Use these beginning knitting instructions to turn your finished piece into a work of art!
Even the most basic beginning knitting instructions can turn out a beautiful, usable scarf or afghan, but for some reason they always forget a key component: blocking! Even if you're only looking for beginning knitting instructions, you want your finished piece to look polished and attractive. Blocking begins where most beginning knitting instructions leave off: with a finished scarf, washcloth, afghan, or what have you!
What's Blocking?
Simply put, blocking is a way to take any project and give it a finished look. Whether you're keeping your piece for yourself, giving it to a friend, or knitting for charity, blocking will give any piece the look of a professional knitter's.
How To Do It
First, complete your piece using beginning knitting instructions. Cast off and make sure all your ends are secure. Weave them in and do whatever you need to do. Now look at your piece. Do you see how some parts of it might be curled under, or not exactly lined up with the rest? That's what we're going to fix! Fill the sink with lukewarm water and add a squirt of a gentle cleaner like zero (or, in a pinch, baby shampoo). Immerse your piece in the water and squeeze it to make sure it's completely soaked.
Gently swish it around in the water for just a few minutes. Drain the sink and carefully wring out your piece. Rinse it under running water, wring it out again, and then refill the sink one last time. Give your piece a final, thorough rinse, drain the sink, and gently wring it out again.
Finishing Up
Lay a towel on the ground and arrange your piece in the shape you want it. Roll the towel up, squeezing as you go to get rid of any extra water. Yes, the towel will get soaked. That's okay. Spread a dry towel on a flat surface where pets and kids can't get at it. Then arrange your piece in the shape you want. Tug the places that need to stretch, scrunch up the places that need to shrink, and shape it like a potter would clay! If it's a really uneven piece, you might even want to pin it to the towel to get the shape you want. Your piece needs to dry for about twenty-four hours, but you'll be amazed at the results when you come back. Your rough, jagged-edged piece made from beginning knitting instructions is now a professional, beautiful finished work!
