How do I Block a Silk Scarf?

Blocking a silk scarf can better reveal the pattern.

Blocking a finished knitted or crocheted project is a useful skill for fiber artists. Blocking sets the stitches and smooths out any irregularities in the shape. For objects with pieces, such as knitted dresses or sweaters, it makes putting them together easier. Wool is traditionally blocked, but items made of silk yarn, such as scarves, also benefit from blocking. Blocking your knitted silk scarf will straighten out any unevenness and smooth out the lines of the scarf.

Things You'll Need

• Large towel
• Dressmaker's pins
• Water spray bottle
• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Lay out your knitted or crocheted silk scarf on a flat surface. You may want to use a large, absorbent towel on a table or the floor beneath your scarf, or you can use your bed. Lay the scarf flat and gently pull it into the shape you desire. Make the edges even and smooth them out. You may wish to measure them with a tape measure or yardstick to be sure the sides are uniform.

2. Pin the scarf with dressmaker's pins to the towel or sheet beneath the scarf.

3. Spray gently with lukewarm water; just a light spray is all that's necessary. Do not soak the scarf. If it gets too wet, roll it in a towel for a few minutes to absorb excess water before laying it flat again.

4. Dry the scarf. It is best to let the scarf dry naturally in a warm room out of direct sunlight. A small fan nearby could hasten the process, but don't let it blow directly on the scarf. You want the shape to remain as you set it.

Tips & Warnings

• Some knitters buy or make a blocking board for their projects.

• Each type of fiber is blocked a little differently. Wool and silk are very different fibers, so do not transfer experience with wool to silk items.

References

• Knitty: Tools for the DIY Knitter: "To Block or Not to Block"