PERFECT FINISH
P
inning out your finished item is a key
part of the blocking process, which
will make sure you get a professional
finish. See p131 for more about blocking and
at what stage you should pin your item.
See below for our guide to pinning, which
will help to ensure that you achieve the
finished size that’s promised in yourpattern. Pinning each piece of fabric out
to the right size is vital when making
garments, to make sure all your pieces will
fit together and fit you!
If your crochet item uses a lacy pattern or
a lot of open chain spaces, pinning it out will
also help the stitches to lie flat and even,
instead of being bunched up, as well asachieving the right finished size. You can
also buy blocking wires, good for shawls.
If your item is a hat or another 3D shape,
pinning won’t be as effective. If you’ve made
a hat, try placing a plate inside in place of
the pinning part of the blocking process. Or
try blowing up a balloon inside your 3D item
to help it hold its shape.PINNING OUT
This will make sure your finished item is the right size
3
Ease the shape out slowly. Don’t pull too
tight with your first few pins – you can go
back and reposition them if needed. Continue
until the item is the size stated in the pattern.
Keep the edges straight.4
When inserting pins, make sure the body
of the pin will rest against a whole stitch or
chain. Insert the point towards the centre of the
fabric, away from the edge. This way, the force
of holding the fabric out will be balanced by the
pin facing inwards.1
Lay the item out flat on a soft, smooth
surface (try a board or folded blanket
covered with towels). Check the finished
measurements given in your pattern (check the
schematic for garments).2
Starting at the corners, pin out the item
with long, rust-proof pins or blocking wires
to match those measurements. Move evenly
around the edges, placing pins inside the last
row/round of stitches (not in actual stitches, or
you risk distorting them).