Blocking

I never realized how important wet-blocking is for knitted and crocheted items. In my impatient years, I would merely steam iron a garment to my liking. This works for acrylic yarn and some lightweight wools, but it's really best to soak a yarny garment in cool water overnight, pat it dry and then lay it out on a towel, pull it into the desired shape and wait for it to dry. If your garment is pure wool, this can take many days, especially in the winter, but it's so worth it!

A blocked garment is thin and pliable, hangs better than an unblocked garment and the stitch pattern is more visible if the garment is blocked.

I just finished a crocheted shawl using Wisdoms Yarns' Poem sock yarn in shades of olive greens, tans and browns. I'm a sucker for long color runs and lots of yardage in a sock yarn. There's 459 yards in one skein of this sock yarn. I was out in the Valley a few weeks ago and stopped by the Stitch Cafe. I was instantly hypnotized by this yarn. I used the Lionbrand pattern "Seashell Wrap" as my basis. After following the pattern for awhile, I switched to treble crochets, added in a few filet crochet rows and finished off with a picot edge. I used all 459 yards of the yarn and a size "H" hook. The shawl was the size of a wide scarf before blocking. After soaking it overnight, I stretched it out to shawl size. I can't wait for it to be dry! This is going to be one light and airy summer shawl!

This weekend's calendar, for me, consists of yarny groups galore!! I'll be at the WeHo SnB once-a-month Saturday meetup on Saturday morning, 10-noon at the Original Farmers Market, upstairs dining area. Saturday afternoon I'll be at the beautiful mid-century building, Fairview Branch Library in Santa Monica, 3:30-5pm with my Fairview Knitters. On Sunday, the "Sometimes Sunday" Crochet Ladies are coming over to my house for more yarny adventures!! Oh yes, I do lead an exciting life!