If you enjoy lace knitting then you’ll know how important it is to block the knitting so that you can open up all the eyelets and show off the pattern you’ve created.

Traditionally, you’d soak the lace in water, then pin in out on a blocking board (or I know that some people use their spare bed) to the correct size, where you leave it to dry  This method can use dozens, if not hundreds, of pins, and can be a bit tiresome if you’re doing a large piece.

An alternative method is to use blocking wires.  You thread a wire through the edge loops of the piece and use just a few pins to secure the wires to the blocking board at the right size.  It’s much quicker and easier.

Getting hold of lace blocking wires in the UK isn’t easy though, so you may be pleased to know that we are now stocking Lace Blocking Wire Kits.  Each kit contains wires, t-pins and a measuring stick, plus instructions on how to use them.  There are two kits – a standard lace blocking kit for £19.95 and a deluxe lace blocking kit which contains more wires and pins for £29.95.

This step-by-step tutorial from KnittingDaily.com explains more about how to use lace blocking wires.

Blocking a lace shawl. Photo from KnittingDaily.com