blocking a lace-weight shawl

Whoops, just noticed that second link doesn't work. Here is the picture of the shawl (from the publisher's website - mine didn't come out that well! LOL!)

Hi Laura,

I bet it looks just as lovely as that one. I haven't used that type of yarn so can't help with the blocking.

Hugs,

Nora

It's beautiful. I don't know that I'd block a shawl. Does it look like it needs it? I generally only block things that need to be a very specific shape. It seems to me that since a shawl drapes it wouldn't need to be blocked.

Dawn

Laura J wrote:

How gorgeous! Personally I wouldn't block it unless you had some parts that were sagging or otherwise noticeable, and then I'd only block that part.

mohair. Is

Laura, if it's 'soft' and 'fits', there'll be no need TO block it... however, with more acrylic than mohair, I can tell you in advance that it's NOT going to block well.... JM2C Noreen

I haven't always blocked shawls, but I do now. My last three were lacy designs. In fact, I have one drying now which I finished late last night. It's a long rectangle done in all cotton yarn in the feather & fan pattern. I soaked it in the washing machine for 10 minutes in cool water, then the spin cycle. Spread it out on the bed on top of a towel and shape it by hand. I turn on the ceiling fan and close the door.

Your yarn manufacturer says to hand wash and dry flat, and that's all that blocking is--but without soap. It can mean the difference between handmade and homemade, much like using an iron when sewing garments.

You would stretch it out to the shape you want. (preferrably out doors) then spray it with water and let dry.

Arlene

Dawn Alguard wrote:

"Laura J" skrev i melding news:Y4T2e.52861$u76.22885@trndny08...

Beautiful, Laura! But the yarn is totally unknown to me here! I often envy you all the "facy" yarn! LOL! AUD ;-))

We always advise to get two bath sheets, soak them, spin to remove excess water. Place one on a flat surface, pin your shawl to the sheet or towel, and when the shape is right, cover it all with the second bath sheet. Leave until they are all dry.

Roger.

Laura J wrote:

Aw, thanks Nora! I hope it comes out nice. I am hoping to wear it to a wedding next month.

LauraJ

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! As for why I'm blocking it, it's not the shape that concerns me, but more just getting the stitches to relax a bit and line up properly. I will definitely try one (or maybe all!) of these suggestions!

Thanks again!

LauraJ

I have made a couple of lacy shawls out of mohair blends (to be honest, I can't remember what either was blended with, but one was called Etoile and the other was called Pingouin Sweethair).

In both cases, I pinned them to shape onto a flat surface, MISTED them with water and let them air dry like that for about a day. In both cases, I felt the need to block them because they had picots and points at the edges.

Karen in MN

I'm not sure it would need to be blocked, since it's 50% acrylic. I would wash it by hand, squeeze it gently to remove excess water, and stretch it out to dry on some flat surface, with towels under it to absorb the water. Acrylic doesn't shrink, so it shouldn't need pins.

mohair. Is

pins.

Barbara, while you are totally correct in that acrylic doesn't shrink... I'd like to add a side-note that neither does it "stretch"... which, in a lace shawl, is a hindrance...as one normally expects to stretch and block a good lace shawl.... hence why I'd never use it in a lace shawl. JM2C, Noreen