Blocking Crochet - Easy Step by Step Tutorial

Want your finished project to look fabulous? Learn to block your crochet. A transformation happens.

Unblocked crochet squares ready for finishing and blocking.

I reviewed and updated this post on July 11, 2022.

What Is Blocking In Crochet?
Do I have To Block Crochet?
Things To Be Aware Of
Materials & Equipment
Tips For Different Fibers

What Is Blocking In Crochet?

In crochet and textile crafts, blocking is wetting/soaking or steaming your finished garments.

This sets their shape by being stretched on a surface to dry. Crocheted a shawl and had the “sting ray” effect? Blocking evens the edges.

Blocking evens the stitches and increases the level of drape.

Use it on many projects

Sweaters
Shawls
Ponchos
Afghans
Blankets
Lacework
Hats
Scarves
Gloves
Socks

Blocking is only for natural fibers.

‘Killing’ adds more drape to a crocheted acrylic fabric.

Blocking is used before sewing crocheted pieces together. When you’ve sewn everything, steam block the seams for a lovely finish.

Some crocheters prefer to block after they’ve finished their garment, if it’s crocheted in one piece like a seamless sweater.

Crochet Squares pinned to block — Crochet Squares pinned for blocking.

All The Wonderful Reasons to Block

Straightens stitches
Evens the tension in your crocheting
Defines intricate patterns and opens up the design
Relaxes the stitches
Soaking washes excess dye from the yarn
Creates a smooth look
If you have pets, a good soak removes unwanted hair

Find perfect gifts for crocheter with my article.

Do I Have To Block Crochet?

You don’t. No finishing needed? Skip it.

Don’t block lurex (a metallic yarn) or novelty yarns.

Amigurumi doesn’t need blocking, nor does a pillow cover or lap blanket.

Garments need blocking.

A minimum for finished crochet projects is a quick wash and flat dry.

I used a doubled over old clean towel to block my squares.

Crochet Projects Needing Blocking

Shawls
Scarves
Squares for blankets
Finished blankets
Lace stitches
Open work items
Fillet crochet
Doilies
Garments

Check out the softest yarn for baby blanket in my guide.

Things To Be Aware Of When Blocking Crochet Projects

Most yarns spring back when you pull them. Over-blocking makes the yarn lose its bounce. This flattens out textured stitches like cables.

Material & Equipment

Necessary

Sink or clean bucket
Rust proof T-Pins or good quality sewing pins
Towels

Don’t use your best white fluffy towels (the risk the dye may seep from the yarn). Use older clean towels instead.

Nice To Have

Wool Wash or Baby Shampoo
Blocking Mats
Blocking Boards
Stainless Steel Blocking Wires (great for shawls and larger projects)

Blocking Mats / Blocking Boards

A blocking mat is great. Some have grid markings for measuring. Blocking mats are easy to pin foamy material.

Most are tiles that fit together to make a board.

We Crochet has blocking mats in a carry case of nine. The foam mats are 1/2″ thick and measure 12×12″.

One side is textured, the other is smooth with a printed 1″ grid.

No Blocking Mat?

Here are tips:

A table or a kitchen bench laid with towels is great for garments
Trying to block a lace project? Pin it on a cork bulletin board, or flattened cardboard boxes
Put your project out of the way
Don’t use a surface that marks with moisture

Ever crocheted a sock before? With my review of great socks yarn, now’s the time!

Stainless Steel Blocking Wires

These wires straighten out edges of shawls. There are also flexible blocking wires for crochet, great for curves on shawls.

An alternative for straight edges is the String Method.

A long length of smooth scrap yarn threaded through a darning needle and the yarn is threaded along the edges.

Here are recommendations for blocking wires.

Lace Blocking Wires by We Crochet

It has

15 (34.5″/8.8cm) stainless steel, rust-proof straight wires
20 nickel-plated T-pins
Blocking instructions

Before using blocking wires, wipe them with a soft cloth to remove manufacturing residue.

WeCrochet Blocking Wires — The beauty of your lace pattern will be revealed using We Crochet blocking wires.

Knit Blocking Wires

Check Price On Amazon

This kit made in the USA contains

Twelve 36 inch rigid wires
Two 24 inch flex wires
Twenty steel T pins
Wire blocking instructions
Sturdy storage tube
Measuring tape

T-Pins

Trying to block a garment? The best pins for blocking are T-pins.

Rust-free sewing pins work too.

We Crochet T Pins are nickel-plated steel. They’re rust resistant and 1.5″ long. Perfect for garments and shawls.

Knitter’s Pride Knit Blockers Set

Check Price On Amazon

12 blockers with 8 pins
8 blockers with 4 pins

The blocking squares are dense, sturdy plastic. The pins are rust resistant and stainless steel.

Knit Picks Blocking Starter Tool Kit

Includes:

12″ Blocking Mats
T-pins
Blocking Pins
Soak Wash – Travel Pack Assorted
Instruction Labels
Knit Picks Lint Shaver

Wool Wash

Wool Wash keeps items clean, and smelling great!

Soak Wash doesn’t need rinsing out.

Don’t have wool wash? Use mild baby shampoo or delicate dish soap. Rinse with clean water once or twice.

Pinning Basics

On a flat surface, a blocking mat is ideal.

Pin the crocheted item around the edges, placing the pins at an angle, with the top of the pin pointing away from the garment.

Place the first in the top center, moving to the bottom center as you pin the piece to the correct length.

Pin your work to the correct width (if blocking a sweater, start with the bust width). Fill in the edges according to finished measurements.

Blocking Tips For Different Fibers

Natural fibers like wool & alpaca benefit from full wash blocking.
Cotton is difficult to block. Wet blocking is best
Starch on fine work stiffens crochet thread
For fibers like wool blends, mohair, angora, cashmere, and acrylic and synthetics, spritz/spray block
(This is like washing, but you spritz the fabric until it’s wet, with a spray bottle. Don’t soak it.)
Steam blocking is an alternative method using heat and moisture.
Never use a heat method on silk as it’s too delicate

Pinning to help straighten the edges when blocking crochet — Pinning to straighten the edges.

How To Block Crochet: Blocking Methods

How Do I Block Acrylic Yarn?

Spray block acrylic yarn.

Want to change the drape of your acrylic garment? Use “killing.”

‘Killing’ is when you steam block acrylic yarn.

Grab your acrylic work, and lay it on the ironing board.

Using the steam setting on your iron, go over your crocheted project but don’t touch it. It’ll melt the yarn or flatten it.

Once you’ve ‘killed’ a garment, you can’t restore its original shape.

Wet Blocking

This method is washing the crocheted item by immersing it in water and letting it soak to relax the fibers.

(AKA Immersion Blocking.)

Benefits Of Wet Blocking Crochet

Blocking relaxes the fiber and stitches
The settling process evens flaws and defines the stitch pattern.
Giving yarn a wash rinses away residue
Soaking your crochet helps the fiber release the extra dye
Improves the drape of a garment
In most patterns, the way it fits happens after you block. Gauge swatches need blocking too

Step 1

Fill a sink or bucket with lukewarm water
Squirt Wool Wash or baby shampoo into a sink/bucket but not too much as you’ll have lots of rinsing
(Some detergents like Soak you don’t have to rinse at all)
Give it a mix
Place your wet crocheted item in the bucket
Leave it while it soaks for 10-30 mins, don’t dunk it

Step 2

While soaking, grab an older towel
Lay it on a surface.
Using a blocking mat? Interlock as many needed

Step 3

Return to the sink
Drain the water.
Squeeze your crochet (don’t wring!) to get out the water. Be gentle.
Press your item against the edges to remove the rest.
Place in a soft dry towel
Roll up the towel to get extra moisture out
Standing on the rolled-up towel removes extra water

Step 4

Lay your crocheted items on the blocking mat/towel
Stretch to the desired length and width
Grab t-pins (or rust proof sewing pins)
Pin every few inches around the perimeter
Patterns have measurements for length and width when blocked
Read those.
Let your crochet dry for up to 1-2 days

Step 5

Wait until everything is dry before unpinning it
You’ll be delighted at the transformation 🙂

Misting or Spray Blocking

Misting or spray blocking is excellent if you’re a beginner.

Step 1

Lay your newly finished work onto a soft towel
Put the towel on a flat surface

Step 2

Grab a clean mist bottle
Fill with water
Mist your work

Step 3

When damp but not soaked, pull your crocheted item into the desired measurements

Step 4

Use pins to keep the work in place

Steam Blocking

This blocking technique is a gentle method without soaking your crochet. You need a steam iron.

(Aka ‘dry blocking.’)