How to Soften Your Freshly Crochet or Knit Garments + Natural Soak Recipe

Good Day Crafties!

I've been at this fiber art thing for over a decade now and in that time, I've been asked this one question over,and over again. As a garment designer, you want to know your stuff so you don't ruin hours and hours of precious work!

Anyhoo, people often ask me how to get the best fit and feel out of a crochet or knit piece they've just completed.

The answer is: blocking.

For a really long time, I thought blocking projects was really dumb. And to this day, if it's not something I'm making for someone else, or selling, I don't do it 🤣

In this post I want to talk specifically about wet blocking and my methods for that. First and foremost, always check the care instructions for the yarn you used. In my experience, it hasn't been that much of a problem in commercial brand yarns but some fibers/dies will bleed. Considering the nature of the soak recipe I'll be sharing later in this post, you'll want to be aware of this. I suggest (if you do test swatches) sacrificing your gauge swatch to the soak bin and drying it out as you intend to do with the garment to see if there's any bleeding or felting taking place.

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So what is wet blocking?!

Wet blocking is a technique used in knitting and crochet to set the final size and shape of your finished project. It involves soaking the item in water, gently reshaping it, and then allowing it to dry flat.

Whenever I block my items, I do a wet block. I've done this with both plain water or, a simple fabric softener rinse that I mix up. The only difference is the deodorizing quality of the rinse. I tend to use it more with organic fibers (wools and recycled silks) that may retain some smell. I'll be sharing that recipe with y'all later in this post!

Here's a breakdown of the benefits and process of wet blocking:

Benefits of Wet Blocking:

1. Achieves desired dimensions: Ensures your project matches the specified size in your pattern.
   

2. Evens out stitches: Relaxes the yarn fibers, creating a smoother and more consistent stitch appearance.

3. Sharpens details: Defines cable patterns, lacework, and other intricate details.

4. Improves drape and flow: Makes the fabric softer and more pliable, enhancing the overall look and feel of your project.

There are a million different opinions on the "proper" way to wet block your items. If you're like me and have limited space and time for traditional mat blocking, you'll be tempted to use your washing machine.

Nothing wrong with that! I've only ever goofed up a piece once using this method and it was totally user error.

The most important part of wet blocking in the washing machine is to protect your piece. Seems sorta obvious, right?

So don't just toss that gorgeous granny hexagon cardigan in there and walk away! You'll come back to a disassembled catastrophe!

Instead, you'll want to place your garment (or stuff it lol) into a mesh delicate's laundry bag. This nifty set has multiple sizes so the reuse value is infinite! I prefer ones with a zipper rather than those that tie up, because the tie is subject to come loose in the cycle and no one wants that.

After you've closed up your laundry bag, set your machine to the appropriate temperature for the yarn and on the gentlest, slowest wash cycle you have. My machine simply has a delicates setting.

I tend to favor this method because the only thing that is left for me to do when it ends it to lay it flat to dry... or pin it if necessary. Before I move on, let's hash out that soak recipe and how to use it!

🧼DIY Natural Fabric Softener/ Soak🧼

Supplies

A large mixing bowl or a 3 - 5 gal bucket

1 Cup of Baking Soda

3 Cups White Vinegar

15 - 20 drops of Essential Oil of any kind!

Directions

Incorporate the Vinegar slowly/ 1 cup at a time to (hopefully) avoid bubbling over

Both baking soda and vinegar have deodorizing qualities which is really nice when working with more organic fibers

A lot of people default to lemon, I like a good lavender or rose oil though.

This can be stored in a mason jar or in an old detergent bottle.

1/4 - 1/2 cup per wash (pan or machine wash)

Mix or shake well prior to each use.

Don't worry about losing this recipe, download a copy via the button below, totally free!

Natural Knit Soak Recipe Infiniti Crafting Co

.pdf

Download PDF • 50KB

Wet Blocking Process:

You'll need a clean sink or tub, lukewarm water, a gentle wool wash (optional), a clean towel, blocking pins (T-pins work well), and a flat blocking surface (blocking boards).

If you used your washer for the wetting process, you can skip to step 3.

1. Soak the project: Submerge your knitted or crocheted item in a tub of lukewarm water with a mild wool wash (if using). Gently agitate the water to ensure even saturation. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes, depending on the yarn weight.

2. Squeeze and roll: Carefully remove the project from the water. Squeeze out excess water gently, without wringing or twisting. Roll the project in a clean towel to remove most of the moisture.

3. Pin and reshape: Lay the project flat on your blocking surface. Gently stretch and pin it into the desired shape according to your pattern measurements. Use blocking pins to secure edges and achieve crisp lines.

4. Dry flat: Leave the project to dry completely in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. This can take several hours or even a full day depending on the size and thickness of the project.

5. Unpin and enjoy! Once completely dry, carefully remove the blocking pins. Admire your beautifully shaped and finished project!

Tips:

• Always check the care label of your yarn before wet blocking. Not all yarns are suitable for this technique.

• Use lukewarm water to avoid shrinking or felting your project.

• Block your project soon after finishing it for best results.

Thanks for reading today, and happy making!