Our Favorite Blocking Products: Mats, Pins, and More

Blocking is an important step in the process of finishing hand-knitted or hand-crocheted projects. It refers to the soaking, stretching, and shaping the fabric to the desired size and shape. This step ensures that the final product has the right measurements, tension, and drape. To make the blocking process easier and more efficient, a range of knitting and crochet blocking products are available on the market.

Related: 3 Things Blocking Can Fix and Three Things It Can’t

In this article, we recommend some of the best products out there for blocking hand-knit and hand-crocheted projects.

Wool Wash

When blocking delicate fibers, it’s essential to use a gentle and effective wool wash that won’t damage your yarn. Awarded Best Wool Wash in Interweave’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Award,  Eucalan wool wash is the choice among knitters and crocheters for blocking their projects. It is a no-rinse, eco-friendly formula that cleans, conditions, and softens your knits while preserving their integrity. Eucalan wool wash comes in various scents or unscented, and is available in travel-sized bottles for convenience. It’s a must-have product to care for your projects and keep them looking their best.

Related: How to Wash and Care for Luxury Knitwear

Blocking Mats

Blocking mats are essential for both knitters and crocheters. They provide a flat and stable surface to pin your fabric to, allowing you to stretch and shape it to the desired dimensions. Blocking mats are usually made of foam or cork and come in a range of sizes. They are also ideal for measuring the dimensions of your finished project, making them a versatile tool for both knitting and crochet.

Our favorite mats come from Coco Knits. We love the soft, low-pile texture of the top surface, which is unique to these mats. Other mats are basic foam and don’t provide the same gentle grip to the project. The versatility of the puzzle-piece edges makes it easy to create a mat shape that’s just right for your project, too.  

Related: How to Spray Block: Free Tutorial for Crochet or Knit Pieces

Blocking Pins

Blocking pins are crucial for both knitting and crochet projects. They are used to hold your fabric in place on the blocking mats. T-pins and U-pins are popular styles of blocking pins. Blocking pins are essential for achieving a professional finish.

Level up your blocking-pin game with comb-style pins from Knitter’s Pride. Available in a variety of colorful packs, these pins speed up the pinning process and help create an even edge to the project. The combs come in two sizes. The larger size has 8 pins to a comb and the smaller size has 4 pins.

Along with these three essentials, an absorbent towel, a set of blocking wires, and a quality spray bottle are all helpful when blocking. Investing in these tools will make the blocking process easier, more efficient, and more effective for both knitters and crocheters. With these products, you can achieve a professional finish on your finished projects, ensuring that they fit perfectly and look their best. Whether you’re a knitter or a crocheter, these blocking products are essential tools for your fiber arts toolkit.

Do your favorites make our list? Share your sources in the comments below!

Note: This article contains affiliate links to products we love. If you choose to purchase through our links, we may receive a small commission. Thank you!

Serial yarn sniffer Kerry Bogert loves to spend her time knitting when she’s not collaborating with the team at Interweave or editing Interweave Knits magazine. Her passion for making things with her hands is only matched by her love for her children and a well-attenuated stout. Kerry endeavors to never stop learning, buying yarn, or collecting beads. Read her latest articles at Interweave.com.