Finishing

Blocking is the step between a finished piece and a piece that looks finished. Water, or steam, lets the stitches settle into place, the fabric relax to the size it was meant to be, and a lace pattern open so you can see it. A piece that has not been blocked looks hand made in the wrong way. The same piece blocked looks like the picture.

There are three ways to do it, and the fibre decides. Wool takes a full soak and a pin out. Fibres that cannot be soaked get a damp towel. Fibres that take steam, and acrylic in particular, get steam held above the fabric, never pressed into it.

The videos in this group walk through each method, what you need on the table before you start, how different yarns behave, and when to block at all.