Steam Blocking

We’ve covered wet blocking, we’ve covered spray blocking; now it’s time to bust out the iron and try steam blocking!

Steam blocking is a great alternative when you’d like to wet block but it isn’t appropriate for some reason – for example if you’ve knit with a synthetic fabric. Cotton also appreciates a steam block – it can lose its shape a bit if it gets soaking wet.

For more information on the tools and materials described in this post, refer back to Blocking, Part 2.

For this example, I’m blocking another crochet swatch. It’s lace, so it needs a little help to open up fully. It was crocheted in 100% BFL yarn.

Choosing your approach

Steam blocking is a little unusual in that there’s more than one way to do it. For a start, the order of tasks can be different:

1. Apply the steam
2. Arrange it in shape
3. Let it dry

1. Arrange it in shape
2. Apply the steam
3. Let it dry

As a general rule of thumb, I will usually arrange it into shape first, then steam. That’s definitely what I’m doing here, as it’s a small lace swatch having its first block.

Then there’s the method for applying the steam:

• Place a damp layer, such as a towel, over the item, and apply the iron directly to the towel
• Hover the iron (or steamer) over the item at a distance

I have an iron that does vertical steam (and a distinct lack of clean towels today), so I’m going to do the latter.

Arranging it in the desired shape

This part is exactly the same as for spray blocking.

Get It Wet

This is where you apply your steam.

Direct Application

Place a damp towel over your item. Gently place the iron on the towel and apply steam. Lift, replace, and re-steam until your item has been steamed all over. Remove the towel.

Indirect Application

Holding the iron or steamer a few inches away from your item, apply steam. Move the iron or steamer around and continue applying until the whole item has been covered.

I had my usual ironing water in the iron, but plain water is just fine too.

Let it dry

This part is also exactly the same as for spray and wet blocking.

What a difference!

Lace Patterns

Lace is transformed by blocking! Take a look at some of my lace patterns below.