What Does "Blocking" Mean At The End Of My Crochet Pattern?

In the home crocheting world, home knitting world, and cross-stitch world, you seem to hear about blocking a lot.

Yet, most people don't understand the term. Some patterns even tell you that it very important to block the finished crochet project to complete the item!

In fact, matters about blocking are very common questions, and while some people try to answer it, they just shake their heads and say they don't understand why this is necessary! Are you one of those people?

In most cases, blocking helps to retain the shape of the completed home crocheted garment. This process (blocking) is a onetime event and insures that the garment will retain its shape for the length of the garment.

Here's another problem to face if you are thinking about blocking your finished project - you need an electric iron. Most households don't own such a thing, or others say they have never used it and don't know how to use the simple iron! Well, if you want to block your home crocheted projects, maybe it's time to learn how to use that electric iron taking up space in your cupboard.

Okay, so some of us have blocked some home crocheted sweater before, but made a mess of the sleeves that are attached with ribbing - so what was the purpose of blocking? I really can't say as I blame you because blocking directions aren't complete most of the time and more importantly, they don't explain themselves very well in most cases.

Unfortunately, the first time I home-crocheted a sweater and tried to block it (which I found successful, except for one area), I also blocked the ribbing at the wrist area. All this did was to stretch the ribbing so that the ribbing was too large for my wrist size!

I learned from that experience. Now, I never block ribbing on a home-crocheted item.

But you may be asking yourself, why do you need ribbing on a crocheted sweater and how do you get the ribbing there?

I attach the ribbing with a sewing machine once I have finished crocheting the sweater. This is a common practice and used by many people. It seems to give a finished look to the sweater so that the home-crocheted sweater can be worn for any occasion.

I sometimes attach ribbing to the bottom of the finished sweater, and believe me; it doesn't look out-of-place. In fact, it looks like it should be there and would look funny without it.

You have to be an experienced home-crocheter to be able to do the above. You also have to be an experienced home-sewer to finish the garment to your satisfaction (if you are as picky as I personally am)!

If your crocheted garment is made with the right tension and laundered correctly, you should never have to block this garment more than once.

Blocking does have its advantages.

Soon, you will be thinking that blocking is nothing - just another step in finishing that crocheted garment!

This should ease your mind somewhat about "blocking". No, it's not a carpenter's term in this case, but it is essential to the look of the finished garment in the home crocheting world and adds to the look and feel of the garment.

There is a wealth of information to be found at http://learningeasycrochet.com.

Not only is there information, but it supplies encouragement as well.

When you get stuck, as we all do sometimes, leave a question in the comment box and you will get an answer within 24 hours.

When you sign up for a membership, you will receive a crochet pattern of your choice along with the help you may need to complete that project!

In the members area, you will shown "how to" and much more along with tips and tricks to speed up your progress.

Check it out today!