KnitPro KP10878 Rainbow Knit BLOCKERS PK20, Assorted

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Also take care that your pins do not go through the board and scratch or damage the surface underneath. Keep your pins away from pets and children. (My cat likes to try chew on the tops and it terrifies me!) Once the yarn feels moist and relaxed, remove the protective cloth and position the garment according to your knitting pattern. Follow the pinning instructions above to fix it in your desired size and shape. 4. Leave to Dry Lay your knitting down on the surface with the right-side facing up. Begin carefully stretching the fabric to fit the size and shape you need. When pinning out finished garments (rather than flat pattern pieces), you may just want to focus on specific areas which may need more shaping. First you will add 1 wire on each side of your project. Then either pin the wires out flat to shape or hang the piece from one of the wires, depending on the shape you’re working with.

Avoid wringing, twisting, or distorting the fabric as you take it out of the water. Once placed, let the garment dry completely before moving it. Once you have allowed the fabric to fully soak, carefully squeeze out the excess water and lay it flat on a towel. Gently roll up the fabric in the towel and give it a soft press to take most of the water out. If you have any particularly large holes, uneven stitches, or mistakes, pull on the surrounding stitches to distribute the yarn more evenly. Once you have the pins in the centre of the sides, continue to evenly shape the fabric, then you can add the pins in the corners. If the project is exactly the size you need it, avoid stretching it – just lay it flat and smooth any bumps down. 5. Remove the PinsIdeally you would use a garment steamer because you have more control, however a steam iron can work if you hover it an inch or so above the fabric. It’s important not to work too close to the fabric and not to apply direct heat to the fibres. In the pictures I am using knit pro T-pins which are super sharp (so please take care!), robust and easy to use, however any rust-proof dressmakers pins should work too.

An easy way to start is to place your first pin at the top of the garment in the center. Stretch the work to your desired length, then place your second pin in the bottom center. Next, add two more pins on each side and pin to your chosen width. Steam is an alternative way to get a small amount of moisture into your fabric. The added element of heat can be used to create shape and additional drape on your fabric. Please take all the necessary safety precautions when working with steam appliances and follow manufacturer guidelines. The next pin(s) should go half way across the gaps between pins and so on until you have your straight edges. Allow the fabric to dry completely before removing your pins or moving the garment. This will usually take between 24 and 48 hours. If it takes any longer, start the process again or it may begin to smell. Starting in the centre of your work, use your fingers to manipulate out the fabric to the tension you are looking for and work out towards the edges.I aim to reassure you too, that it’s not as intimidating as it can seem. And in addition to my normal disclaimer, as I so often find in crochet, there is rarely only one correct approach. The precise approach to pinning will depend on the shape and style of the garment you’re working with, but I wanted to include this image to give you an idea. This method is recommended for synthetic fibers, wool and animal fibers, and some novelty yarns. It’s not recommended for fabrics knitted with cotton or delicate yarns that may lose their shape when wet.

Repeat the process until you have hidden any obvious mistakes and made your stitchwork as uniform as you’d like it. Some purists might say absolutely, but honestly I don’t think it’s necessary in every project. It really depends on what it is and what it’s going to be used for. Set your iron to the lowest temperature that allows steam. Once it has heated, hover it slightly above the surface of the protective cloth and steam the entire garment in an “up and down” motion. You can also use a steamer for this process if you have one.If you are working with a larger or more complex shape, this process can take a while as you may need to adjust pins as you shape your work. Especially if you’re working with lace patterns. If you plan to pin your knitting in place, choose a cushioned flat surface like a yoga mat, ironing board, bath mat, cushion, carpet, or a bed. If your project is small enough, you can even use a corkboard.