Knit That Sweater: Finishing Techniques 3 with Sandy Huff
Knit That Sweater, Part 3
A guest blog series on Finishing Techniques
Part 3 of the series featuring the lovely and gracious designer Sandy Huff, someone I am proud to call my friend (and not just because she might block something for me if I'm nice to her...)
If you missed her other posts, click here for Part 1 or Part 2.
Knit That Sweater--Finishing Techniques, Part 3: Blocking and Buttons and more!
Blocking serves several purposes. Blocking is used to “set” the stitches so that they relax into each other for a more uniform look. Blocking is also used to open up a lace pattern. Small alterations in size can also be facilitated through blocking.
There are many ways to block your pieces but generally, you should consult your ball band laundering instructions to determine which blocking method is best for your yarn fiber(s). ALWAYS test your preferred blocking method on your swatch. The wrong blocking method could ruin all of your hard work. You can consult Deborah Newton’s book “Finishing School” for a comprehensive understanding of blocking methods.
After blocking your buttons and any special details can be added.
When sewing on buttons, use the yarn that was used for the body of the garment. If the yarn is too thick for sewing buttons then separate the plies. If the plied yarn is not strong enough then twist it together with a matching thread. Create a little space between the button and knitted fabric by wrapping the yarn around several times. To prevent droopy buttons follow this handy tip: sandwich your knitted fabric between two buttons. You’ll have the visible button on top of the fabric and another button hidden underneath making the button more stable.
Finally, finish your piece with special finishings like embroidery, duplicate stitch, cross-stitch, crochet chain, pom-poms, tassels, fringe, braids, or i-cord. Be creative and make your garment a one-of-a-kind.
Now you are on your way to finishing your garments with a professional and polished look.
Sandy Huff is a knit and crochet designer from the Atlanta, GA area. Her designs have been featured in Creative Knitting, Interweave Crochet and more.