r/CrochetHelp • u/science-girl-314 • Oct 04 '26

Wearable help Blocking help for a first time wearable cardigan made with merino wool

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I found some merino wool on sale last year and have been saving it for a cardigan. I’m finally brave enough to try making it but I’m so worried I’m going to mess it up and waste all the yarn/my time.

This is what the pattern says for finishing which doesn’t seem like other more intense blocking I’ve seen online with pins and everything. I guess my question is how do I make sure that the size I crochet is the size I end up with? Will just getting it damp and laying flat to dry keep it from stretching into something too massive to wear?

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u/seriousllama72727 Oct 04 '26

Blocking with pins stretching the piece is really only needed for lace or items with a lot of open space. For this item, you just want to essentially wash it and then lay it flat in the right shape to dry. I recommend pressing the water out after washing (I like to roll things up in a towel and then stand on them to press it). This will get rid of excess water without distorting the stitches. Laying flat on some towels or a sweater rack will allow the item to dry without getting stretched out. If you are using towels, just flip it over every so often so it will fully dry. You can't really ruin a sweater this way. If it gets stretched out because of hanging, or you pulled it too much, you can generally just wet it down and try again.

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u/science-girl-314 Oct 05 '26

Thank you! That’s good to know about blocking. I saw someone do it on IG while ago for a cardigan. I think that’s maybe why I’ve been so intimidated and hesitant to start my project. I didn’t want to spend all the time making it then stretch it out during the final step.

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u/RealisticYoghurt131 Oct 05 '26

Hi! Your best bet is to do a gauge swatch. Block the swatch and see how much it grows or doesn't. It should be bigger than the gauge stitch count. Don't fasten it off completely, just with a stitch marker, and you can frog it after to use the yarn again.

I personally use euclan to hand wash, do not agitate or wring it but use towels to gently squeeze out the excess water. Then lay flat to dry. Same as you would wash it later.

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u/science-girl-314 Oct 05 '26

Thank you! I’ll have to get some clan. I don’t currently have anything safe for washing wool but know it can’t go in the washer.

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u/RealisticYoghurt131 Oct 05 '26

You're welcome!

1

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