Blocking Flower Basket

Or, the Good, Bad & Ugly

The good:  Finished last night after midnight. Actually developed an eye twitch (thought that was only a figure of speech), but I pushed on like the dedicated knitter (i.e., nutcase) that I am. Didn't get a pre-block photo - did my exercises instead, which was a better use of my time. I was a bit concerned because it was so tiny! I decided to wait until morning to worry more about it - the ol light of day test.

Yep, it was still tiny in the AM. Soaked it for the recommended 20+ minutes, which did relax the fibers, but I still couldn't see how it was going to work. So I decided to just try. I've not blocked much, and certainly nothing that needed to be really strong-armed like this. Finally decided on pinning it to the rug in the living room. The warmest non-humid room in the house with a pinable floor.

The bad:  Started with my quilting flower-head pins. The flower heads helped keep it from popping off, but they just weren't up to the task. I discovered this when a head broke off while I was jamming the pin through the rug, thus jamming the bare pin under my finger nail. Ouch. Of course it was the pointer finger on my dominate (left) hand. You're never using one of the more disposable fingers when you do something like that are you? OK, none of my fingers are actually disposable, but if I had to dispose of one of them, that finger would be last in line. As the day progresses it's throbbing less though, so it's a small price to pay for a well-blocked shawl.

After that, I dug around and found safety pins, which stood up under the pressure. Took a couple of times, but I got there. Blocked a little longer/shorter than the pattern for more tie ends. I'm short, so that dimension giving is OK. Used metal BBQ skewers to shore up the middle.

The (almost very) ugly:  So, imagine ...  I've come home from exercise therapy and made myself leafy salad with roast beef and pickled onions (Brian makes them - they're yummy). I'm feeling righteous and good. Until I hear the distinctive sound of a cat vomiting. From the living room. Oh please ... NO! I run screaming into the room to find him crouching next to my shawl. Luckily he missed by a mere inch. No, he didn't eat a pin or anything, looked more like wrapping paper. The cats are having a field day with the tree and presents.

Here it is as I type this, clean and pinned. Will leave it until the kids get home.

Comments

[carrie]

I can't believe your cat almost threw up on your shawl! It looks so pretty all blocked out. I love the slightly varigated look of it - I can't remember what yarn you were using but it looks just lovely. I love your new angora too - can't wait to see that in action!

Carrie

[Cindy]

Very pretty. :)

[Kim]

Stunning!! Mine is getting closer to the finish line, and I was petrified about blocking before I read your entry, and now I am confirmed in my worries! Ahhh!

The shawl looks perfect! I know when I block mine, those mistakes I made early on will really start to pop out. Oh well, still learning that's for sure.

Are suggestions for blocking listed on the label?

[Bonny Choy]

I love it, it's so pretty, can you email me the knitting pattern?

Thanks a lot.

Bonny