I was not willing to compromise on the thickness. I'm so glad this was helpful to you! My plan is to use them for a gender neutral baby afghanfor a friends new babe. I haven't tried to block many squares at once. You could research how to hover a warm iron above your knit/crochet piece and block it using the steam from the iron if you find that it's not relaxing enough with just spraying water. 4. The rods are 3mm. Thank you in advance! Thanks! Also, I have free patterns on my blog and ad-free printable patterns in my shops. What is another reason to start blocking? It has become very popular and pictures o Only five days are left till the official beginning of my summer Mystery CAL 2015 (as the first pattern will be published next Friday, on 2 Grinda MAL will start in two weeks and I hope you will like it as much as I do. Clean off the board and seal with a few coats of polyacrylic sealer. Things are finally starting to come together.. A Simple Crochet Border to Complete Your 2020 Traveling Afghan, Isla Shag Crochet Pillow: DIY Home Accent. With these hexie blocks, it also helps make them a uniform size to sew together. awl I will let you know how it turns out when I use it. Crochet Your blocking board sounds really useful--especially for such a prolific crocheter like you! I thought about what sort of blanket I wanted to make, and decided to play on the same theme as my pinwheel granny square by building it like a patchwork quilt. What else would you use this for? If you purchase something from the affiliate links, I will get a small commission at extra cost to you. This board was not exactly 17" so it threw me off. 3/16 diameter dowels Drill at each hole marking, going about halfway through the board. In the photo below, the teal hexies haven't been blocked and the grey have. Carefully slide your crocheted hexagon or other square onto the sticks. Drill into board until where you marked the drill bit. I do see a huge difference - just wonder if it will all be done in vain? For this project, I put dowels in almost every hole and docked my 4 inch squares. I just used my blocking "board" today and it worked like a charm , Oh wow, I'm going to try this! Free Shipping for Contiguous United States! I let my hexagons stay on the blocking boardfor about 24 hours. Knitting HiI made mine wirh acrylic and blocked them but skipped the steaming process all together and it came out just fine and really flat! AMAZING SERVICE - Your shopping experience is our priority. No, definitely not! And if you buy a gardening pad at Dollar Tree, you can make the whole thing for only a couple of bucks! Drilling a pilot hole didnt help very much in this case). I wanted metal rods and found a couple of 4" sets. This blocking station is made from a piece of round wood, which I found at Home Depot. A Fauxchet tool is great for this. Hi Jess! I have been wondering how I can block my many squares I'm making for a blanket. All rights reserved. With wool or cotton, you can just spritz it with some water and let it stay pinned down for a day or two. I saw your idea about the gardening pad and I was heading to the dollar store! Check out our other crafting products and see why hundreds of thousands customers love shopping with us. I actually decided to make a few holes diagonally in an "x" from the center hole. The deeper bottom of the board guarantees that pins will not lean inwards when many projects are added. These pins will fit tightly to the grid holes, allowing you to create the perfect project. I have joined blockers club not long ago and before that (shame on me) I didnt block my projects. Hi! Of course, that would require shorter wires than are currently on the market. Most cutting boards were pretty thin. We have created some crazy stuff with this board, and you should too! I used mineral oil. I used the sprizting method. Thank you for the detailed review! How do I block a scarf? I use a piece of corrugated board for pinning smaller pieces. Went home with it and stuck my tiny knitting needles which I didn't use and made my blocking pad! I have also returned one of these boards. The Daisy boo one is so much better quality and I've had zero problems with it. yikes! One of my best friends is having twins; I wanted to make blankets for both of her children, and hope that they become something the kids will carry with them for a long time. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn how to block crochet hexagons or granny squares with thisincredibly easy and inexpensive DIY blocking board. Have you ever had the experience of crocheting so many squares for an afghan that by then end youre finding them tucked into couch cushions, your pockets, under the seat of your car and if youre like me, your kids mouths? power drill + 3/16 bit because that's what the instructions said to use for the board. Looks good and easy to use if you mKe a lot of square type projects , however I wondered if can use for shawl if one layers the shawl in squares and sprayed each layer as you went? Oh my goodness! Visit today and save them to your library! They range from hundreds to over a thousand dollars! Think of it as sort of "organizing" the yarn fibers. Blocking has changed my work completely and it looks a million times better once it's been blocked. Seaming and edging are easier on blocked pieces, and minor sizing adjustments may be made during the blocking process. multiple crocheted or knitted squares. Slide the guide up so that you can see where to place the drill. 5. so I wanted to brass colored rods but I also love copper so, I got both. Please see bottom of post for more information on privacy and disclosures. This meant I was going to be making a lot of small squares. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Shop ? . I was flexible on the size. I just eyeballed where I wanted to stop. Copyright 2022 Jess Coppom, Make & Do Crew, DIY Gift For Him: Man Cave Leather Catchall Tray, New Big Brother or Big Sister Gift Idea: Hand Painted Helper Aprons, Free Crochet Cherry Blossom Flower Pattern, Free Crochet Flower Headband Pattern (Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult), Street Fair Crochet Boho Purse - Free Pattern, Drapey Crochet Cardigan Made From Hexagons, How to Make a DIY Blocking Board for Crocheting (or Knitting!). It's the platform I use the most to announce new patterns, request for testers and host giveaways! And there it is. 30 DAYS MONEY BACK GUARANTEE - Purchase with confidence. But I love cold and grey sea, fresh windy air, and I like to crochet little bears. Hope that helps! Dim question I'm sure but why do I need to use a blocking board? down and hold in place. Please note that there may be some delay withshipping timedue to COVID-19, $47.99 $59.99 ruler. I placed tape on the drill bit where I want to stop because I didn't want to put a whole through the bottom. Both Sarah and Dedri have awesome blocking stations that I used for inspiration, but I decided to make mine my way. The world of clean lines and perfect shapes. In every product. Thanks for sharing. And it's Asian American and Pacific, Hey yo. Notify me when this product is available: Blocking is an important step toward making your crocheted pieces look more professional. When youre done blocking, just pull the dowels out. By this time I was already familiar with where I want to stop. *Excludes gift cards. Take care to insert the sticks straight up and down and not at an angle. This means that I will need to use 1/8 inch drill bit, which I already have. I cut the sandpaper in the size of a dish washing sponge and wrapped it around the sponge. I ended up getting, for the same price, a board from a company called Daisy Boo Creations. Great idea , Wow, what a smart and innovative idea. I think you could stack them on top of each other as you go though and just steam the top one each time. So you can spend more time finishing your crochet projects and less time shopping, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Or in this case, I measured several hexagons and took the average. Maybe you've got one of those laying around?:). Designs by Phanessa is a participant in multiple affiliate programs that provides an advertising commission if you purchase through these links. Nya Mosaic Blanket is made in a special crochet technique with only basic stitches involved. Since I had a project with 3 inch squares, this was perfect! Now the fun part! Its probably used to make lazy-susans or cheese boards or something, but I just wanted a finished piece of wood that was bigger than 12 inches on each side. Use the pins for bases and blocking wires to outline the shape. I wanted a budget friendly, thick 12x12 board (at least). Sometimes you want to block your crochet after finishing it or before sewing it together because it helps everything look nice and tidy. I used the 18" ruler to draw the lines with a pencil. I wish I had used a vacuum to suck up the dust from the holes. Definitely triangles, right? My mom taught me to crochet when I was 8-years-old. Your email address will not be published. For me this design is connected with precious memories ab Nya Mosaic Blanket - Infinity version (FREE crochet pattern), Circles of the Sun Mystery CAL - General Information. shame as I thought it was a good idea really sturdy and looked well. Sign up here. I'm not a blocker - only because I wonder . won't it just be as it is after the first wash? My pins do fit just fine. I'm both nervous and excited, Roman arch or strange pair of pants? I'm sure secretly, he just wanted one. Blocking squares are so expensive! I didn't initially record anything when I made this so I hope you still find it helpful! Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. I drew lines both ways so that I had 1" squares. Most knit and crochet projects look better with a bit of blocking to even out all the stitches and fiber, but this is definitely the case when your handmade object is made of cotton and has been balled up in the bottom of your purse for three weeks. I took this project one step further, with a 2 inch grid on one side and a 1.5 inch grid on the other side. See how the grey just look a bit more "organized" than the teal ones? Do NOT use any of my photos or copy/distribute any of my patterns as your own. If you have an account with us, please log in. Ill admit, I dont usually make crochet blankets. Honestly, when you. My pleasure, Donna! (Obviously, youre not just pulling this out of thin air. Most of the boards I found was $40+ but this one was only $24.99 (at time of purchase). With a grid pattern of holes, I can block (or dock) lots of combinations of shapes and sizes. This looks like a great cost effective alternative but as a newbie to crochet I'm not sure why I need one! The pins didn't go inside the board, or where the problem was? And with extra pins, you can also block projects of different shapes and sizes at once! Added Bonus - We know you want to get started right away with your projects, which is why we included 20 stainless steel pins with the package. I mean, now that Im going to be blocking my first project, why not just suck it up and make it easier on myself for the next time, right? Honestly, often I just pin it to my carpet! It doesn't really matter which tools you use. But I believe if you leave some space between them - they should dry. Note: my tape got pushed up and one hole actually went through! Set the blocking board in a place where the crocheted pieces will easily dry, like an open window. I use long "T-pins" and lay a towel down and put the crocheted item on top of the towel. Then using a ruler, make marks every 2 inches in a grid. Sometimes there can be defects. (UPDATE: Get the free "Happy Hexagons" afghan pattern here!) . Though there is a wide variety of available sizes and shapes for blocking, you cannot use this board to block a perfect circle or some intricate shapes. You Save 20% ($12.00). For better or worse, that means I cant put off the somewhat mundane task of sewing them together any longer. The board itself is nice enough to leave out in a craft area until the next time you need it. 1.Decide on how large you want your finished crochet object to be. )If you'reblocking hexagons, you want to measure the width and height as well as determine a consistent length for the sides. Once I started making a few, it became obvious I was going to have to block them. Thank you for this! 4. Leave feedback about your eBay ViewItem experience, Deluxe Wooden Knitting and Crochet Blocking Board with 50 Stainless Steel Pins, - eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in a new window or tab, - for PayPal Credit, opens in a new window or tab, Learn more about earning points with eBay Mastercard, - eBay Return policy - opens in a new tab or window, - eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in a new tab or window. So, I've been wanting to make a blocking board for some time now but I was overwhelmed with choosing the wood. Are the slightly different sizes? Become a Tester But when I tried wet blocking for the first time, I felt like entering a totally new world. Contact I would just decide based on how they were looking after they are crocheted. Hello! All it takes it reconfiguring the dowels in the different holes. Oh really! Do I still need to spray with water if I'm using acrylic yarn? What payment methods can I use? Sometimes I wonder at patterns that they don't explain more (I'm not meaning step by step herebut things that aren't totally obvious like blocking or which seam works better for piecing it together etc.) Blog Next, you want to use the awl to puncture holes where the lines meet. If so, I'd just go ahead and block them, but with acrylic yarn, the fiber probably wont' relax as much as it will with cotton. After you clean off your board, you want to apply mineral oil on the board. You may sell products using my patterns, but please give credit and link back to original designer & the patterns. I have a long scarf that I just finished and it's curling. Blocking crocheted items is new to me. That's so impressive! 5. (Just don't actually touch the iron to the yarn because it will melt. Yes, try it, Jamie! Hi! Boho Flower Headband (newborn- adult sizes), "Aspen Socialite" Crochet Headband (newborn- adult sizes). Use tab to navigate through the menu items. It is Scheepjes promo shot. foam knee pad meant for gardening (I got mine for a buck at Dollar Tree) 6" wooden shish kabobskewers ruler pen spray bottle or iron. Spend $50.00 more and get free shipping or join Nike+ for free shipping on every order, every time. Place the awl in the holes and gently move it in a circular motion so that you make the hole slightly bigger and this helps move any sand dust left inside the hole. I'll have to try it out! 2. 15 diameter round wooden board acrylic sealer Awesome! My first thought was my local Home Depot, Lowes, etc. I would steam one at a time, taking care not to get the steam super close to the yarn. So, I've been wanting to make a blocking board for some time now but I was overwhelmed with choosing the wood. This is a private listing and your identity will not be disclosed to anyone except the seller. 3. the picture with multiple squares is not mine. {"modules":["unloadOptimization","bandwidthDetection"],"unloadOptimization":{"browsers":{"Firefox":true,"Chrome":true}},"bandwidthDetection":{"url":"https://ir.ebaystatic.com/cr/v/c1/thirtysevens.jpg","maxViews":4,"imgSize":37,"expiry":300000,"timeout":250}}. Just an idea. Ive just received mine - Wool Warehouse had them : ) - I have a WIP sampler afghan with 8 inch squares - this is perfect. My name is Tatsiana and Lilla Bjrn means "little bear" in Swedish. Are you a blocker? Hi, Thank you so much for your great item on blocking crochet pieces, I am delighted to see how easy it can be done. various grit sandpaper This abilit, Ready for summer? I love gold. I am so sorry to hear that. Total number of pin holes = 17 x 17 = 289, Materials used: Red Oak Center with strip of Black Walnut wood, Red Oak Stand, Total number of pin holes = 23 x 23 = 529, Materials used: Bamboo Center with strip of Black Walnut wood, Red Oak Stand. That alone was not motivating enough. And if you'd like some other free crochet patterns that are small enough to fit on your new DIY blocking board, look no further! Olikraft is a small family business that wishes to bring high quality crochet and knitting accessories to all crafters at affordable prices. Hi, I'm Jess! Place the drill bit into the hole that marks 1/8" on the drill bit guide. How damp do you get the hexes when you block them? Lately, Ive been making hexagons like a crazy person. It makes your projects look professional. just returned my blocking board to the supplier as the pins did not fit into the holes properly. This helps remove the pencil marks too. Backed by Yarn Mania Warranty and that means a Lifetime Warranty. When I slid them off, they looked nice and even and just a little more tidy than when I started. Base it on the pattern measurements. After you drill all your holes, sand the surface so it's smooth. Happy Monday, I think. Use an awl (or a sharp knife) to create a divot at each hole marking, so the tip of the 3/16 drill bit doesnt squirm when you start drilling. You may want to use the awl to reinforce the holes. I wanted my holes 1" apart. Slide the guide back. I love it when things work out like that! I found a drill guide and purchased that instead! If you're using acrylic yarn, you can steam the scarf with an iron (just don't touch the iron to the actual yarn). 3. Yes, I usually do, although it's harder to get the yarn to "relax" with acrylic yarn. Unlimited Usages - No need to throw away your boards after each project. With our wood board, you can simply remove the pins and start a new project anytime you want. Instead of starting at the center and go out, I just measured from the edge. Curling at all? My Account Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. And when you need to finish, for example, a blanket in a very short time every minute of making is precious and counts. Grab your drill and make sure you're using a 1/8" drill bit. Please leave a comment if there are errors to any of my patterns. I found a cutting board that was 17x12" board that was 1" thick. All the yarn thingsright to your inbox. Now I work alongside my mom and sisters to bring you free patterns + tutorials that make crochet modern, approachable and fun! Would you spray them with water even if you are using acrylic yarn opposed to cotton? How is my order secure? Blocking is especially useful in projects with multiple crocheted or knitted squares like this because theyre much easier to sew together when theyre all one size. Since I was blocking cotton here, I just needed a bit of moisture to get the fibers to relax and settle in so I sprayed each hexagon with a spray bottle before stacking another on top. In your picture you show a pile of squares Im wondering if that is possible - Would they take a long time to dry out? Something went wrong. I don't make enough granny squares to really, Now on to the rods. I'd say a few spritzes with a spray bottle per hexie. Grab some dowels from Michaels (you can buy a pack of precut ones or get a few long dowels and cut it down to size), a drill and some acrylic sealer, and youve got yourself a modular crochet blocking station! Thanks so much for sharing. This site is reader supported and contains affiliate links. We will offer you a full refund if the product does no suit you. I saw a new Thrift Store and went in and bought for 50 cents a child's swimming pad which comes with 3 pads. Neither. BUT love can make you change. 1) Proper blocking of a crocheted garment or accessory can go a long way toward making it look and fit better. 2. Then I gently sanded the surface. I love how it turned out! But that would be something that Sheepjes could get working on for us. For Designs by Phanessa patterns, visit my shops from main menu. This will be the first project I am blocking. This homemade blocking board takes literally five minutes and a couple dollars to make and can be reused and reconfigured to fit many different small crochet projects. Mark the measurements for the finished object on your gardening pad. My last big blanket project, with its billions of loose ends, sorta turned me off to the whole idea of a mess of granny squares. I have a ton to block - and they are cotton. I was working on my first Afghan when I came across your blog which was perfect because my pattern didn't suggest what to do after I was done with all these pieces?! 2021 Designs by Phanessa, All rights reserved. Full confession: I have never blocked any of my work. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your email address will not be published. I made a blocking board, helped by my husband who added plastic strips to keep the sticks straight. Scheepjes blocking board will save you lots of time, as you can block many projects at once with no need to measure and pin anything. It's amazing how blocking makes such a difference! 50 cents!!!!!! 2) It can also help to restore symmetrical balance to a misshapen project. Now Im wondering what other fun shapes I can block on this contraption. Good luck, Barbara! Such a clever and thrifty idea for blocking afghan squares and much more! If you share my free patterns, please link back to original pattern page. . We will send you an email to reset your password. (The wood may splinter a little because of the size of the bit. Now on to the rods. Thank you! DIY Ugh. Should you not have a positive experience for any reasons, we will do all it takes to make it right. | Design: Chassie Bell Design and Branding. It works great! Maybe you got the one. I usually pin out my larger work on the carpet in our living-room, but now we removed the carpets to replace with tiles. Use the cardstock to mark the corners of the 12 square. What a brilliant idea for blocking! Required fields are marked *. It can be crocheted either by following chart My mosaic crochet journey began two years ago, when Nya Mosaic Blanket pattern was released. You can place holes anywhere you want! Would ya look at that. For urgent enquiry please call Turned out fantastic! . . Step 1: First, you want to mark your board for where you want to drill. They were made from curtain rail. So, Ive tended to stick to cute little things, like owls and fish scrubbies and things. And I use this board very often. I love gold. Learn how your comment data is processed. That alone was not motivating enough. Your email address will not be published. Then my husband said I needed a drill press but I'm not spending that money! Tried out your technique Got the last 2 boards from the store! This post contains affiliate links. THANK YOU FOR SHARING!! you just screw the pins into board and you are ready for blocking! Sometimes I use the steam setting on my iron to lightly mist acrylic with hot steam and that seems to work well. Are you making an afghan? 250 squares!? If you block - your projects look grea, right? And the size of the board allows blocking only projects up to 31 cm large. Thank you for your great ideas!I have a shrug that I had to block, made with acrylic yarn, that didn't hold. Maybe it's time to upgrade! I wish I'd come across it before I wasted so much time on the one from wool warehouse :/. Pity I can't get a 50 cent pad in the UK but I'm out tomorrow looking for a bargain. Can I reblock it using the steam method or should I try getting it completely wet? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. (Just don't touch the iron to the yarn or it will melt!). Using Coke Rewards? It doesn't solve all curling, but it should def help. Privacy Policy, One Dog Woof. Once youre finished blocking your crochet project, simply remove the wooden sticks and your DIY blocking board forthe next project. The Last Blocking Board You'll Ever Need - Unlike tradition blocking mat which is made of cheap foam, our wood board is made of high quality recycled wood and designed to be sustainable and eco-friendly. My first thought was my local Home Depot, Lowes, etc. DO NOT put the iron directly on the crochet or on the foam pad though.). 1. I wanted metal rods and found a couple of 4" sets. You can use peak oil or tung oil. It works well, which is good as I have 250 squares to block. Almost all of them are made to be tough and it can handle the water I spray to wet block. If you're ready to make your own hexie afghan, check out the free "Happy Hexagons" blanket pattern next. Heres the basic crochet hexagon tutorial.) The difference between the Daisy Boo one and this is like chalk and cheese. Yay! I get them fairly damp when I'm using cotton. Another idea I had was just to use the lid of a styrofoam cooler. 1-(800) 934-2976. Use a 12 piece of cardstock as a template for the holes. Yes! Thanks for stopping by. so I wanted to, Don't forget to subscribe to my blog and follow me over on Instagram. The pins didn't fit properly and the overall quality was just awful! Here's a video of what I did. Your email address will not be published. I DO NOT collect, store, use, or share any data about you. :) I like this particular board because you don't need to measure and to pin.