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Gibson Girl
Chatty Knitter
USA
148 Posts |
 Posted - 02/05/2010 : 10:47:45 AM
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| After nearly 40 years of knitting I must admit I'd never heard of a blocking board. I've always used two striped beach towels and a tape measure on the guest bed. Seems to have worked well all these years. However with so many glowing reports I may have to check it out. |
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churchlady
Warming Up
Canada
81 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2010 : 4:32:22 PM
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| I have a big collapsible sweater-dryer that folds into a tube for storage. It fits into the bathtub or onto the bed and props up a bit so I can turn on the ceiling fan and block pattern pieces or dry a sweater. I think it had "Woolite" brand on it, with the laundry stuff. I've got a package of puzzle-shape blocks I haven't tried yet, and my first shawl is about 3/4 done, so I guess I have to see if I have enough space. |
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sdprince
New Pal
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2010 : 11:41:44 AM
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I made my own blocking board from two sheets of 2' X 4' styrofoam insulation, taped together with duct tape so they can fold in half. Final dimensions are 4' X 4', of course. One side of the board has a printed 2 in. X 2 in. dot grid, for rough measurement. It's light and the price was right. It would be easy to make a larger one, too, to suit one's needs.
I use it when I block newly knit & dampened or rewashed sweaters, and other garments. Works like a charm.
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Susan Prince
Alta, CA
Life is short - carpe felix.
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erikahanne
New Pal
1 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2010 : 5:51:58 PM
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What is the large board someone mentioned from Jo-Anne"s fabric made of and what is it's intended use? Also, what is it called? No one at Jo-Ann's knew what I was talking about and they said they would also like to know because they are also knitters.
Jo-Ann's has a 40% off coupon this week and I would like to get one of the large boards for blocking a couple of baby blankets I just finished. Although I have knitted my whole life, I have never blocked anything.
I wonder if an item like a baby blanket made from the 100% acrylic yarn called Sensations from Jo-Ann's will benefit from blocking. I used the pattern called "Boats for Cameron" from Debbie MacCombers first pattern book. The blanket consists of three panels with boats and two panels with cables between. The cables and the seams seem to pull and don't want to lay quite flat. The blanket looks much prettier when I pull it apart a little. And then, how do I go about blocking, since I have never done it?
Please let me know what you all think before my coupon expires.
Thank you so very much for your input.
Erika |
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jonggleur
New Pal
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2010 : 12:39:21 PM
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| i dont use either a blocking board or a mat; i use the cover of a large, heavy cardboard box! I knit mostly childrens sweaters, so they fit fine on the cover. Anyone else try this? |
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djk528
New Pal
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2010 : 08:25:13 AM
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I made a blocking board from one of the large cardboard cutting boards sold at Joanns. I used the coupon, of course :) I covered the board with clear Contact paper so I could use it for wet and damp things. Then I just use the t-pins and stick them into the cardboard. Works great for me and I like having the printed inch grid. The whole thing is big enough to block all parts of a sweater at once. It folds flat and stands in the back of a closet for storage.
I have had mine a few years now, and use it often. I suppose it won't last forever, but as long as I can find the cardboard cutting boards and clear Contact paper, I can always make another one :)
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Goldendoodle Mom
New Pal
1 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2010 : 5:38:51 PM
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Do you know where I can buy the large size blocking board? I prefer to buy it locally but can't find any stores that carry one. Which website sell them? Thanks.
Sara |
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neraksenrab
Chatty Knitter
USA
118 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2010 : 06:03:55 AM
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WEBS has both the small and large blocking boards ($45.00 and $79.00) Go to http://www.yarn.com. Guardian Table also sells the Sew EZ blocking boards -- I think these are identical -- http://www.guardian-tablepad.com/sewez.html -- they are on sale right now for $40 for the small and $60 for the larger board. I did not check shipping prices -- which also could make a difference for you. I've ordered before from both companies and had great service. Karen
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Laxmom4x
Gabber Extraordinaire
527 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2010 : 3:44:27 PM
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I am wondering, some people have made their own grids on their homemade boards. Could you make a grid on the KP interlocking blocks with a T square and a permanent marker? (Of course if we let KP know, they will come up with blocks with grids I bet but in the meantime....
Janet
"Change is inevitable except from a vending machine" |
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susan14_23
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
550 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2010 : 2:07:08 PM
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I haven't tried this (haven't gotten blocking mats yet) but I imagine you could keep a large piece of 1" square gingham fabric with your blocking mats, and lay it over the assembled mats before blocking your knitting. It would be easier than drawing a grid directly on the mats.
Susan |
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Laxmom4x
Gabber Extraordinaire
527 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2010 : 4:56:12 PM
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And probably more colorfast too!
Janet
"Change is inevitable except from a vending machine" |
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Kak
New Pal
Ireland
15 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2012 : 3:25:36 PM
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I was thinking of ordering the Blocking Tiles advertised on this site, anyone used them ??
Kak |
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anderknit
Permanent Resident
USA
2549 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2012 : 6:50:28 PM
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I have both the blocking board (ordered from Guardian years ago) and blocking tiles. The board is good for things like sweater parts that need to be measured; the blocking mats are good for small items (socks, mittens, swatches), and for oddly shaped items like scarves and some shawls. Like a lot of accessories - are they necessary? No, people have been knitting for generations without these things. Are they nice to have? Yes, no question about it, subject to budget and space constraints.
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.' " |
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CatherineS
New Pal
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2013 : 12:21:49 PM
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| I'm in the market for my 1st blocking board, but, after reading these comments and looking at what's available, I think I'm going to go with the Bagsmith's Block & Roll Flexible Blocking Mat (on Amazon -- the size in the heading is incorrect, actual size is 38"x50"). There's a similar mat sold by Webs (Block 'n Roll Blocking Mat) but it's almost $15 more. The mat is about 1/2 the price of a blocking board of similar size, and I don't want to try building my own board. |
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Daylily
New Pal
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2013 : 8:19:43 PM
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I have the interlocking tiles from Knit Picks along with the wires and T pins.
Daylily, another one tomorrow |
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Topic |
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Blocking boards vs mats
