Date: Tue, 15 Aug 1995 18:09:02 -0500
From: Nancy Lutz <lutz@platon.econ.vt.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list <knit@geom.umn.edu>
Subject: KNIT TECH: My Blocking Adventure (and some chat)

        I started the current blocking thread, and promised I'd report back
to the list once I'd actually blocked my vest.  Brief summary:  I wanted to
find a good way to
block the Starmore fair isle vest (Tucumcari) that I'd just finished.  My
original goal
was to widen the vest a little, and even out the fabric.  I wanted to make a
cheap/easy substitute for the traditional "wooly board", an adjustable
stretching/drying rack, and I was wondering if foamcore or corrugated
cardboard would work.  Many, many thanks to everyone who posted to the list
or emailed me with suggestions.

WHAT I USED
        Cardboard, since it was cheap:  I bought a big sheet for $1.25 at
our local art supply store.  I used an xacto knife to cut the cardboard to
the shape I wanted;  slightly wider than the vest, with sloped shoulders.
The vest has no shoulder shaping, and I didn't like the way it fit my shoulders.

        I covered the cardboard with grid-printed contact paper.  I soaked
the vest briefly in cold water, laid a towel on the floor, and buttoned the
vest around the board.  Then I used push pins to pin the front button band,
the armhole bands, and to adjust the fit around the shoulders.  I also
pinned the bottom to the length I wanted.  I pinned both sides of the
sweater.  It took about 30 minutes to make the board and pin the sweater.

        Then I just left the board, with a dry towel underneath, in the
spare bedroom with the ceiling fan on.  I flipped the board a couple of
times; this was easy since I didn't need to repin everything.  It was _very_
humid, and I don't have AC, but the sweater still dried in less than 24 hours.

RESULTS
        The vest looks great!!!!  The blocking made a big improvement, and
it was really easy.  Next time I will try foamcore, since the cardbaord
didn't do a great job of holding the pins (a few fell out).  I am saving the
board, and will use it again the next time I wash this sweater, rather than
noting its blocked measurements.  I will definitely try this again with the
next seamless sweater I make with wool.

GLOATING
        I _love_ this sweater!  It's the most complicated and most gorgeous
thing I ever knit, and I just wish it wasn't nearly 100 degrees here this
week, so I could wear it.  I am joking that I need a big button that says I
MADE THIS! to wear with it.  It was also tremendous fun to make.  I hate
purling in color patterns, and I'm not all that big on darning in ends;  the
steeks let me cut both to an absolute minimum (pun intended).  I've wanted
to make a Starmore fair isle for years, and now I'm just wondering what took
me so long.  I've noticed several people lately posting that they love
such-and-such a sweater, but they are wondering if it's too difficult.  My
advice is to go for it!  



Nancy Lutz
lutz@platon.econ.vt.edu