I just blocked my Oblique cardigan…and I’m DYING to share photos, but it still needs buttons!!!
Anyway, it’s my first cardi and though I’ve blocked dog sweater before :teehee:…I noticed about a size difference (larger, even in sleeve length) after blocking, though I didn’t even stretch the sleeves.
I’m happy with the final result, but…is it a good idea to knit things one size smaller??? After all that work you DON’T want to find out you should have made it larger or smaller.
I don’t think so. Getting it wet might make it stretch out more, but you can pin it to size. There’s no need to make stuff a size smaller or larger… if you find out it’s a little small or larger you can block it to size! I’d say just knit the size you want and pin it to exact measurements.
Sort of. To a limited extent.
Lay it out on a couple of thick, dry towels.
Spray until very damp all over but not dripping.
Then begin using your palms to sort of pat and push together
the areas that are too big – side seams, neckline, whatever.
You won’t be able to reduce it by a whole lot without creating lumps and puckers, but you can probably narrow it down enough to refine the fit. Let it dry very thoroughly. A cool fan helps.
I don’t think I would go a whole size smaller but the idea is to make it a little smaller so you can stretch it to the exact size it should be.
Too much stretching and it will look stretched out.
I don’t think it’s possible to block something smaller (unless it shrinks from the blocking method but that will change the texture drastically sometimes). Maybe a little but not much.
Do you want a Cardigan to be snug? The plan for mine is that it will be like a jacket. At the time of year I will wear it I will be wearing heavier cloths under it.
Heat doesn’t make wool shrink, heat makes it more prone to felting, just like harsh soap makes it prone to felting. To actually felt takes agitation.
Natural hair has plates, the heat and soap makes those plates stand up. When agitated while those plates are standing the hair sticks together. Just like when you get the frizzies and your hair gets ratted up.
I steam block wool and it doesn’t shrink at all.
I have just the opposite problem - just finished the front and back of my first sweater and even did a gauge check, but the finished product (in 75% cotton, 25% rayon) is about 2" narrower than the pattern calls for. I still have one sleeve to finish and then will try to block it “bigger.” Maybe, if I were you, I’d use the bigger size as an excuse to have a couple of milkshakes:)
Stupid question, but did you guys block your swatches? I blocked my cotton swatch and it grew almost an inch, and stayed that way when it dried. Maybe it’s how your fiber reacts with water the first time? :?? :shrug:
FV
