Easy Crochet Blocking Techniques

Are you looking for different ways to block crochet patterns or projects? If so, this post can help!

There’s nothing worse than spending your time and effort on a crochet project, only to find that your labor of love doesn’t look exactly like the pattern you’re working from. Or your crocheted blocks are uneven in size or starting to curl up at the edges! When this happens, you may want to use a crochet blocking technique to fix your project and make it look picture-perfect.

If you’re getting into the art of crochet, or you want to find a way to make your projects look better than before, then you’ll want to learn how to crochet block. The three main blocking methods are also easy to learn and require basic materials, making them the quickest methods of bettering your craft.

What is Crochet Blocking?

Crochet blocking is a method of manipulating crochet projects to change the size and shape of the fabric. The technique is used for intricate crochet designs, flattening out curled corners, and increasing the size of the fabric block.

Blocking helps to even out any unevenness in the fabric and make it look more professional.

There are three successful crochet blocking methods:

1. spray
2. steam
3. wet blocking

The blocking technique involves wetting a square of yarn and pinning it to a blocking mat or board to achieve a better aesthetic, change its shape, or increase its size.

When To Use Crochet Blocking

You can use crochet blocking for any projects that need to be manipulated, to make your projects look more polished, or to flatten crochet blocks before joining them together. Projects like sweaters and blankets can benefit from this technique.

Crochet blocking is also a great way for beginners to fix their projects and achieve more even block sizes and shapes.

Read on down to learn about the 3 different ways that I’ve used to block my crochet projects. These techniques will help give your projects a crisp look.

Crochet Blocking Supplies

To block crochet projects, you will need water, pins & a blocking board. I found the blocking board I use on Amazon, but you could look at almost any craft store, and they should have them.

3 Types of Blocking to Use in Crochet

The three crochet blocking methods are wet, steam, and spray blocking.

1. Wet Blocking
2. Steam Blocking
3. Spray Blocking

Before you start with any of these methods, you’ll want to gather some rust-proof pins, a blocking board, and your fabric or completed projects.

All methods require the use of water. Water helps to relax the fibers and reduces the curl as they dry into a forced shape.

Blocking pins are best used for bigger projects such as sweaters and blankets if they are already completed. Still, most sturdy sewing pins will work for smaller pieces of a project that aren’t yet joined together.

The crochet projects that need blocking are appliques, sweaters, and blankets. Blocking will always depend on the type of yarn, stitches, and project.

How to Block Crochet Patterns

Method #1: Crochet Wet Blocking

The method of wet blocking requires a few extra materials and steps and is best used for acrylic yarns and wools. However, it’s not recommended for delicate fabrics like mohair or silk, as it can damage the material by over-stretching it. You may want to use one of the above methods for these materials instead.

Once you’ve gathered your basic supplies, run a sink or basin of water and grab a towel to have handy. Then, follow these steps:

1. Soak your fabric block in cold or lukewarm water for up to thirty minutes. Thicker wools will need longer to soak up the water, while thinner yarns may need as little as five minutes.
2. Drain the sink and carefully squeeze any excess moisture out of your fabric. Be careful not to wring the material out, as it can damage your fabric!
3. Lay the fabric block on one half of a towel and cover it with the other half. Pressing gently, you need to ensure that the towel has soaked up any excess moisture.
4. When the fabric is damp and no longer soaking wet, lay it on your blocking mat and manipulate it into the right shape and size.
5. Pin your fabric block into place, being careful not to over-stretch your yarn.
6. Leave your fabric to dry completely before removing the pins. For wet crochet blocking, this may take a few days.

Method #2: Crochet Steam Blocking

The second method of steam blocking requires all the basic materials and an iron or steamer. If you’re using an iron, you’ll need to be careful not to let it touch your yarn. Touching your fabric with an iron can cause burning, melting, and other damage, which will waste all your hard work!

Steam blocking is a method that is recommended for all natural yarn products. While this also works on acrylic yarn, there are other methods that work better for that type.

Once you’ve gotten your materials together, you can follow these easy steps:

1. Lay your fabric block flat on your blocking board and manipulate it into your desired shape or size.
2. Pin your fabric block as flat as you can and ensure that none of the edges are curling upward.
3. Using your iron or steamer, hover the appliance over the fabric block and release as much steam as you can onto your yarn.
4. Check that your yarn is damp to the touch. But be careful! It may still be hot from the steam of your iron.
5. Leave your yarn to dry completely before removing the pins and joining your block to the rest of your project.

Method #3: Crochet Spray Blocking

Spray blocking works for any type of yarn type, but it does not perform quite as well as the other methods.

For this method, you’ll need all the basic materials, plus a spray bottle filled with cold or lukewarm water. Then, you’ll want to use these steps to block your fabric successfully:

1. Lay your fabric flat on your blocking board and manipulate it to your preferred shape or size.
2. Pin along the edges of your fabric block. You’ll want to pin all four corners and the middle points along the top and bottom of your block. You can also pin the middle points of the side edges if you wish.
3. Spray your fabric block with the spray bottle until it is damp but not saturated. Be careful not to over spray your fabric! It should be damp to the touch without releasing excess water when applying pressure.
4. Leave the fabric to dry completely before unpinning it. This may take around twenty-four hours, but it’s important to ensure it has finished drying before removing it from the blocking mat.

I used a spray blocking technique on my easy chevron blanket.

Crochet blocking is the technique of wetting and manipulating crochet projects to make intricate patterns more prominent, fix curled edges, and give them a more polished look overall. If you want to crochet block your yarn, you can use one of the three best methods for the most amazing crochet results!

#4 (Bonus) Add A Border

While this is not a blocking technique per se, you can try adding a border or edging to the fabric. A border, such as a ribbed edge or garter stitch, can help to weigh down the fabric and prevent it from curling.

Common Crochet Blocking FAQ’s

How to Block a Large Crochet Blanket

Blocking large blankets can be difficult. It can be done by having either enough blocking squares to cover the full size of the blanket, or by using a large bed or area on the floor.

How to Block Crochet Squares

Crochet squares can be blocked with steam blocking, wet blocking or spray blocking, A blocking board is recommended, but you can also use a DIY blocking station to block the squares.

How to Use a Crochet Blocking Board

A crochet blocking board is used by placing the crochet piece you’d like to block on the board and pinning it down, so it stays in place to take shape.

How Do I Block Acrylic Yarn?

When you block acrylic yarn, you cannot use direct heat, or it can melt the fibers. Instead, opt to use a hair dryer instead, making sure not to get to close to the fibers but just enough to block the project into shape.

You are Now Ready to Block Your Crochet Projects!

Follow along with me for more tips, free patterns, and tutorials over on Pinterest where I pin daily!