Block & Shape

Learn how to block and shape your finished project!

How to make a work a bit stiff in 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

1:34

Shape a hat

In this DROPS video we show how to shape a hat. Place it in water when finished and pull it over a plate. Leave to dry on plate. Repeat the process when it has been washed. To see a pattern with this technique, see: DROPS 150-47

6:35

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. To see a pattern where you can use this technique, see: DROPS 126-32

6:36

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

1:16

Smooth out curly yarn – small tassel

The yarn inside a yarn ball 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. To see a pattern where you can use this technique, see: Små DROPS 12-9