How do I do this? I made a lace shawl out of soysilk and now I want to block it so that the corners stop curling and the sections kind of spread out because they’re a little poofy. But I just read a post on another site where someone blocked lace made out of soysilk and it ruined the project. I’ve spent so much time on this that I don’t want to ruin it!
Can you give us a link to the pattern and tell us exactly what yarn it is? It will help a lot.
This is the pattern:
http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTella.html
And the yarn is SWTC 100% Pure Soysilk in Purple Tweed.
Thanks!
I’d contact South West Trading Co. before doing anything-- as you said, after all that work, ruining it would be horrible. Having said that, though, there’s blocking and there’s blocking. You can always wash it according to the label directions, and then pin it out on a blocking board to dry. That’s very different from the steaming process, which I’d be hesitant to do without talking to SWTC, first. Wool can take it, but other fibers? Not so sure.
The SWTC websitesays hand wash warm, dry flat. You should be able to lay it flat and pin it and spritz with water, or give it a gentle bath and then pin it flat. I don’t know what that person did to it to ruin it, but it sounds like maybe they didn’t follow directions?
As for curling, that might be cured by blocking. Some patterns just have a tendency to curl, plus if you knit tight it might also add to the problem.
It’s possible they soaked it, which is what is advised for lace shawls. However, that all depends on the fiber.
For others’ information, here’s what SWTC said:
“My favorite blocking method for Soysilk is to dampen the garment, pin the edges to the ironing board and then laying a towel over the garment and ironing it on high heat. Please do not iron directly on the knit garment!”
They later clarified to dampen it using a spray bottle, not soaking.
Wow. High heat. That’s counter-intuitive, but if that’s what the company says, then I guess you’re all right.