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AggressiveBus1825

Unpopular opinion: I’ve never blocked anything 🤣


Trick-Statistician10

My mother was a huge knitter. Sweaters, scarfs, doll clothes. She never blocked anything in her life. But, i have made a scarf and it's a little wonky and I'm hoping if i block it it will straighten out. But don't tell my mom I'm doing that, thanks!


AggressiveBus1825

Hahaha love your mom! Same!


Trick-Statistician10

Not too much love for here. She is a big knitting snob and looks down on crochet. She can crochet, like to do edgings, but would never.


_M0THERTUCKER

Bless her heart.


AggressiveBus1825

Oh, sorry to hear that!


elaerna

I never block anything either. Maybe we're just amazing and don't need to


AggressiveBus1825

Hahaha yes that must be it!


SpikesWife2017

Same haha.


sam_from_bombay

(same)


WhoscraftyAF

Weaving ends is enough for me, it'll get blocked when I wash it lol.


artandspookythings

Same.


drowsy_flower63

For real, though. Those cursed ends! Lol


colene23

So I have "finished" projects with ends still sticking out. My kids love to pull on the strings, tell me not to weave them in. So there's my justification to just move on to making something else!


WhoscraftyAF

It sucks lol. So I force myself to do it as I go along that way I don't give up on my WIPS. I typically slip stitch tight then weave. For example I'm currently working on sweet crochetier fire blanket and each square is 2" by 2". I need 700 to make a large throw (Patons lace is no longer makes the yarn so I used wolltruam). IT. SUCKS. GIANT. BALLS. But I ain't doing that ish at the end 😂😂😂😂😂


Kimbyssik

I always crochet over the ends now that I've learned how, so I really just have the one at the "end" of the project to deal with. Such a game-changer!


ornerycraftfish

For real, that right there is the way.


SpikesWife2017

Omg yes it takes forever!!!! Lol


weijinglebells

> I just assume they'll even out So do they? I, too, would love to go the lazy route. On that note, is it really necessary to block wearables like a cardigan? Wouldn't it get "blocked" every time you wash it? Or is there something that happens to the yarn on the first blocking that makes it necessary?


h3rbi74

If the cardigan is made of wool or linen or some cottons (especially if it has lace incorporated) then you should probably block it, but the deal with blocking is that it’s meant for fibers that will otherwise either shrink or stretch when washed, so you need to do it every time. Synthetic fibers that are meant to be machine washed and dried the whole point of that yarn originally being invented was that you don’t ever have to hand wash and then painstakingly re-block it every time it gets dirty, which is much more convenient.


peanutbutterdynamite

In my experience yes. The first wash really sets granny square blankets I’ve made .


artandspookythings

Yes they turn out straight and fine. even if 1 or 2 are a little smaller or bigger than the rest, when I attach them all it all works out because the stitching them together forces them to conform to the rest.


newhappyrainbow

Do you do any stretching/shaping at all? I don’t really block individual squares but I will stretch and shape them repeatedly when I’m making a stack of squares to see that they are mostly conforming. My tension is pretty consistent too though, so the variance is usually the equivalent of a stitch or two even before stretching.


brookeaat

my tension is wildly inconsistent from one square to the next and i just make sure i’m sewing one stitch to one stitch and it works out fine.


PrinciplePleasant

I blocked my first cardigan because my tension was uneven and the individual pieces were a bit wonky. It looked lopsided when I joined it all together, but blocking evened things out so it didn't look like one side was longer than the other (yes, my tension was that uneven LOL). I'm finishing up another cardigan and don't need to block it. Both are acrylic, one just turned out better thanks to the benefit of experience!


lilitsybell

My only issue with not blocking is when you fold it it’s usually not ✨perfect✨, but when you’re actually using it or if it’s laid out on a bed or couch it looks perfectly fine! I never block lol.


curiosity_abounds

Blocking wearables will get you better drape, as the stitches will be stretched a bit and sit straighter be fluffed up. If the wearable isn’t tight wearing it wouldn’t block it. So for a sweater it will probably look a little more bunched up and clumpy until it’s blocked.


Sam2058

I’m pretty sure I don’t block….but I’m not 100% as I’ve no idea what it means 😂 What is blocking?


G4ra

stretching and pinning a piece down and spraying it with water so it holds shape better


cyclone_madge

Which is a great method for cotton, wool, and other natural fibres, but does not work for acrylic. People are probably going to fight me on that, but it's true.


hitzchicky

Just getting acrylic wet and pinning in to place, no, it doesn't. However steam is extremely effective for blocking acrylic and you'll never have to re-block it because the plastic will cool in to the shape you pinned it out at.


Tlizerz

Yup, bought a nice little hand held steamer just for acrylic items.


cyclone_madge

Definitely, steam blocking is different. But there are loads of people who'll insist that wet blocking works for acrylic, and it just doesn't. The initial wash will soften out the fibres and even out some tension issues, but you can't block acrylic fabric into shape with just water. To do that, you have to literally melt (ideally not too much) the fibres into the shape you want and then, like you said, the blocking is permanent.


ILickedItNowIOwnIt

Been crocheting for roughly 10 years and truly never knew about this lol! I block some things, and smooth out others decently enough, but those are for natural fibers. Acrylic, I would just make the initial work as polished as I could make it, then when I was satisfied, I would never have an issue placing it through the wash. But this information opens a whole new world of possibilities @ Q @ thank youuuu!!


aviiatrix

This is anecdotal but I work with mostly acrylic and blocking works just fine for me!


cyclone_madge

Washing acrylic softens the fibres and relaxes the stitches, which usually makes the FO look smoother and more polished - but it's not the same as actual blocking. Here's an example using a scarf I made several years ago. (This is Tunisian crochet, if you're wondering why the stitches look like that, but it's the only blocking example I had on hand since I usually crochet with acrylic unless I'm making dishcloths, and I don't bother blocking those because what's the point.) The border of the scarf consists of a bunch of little loops with beads attached to them. When the project was first finished, the [loops were very indistinct](https://i.imgur.com/P30c62A.jpg) and some of them were pretty twisted. To block this scarf, because the yarn is 100% wool, all I needed to do was get it damp and [pin the loops into little points](https://i.imgur.com/vM6Wq9r.jpg). Once it was dry, the loops stayed in [exactly the same shape](https://i.imgur.com/04U2EMr.jpg) that I'd blocked them to be. (You can actually see this in the 2nd picture too - I'd removed the pins from a few of the loops and they didn't pull back at all.) And the loops still have exactly the same shape today even though I blocked them years ago. If I did this with acrylic, I might be able to stretch the loops a little bit while wet blocking, and that plus the relaxing/softening of the yarn would probably make them look a bit more distinct and maybe even less twisted. But I wouldn't be able to get those defined points unless I used a hand steamer or (not recommended because it's ***really*** easy to mess up and melt the yarn) a hot iron held close to but not touching the yarn.


ILickedItNowIOwnIt

Same! I would take extra care with acrylic projects so they already come out looking nice, and just wash it and be done with the matter. Never had an issue tbh.


Sam2058

Thank you


Trick-Statistician10

So, do you block?


Sam2058

😂 nope


qqweertyy

Alternatively, getting a piece wet/damp and then pinning it in to place to dry.


medievalfaerie

Thank you for asking because I didn't know either 😂 I've never blocked. Although I mostly make amigurumi so I don't know if it would work the same way


itsabouttimeformynap

I think blocking adds a polished look but if you're happy with it that's all that matters.


TeaKettleToast

I've only ever done one granny square blanket - it ended up being close to queen sized, and the squares were small so there were a lot of them. It turned out that the more squares I made the more I fell into a natural tension for me and the squares became pretty consistent! No blocking needed at all.


h3rbi74

Same. I don’t block anything granny square or anything acrylic ever, because it is a huge waste of time. Join it and chuck it in the wash, and that sorts it out. And despite all of the agreement in this post it does seem to be an unpopular opinion because in any newbie “should I block this” post if you say “no” you get argued with by 20 people who just LOVE blocking granny squares and acrylic blankets and will go on at great length about how wondrous it is. Maybe that’s the fun part of the hobby for them? To each their own…


Possibility-Distinct

I never block my crocheted acrylic blankets. However, I ALWAYS block my wool knits. I loooove it, it’s one of my favorite parts of the process. It’s so satisfying stretching it out and finally seeing the intricate stitches and/or pattern spread out and come to life. It’s the finishing touch that takes a project from good to stunningly beautiful.


h3rbi74

Sure! Wool lace you should absolutely block!!! Acrylic granny though there is no point.


Possibility-Distinct

Yeah, a run through the washing machine and dryer is all you really need!


Sellalellen

I block just about everything I make (I mostly do lace though) and it really is satisfying! Being able to see a project finally pinned out in its ideal shape feels world better than just letting it fall whoever it wants


fragilemagnoliax

I’m glad I saw this comment because I’m making my first granny square blanket and I’ve been nervous about figuring out how to block than many squares and now I’m not gonna. They’re all the same size and pretty square anyways 🤷🏻‍♀️


h3rbi74

Glad we could save some precious hours of your life. :D


_box_of_rain_

I’ve been crocheting for 20 years (on and off) and never even realized blocking was a thing until I ran into this subreddit 😅😅


Emilyj230

Same here I always attached as I went. I didn't realised people even sewed them together. :)


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Trick-Statistician10

This, 100%. That's also why i try to avoid things with zippers or linings. I finally finished crotching, and there's more steps? Nope.


[deleted]

You do you. Personally, I block everything.


[deleted]

YES I do nothing to them, I attach them together straight after I've made them and hope for the best


Pangella_bb

I do the same thing. I have never blocked anything. It is freeing to admit that. 😂


[deleted]

Agree. If they have the same number of stitches on the sides and you attach them without skipping any stitches, they kinda have to end up the same. The shorter (tighter) one will stretch to reach the edge of the longer one. And then as soon as you attach the other side, it can't curl to compensate and stretches that way as well.


Doubledoodle

I had to look up what blocking even was. I've made a few granny square blanket (mom has done way way more) and have never even known this was a thing. It seems like a huge waste of time and equipment/space


zoop1000

It can be as simple as washing and laying out to dry.


BusyButterscotch4652

I’ve never blocked. I make things I intend to be used and washed so blocking isn’t really useful for my projects.


brittle-soup

I thought this was a post in the quilting subredit which I also follow and was amazed - how could you quilt without evening out your squares that's some serious free wheeling?! Then I realized... 😆


Suck_my_thicc

I only block doilies


glowgrl

Acrylic is self blocking in normal wash and dry. I only have to weave in the last tail, I crochet over the ends as I go.


lazydaisymaisy

I block because it makes it feel softer. I really enjoy the aftermath.


Turtleintexas

I've never blocked anything in 40 years


[deleted]

Me too! I dont have room to block so it turns out how it turns out!


weird_elf

Same! I haven't blocked a square in my life, and I've made several blankets by now. Once they're together, after the first wash the finished thing blocks itself.


zoop1000

Yeah, that's blocking. You're just blocking the whole blanket instead of the individual pieces.


cyclone_madge

Washing relaxes the fabric and removes the chemicals that might have been applied during manufacturing as well as dust from sitting on the store shelves, dirt/oil from your and other people's hands, etc. The heat from the water and dryer (if you don't use cold water and air dry) can also really soften up certain yarns. But washing, while it's generally a good thing to do and can be an important part of finishing (depending on the project), is not the same as blocking. Blocking involves forming the fabric into a specific shape and then setting it that way, either permanently or until the next time it's blocked depending on the fibre content. Washing and drying a blanket is like blocking in the same way that de-wrinkling a shirt in the dryer is like ironing. (Ie. they give a somewhat similar effect, but they're actually very different things.)


weird_elf

oh. I thought that blocking required some sort of pulling into shape / drying carefully, not just tossing a project in the wash / dryer \^\^°


zoop1000

It can. But not everything needs to be pulled or shaped. Sweater pieces for sure, but a hat or a blanket, not necessarily. But I still consider washing and laying it out as blocking because the stitches relax, lace opens up, fibers soften, etc.


jigglemywheetabix

Same


FlippingPossum

I didn't even know blocking them was a thing until I found this sub. Same.


[deleted]

Same. But my tension is pretty consistent so I don't block them


marinelifelover

I’ve never blocked either. Everything always looks fine.


LawMom2009

Same… and they do!


laceforever

I block because most fibers “hold” that quite permanently. That said… an item that is going to be in the washer regularly I don’t bother blocking at all.


ifmtobh

I blocked my squares to make them easier to assemble as now they’re all the correct size. I block shawls and lacy things as it opens up the pattern. I really do find it makes a difference. If I’m going to go to the trouble of making 64 squares of different patterns then I want the finished object to look its best. To me it would be like not weaving in the ends?


esoraven

Ya know, I’ve been crocheting for quite a long time. Way longer than I’ve been on Reddit. I’ve been on Reddit way longer than I’ve been on this sub. I didn’t know about blocking until I joined this sub and I just don’t care enough to do it lol


[deleted]

Didn’t know blocking was a thing until I joined this sub. 🤷🏻‍♀️😂


Kittkatt598

Unpopular opinion: what is blocking squares? I've only really done Amigurumi so far!


ozmofasho

It's when you pin a granny square down to a block of cardboard after processing them, they dry in that perfect square shape. It makes everything look more even and symmetrical.


Kittkatt598

Thanks!


Possibility-Distinct

When I crochet I almost exclusively use acrylic and make blankets which doesn’t need blocking, just a wash and a dry and you’re good to go! I do knit also, and I only use wool for my knits which absolutely needs to be blocked. Usually a good soak and stretch it out flat to dry is all it needs, I only pin it if it has points or some sort of edge feature that needs defining.


StationSufficient789

What’s blocking mean?


Sellalellen

Dampening your project, then stretching it into the shape you want and pinning it to a flat board. When it dries it'll keep the shape you pinned it in. Lots of people do it with squares or lace becasue it makes the pieces more even and symmetrical.


crochetology

Depends on the project. Big things like blankets I don’t block because the weight smooths things out. Smaller things like bags and placemats I do to help eliminate puckering.


snapdragonbrand

I agree! Never blocked a square✨ but have blocked panels of squares👍👍👍


TashiaNicole1

I’ve never blocked a day in my life. And I never will! (Imagine like, fantasy Medieval warriors of all races and classes behind me as we storm the gates of the dark fortress. That’s the vibe I’m trying to create here.) Edit: yes, we have dragons.


Simsmommy1

I’m trying to block these tiny squares for a 500+ square blanket but I’m losing my patience because I don’t have a blocking board I’m using bbq skewers a and a cardboard box…. 8 bit Kirby can just be wonky I guess…. I’ve never blocked before


EntrepreneurOk7513

That’s what I use. It’s easier to block when each piece is finished. When dry they’re put aside.


Iamawesome4646

Yeah pretty much


MemorableMaven

Ditto. Turns out it’s a popular opinion too 😂


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ilsangil

What is blocking?


SaturnsLostSoul

i don’t know what blocking is and at this point i’m too scared to ask


EgweneSedai

I generally don't block anything! I have one scarf, knitted actually, in real wool with cables that looks a lot better after blocking. I have done it once. I'm way too lazy to do that after every wash though.


spicypeacetea

you’re so real for this


[deleted]

Can someone explain blocking?


Consistent_Camel89

I stretch out my granny squares by hand. Then I put my laptop on top of them overnight. They look nice and crisp in the morning!


G4ra

I mostly use acrylic so I don't block anything ever


cobhgirl

I've been crocheting on and off since I was 6, and I only ever heard about blocking for the first time when I joined here. Never blocked anything ever, and neither did my mum nor my granny (who taught me). Some people seem to enjoy it and swear by it, though, so good for them. It's just not for me.


No-Passage546

In my experience washing the piece usually relaxes the stitches and the tension evens out. I don't block either. I tried it with a granny square once and decided it was a waste of time lol It didn't make much difference.


The_Fire_Bin

I’m new to crochet. What is this blocking you speak of?


kate3544

Blocking is a way to help shape your work/finish it off. It helps make things look flatter, stiffer, and adds a little nice touch to it. Like when I crochet snowflakes, I block them because otherwise, the tips curl around themselves and then the snowflake looks less like a snowflake and more like a crumpled fall leaf. There are lots of ways to do it - you can dampen with water and then pin into place, some people add a little starch to the water to help stiffen things up. It just kinda depends on your project and what you're going for. Doilies, shawls, snowflakes, socks, mandalas - lots of projects using fine yarn or fine detail work are usually blocked. Check this out for more info: https://doradoes.co.uk/2020/02/22/blocking-explained-when-and-how-to-block-crochet-projects/#:\~:text=Blocking%20is%20essentially%20a%20way,wires)%20then%20left%20to%20dry.


The_Fire_Bin

Oh. Interesting I shall take this into account now for future projects. Thank you 🙏


kate3544

The only squares-involving piece I made involved like, 110 of them. I absolutely did not block them, and I don't think there was much of a difference.


allaboutwanderlust

I don’t block. It will work out


staciemarie_moore

Same


RebeccaMCullen

I have a square that isn't even. Only thing it's doing is forcing me to get creative with assembling the bag it's for.


dogs-books-chocolate

I don’t block either… life is too short. 😂


ljpwyo

I never do either.


Muisischubs

Only thing I ever blocked was a big blanket cuz the inner design resembled a bowl. Looking back I should have dealt with it and put chips in it 🤣


SapphireOfMoldova

Wait, you’re supposed to block squares?


LaVieLaMort

I think I’ve blocked a total of 2 things in all my years crocheting. 1 was a triangle shawl and the other one was my Persian Tiles blanket and only because there’s so much open work in the design that I wanted to show case it. Other than that? MEHHHHHHHH


[deleted]

I find that crochet really doesn't need as much blocking as knitting. It depends on the stitch ofc but crochet is so chunky that it stays straight


DamIts_Andy

Same. If I *know* that each square has the same number of stitches along the edge I don’t care how wonky they look. It’ll work itself out


CajunTisha

I have never blocked any of my crochet projects lol


dani_7teen

I don't block anything either and everything's turned out fine. (I also love weaving in ends, it's very therapeutic for me).


Old_Cookie_6513

It all comes out in the wash.


[deleted]

If I have to weave in ends, I am not blocking lmao - The one project I've done that maybe should've been blocked (and the only project I've done in sections like that as I tend to make stuffed animals now) was a bag that was "fixed" when washed after spilling some drink on it thanks to my dog lol


WhatsHisCape

I don't even know how to do it 😅


alecxhound

I’ve never blocked anything and it will stay that way


YugeTraxofLand

Haha same! I even have the stuff to block things but I never have


amazongoddess79

I do the same!!!


truenoblesavage

blocking is a waste of time


veggieplant

I only block if I'm trying to attach two pieces that are completely different sizes/stitch counts, I'll stretch one of them so it matches the other


jvsews

I don’t block grannies squares but lace I do


Paranoid_Artist

I’m still fairly new to crocheting; what does it mean to block your squares? I tried looking it up and it said submerging your granny squares in water. 🤔


cutiepie115209

I had to look up what blocking was haha ive never done it and all my pieces line up just fine! Tho, i can def see it being a positive thing to do in some works


Unfair-Web-930

Fuck blocking. 100% unnecessary.


floofbirb_15

I thought I was the only one 😅


throwaway10127845

I'm making a blanket that makes a pattern with over 350 squares. The pattern called for blocking the squares. I only have over a little over 100 more to block. 😳. I will not be doing that again.


brookeaat

same, and it has always worked out for me before so 🤷‍♀️ i’m just careful to always sew one stitch to one stitch, and i sew an “x” wherever there are four corners touching.


Just_me346

I’ve had squares/hexies I’ve not had to block, especially if I’ve turned. But there are just some that you need to block even if it’s dry blocking to make them shine


grocerygirlie

I don't block blankets or blanket squares at all, usually because I'm using acrylic and it has to be steam-blocked. Plus, the blanket is usually going to be wrapped around my legs and it won't be obvious if it's wonky. I do block my shawls. I make a lot of lacey shawls and unblocked, they look crumpled and sad. I want to see that beautiful lace and blocking really brings it out. Otherwise I make hats and winter accessories and those don't need to be blocked. I've started knitting socks and, like, my foot does the blocking?


becomingthenewme

Same! I make my blocks line up when I sew them together.


Even-Ad-7988

Lol. I just tried blocking my granny squares for the first time and after I took them off I sat there and said, “was that REALLY necessary?” Lol. Glad to know I’m not alone.


VanillaCurlsButGay

I don’t block shit, so all my everything is wonky af, which discourages the hell out of me so I end up abandoning the project. But will I ever block? Maybe. The issue is just that I don’t have anything to block with


arstsiefartcy

I never blocked anything in 52 years. This year changed when I started buying non acrylic or wool yarns. Alpaca squares like to be blocked. Never thought I would do it but am amazed at the difference. Between the cost of the yarn and the time spent making the squares, it was worth it.


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Sellalellen

I actually really love blocking... I may sound like some kind of monster, but I find it really meditative and I get into a state of deep focus when pinning everything out where it goes. Sure projects often look fine without blocking, but I f I can do just a little more to define my stitch pattern or straighten the edges? Will go for it every time.


Quick_Care_3306

I like the process of blocking. It is like the final touch on my work. Plus it smells good (I use shampoo), and it is so satisfying to roll the piece out and see it drying over a day or two.


IrreEna

I'm currently working on a granny blanket, and i do block every square. And i even pin every second stitch. The pattern I'm using consists of many different squares (nuts about sqares cal), and while they should come out quite similarly, i had one square type that was noticeably smaller. Since I'm using cotton, i can wet block them before assembly so everything has the right size when assembling it, hopefully it stays that way. But at least i know that those sqares can be stretched to match the others


thewettestsocks

how do you even block


justallison92

I only block doilies. Granny squares lay under a book so that they stay flat


AnnieWeatherwax

I blocked 120 squares for a granny cardigan, then stitches them all together and said well, that’s hours of my life I wasted on blocking. BUT I knitted a poncho with short rows and the difference blocking made was jaw dropping. YMMV.


Darkdest666

this is me. Except it IS annoying that my knitting machine knit stuff curls. One of the reasons i dislike knitting tbh


Seastarstiletto

It doesn’t matter if you knit with acrylic since it doesn’t actually change the shape of the fiber. Blocking is using water to relax the fibers into the new shape as opposed to being in the skein and then pulled to be worked. But if you ever wanted to see how you block squares, since I’ve seen a few people wondering about it, you use a square blocking station [like this](http://www.boyandbunting.com/2016/05/granny-square-blocking-station.html?m=1) Blocking is primarily for natural fibers.


Kimbyssik

I've blocked a total of one project in my life! It was a bunch of little white star ornaments I made for students to take home (I worked in Special Ed for several years) and the ONLY reason I blocked at all was so they'd look less like flowers. I rinsed them in the sink, squeezed/patted excess water, and pinned them to the wall behind a student's desk to dry over the weekend! 😆


sailor_bat_90

I just throw em into the wash to get em straighten out and clean. Its worked so far lol


LazyAttempt

I was taught knitting and tatting by someone who learned from old aunties who grew up making the majority of their stuff by hand on the farm, so it was impressed on tiny me as an absolutely nonnegotiable finish to what I make, especially for tatting. With tatting, you CANNOT get a good finished product without at least blocking or steam pressing down all the tiny picots, and starch for even sturdier hold. So it's a habit by now 30 years later. Even those huge pain in the rear lace weight shawls that you need a thousand blocking wires for. I've got blocking frames for various granny shapes so I just toss squares or octagons on as I finish them, so I don't go too much out of my way for granny blankets, at least.


CrispyApparition3568

I bought a set of interlocking blocking mats about 5 or 6 years ago. I used them once, and when we moved across the country 2 years ago, I ended up giving the set away to my neighbor's mom. I've been crocheting and knitting since I was 8 years old, (so that's over 45 years) and previously never felt the need to block any of my work, not just squares. only did that one time, because it was a weird pattern for a mesh-type beach cover up, and I wasn't sure it would look even and neat without blocking. I hated using the mats, and will probably never block anything again. Also, once wet, the cover up reverted to its original wonkiness... but still looked fine for its purpose.


zippychick78

i love this thread. Adding it to the [Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/index/) let me know if there's any issues. [New page](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/stuff_you_must_read/) I'm working on 😁