How To Block A Crochet Square
– 2023 Crochet A Block Crochet Along –
This How To Block A Crochet Square is part of the 2023 Crochet A Block Crochet Along.
For more information about this crochet along and links to next squares CLICK HERE!
Please Note:
This post is for Crochet Squares and not how to block any other type of crochet projects. Thanks!
TO BLOCK OR NOT TO BLOCK THAT IS THE QUESTION!
When and How to block your crochet squares is depended on the project, yarn, technique and personal preference.
The Questions:
- What is blocking?
– Blocking is used to increase the size of a square due to tension issues and/or pull into shape. - Is blocking the same for all yarn types?
– No! Different yarn fibers will need different ways to be blocked as they will respond to the three types of blocking differently.
Always read your yarn label as this will indicate the way the yarn should be handled including handwashing and water temperature.Acrylic Yarn – this is a man made fiber and is resistant to water, so soaking will not work for this yarn.
Acrylic yarn can be blocked using steam, BUT DO NOT apply direct heat to you square as this will flatten your stitches and burn your yarn.
A steam iron/or garment steamer is recommended – held at least 1 inch away from your square.Wool – wool and animal fibers work well with any type of blocking technique, but again remember to soak using cool water and not to rub as this might cause you to ‘felt’ your square.
Wool absorbs a lot of water when soaked and can take a really long time to dry properly.
Water will cause the square to expand slightly, and when heat is used to dry this will cause it to shrink back into shape.Cotton – this is a natural fiber that can take a lot of hard handling. Similar to wool, it absorbs water – but wet block is perfect if your squares has a lot stitch definitions.REMEMBER – check the yarn composition of your cotton/natural yarn – it is very popular to have cotton blended with other fibers for more eco-friendly yarns.
Cotton/bamboo blends can be treated like 100% cotton and wet blocked, but cotton/acrylic blends will be blocked better using steam or spray. - Is blocking really necessary?
– Depending on the natural drape or stiffness of your yarn it might not be necessary to block. If your square keeps it shape and all your squares are the same size – you are good to go! - Blocking before or after weaving in ends?
– Ordinarily it is recommended to block your square before weaving in ends, since this allows for the ends to be weaved in with all the stitches in place.
If the ends have already been weaved in, they could cause a tightness around the stitches where they were weaved in.
HOWEVER – I weave in my ends as I go (I can hear a friend laughing), usually I do weave in my ends as I go and in so doing I block my squares after. It is important to note I do have a loose tension – so if you know you have a tight tension – I would honestly recommend you BLOCK first, then weave in ends.
How To Block A Crochet Square
There are 3 way to block your squares – and unofficially a 4th one.
- Wet blocking
- Spray blocking
- Steam Blocking
- Dry Blocking (unofficially) – this is the method I use – because with my tension and the yarn I use, it does not requiring much reshaping.
Each of the first 3 ways uses water to wet the fabric before the square is pinned into shape and allowed to dry.
Honestly, when hearing about blocking for the first time, it can seem overwhelming and confusing. Simply for the reason that there is a LOT of information available and every crocheter has their own preference.
Materials Needed For Blocking
Remember, not all will be required – use what you need for the blocking method you will use.
The essentials you will need for all the types of blocking:
- Rust proof pins, dress making pins, T-Shaped pins – Important to note they must not rust or they will ruin your yarn and leave marks.
- Blocking mat – for square, ideally, kids playmats or foam mats / OR a Block board with pegs – amazing for crochet squares and granny squares as you can block more than one square at a time.
- Tape Measure or ruler.
- Spray bottle – used to re-wet areas or pre-soak areas in both the spray and steam methods.
- Garment Steamer.
How to Steam Block your Crochet Squares:
This method is the best of acrylic yarns, or any other fiber that does not like to be fully soaked in water.
The steam allows only a small amount of water into the fabric and the heat loosens the stitches.
Please use caution when steam blocking – steam burns are very painful – keep fingers and hands out of the steam and allow the pins to cool before removing. Always follow the manufactures guidelines for steam appliances.
The Steps:
- Peg/Pin square to shape/size.
- Steam gently to dampen the fabric.
- DO NOT apply direct heat to your crochet square- acrylic will melt and your stitches will flatten with other fibers
- Keep the iron or garment steamer at least 1 inch away from the fabric.
- Once whole square has been steamed, leave to dry before removing the pins.
There are many tutorials and video for Steaming your squares.
This is one of my favorites.
How to Wet Block your Crochet Squares:
This method is best used with natural fibers like wool and cotton. The square is completely soaked in water and then pinned into shape and allowed to dry.
The Steps:
- Soak the square in cool/room temperature water (add wool care if required) for approx. 30 minutes.
- Remove from the water and gently (not wring) squeeze to remove the excess water.
- Place between two towels and press to remove more water if necessary – this does prevent any excess rubbing or stretching and ensure your yarn does not ‘felt’ (wool).
- Peg/Pin square to shape/size.
- Allow to dry completely before removing the pegs/pins.
This type of blocking is not suitable for 100% acrylic projects as acrylic fibres are resistant to water and will not absorb enough to “set” your stitches. Acrylic and acrylic blends will block better with spray or steam blocking.
There are many tutorials and video for Wet Blocking your squares.
This is one of my favorites.
How to Spray Block your Crochet Squares:
Spray blocking is a variation of wet blocking, but you don’t soak your project so the drying process is much quicker. As mentioned above, this technique is better for blended fibers such as acrylic blends.
The Steps:
- Peg/Pin square to shape/size.
- Fill a spray bottle with cool/room temperature water
- Spray your square lightly and evenly ensuring the whole square is damp.
- Stitches will relax during the spraying process.
- Allow to dry completely before removing pegs/pins.
- Optional – a heat technique like using a hairdryer waved quickly and evenly over your square can be used – this does speed up the drying process – be careful with acrylic yarn.
There are many tutorials and video for Spraying your squares.
This is one of my favorites.
How to Dry Block your Crochet Squares:
The Steps:
- Peg/Pin square to shape/size.
- Remove pegs/pins when square holds shape.
I use a Blocking Board with no rust steel pegs – that has all the square sizes drilled and measured.
DIY Blocking Boards
There a lot of tutorials and videos to make your own blocking board for your squares.
This is one of my favorites!
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