Blocking a finished garment

How do you block a finished garment that is already assembled?

I am used to blocking pieces before assembling. I know some knitters don't
block, but I just have to -- otherwise for me, it feels sort of like wearing
an unironed blouse. And I found with wool that it evens out the tension and
shaping nicely.

I did a from-the-top-down, all-in-one-piece bulky pullover sweater out of
Cascade Magnum. There was no assembly at all. But now I'm not sure how to
block it.

I'm thinking do it like I would pieces, pin it to shape on a blocking board
covered with a damp bath towel. But being assembled, I'm not sure how I'd
pin it to shape, so that both front and back get blocked properly. It also
seems like with two layers, top and bottom, of heavy wool, it would take
weeks to dry!

Any ideas?

Karen in MN

Why bother? If you are compulsive enough to block a top-down sweater,
find a Wooly Board, or make one.

Michelle
Who doesn't sew and doesn't block

On Wed, 5 Nov 2003 12:34:19 -0600, "Karen"
wrote:

How do you block a finished garment that is already assembled?

I am used to blocking pieces before assembling. I know some knitters don't
block, but I just have to -- otherwise for me, it feels sort of like wearing
an unironed blouse. And I found with wool that it evens out the tension and
shaping nicely.

I did a from-the-top-down, all-in-one-piece bulky pullover sweater out of
Cascade Magnum. There was no assembly at all. But now I'm not sure how to
block it.

I'm thinking do it like I would pieces, pin it to shape on a blocking board
covered with a damp bath towel. But being assembled, I'm not sure how I'd
pin it to shape, so that both front and back get blocked properly. It also
seems like with two layers, top and bottom, of heavy wool, it would take
weeks to dry!

Any ideas?

Karen in MN

I hadn't heard of a Wooly Board, I'll google that, thanks!

P.S. I iron my pillowcases too.


"SlinkyToy" wrote in message
...
Why bother? If you are compulsive enough to block a top-down sweater,
find a Wooly Board, or make one.

Michelle
Who doesn't sew and doesn't block

On Wed, 5 Nov 2003 12:34:19 -0600, "Karen"
wrote:

How do you block a finished garment that is already assembled?

I am used to blocking pieces before assembling. I know some knitters
don't
block, but I just have to -- otherwise for me, it feels sort of like
wearing
an unironed blouse. And I found with wool that it evens out the tension
and
shaping nicely.

I did a from-the-top-down, all-in-one-piece bulky pullover sweater out of
Cascade Magnum. There was no assembly at all. But now I'm not sure how
to
block it.

I'm thinking do it like I would pieces, pin it to shape on a blocking
board
covered with a damp bath towel. But being assembled, I'm not sure how
I'd
pin it to shape, so that both front and back get blocked properly. It
also
seems like with two layers, top and bottom, of heavy wool, it would take
weeks to dry!

Any ideas?

Karen in MN

In article ,
wrote..
I hadn't heard of a Wooly Board, I'll google that, thanks!

P.S. I iron my pillowcases too.

Okay, shades of the Twilight Zone, no doubt about it, Karen, we
ARE related.
I LOVE to iron, always said that if we ever had another 1929
great depression, I'd take in ironing!
doodoodoodoo, doodoodoodoo....
LOL,
Hugs,
Noreen

--
STRIP *tease* to email me.

Noreen er, it sounds like you need another break!!!!!!! IRONING ewwwww yucky
You're scaring me!!!!!!!!!

Loads of hugs,
Melody


"Noreen's Knit*che" wrote in message
t...
In article ,
wrote..
I hadn't heard of a Wooly Board, I'll google that, thanks!

P.S. I iron my pillowcases too.

Okay, shades of the Twilight Zone, no doubt about it, Karen, we
ARE related.
I LOVE to iron, always said that if we ever had another 1929
great depression, I'd take in ironing!
doodoodoodoo, doodoodoodoo....
LOL,
Hugs,
Noreen

--
STRIP *tease* to email me.

In article
e.rogers.com,
wrote..

Noreen er, it sounds like you need another break!!!!!!! IRONING ewwwww yucky
You're scaring me!!!!!!!!!

Loads of hugs,
Melody
Nooooooooo, for ME ironing is soothing....been doing it since age
8, first thing I ironed was Dad's hankie's and the pillowcases!
Now, I know an Author who finds cleaning the toilet soothing...
she was jailed during the McCarthy witchhunts, and when the
guards got angry with her, they'd make her clean commodes with a
toothbrush, and she got personal satisfaction out of it!
LOL!
Hugs,
Noreen

--
STRIP *tease* to email me.

Noreen's Knit*che wrote:


Nooooooooo, for ME ironing is soothing....been doing it since age
8, first thing I ironed was Dad's hankie's and the pillowcases!
Now, I know an Author who finds cleaning the toilet soothing...
she was jailed during the McCarthy witchhunts, and when the
guards got angry with her, they'd make her clean commodes with a
toothbrush, and she got personal satisfaction out of it!


Talk about to see the positive side in everything! LOL

Noreen, ok, the iron is ready, when did you say you are arriving to my
place? :-)))

Hugs,

Anna Maria/ who HATES ironing

SlinkyToy wrote:
Why bother? If you are compulsive enough to block a top-down sweater,
find a Wooly Board, or make one.


You can buy one from Jamieson and Smith. Their web site is
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/shetland-wool-brokers/
The "Jumper board" is mentioned on their web site, but you will have to email
them to get a price. We bought one a few years back, and they are great.
Roger.

--
Yarn Forward
Your On Line Yarn Store
http://www.yarnforward.com

| On Thu, 06 Nov 2003 08:25:17 -0500, Yarn Forward wrote:



SlinkyToy wrote:
Why bother? If you are compulsive enough to block a top-down sweater,
find a Wooly Board, or make one.


You can buy one from Jamieson and Smith. Their web site is
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/shetland-wool-brokers/
The "Jumper board" is mentioned on their web site, but you will have to email
them to get a price. We bought one a few years back, and they are great.
Roger.

I could find No picture on that page but there is a picture at the bottom
of this page:
http://www.kirtlandyarnbarn.com/accessories/swifts.asp
mine looks pretty much like that, but lacks the foot. Guess I'll ask DH to
make me a foot like that for mine. Mine does fold in the middle, so it
takes up less room hanging on the peg board in the laundry room when not in
use.


Helen "Halla" Fleischer,
Fantasy & Fiber Artist in Fairland, MD USA
http://home.covad.net/~drgandalf/halla/

In article ,
Noreen's Knit*che wrote:

Nooooooooo, for ME ironing is soothing....been doing it since age
8, first thing I ironed was Dad's hankie's and the pillowcases!


I did that too; iron his hankies and sew on his buttons. I felt really
proud that he trusted me, but discovered later it was because he hated
doing it himself.

--
Kirsten Procter ghoti
Current projects; full-length dress with matching jacket, child's jumper,
gifts