I’ve always wondered how to block a hat. You knit this gorgeous creation and want it to be finished “just so” and yet, how do you block a rounded object?
Well, for starters, just in case you’re wondering, “blocking” is the process of wetting your knitted or crocheted object and then placing it into position to dry. It’s really an excellent technique for animal fibers or plant fibers, but doesn’t work on acrylics or other synthetics.
Some options including laying your hat flat on the ground or for a beret-style hat, stretching it around a dinner plate.
But! I came up with this method to block beanies or slouchy beanies with ease and it creates a nice, smooth crown!
1. Soak your finished object in luke warm water. You can add in a teaspoon of wool soak if you like, but it’s not necessary.
2. After 10 minutes or so, gently drain the water and press the excess moisture out of the item by placing it in a towel, folding the towel up around it and stepping on it.
3. Place a balloon filled with water into a bowl.
4. Place your hat onto the balloon, stretching down and shaping as desired. Let dry.
And voila. You will have a perfectly-formed crown for your hat, without stretching out the band!! Hurray!
And the best part is, it feels really cool. All the guys in your family will enjoy it! Once you feel it, you’ll know what I mean! 😉
(And for reference, this is another Turn A Square Hat by Jared Flood, shown in my last post. I made this one for my niece for Christmas)
very clever!!!
Thank you so much for this idea! I’ve just finished knitting my first slouchy hat and had no idea how I was going to block it. Brilliant! It’s drying on the balloon/bowl as I type.
Yes, thank you!!!
You say blocking doesn’t work on acrylics. You are incorrect. I steam block all of my acrylics and it gives them a nice finished look. You just have to be careful not to overheat or get too close with the steam iron. Please, do block your acrylics. They will look so much nicer.
Thanks Kay, I was hoping there was a way to tend to acrylics.
Just finishing a slouchy sock weight hat. I’m a bit underwhelmed, but look forward to trying to block it. This is a neat little trick: I hope it will help!
Thanks for posting.
How did you get the slouchy part of the hat to lie down ???
I just usually make it a little longer, so it doesn’t fit flat on the head. I also usually use a heavier weight of yarn and that pulls the back of the hat down and makes it slouch.
? thank you. Will be giving this a go.
Different sized balloons for different sized ?
Genius
How do you suggest I get the water in the balloon ?
They won’t fit on my mixer taps that I have at every sink in my house?!
Maybe a water balloon filler?
Why do you need to put water in the balloon?
Hi Anna, thank you for your message. I’m happy to help. You don’t have to necessarily put water into the balloon but it can be just air but the water will make the balloon also heavy which will make stay in place compared to air.
I hope this explains it and answers your question.
Have a great weekend! – Johanna 💕
Use a funnel 🙂