Saturday 13 October 2007

Socks that Block

But how?


I was up at 5.20 to go rowing this morning, and finished the toe decreases on the train, which made the fact that it was still dark somewhat bearable, and prompted conversations with random strangers (a very grumpy man on his way to a stag weekend, a sweet lady who took one look at me knitting and whipped out the blanket she was crocheting for her bed). I'm now going to have something to eat and go back to bed, and graft my first toes when I get up.

I'm a bit confused as to how to block these, though. I've seen these and even a tutorial on how to make your own, and remember reading in a Knitting Daily newsletter that Ann Budd pins her socks to blocking boards hanging on her office wall (how cool is that?). Can I just pin mine to a towel laid flat in the same way I block everything else?

Hope you get to spend a little time near some water this weekend.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I blocked my first pair of socks on one of those handmade blockers I cut out of a plastic placemat. It made for nice pictures because the pattern was visible, but it stretched them into a kind of cartoon-looking shape.

The last couple socks I've knit I haven't blocked at all. I think they fit better un-blocked. I think it would be a good idea to block if the socks are a bit tight, or if the yarn is stiff and needs to be soaked. Otherwise, i wouldn't worry about it! That's just me. =)

Linda said...

Socks are tricky to block, some people have special sock blockers which look great, but I tend just to wash them and hang them up! I like the colour of yours.
Thank you for your comment x

Anonymous said...

I don't block my socks either - just wash and wear!

Ashley said...

I don't block socks either unless they're going to be a gift, but when I do I've pinned them out on my blocking board just like any old knitted thing. It works just fine, as long as you're careful not to block hard enough to give it little points on the edges!

Daphne said...

I also only block gift socks and my method varies. My favorite method is the very lazy "take it to the yarn store and steam it without even pinning it down" approach--we have a powerful steamer at Hilltop. At home, I will wash them and dry them flat, no pins usually, just to soften them up and ease out any variation in gauge, before giving them away. If they're for me or Seth, I'm usually not patient enough to do anything besides put them on immediately!

nicole said...

I never block socks, but if they're a gift, I will give them a good steaming with my iron, using my fingers to "tease" everything into place.

Those socks are a very pretty colour!

Anonymous said...

I don't block socks but steaming with the iron is a good idea... but don't actually *iron* them. That is a bad idea, I think.

How are the socks? Are they done? :)