Advice on when to block knitting , if at all?

[Mercedes]

I have to add a button band on to a cardigan and the instructions say to dampen wool and block after button band has been done.

Although Ive been knitting for years I've never blocked before. When I googled it, the advice is all block beforehand or your band will be too tight to too small.

So what's best blocking before or after? what do people think? Will it make a difference?

Also is it really necessary?

Blocking makes items look finished and professional. It straightens stitches and can really open lace work and make patterns stand out. Blocking a shawl will make a huge difference. Blocking a toy - no difference!! I would follow the patterns instructions, you need to block the garment as one item, not block the body then add the border. As you add the band, give it a little stretch just to make sure you don’t have any puckering etc.

I always block once the garment is made up, never had an issue with button bands being too small doing this. I am no expert though, just been knitting for many years. If in doubt I'd follow the instructions anyway.

That's reassuring. blocking individual pieces made it all so complicated. I've done bands before and never had any problems apart from one where is was a round edge. and that's the rounded edge problem.

Right back to knitting and working out how many stitches go where.

Thanks