Crochet blocking is a finishing technique that transforms your handmade items into polished, professional-looking pieces. It can also correct a myriad of problems with your project as well! Whether you’re creating a lacy shawl, a cozy sweater, or perfectly aligned granny squares, learning how to block crochet (and knit!) can take your projects to the next level.

I have also created a thorough video tutorial as a masterclass covering everything you need to know about how to block crochet and knit. It covers the ins and outs of blocking your project using the 3 different methods we’ll be covering in this article. So if you’re more of a visual learner or need to watch while you multi-task, you can find the blocking crochet masterclass here.

Learn how to block crochet now, or PIN it for later here!

What is knit and crochet blocking?

Knit and crochet blocking is the process of shaping, resizing, and smoothing out your work using moisture, heat, or steam. It sets the fibers in place, ensuring your project has the intended shape and dimensions.

Why should you block crochet projects?

Can I even begin to list the ways? The benefits of blocking are multiple! Crochet blocking is essential for:

• Shaping pieces: Ensuring uniformity in size and shape so the piece fits or functions as intended.
• Smoothing tension issues: Achieving a neat and even finish by correcting inconsistent tension throughout your work.
• Enhancing details: Blocking opens up and highlights intricate stitch patterns, revealing all the little beautiful details – especially for shawls, doilies, and lacework.
• Improving drape: Blocking softens and relaxes fibers, enhancing the natural drape and flow of garments and accessories.
• Reducing curling: Flattening edges and corners for a professional look.
• Sets the final shape: Blocking sets and helps hold your project’s shape after blocking and drying so your piece will maintain it’s symmetry and alignments like straight edges or square corners
• Blocking crochet ensures that separate, individual pieces of projects are the right size and shape before seaming them together. And this makes the seaming process much easier.

Blocking overall, greatly enhances the appearance of your piece, making it look better, higher quality, and more professional.

Tools and supplies needed for crochet blocking:

Based on the method you choose to block your project, different tools will be required and I will cover those as we talk about each method below.

Here are my favorite blocking tools. These are affiliate links which means I’ll earn a small commission if you purchase something using one of these links. It in no way affects the cost to you and it supports my small crochet business. Thank you for your support!

Blocking Mats – these are my favorite blocking mats because they have gridlines on them. The gridlines allow you to measure as you pin your item down so you don’t have to use a measuring tape to ensure symmetry. The lines also ensure a perfectly straight edge.

Blocking Pins – these pins are stainless steel which means they are also rust-proof. This kit comes with T-pins as well as combs which are my fave! You can use pins you may already have, but do be sure they are rust proof. A lot of the basic sewing push-pins are not and if they begin to rust, it will transfer to your project which would be a crying shame!

Garment Steamer – a handheld steamer is my preferred way for steam blocking (versus using an iron with a steam setting). Using a steamer rather than an iron produces a consistent stream of steam and doesn’t have a boiling-lava-hot metal surface to ruin your project!

No-Rinse Wool Wash – this soak is what I use in the water for every wet block. It has a nice mild scent and gives your project it’s first wash after being handled so much while making it! No-rinse wash is completely optional, so skip this if you want to!

Spray bottle – any spray bottle will do for spritzing your project!

How to Block Crochet – 3 Methods:

There are 3 effective methods for blocking crochet and knit projects. And it’s worth it to note that these 3 methods are NOT created equal. Choosing the right one can depend on your project and the type of yarn you’re working with. Let’s break it down in a brief overview of the differences between them and when to use them.

I’ll cover the method in detail further down in this article, as well as the tools you’ll need for each one. Or, you can watch the masterclass here to see them all in action!

1) Wet Blocking

Wet blocking is when you completely submerge your project in water, gently squeeze out excess moisture, and pin it to your desired shape on a blocking mat.

Wet blocking is ideal for:

1. Use with natural fibers like wool or cotton
2. Garments or projects that need the fibers to be relaxed for drape or significant reshaping
3. Opening up intricate stitch patterns like lacework

2) Steam Blocking

Steam blocking uses a handheld steamer or the steam setting on your iron (without direct contact) to shape your project.

Steam blocking is ideal for:

1. Acrylic or synthetic yarns that respond well to heat
2. A quick finish when you don’t have time for a full wet block
3. Making slight adjustments to your project’s size or shape – like if you were having tension problems in just a certain area of your project and you need to even out those stitches in that one spot
4. Flattening out stubborn edges
5. Smaller and simpler projects like hats, blankets, or small amigurumi pieces that need a polished look but minimal reshaping.

3) Spritz/Spray Blocking

For spritz, or spray blocking, you’ll use a spray bottle to mist your project and then pin it in place to dry. Alternatively, you can pin your piece first and then spritz it.

Spritz/Spray blocking is ideal for:

1. Delicate projects like baby garments or small accessories that don’t need significant reshaping.
2. Super delicate yarns that are prone to shrinking or getting overly distorted if fully soaked or steamed.
3. Blocking on-the-go if you don’t have access to a sink or steamer to achieve that deeper penetration of the water.
4. Simple projects. For example, if you’ve crocheted a simple scarf with acrylic yarn or a cotton potholder, a light misting and shaping will do the trick for those.
5. Refreshing pieces that have been previously blocked and need a little pick-me-up.

How to Block Crochet Step-by-Step Guide:

Want to see these techniques in action? Watch my “How To Block Crochet” masterclass on YouTube, where I’ll walk you through wet blocking, steam blocking, and spritz blocking with plenty of visuals and tips for best results.

Method 1: Wet Blocking

Supplies needed: blocking mats, pins, towel

1. Start by filling a basin or sink with cold or lukewarm water. Add a drop of no-rinse wool wash if you’d like. This helps relax the fibers and prepare them for shaping. It also gives your project a gentle wash after being handled by hands with oils and who knows what else for hours on end sometimes. Also, many of these wool washes have a really nice mild scent.
2. Gently submerge your project into the water.
3. Let it soak it for 15  minutes. Please remember to set your timer. You DO NOT want to over soak it as it can relax the fibers way too much. And once you’ve crossed that line, it’s almost impossible to come back from. 
4. While waiting for your project to soak, prepare your blocking mats.
5. After soaking, gently squeeze out excess water—don’t wring it out or distort the fabric in any way! You can do this by pressing the project against the side of the basin, or tub, or sink to get out most of the water.
6. Transfer your project to a towel & carefully lay it out flat. Gently roll up the towel and apply pressure to get even more of the water out. Repeat if needed. Don’t skip this step – if you don’t get as much excess water out as you can, it’s going to be really frustrating to shape, and it’s going to take forever to fully dry.
7. Gently, lay your piece on blocking mats and pin it into shape. While doing this, take great care to not overstretch your project. You want to just lightly lay it out without distorting it.
8. Let it air dry completely, which can take several hours to a full day.

Method 2: Steam Blocking

Supplies needed: blocking mats, pins, steamer or iron with steam setting

1. Shape and pin your project to the blocking mats first. 
2. Using a steamer filled with distilled water or an iron set to the steam setting, hold the steamer about an inch above your project and steam the entire thing. Never touch acrylic or another synthetic yarns with the steamer or iron—many of them will melt! Gently press on the piece periodically to ensure the steam is actually penetrating the fibers. You’ll will likely have to make several passes over the piece to be sure it gets damp enough.
3. Let the project cool and set in place.
4. Allow it to dry completely. This will take significantly less time than wet blocking.

Method 3: Spritz/Spray Blocking

Supplies needed: blocking mats, pins, spray bottle

1. Shape and pin your project in place on the blocking mats. Alternatively, you can spritz first and then pin it to the mat – it’s up to you.
2. Use a spray bottle to lightly mist it with water until it’s damp.
3. OPTIONAL: give it a once over with the heat of a hair dryer. The heat will help relax the stitches even more.
4. Allow it to dry completely.

Common Mistakes & Pitfalls with Crochet Blocking:

Each method has its pitfalls, so let’s cover those before they happen to you: 

• Wet blocking: Take great care to avoid over soaking it and over-stretching it when you lay it out. Both of these will distort your project in bad, nearly irreversible ways. Now, I don’t want that to scare you – you have a lot of time while it’s wet to get it right – just take your time and lay it out just how you want it, and all will go well. 
• Steam blocking: Always test on a scrap piece to avoid melting fibers. If you hold that hot steam or iron to close, many fibers will melt. And I have done that with acrylic, using a steamer (not just an iron)! And now one of my favorite sweaters has a hard, poky plastic part on it.
• Spray blocking: There’s not much you can do with spray blocking that is going to cause irreversible damage. But my 2 gentle disclaimers are: 1) be sure to spray evenly to avoid patchy results, and 2) be sure to spray enough for it to even make a difference.
• Finally, with both steaming and spritzing: it takes a lot longer for the water to penetrate the fabric so please do make sure you’re applying enough moisture for it to really be effective.

Don’t have blocking mats? Here are 5 DIY blocking mat ideas:

OK now that I’ve convinced you how amazing and easy blocking is, you might be thinking, “Okay I wanna do it but I don’t have a bunch of money to spend on this.” Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. Here are 5 different DIY blocking mat ideas made from things you could probably scrounge up from around your house.

1. Yoga mat – a clean yoga mat can double as a blocking mat – especially for long or narrow projects like scarves.
2. A cardboard box flattened and covered with a towel – this is what I used for at least a year before I got blocking mats. 
3. Ironing board – for smaller projects. It’s padded, it’s pin-friendly, it’s adjustable in height.
4. Thick craft foam sheets. If you don’t already have some, you can get them at the dollar store. Get a couple of them, tape them together to create a thick surface.
5. A few old towels on a flat surface – folded or stacked several thick so they’ll hold pins. 
6. BONUS: kids foam puzzle mats – these are basically the same thing as official blocking mats!

The major benefit of using actual blocking mats, is that many of them come with inch-wide grid painted on them which makes it SUPER easy to measure while you’re pinning, and get those edges perfectly straight along those lines. SO, when the time comes that you’re ready to invest in some, it is well worth it. These are the ones I love, along with these pins. So, actual blocking mats are a major benefit, but definitely not a requirement.

How to Block Crochet Video Masterclass:

Now it’s your turn!

Knit and crochet blocking is such a simple step, but it makes a world of difference. And I hope, after learning how to block crochet from this tutorial, you are no longer afraid to give it a try. Here are some free sweater patterns I have that, after complete, will be the perfect opportunity for you to try your new crochet blocking skills!

• Mt Rainier Tweed Pullover Sweater
• Apricity Bulky Colorblock Sweater (demonstrated in the video)
• Hoodoo Classic Cardigan
• Airie Granny Square Cardigan

Pin this how to block crochet guide + video tutorial here: