Learn an easy method for blocking crochet projects. This beautiful hand-crafted blocking mat will help give your finished projects a nice, finished touch. It especially works wonderful for blanket squares but can also be used for other small crochet projects. This post contains affiliate links. Click here for more info. Thank you for supporting Whistle and Ivy!
HOW TO BLOCK CROCHET BLANKET SQUARES
Welcome back to the Solar System CAL! Before we go too deep into the Crochet Along, (I have heard talk that I may need to give some time to you to catch up) I wanted to write a post about blocking afghan squares. Do you block your squares? It’s not absolutely necessary, but I encourage it because it makes the finished blanket look so much nicer. There are lots of ways to block finished crochet items, but I wanted to share with you how I blocked my afghan squares and you can decide if you want to do it the same way.
What is blocking?
Blocking is a way to process your finished squares so they are all the same size and shape. This is very useful for an afghan made up of squares that are sewn together. Depending on stress, sitting position and other factors, your squares could end up being slightly different sizes, even though you used the same hook and yarn. Blocking fixes the problem.
For my blocking, I am using a Chetanigans BlocksAll Board. There are other methods, of course, but this board was designed by a crocheter for crocheters, so it works really well. Since these squares are approx. 10″, the 12″ board worked perfectly.
There are a few methods of doing this, but I prefer wet blocking. This method simply means I spritz the afghan square with water on the front and back, then pin it to the blocking board to dry. You want to stretch it just a tad so you get beautiful straight sides and perfect corners. If there is slack in the afghan while pinning, pull it over to the next marker. My squares were about 10″, so I blocked them along the 11″ markers.
Keep in mind you can also block a few squares at a time. You can even buy longer pins and block almost all your squares as the same time! Be sure they can breathe, though, so they can dry properly.
Once they are dry, you can pull then off and sew them into a beautiful blanket! It’s very, very easy.
You can get your Chetanigans board here (and browser their other clever crochet devices in their Etsy shop!).
Interested in making your own Crochet Solar System Blanket? Get the pattern here!
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xoxo,
I would love to win this blocker piece. I am always trying to figure out how I am going to be able to block alot of my crochet work.. Thank you for giving me the chance to maybe win one.. I love Whistle and Ivy..
Thank you Gloria! Good luck to you!
Devasted! I had already entered when I realised it’s US residents only ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
So sorry! The giveaway is sponsored by a very small shop and they can’t afford the cost to ship outside the US. My apologies!