[Den]

Acrylic is awesome for easy care. it just can't be blocked the way wool can, unfortunately.

[Kilala Mikal]

I was just excited that I actually remembered somebody other than Law, lol.

I think you're the one I got my BBC pattern from for the 4th doctor's scarf. Or maybe you referred me to the place I got it from. :)

And Yay! Another hooker! I'm always excited to see other crafters. Makes me feel less.... weird? I'm seeing more and more though that younger people are crocheting and knitting.

[trystan830]

Den - yes this is true. you can 'block' acrylic by tossing it in the washer and dryer.... or killing it. i've never actually killed acrylic though.

Kilala - yep, i'm another hooker! and i'm used to being the weird one. XD

[dragoness129]

Good morning everyone! ^_^

[Lawtan]

"Good day!" Says the dragoness from an unknown cubby "Working on Midterms..."

*A plushie falls on Kilala's head*

[dragoness129]

Hope those go well for you!

[Den]

Originally Posted by trystan830

Den - yes this is true. you can 'block' acrylic by tossing it in the washer and dryer.... or killing it. i've never actually killed acrylic though.

Kilala - yep, i'm another hooker! and i'm used to being the weird one. XD

Yeah, 'killing' requires a steamer... so I usually stick with just tossing it in the washer and dryer.

[trystan830]

i have an iron with a steam setting. i tried it once, but it ended up not really working

[Kilala Mikal]

@Law - *squish hugs the plushie*
Mid-terms. I haven't had that pleasure in a few years. I can only imagine how stressed out you are right now.

@Trystan - I've never tried actually blocking my works. Most of the things I make (easily 99%) is for me and my kids. So I've never felt the need to try and block anything. I've seen different methods in my Crochet groups on facebook though.

[Den]

Originally Posted by trystan830

i have an iron with a steam setting. i tried it once, but it ended up not really working

it couldn't get up to the temperatures needed to "kill" acrylic. a garment steamer would be what would... but I can't afford one of those right now, so I don't bother...

[trystan830]

Kilala - i know what you mean. i make things for my girls and me too - and like 95% of it really can't be blocked. i've learned a lot from the forums over on Ravelry.

Den - i know what you mean there, too... i can't really afford much either.

[Den]

I mainly only make stuff for myself... it's by sheer dumb luck that gifts for other people don't need blocking.

[trystan830]

well that's cool to, Den. =)

[mdom]

what do you mean by blocking? xD

[trystan830]

blocking is when you take a knitted or crocheted item and stretch it out so you can see the pattern or design, or it won't curl back on itself. and then it needs to stay that way. i found some pics on google~

before blocking:


then the item was wet (spray bottle, soaked in water) and stretched out on foam boards or cardboard and allowed to dry~


it 'opens up' the design and is better seen than in origial knitted item (pic 1).

[Den]

I tossed my Doctor Who scarf in the wash when it was done, then set it out on towels in the living room (only room in the house long enough to block it out in. lol). and then I started rolling it up in the towels to squeeze the water out of it.