How to Starch and Block a Crocheted Doily

Most doilies will need to be blocked to look their best. Some only require a light starch for which a spray starch will suffice. A crocheted doily with picots and points often needs a heavy liquid starch to bring out its beauty. Starch can be found in the laundry detergent area of your supermarket.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Crocheted Doily
• Corkboard (bulletin board)
• Rustproof Pins
• Starch, liquid or spray
• Wax Paper

1. Place the corkboard flat on a table and pin wax paper to it to cover the whole board. You don’t want the cork to get wet from the starch.

2. Place the dry doily onto the board if only a light starch is wanted. Pin the doily down, being sure to stretch out all the points and picots. The object is to achieve a perfect circle if your crocheted doily is round, or oval, square, or rectangular. Most of the time this can be eyeballed. If needed, draw the correct size shape onto the wax paper first and then stretch the doily to the outlines to block.

3. Dampen the doily with spray starch and let dry completely before removing from the corkboard.

4. Achieving a heavier starch is as simple as following the manufacturer’s instructions on the starch box and wetting the doily in the starch solution and then pinning it down . Let dry completely before removing.

Tips & Warnings

• Starch and block again after each washing.
• Use only rustproof pins or you will end up with rust on your doily.

[nancycarol]

on 11/1/2009 I grew up with this type of doily, and remember my Momma doing this very thing. There is still a need for this instruction. Thanks and a 5*R for How to Starch and Block a Crocheted Doily.