Heaven on Earth

Heaven on Earth

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Blocking Baby Hats

Knitted items always look so much nicer after being blocked.  Blocking evens out stitches and gives your knits a smoother, more polished look.  It also helps define design and pattern.

But what do you do if you don't have a fancy wooden blocking head?
I use an inflated balloon; the round, inexpensive kind that come packaged in multiples from a party store.
Just inflate a ballon until it is approximately the same size as a baby's head.  Tie off the balloon and put the hat over it.  Block the item and let it dry.  Puncture the balloon and remove your knit.
Best of all, you just throw the popped balloon away.  Nothing bulky to store until the next time you need it.

The baby hat pattern is http://blueskyalpacas.com/patterns/tiny-empress-set-new/ .   I also used the suggested yarn from Blue Sky Alpacas, which was soft and fun to knit with.  The pattern worked up quickly and I will definitely knit this hat again.

4 comments:

  1. Wow -- what a great idea! I would have never thought of that, probably just trying to block a hat flat. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  2. It feels like forever since I've had knitting needles in my hands. Love this idea! Can't wait to try it the next time a friend is expecting. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Sew sweet! Thanks for the tip, in case I ever knit a baby hat. Maybe for great grandchildren...lol.

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  4. How cute! My first grandchild will arrive in April, so I'd better get out my knitting needles. The last baby item I knitted was a jumpsuit for Michael, the father-to-be. Long time ago...

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