If you have read my blog for a while, you know that I am a huge advocate of ‘blocking’ your work. I have written quite a few posts on the matter and whenever I am asked for my top tip I say ‘Block your work it makes all the difference!’ What is blocking? Well if you don’t know it is dampening or wetting your finished knitted or crocheted item. Pinning or stretching it to the shape you want it to be and then letting it dry. The fibres can relax, the stitches become regular and your can set your finished piece to the measurements you require.
You can read a few of my past blog posts here and here.
Blocking Boards
I use a range of techniques myself; including soft boards for garments and templates made to size for my socks. However in the last 18 months I have made a huge number of Granny Squares. I have written two whole books and completed a whole heap of blanket commissions. For crochet motifs which are made individually the very, very best way to block is to use a wooden blocking board.
The very lovely people at Chetnanigans contacted me and asked whether I would like to try their Ultimate Blocking Board and see what I thought. Well – oh my goodness, this my friends is a piece of kit. The following information is really for those who love a bit of crochet geekdom.
No snags – all the finish
Firstly the board is beautifully finished. It is well sanded and varnished and this actually matters quite a bit to me – as I have on occasion snagged my yarn on boards before. The high quality of the finish also means that I can have a really damp item to be blocked the wood won’t get stained or water-marked. The holes are very close together to insert the blocking pins, 1/2 inch apart, which is ideal. This means I have a lot of flexibility in terms of shape and size. I have trialed blocking a triangle and a circle and it works a treat.
Pins
I must say that I haven’t before seen a blocking board with metal pins – these are stainless steel. The improvement is clear. Firstly – you can put more pins in a square without distorting the edge. A thicker wooden dowel can create little mini-humps in the square. If you are working with fine yarn this will certainly make a difference.
Perfector Strips
There is also another advantage to this system. The perfector strips….oh yes my friends, a new invention to ensure all your squares are the same size. When I was writing my two Granny Square books this year, I made hundreds and hundreds of squares. Ideally to get them to be the same size – you can use your blocking board to pile up your squares one on top of
another. However, even though you use metal pins the squares will inevetably draw the pins together. The new perfector strips, keep your pins in check and your squares all the same size. Genius.
Exciting news for you
Now if you are a passionate crocheter, I would certainly suggest these blocking boards as a Christmas Present this year. I was astonished by the quality and robust nature of the pins and the perfector strips. This purchase is an investment piece my friends. But I have two great pieces of news for you. I have a unique discount code for you. If you buy you blocking board from Chetnanigans and use the code Emma15 This code is valid both on the Chetaningans Etsy Shop and their own Chetaningans website until Friday 26th November – so get ordering.
Other brilliant news is that I have the best ever give-away opportunity for you. One lucky reader will be chosen at random to receive a 8″ Premier Blocking Board Ultra, display stand, blocking pins and perfector strips. This is an awesome giveaway prize and I cannot tell you how excited I am. All you need to do to enter is to ensure you subscribe to my newsletter, leave a comment below telling me why you would love to win this prize. The giveaway will run until Saturday 24th November, when I will be choosing a name at random. Good Luck! – This giveaway is now finished – Congratulations to Sharon – who was picked at random!
Getting social
If you are not in the market for a blocking board – have a look because there are loads of products to add to your wish-list for Christmas!
It would be worth checking out their Facebook page and Instagram account – I think Sean and Holly are developing new products all the time – responding to the needs of their customers and they are always looking for suggestions and new ideas.
I have been happy to work with Sean and Holly at Chetnanigans – they sent me their Ultra Board to trial for free to see if I liked it and could recommend it. I happily recommend it to you and I am delighted that they have sent me a discount code for you and a giveaway to share with my readers.
I need this in my life! Didn’t know blocking boards existed! So pleased to be following you and seeing all your creations – Yin Yin. Ex Purl City Yarns, Manchester. Now following from Hong Kong x
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Wow, I have never actually seen one of these before and now I am thinking where has it been all my life! So much easier than faffing about with towels or playmats etc. I would love one!
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Was actually scanning Chetnanigans Hook Stands, Organisers and Blocking Boards just last night. Winning 1 of their Blockers would be so great. Project I am working on right now is absolutely going to need blocking.
I did finally try blocking and it WORKS. Projects come together much better. Having a blocking board would be wonderful. I could set it and forget it while working on other projects. The waiting for it to dry is the hardest part for me
Chetnanigans blocking boards are on my christmas list this year because I am in desparate need of a good blocking board. Plus, I live only a couple of hours from their shop and I love supporting Virginia businesses!
I have other products from Chetnanigans including their Swift which is the absolute best at winding a Hank into a ball. I would love to have the 8″ Premier Blocking Board Ultra because I too have started to make Granny Squares again and they looks s much better when they are blocked.
I heard about Chetnanigans a few months ago and have been eyeing their products the whole time. I would LOVE to win this blocking board. I’m about 2 years into crocheting and am building up my knowledge and learning new processes all the time. Blocking is one I’ve yet to attempt. It would be spectacular to learn how to block with one of Chetnanigans’ boards. Thanks for doing this giveaway! 🙂
Wow, this would really take my skills up!!! I would love to win! Great review, makes it easier on decision making!
I’ve been hearing about these blocking boards for a awhile now. I think it is a must have for those scrappy squares to ensure that they are the same size. It is on my Christmas list but I will love to win win one instead
Would love one of these. I built a new house and have so many ideas of crochet stuff for the kids rooms. This would be a perfect start.
I would love one of these. I use cardboard at the moment and keep stabbing myself with pins. The Chetnanigans board would make blocking much easier.
What a wonderful way to block. I love making granny squares and this is definitely something i would love
The blocking board looks perfect, I know the difference good blocking makes. Your crochet looks so much better for it. I would love to win
I have never used a blocking board but always wished I had one. I would love to try it.
Oh wow, I didn’t realise blocking boards were a thing you could buy, what a great idea! I would love to win one as I’ve always found blocking squares difficult to get the same size.
Oh wow! What a great giveaway. I have tried blocking a handful of times but with little success. This set up looks so much better and like I could actually block properly – so I would love to win.
Wowww what a awesome giveaway, i finally try blocking and it works great. Projects come together much better when they blocked. Having a blocking board would be such wonderful for me. I could set it and forget it while working on other projects. Hopefully it is worldwide to Netherlands xXx
These look brilliant, I’ve not heard of a blocking board before but they look fantastic. Would be great for my gran as she loves crocheting!
What a wonderful piece of crochet kit! This looks so beautifully made and all natural materials – I love it! What a treat this would be to win – thanks for the opportunity! x
What a great idea. The blanket I am working on at the moment is made of a LOT of squares, and although I have some foam mats they don’t seem to work particularly well. I would love to win this great giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity.
Would so love to have one of these sets! do much of my crochet items using squares or other shapes and this would be such a great help! have never seen these but will be going to the website.
The board looks amazing. I would love to try one. Thank you for informative blog on blocking.
I have just discovered the huge difference that blocking makes….and I NEED this!
I am currently blocking on cardboard used to cut fabric. It’s time to upgrade.
Need this as mine all seem to come out slightly different each time,drives me nuts
Merry Christmas from Middle Tennessee in the U.S. You are so talented & I want to congratulate you for sticking with your clothes fast! Donna Philpott
I would love to win this blocking board to enhance my work . I have several jobs on the go, so beibg able to block as you go would be a dream.