I finally got around to blocking my [Study Hall Shawl] this week! I finished knitting the shawl (designed by Sarah Schira) over a year ago, and I have now fully finished it.
For those not in the know, blocking a knitted or crocheted item consists of getting it wet, squeezing as much water out as possible (don’t wring it out though!), laying it out in the shape and size you want, and pinning it in place to dry.
I set up my blocking mats in front of a window and pointed a fan at the shawl to help it dry faster. I wanted to take advantage of the dry days and clear skies before the constant fall-winter-spring drizzle starts up. I do love a gray and drizzly day, but it’s not great weather for air-drying!
I had put off blocking this shawl for so long that it had become a big deal in my head. It was actually pretty quick to do. Well, setting it up was quick; there’s no way to speed up air drying beyond pointing a fan at it.
When I was about halfway through making the Study Hall Shawl, I learned to knit continental style (picking the yarn rather than throwing it). I switched styles mid-shawl, and it’s very clear that my stitches are much looser in continental style. Luckily I was able to block it and stretch the first half out. Unsurprisingly, blocking really improved how the shawl looks and made the whole thing look more uniform.
When I first learned to knit, I thought that casting off was the last step, but I was so wrong. I learned that after casting off comes weaving in the ends. And after weaving in the ends comes having blocking finished projects. (Ugh, so many “last” steps!) But now I’m so excited to finally have finished the last step of my Study Hall Shawl!
