Is blocking different from laying flat to dry? My understanding is that blocking assertively encourages a knitted piece to conform to the desired shape and size through use of pins or maybe drying a hat on a bowl. Lay flat to dry, to me, means to lay it out, make sure it’s more or less in the right shape, and leave it. So, is there a difference or am I just muddled?
IMO blocking involves making the item conform to size or shape which would usually involve pins.
I think you’re on the right track. When you block, you can also use wires or special accessories such as sock-blockers to shape the garment/fabric.
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, the Yarn Harlot, just had a great post on her blog regarding the hows and whys of blocking:
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/2014/03/blocking-a-little-sweater/