DROPS Children 49 · Lots of new kid designs!

How to block a finished project

In this DROPS video we show how to block a little piece of the side on a shawl.

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.

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.

NB! It is very important not to stretch the finished project too much, but just stretch it to the measurement that are written in the pattern.

You’ll find patterns by clicking on the pictures below.

Patterns using this technique

DROPS 146-28

DROPS 146-28
Change language:

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.

You can adjust the speed of this video by clicking on the icon, on the play bar.

Country flag 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

Country flag Buster wrote:

Fotbollströjor barn Buster KatiaMah England Tröja Carloszb JoieXmq Buster

07.12.2019 - 13:25

Country flag Kamila wrote:

Do you recommend different methods of blocking garments made from different fibers? For example if I make a hat out of Drops Alpaca yarn is it better to submerge it in water and dry out on a head model or place it on a model while dry and spray it with water and then let it dry? Is there a post about best methods of blocking for specific fibers?

24.11.2019 - 00:48

DROPS Design :

Dear Kamilla, the method of blocking depends on how strong you want to change the knitting. For example, when blocking a lace shawl, where you really want to open up the stitches, strong blocking is recomended, and you can achieve this by submerging the piece, and pull the edges until the piece is really thaught. When you want to even out the stitches, submerging the piece in warm water, and pull the piece to shape is the good method. When you don't really want to change the piece just give it a proper finishing, spraying or steaming can be enough. Happy Crafting!

06.12.2019 - 00:42

Country flag Monika Fransson wrote:

Hej! Kan man blocka ett plagg stickat i drops sky?

20.05.2019 - 13:23

DROPS Design :

Hej Monika, DROPS Sky er et helt andet garn og meget elastisk, så du får ikke samme effekt som når du blockar ett sjal i DROPS Lace.

31.05.2019 - 11:49

Country flag Molyn wrote:

Hi, Just wanted to know where can I find the shawl pattern thats being blocked? I would love to try to knit it :)

14.05.2019 - 19:18

DROPS Design :

Dear Molyn, it's this pattern that is shown in the video. Happy knitting!

15.05.2019 - 08:42

Country flag Donatella wrote:

Buonasera, non carica il video

18.10.2018 - 21:07

Country flag Amna wrote:

I want free chart pattren

08.09.2018 - 19:10

Country flag Marie-Claire wrote:

Hallo, moet je telkens je de omslagdoek wast opnieuw blokken ? Vriendelijke groetjes

21.08.2018 - 12:59

DROPS Design :

Dag Marie-Claire: Dit is alleen nodig de eerste keer na het breien. Als je hem de volgende keer wast, leg hem dan plat neer (in vorm) te drogen.

23.08.2018 - 19:40

Country flag Lakshmi wrote:

Hello I just finished the sweater DROPS 56-13 (Neige) in Drops Melody Yarn. It does not have any instructions for blocking. should I steam block or block like above (wet block) it.. and also should I block it in pieces or after it is put together (this also decides when the neck edge is finished). Please could you tell me asap? I would really love to finish it! It is an oversized sweater btw in a blackberry stitch

04.04.2018 - 17:47

DROPS Design :

Dear Lakshmi, some people rather block each piece before sewing together, other rather block finished projects, and other do not block, so it's just up to you, you are welcome to request individual assistance from your DROPS store, even per mail or telephone. Happy knitting!

05.04.2018 - 09:27

Country flag Marleen wrote:

Mijn moeder heeft de stukken breiwerk van een babytruitje van acryl (per ongeluk) gestreken, en nu ziet het er niet uit. De rek eruit, en een blinkend plat stuk. Kan dit nog gered worden? Alvast bedankt voor eventuele tips Marleen

08.03.2018 - 19:15

Leave a comment or question to this video

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *.

You might also like

Video thumbnail for How to make a work a bit stiff with sugared water
1:55
How to make a work a bit stiff with sugared water

In this DROPS video we show how we make sugared water and get the Christmas heart from DROPS Extra 0-1394 stiff. Mix a lot of sugar in cold water (90 g sugar in 120 ml water) and stir until all sugar is dissolved, dip the heart in the water, squeeze out the water, form and leave the heart flat to dry (1-2 days). If it was not stiff enough, repeat the process to the desired stiffness (colourless fizzy drink can also be used). You will find patterns where this technique is used by clicking the pictures below
Video thumbnail for How to smooth out curly yarn (small tassel)
1:16
How to smooth out curly yarn (small tassel)

The yarn inside a yarnball may be curly. In this DROPS video we show a simple way to correct / smooth out the yarn. Make the tassel and put it in water and then squeeze the water out. Shake then very hard (much harder than we show in the video). When dry and after the tassels are much more smoothed out, give the tassel one last cut. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns using this technique by clicking on the pictures below.
Video thumbnail for How to smooth out curly yarn
6:35
How to smooth out curly yarn

The yarn inside a yarnball may be curly. If you want to make a scarf with tassel you would perhaps like that the tassel is not so curly. In this DROPS video we show a simple way to correct / smooth out the yarn. Cut the tassels into the desired length and attach it to the scarf. Put the scarf with the tassels in water and then squeeze the water out. Shake then very hard (much harder than we show in the video). When dry and after the tassels are much more smoothed out. You must read the pattern and look at the chart to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns using this technique by clicking on the pictures below.
Video thumbnail for How to shape a hat
1:34
How to shape a hat

In this DROPS video we show how to shape a hat. Place it in water when finished and thread it over a plate. Leave to dry on plate. Repeat the process when it has been washed. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns by clicking on the pictures below.
Video thumbnail for How to work with 2 circular needles with different needle sizes
9:10
How to work with 2 circular needles with different needle sizes

In this DROPS video we show you how to work rib in a stocking stitch piece. To allow the rib to tighten, work the rib with a smaller needle size than the rest of the piece. Use both ends of the needle when working.
Video thumbnail for How to knit a sock with a square heel
2:44
How to knit a sock with a square heel

In this DROPS video, we show you how to knit a sock with a square heel. The stitches on top of the foot are placed on a thread, while the stitches at the back are kept on the needles and the heel is worked as follows (the heel extends under the foot): 1) The heel is worked back and forth across the heel-stitches to achieve the correct height. For this type of heel, the length reaches midway under the heel. 2) Next, the heel is knitted together beneath the foot. 3) The sock is then continued in the round, with stitches picked up along both sides of the heel length, working towards the toe. 4) This heel creates a square shape, which is why this type of heel is known as a square heel.