Blocking, Schlocking!

Blocking is not my favorite part of knitting. Probably because it’s not really knitting. Ya think? And, being a philosophical sort, I’ve figured out that the reason I really don’t like to block is probably because I’m not all that good at it. You too? All right then! We’ll figure this out together.

In the past, my version of blocking was to soak/wash the garment and spread it out to dry. Since 95% of the garments I make are children’s stuff, it didn’t really seem all that important since I knew that the minute I handed them off, they’d be drug in the mud, thrown in the washer and dryer and well… you know. But it does matter. It does make the garments look soooo much nicer, even fit better.

Berroco to the rescue! Cirilia Rose of Berroco’s Blog has created a blocking tutorial on the Berroco site to help us. And, they’re offering a set of blocking wires and assortment of Soak as a giveaway to get you started.

Be sure to book mark this post, definitely a MVP! (most valuable post ;-), here: http://blog.berroco.com/2009/05/14/blockheads/

Even more than normal this year I’ve been trying to use yarn that I already have. I’m doing lots of odd ball projects, scrappy things and small projects, but it’s also nice sometimes to be able to use a whole skein, and just a single skein, on a project for yourself or for a gift.

The Sunburst Shawl by Jem Arrowsmith is a great option if you have a single skein of sock yarn (100 grams or 400-425 meters, which is around 437 to 465 yards) that you don’t want to make socks out of.

The design includes a section of stockinette with blocks of simple lace mesh offset to make a zig-zag design across the shawl that looks sort of like the rays on a drawing of the sun.

The lace is just yarn over, knit 2 together repeating, so this would be a great first lace knitting project if you haven’t tried that before. The designer also has a video tutorial on their website if you need more help with the technique.

You can use any sock yarn you have on hand, but this one is especially fun with the brightly colored, variegated, speckly and sparkly yarns that you might not otherwise know what to do with. The solid section lets the colors play uninterrupted, while the lace part adds a bit of texture and gives a different look to the yarn.

This asymmetrical triangle shawl measures about 73 inches or 185 cm in wingspan and is 18 inches/45.5 cm deep.

There are several completed projects on Ravelry already so you can see who the design looks in different colors and types of yarn, from self stripping to more solid and tonal options.

The pattern is available for free on Ravelry (note: on the designer’s website it says the pattern is free through Aug. 31, 2026, so I’m not sure if it will be free after that on Ravelry), and if you don’t happen to have the perfect skein of yarn to make this project, the designer also offers kits on their website that include the yarn, pattern and a stitch marker.

[Photo: Jem Arrowsmith]

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