Wet blocking: how and why

Blocking is essential in Tunisian crochet to even out the stitches, remove excess curl and set the final size and shape of the finished piece.

There are multiple ways to block, in this blog post we'll discuss wet blocking. This is the preferred method for blocking items made with wool or other animal fibers. Wet blocking is done by wetting the item, laying it out on a flat surface in its final shape, and allowing the item to fully dry.

Begin by filling your sink or bowl with water and wool wash. Be mindful of the water temperature. Usually lukewarm is the best but follow the directions on the yarn band. Hot water can cause colors to bleed and felting if there is any agitation. Using a no-rinse soap designed for animal fibers will give your item its first wash, allows the yarn to bloom, and helps fix the stitches.

Gently squeeze to remove any air so that the item can be submerged.

Allow the yarn to soak and fully absorb the water.

While waiting on the yarn to become saturated, set up the blocking area.

Blocking mats and knit blockers can make blocking much easier. If using straight pins, make sure they won't rust.

Remove the item from the water bath.

Gently squeeze (do not wring!) the item to remove excess water. Place item on towel and pat dry removing more water.

Use a tape measure and pin the item to the desired final measurements.

Pin all edges and allow to fully dry before removing.