How to Stiffen or Starch Crochet Articles

Doilies, snowflakes and other small openwork crochet pieces need to be shaped in order to display their beauty to the fullest. These pieces depend on a darker background to bring out the pattern that is crocheted, and if the crochet is wrinkled or shrunken, the pattern will not show to its best advantage. Simple stretching into shape doesn't last for long. To give lasting shape to these pieces, use a stiffener or starch.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Spray starch
• Liquid starch
• Powdered starch
• Glue
• Styrofoam or cardboard
• Rustproof pins

Spray Starch

1. Launder the crocheted piece and air-dry.

2. Stretch the piece into the shape intended. Pull snowflake points out fully, and shape pineapple ovals and ruffles.

3. Attach the crocheted item to a piece of Styrofoam, cardboard or other type of smooth surface that will accept pins. Form the pattern exactly the way you want it to dry, pinning it in place with rustproof pins.

4. Spray the piece completely with spray starch and allow it to dry completely.

Liquid or Reconstituted Powdered Starch

1. Prepare the starch according to the directions on the package where necessary, making sure you have enough product to immerse your item completely into the mixture.

2. Immerse the crocheted piece into the starch, and then squeeze it to get rid of all extra liquid.

3. Pin the stretched-out crochet to a drying board using rustproof pins.

4. Let the item dry completely before taking it down.

Glue Stiffeners

1. Mix ordinary white household glue with an equal portion of water.

2. Dip the crocheted item into this liquid mixture, and then squeeze out all excess liquid.

3. Pin the piece onto a drying board with rustproof pins and let dry thoroughly.

Tips & Warnings

• Use starch-based stiffeners for items you wish to launder. They are not permanent stiffeners, and the items need to be retreated each time they are washed. Shape items such as ornaments and baskets with glue solutions, which are permanent stiffeners that do not wash out.

• Light-colored crochet tends to darken with exposure to the oils in the hands as you crochet. Wash your crochet before starching or stiffening for beautifully clean works of art.

References

• Dummies.com; How to Block Crochet or Knitting with Spray Starch; Susan Brittain and Karen Manthey
• Snowflakes and Thread Crochet: Stiffeners
• Crochet Memories: About Stiffeners

Resources

• Crochet Pattern Central: Doilies
• Best Free Crochet: Snowflake Christmas Ornament