Blocking or Resizing a Sweater

Resizing a sweater via a process called "Blocking" can be useful when a sweater would fit better if just a bit larger or sometimes when a sweater has begun to loose its shape. This method can increase a chest size from two to four inches, body length by two inches and sleeve length by a couple of inches. 

The blocking method probably isn't a cure for a sweater shrunken from accidently being put through a dryer cycle. If you haven't any other options you can try blocking it, but there's little chance it'll return to its original size.  (More on that in a future blog post.)

To block a sweater with relative ease, it's best to have:

• Felt blocking board with a one-inch grid pattern
• Small diameter steel rods
• "T" pins
• Clothing measuring tape
• Clothing steamer

Using the steel rods and "T" pins, the sweater is stretched both horizontally and vertically to the desired size and pinned into place. A steamer is slowly run across the fabric causing the yarn to relax and change the memory of the knitted stitches. 

Watch the video of me blocking a cardigan sweater