). I'm still looking for my own source of income, so I'm not able to afford anything big. Is there any (preferably cheap) way that I can accomplish this?