Podcast Episode 52: To Block or Not to Block

Blocking is one of those essential elements for successful knitting that is oddly left out of basic lessons. But, I love blocking for several reasons. It not only helps before you begin a project but is very important after you having finished your knitting.

Books in Book Review

Easy Beaded Knits by Jeanette Trotman
25 Beaded Knits by Debbie Abrahams
Stunning Shawls and Wraps by Scarlet Taylor

Tools in Book Review

Kookaburra Wool Wash

Lace blocking wires

Fork pins

What’s On My Needles

I am so happy being able to finally turn all my creative attention to my own knitting projects. No more work knitting and no more big trips are planned. We are going to be heading up to Canada next week to watch some friends play in a golf tournament. A long drive in both directions will be perfect for the garter stitch baby blanket knitting. I bought a nice backpack for Xena so my hands will be free to knit as we follow our friends around the golf course. Just in case the weather turns bad, I’ll take along my Aran sweater. I’ll let the guys wander around in the rain while I stay in the hotel by the fireplace.

To keep up with my knitting progress during the week, be sure to check out my personal blog.

3 easy ways to listen...

Music used in this Podcast
Introduction: A Sunken Ship Irony – Reflection at Sundown [http://spotlessrecords.com/asunkenshipirony/]
Book Review: Jim Ronayne – The Three Brethren [http://www.jimronayne.co.uk/]
What’s On My Needles: Beyond The Pale – The Music Plays Me [http://www.beyond-the-pale.com/]
Ending: Jim Ronayne – Thoughts Of You [http://www.jimronayne.co.uk/]

Tags: podcast

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Comment by Patty Jo on June 17, 2008 at 9:24am: About the Podcast...I've heard tell of blocking your gauge swatch but had never done it until yesterday. I thought it'd make the stitches more compact but on my swatch it made the stitches larger! So my 13 sts per 4" turned into 12 sts per 4". So when the pattern calls for counting sts...why doesn't it say "after blocking count..."? And...I am afraid of running out of yarn because I usually have to make 3 gauge swatches to get correct needle size...can I use the blocked & unraveled yarn from that gauge swatch if necessary? Thanks...Pat from AL

Comment by Parislexi on June 16, 2008 at 2:18pm: Thanks, Kelly!

I have that book, thank goodness.

That blanket looked kinda hard (I didn't delve into the instructions), but since I have knitted many, many pairs of socks (recently - working on 4 pairs now), several sweaters (many years ago), lots of afghans I may be able to tackle it.

I didn't quite understand what they were talking about when they said ' Knit 18 (or whatever) garter ridges. Is 'garter ridge' equal to so many rows, or what?
What yarn are you using?

Thanks for the info!

Barbara from Cincinnati

Comment by Kelley Petkun on June 16, 2008 at 12:36pm: The pattern for the baby blanket is from Mason Dixon Knitting. It's a book and the blanket is
The Modern Baby Blanket. It is an absolute joy to knit!! I have 6 to knit in total and I don't find it at all boring to contemplate because the way the four color blocks work together is simply appealing.

http://www.knitpicks.com/moderne%20baby%20blanket%20pattern_PD30728221.html?

Enjoy!!

Comment by happy knitter on June 16, 2008 at 7:51am: The Navy Relief now prefers baby blankets to sacque sets. And the young mothers don't want ones "with holes"! No lace! so I, too, would like the pattern for the garter st blanket!
Mary Russell from Illinois

Comment by Parislexi on June 15, 2008 at 5:25am: Kelly,
I am looking for an easy garter stitch baby blanket pattern. You mentioned one in this week's podcast notes (#52). What pattern are you using? Is it online someplace - or you just 'garter stitching' all the way?

Thanks!

Barbara from Cincinnat

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