Stitches

Does anyone knit or crochet? I have a question about blocking.?

I'm making a scarf and it's rolling up terribly. I'm not worried because I've just learned how to block (I saw it done on an episode of Knit and Crochet Today). Here's my question...once I block my scarf will I need to block it again if I ever have to wash it?

Public Comments

1. What yarn and stitch or stitches did you use? Stockinette stitch will roll inward on the sides. You shouldn't need to block a scarf unless it does that. It should lie flat even after you wash it. You might have to block it if it still rolls up after washing. Hope this helps.
2. If you're not too far along and you are using stockinette stitch (knit all the way across and purl all the way back) you'd be wise to start over with a different stitch. If you are using acrylic yarn, blocking won't help. Stockinette stitch, when not sewed to another piece, will roll up. You can do garter stitch (knit all the way across and knit all the way back) or you can work in alternating blocks of knit and purl or you can do moss stitch or a lightning zigzag or any number of combinations. My favorite is the blocks of knit and purl. Knit 6 stitches, purl 6, and so forth across your scarf. It doesn't have to be 6. Take your total number of stitches and divide by three or five. That's how many you do. Go that way across the whole scarf, and then come back, matching knit stitch to knit stitch and purl to purl. Continue this way (matching the stitches) for several rows. When it's about half as high as it is wide, switch. Knit where you purled and purl where you knit. In this way, you'll make a fun geometric pattern of blocks. If this makes only a little sense and you want more details, email me by clicking on my avatar for an email link. I'll give more specifics if they're needed. If you are using a wool-based yarn, and are not doing st st, then blocking it may help. You will need to re-block it every time it's washed.
3. You will need to block it each time you wash it.