Blocking is one of those techniques that can be a bit daunting to new knitters, in part because of the equipment involved. A blocking board? That sounds like a large, unwieldy and specialized piece of equipment! In knitting discussion groups, I often hear conversations where beginners ask what size and type of blocking board to buy. How can anyone, particularly a new knitter, possibly know the dimensions of future projects? It's a real investment in equipment if you don't know exactly what you need.
The good news is that there's no need to plan ahead. You can make blocking boards as needed, and keep them for future use or dismantle them and fashion them into a new shape as needed. The cost is minimal. Follow the jump for full instructions.
Materials required:
• Tape. Use packing tape, duct tape, or even masking tape.
• Corrugated cardboard. It can come from discarded boxes. If you have the luck to find a box left over from a large appliance, break down the box into manageable pieces and hang on it. But note that large pieces are not necessary for making a large blocking board: small pieces will certainly suffice. Inquire at local stores for unwanted boxes. Those sturdy enough to hold heavy bottles and tins are especially good. If you're determined to start with a large fresh sheet of cardboard, visit an art supply shop and see what sizes they sell. My local shop sells 8' x 4' (2.4 x 1.2 metres) sheets of corrugated cardboard for a small price.
• Old towels. Use towels you've discarded because they've become thin with wear. Non-fluffy towels are most suitable. If you haven't any on hand, canvass your friends for their discards, or pick up a few at a thrift shop.
• Clothespins. Get plastic ones with a fairly wide grip.
Assembling the blocking board:
Break down the boxes into flat sheets. Remove any staples and wads of crumpled packing tape, leaving relatively smooth sheets of cardboard. Lay out the pieces on a table or floor and determine how large you need the board to be. You can make it specific to a particular project, but be sure to make it a good bit larger (at least a few inches on each side) than the anticipated dimensions of the finished knitted item. (For example, If I have a scarf that I think will be pinned out to 10" x 75" then I would make my blocking board at least 20" x 85".)
Tape the cardboard pieces together, being sure to keep one side flat and smooth with no overlaps. If you've used many small pieces, the board will probably now be floppy. Flip it over, and tape more pieces of cardboard to the back, being sure to overlap any bendy joins. Remember that the back doesn't need to be even. Add as much cardboard and tape as you need to reinforce the whole board.
Now take your towel(s) and lay them smoothly across the front of the board with the edges folded around to the back. (If the towels are crumpled and wrinkly, give them a quick ironing.) Using the plastic clothespins, clip the towel to the edge of the cardboard on at least two opposite sides.
Voilà! You're ready to block. Once the knitting project is pinned in place, the entire board can be easily lifted and moved around -- a great feature for those living in small spaces, or with pets or small children. And when you're done blocking, you can store the whole board under a bed or behind a wardrobe -- or, if space is really tight, break it down into more manageable pieces, and save them until you need to make another board for a new project!
