Blocking Hats and Relaxation

I remember seeing SoakBoxes in a bunch or sewing/knitting supply stores, and I never really looked at them and assumed they were a type of spa kit. I recently realized they are essentially, knitting relaxation kits. This made a lot of sense to me when I finished this project. After learning to sew, I dropped knitting and crochet for a while because finishing sewing projects was less time-consuming. However, I forgot about how relaxing knitting and crochet is. After all, you can watch Netflix (or in my case its binge watching Big Bang Theory), while knitting. Anyway, onto the actual project.

I used this lovely pattern called Jason's Cashmere Hat by Melissa. I did three repetitions instead of four. Things you need to know for making this hat is the normal casting on, knit stitch and purl stitch. You also need to know how to knit with circulars, join in the round and cabling. All of these things are less daunting than they may seem.

This was the first time I washed and blocked a creation. For those of you who are new to knitting blocking is when you soak/wash a piece and then shape it while it's wet. It's not exactly necessary, but depending on the project it can make a big change!

Before blocking and washing

After blocking, washing and a day of being worn

As you can see the stitches look a lot more even and uniform. You can actually see the purls between the ribs and the cables, and its shape changed dramatically.

Here's exactly what I did for blocking:

1. Wash it. How? Follow these instructions by the lovely polkadotsheep.

2. Block it. For this hat I used this technique by verypink knits

3. In a hurry to visit recipient, wrap it while it's slightly wet and toss it in your bag.

4. Hope it doesn't become weirdly shaped.

5. Give hat to recipient.

6. Instruct recipient to wear hat.

7. Be in awe of the magic of blocking.

Okay you can replace steps 3-4 with simply wearing the hat, or you can just end it with step 2.

***When I said the hat was still slightly wet, I mean dry enough so you can wear it without feeling gross and wet enough so you can still feel how cold it is.

Happy knitting!

-Jessica

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