Blocking Knitting

[speak2me]

I'm making a little hoodie for a baby, it's all in separate parts so I have the arms, back and a front/hood piece. It's mostly stocking stitch with garter stitch edging for cuffs and outer hood around the face. I think it needs blocking, mainly on the hood as the garter stitch section is curling. As the pattern doesn't mention it I'm wondering should I block it before making up, or after I've sewn it together?

Make it up first and then block it.

But it may not prevent the garter stitch curling. Is the yarn wool or acrylic?

Thanks for the response. It's acrylic - Stylecraft special DK so I'll wet block after sewing together and see if it works, I realise acrylic doesn't block well!

You have to steam block acrylic and it blocks well, but you only get wone go as you "kill" it.

I suspect the garter edge will curl what ever. Will it fold back on it'self to make an edging that yo can stitch in place?

I think you should block each piece first. It makes the seams flatter so it's easier to join, and you can guide the pieces to all be the same length.

Knitty item on the value of blocking first

www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/FEATdiyknitter.html

Do a test on a spare square first as you might not like the look and feel of blocked acrylic.

Also, Theas18 is right. You have to steam block it and be very very careful you don't kill it. If you decide to go ahead with blocking I would pin items to ironing board, lightly steam block and then leave overnight.

But I insist, block a test square first because you might find that your garment loses its 'squishyness' after blocking.

The Stylecraft special seems to block well with a light steam.

Won't your item need blocking every time it's washed though?