The Knitters Thread

plumduff55

ktpie wrote: »

Hang on! I do it once it is all sewn together! But maybe I'm doing it wrong! I've never tried it with steam either, just wet the item then lay it flat on a towel and get it to the right shape then leave it to dry.
You could also try reshaping whilst damp some of the ones you've already made, that might help with the way they hang.

Hi, as the cardi is already made up I will try it without unpicking it, will let you know how it works. I found this site:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art7695.asp
and took it for granted that blocking was to be done before the garment was made up.
I can't believe I've knitted for all these years without knowing about blocking - I don't knit many cardigans as I'm never happy with the finish but can now see myself with a nice new cardi for next summer, many thanks

ktpie

It does look on there like she is blocking before she sews it up. I have seen some patterns that tell you to block part way through but if it is sewn up already I wouldn't bother unpicking it first.

Hope it helps!

ktpie

Just found this, which may be of some help. Tells you which methods to use for different yarns. Looks on there too like you can do it either before or after you sew up.

charlies_mum

Well, I am shocked - I have been knitting for forty years and never heard of blocking :eek:

I have a long cardigan that I have knitted that I can't wear as it doesn't hang right. It has equal strips of stocking stitch and k1 p1 rib of about 4 inches wide, but the rib causes the stocking stitch parts to 'ripple' and look awful. The wool instructions say do not iron, and when I tried on a small part, it damaged the wool.

Anyone any idea whether blocking would solve the problem, or is all that hard work wasted

evie451

being a self taught knitter has its drawbacks! I have just finished a scarf for my son....its quite a soft cable design about 2m long.......the wool is softer than the suggested DK on the pattern (he wont use it if its at all scratchy!?) and i have noticed that the first and last stitch are a bit too slack and sort of baggy.......i wanted to do a few of these for pressies etc does anyone know how i can tighten up these stitches? would knitting tbl help? sorry if i am being a bit dense but as i said self taught out a crafting book about 20yrs ago

ktpie

charlies_mum wrote: »

Well, I am shocked - I have been knitting for forty years and never heard of blocking :eek:

I have a long cardigan that I have knitted that I can't wear as it doesn't hang right. It has equal strips of stocking stitch and k1 p1 rib of about 4 inches wide, but the rib causes the stocking stitch parts to 'ripple' and look awful. The wool instructions say do not iron, and when I tried on a small part, it damaged the wool.

Anyone any idea whether blocking would solve the problem, or is all that hard work wasted

I'm surprised that I knew about something that everyone else didn't know about! You might as well try blocking it, if you can't wear it you haven't much to lose.

prfungi

evie451 wrote: »

being a self taught knitter has its drawbacks! I have just finished a scarf for my son....its quite a soft cable design about 2m long.......the wool is softer than the suggested DK on the pattern (he wont use it if its at all scratchy!?) and i have noticed that the first and last stitch are a bit too slack and sort of baggy.......i wanted to do a few of these for pressies etc does anyone know how i can tighten up these stitches? would knitting tbl help? sorry if i am being a bit dense but as i said self taught out a crafting book about 20yrs ago

I'm not very good at explaining things but - I would slip the first stitch on every row and pass (or wrap) the yarn across to the front if your next stitch is knit, or to the back if its a purl. This gives a neat and stable edge, you can slip the stitch without wrapping and you will still get a neat edge.

I hope this helps.

Pam:smileyhea

helyg

Oooh a knitting thread! :j:j:j

I have just finished this cardigan for my daughter :
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/6343/summer2009f.jpg

I am now knitting a footballer mascot toy for my son for Christmas from this book: http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/mascot.html I will also be doing the ballerina one for my daughter.

Happy knitting!

plumduff55

I'M SO HAPPY - BLOCKING WORKED !!!!!

Hi, last night I blocked the cardigan and it has worked perfectly.
I laid the button band side of the cardigan (right side down) on to a folded towel, pinned it in place, and sprayed with my steam iron. Today it is sitting perfectly, not even a bit of a curl! I did not unpick the band and I think it worked better this way.

Tonight I shall do the other side and then I will probably start on the other cardigans in my wardrobe - better late than never!

From a knitter who thought she knew it all, thanks very much !!!

ktpie

I'm glad it helped!