This finishing touch is a MUST! - Blocking My Ranunculus // Rachel is Knitting

[@glofdahl1733]

Great video! I always put the garment into a mech bag before spinning and it works great as it limits the risk for the knit to overstretch around the drum.

[@rachelisknitting]

That's a great tip!

[@ivonamyrielb9155]

@@rachelisknitting Yes. You can also pack it in a towel: make a little "package" and fasten it with pins. If possible, reduce the spinning speed. Then nothing happens to your garment, no risk. 🙂👍 BTW, lovely video 😗

[@redredwine1277]

Well explained and illustrated, thanks for helpful ❤

[@rachelisknitting]

Glad it was helpful!

[@claudiaholland2603]

Your Ranunculus turned out beautifully-I love your explanation, your energy and your overall presentation!

[@rachelisknitting]

Thank you so much!

[@benknitter]

Thanks for being telepathic and answering my felting question! Maybe I'll give the spin cycle trick a try on my next project.

[@rachelisknitting]

Let me know how it goes!

[@susanjackson1616]

You did this very well . . love your humour and honesty ❤

[@jennyallan8794]

Rachel your Ranunculus looks amazing after blocking, I have always used a cool iron and tea towel, I did try blocking a knitted shawl , soaked it in wool wash gently squeezed excess water out and spun it in the washer and then pegged it on the washing line ,yep it came out good , it's whatever feels good for you 😃 xx

[@karenb136]

Hi Rachel. Your sweater turned out beautiful! I agree blocking makes a big difference. Have a great weekend. 🧶

[@rachelisknitting]

Thank you! You too!

[@nancymorgan5505]

I love the grapefruit scented Euclan. 🍊(there wasn’t a grapefruit emoji) 😊

[@marycase9352]

Great video! This very morning I did the exact same way of blocking my latest Ranunculus. It is my 7th and is a gift for a relative. 💜🧶 I use a front end loading washer and it spin dries very nicely for my knits. I also add a hand towel to balance the load, just FYI.

[@rachelisknitting]

That’s so smart to add a towel!

[@JACLevair]

❤ Another beautiful sweater. You will look fabulous traipsing around Ireland. I have a very large Pampered Chef salad spinner and it has worked well for me thus far for some of my finished objects that can stand up to it, other wise, I use the rolled towel method. I am glad to learn of the spin-drain cycle and I am going to be brave now and give that a try. I did not block for a long time too, I was chicken. But now there is nothing like that just blocked feeling. Thank you for reminding me that I have the wool wash product that does not need rinsing out. I just took a new shawl off the mats this morning and it is so so so soft! All the best. Joyce

[@rachelisknitting]

Thank you Joyce! A salad spinner sounds like an excellent tool for this ❤️❤️

[@lisagarcia5457]

Looks awesome and love the green! Have actually used both a spin cycle and dryer to help deal with specific issues. But as you said you do need to know your fabric...

[@donnas9599]

I have the eucalyptus Eucalan and loooove it. Thanks for an awesome video!

[@rachelisknitting]

I need to try it STAT!

[@kathybretl5280]

Your Ranunculus is gorgeous, Rachel!!!

[@rachelisknitting]

Thank you!

[@hammie2289]

I had no idea you were in Louisiana too! Standing with you in solidarity in this heat 🥵

[@rachelisknitting]

It’s so sweaty 😭😭😭

[@bannus7849]

Great video! Your sweater looks great. Thanks for all the tips and tricks.

[@rachelisknitting]

Thanks for watching!

[@greyhaircrafter]

Eucalan is the best! I used it to wash baby clothes when I found out the hard way that they were allergic to tide. Yes you can use it in the washing machine, just pour into the fabric softener spot. Also it’s organic so you can water plants with it. You can even wash your dog with it. I wash my bras with it same method as sweaters. Give a soak. Start with light colours and next batch same water but darker colours. Great product!

[@rachelisknitting]

Wow! I had no idea it was such a wonderful multi-use product!

[@dmbrown240]

Your sweater is absolutely beautiful! ❤️

[@rachelisknitting]

Thank you! 😊

[@plainjuhjane]

I always spin cycle and haven't had issues, but for extra measure, I put the item in a garment bag! Would recommend that for anyone who is nervous.

[@rachelisknitting]

That is a fantastic idea!

[@debclements7605]

Your sweater looks great! I love blocking - it adds the finishing touch to the completed project. I just finished a cotton/linen lacy little top - blocking perfected it. Now…swatching is another subject all together! 😀

[@rachelisknitting]

Yes, definitely a necessary final step if you ask me!

[@leslieambailey]

Heck I use my spin feature on unspun fiber that I’ve dyed! I think it’s more cautious than rolling fiber, yarn, or a knitted item up in a towel! I like to block many things … but usually not socks or gloves unless they feature lace or cables 😀🧶🐑 Your Ranunculus is lovely. I’m getting closer to considering knitting one. … Oh! and my blocking mats are those large dark gray gym mats from five below. 😂

[@rachelisknitting]

Great ideas! I’ve been wondering about using gym mats

[@veradoling79]

wish my washer just had a spin option. It's a front load, so would add water, agitate and then spin....sigh. Love you knits!

[@rachelisknitting]

That's too bad! The good news is that using towels or even a salad spinner work great still!

[@joankiely3614]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@cynthiaryan2901]

I always spin the excess water out in my washing machine. Works great. This is a good reason to get a “top” loading washer!

[@stephaniewilliams8687]

OMG! I am so trying the spin/drain cycle!

[@joanie9258]

Great tips! I’ve been spinning it dry in my front loader washer (using mesh bag) ever since I heard that tip and it’s almost dry before I lay it out.

[@rachelisknitting]

Yes it’s such a great tool! Mesh bags are a great idea.

[@karenbown2912]

Thanks Rachel for a very informative vlog, as a new knitter I have been wondering what all the talk on other vlogs are about blocking but they have not shown the process. So now I know what to do when I finish my sweater (jumper in uk) will be ready. Would you do the same for mohair? I’m going to watch your other vlogs now. ❤. Thanks again 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@rachelisknitting]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ewecreekcottage7411]

*Question* Please share the make or model or brand of your washing machine- TY Also another great fun informative video

[@rachelisknitting]

I’ll check when I get home!

[@debrademusz731]

Your sweater is beautiful. What size needle and yarn weight did you use?🧶

[@rachelisknitting]

This is knit in worsted weight on the needle size recommended in the pattern (don’t remember off the top of my head!)

[@bsfb3ar]

You look great I gather you use the small neck . I ‘ve did co for over 15 times and it will not pull through my head . I used 100% cotton. It seems to be so easy for every one and I can’t even get through my co in I’ve a 22” head. Perhaps you can shad some light . Instead of 30 sts may be I can co 35 sts I just don’t know how to rearranged the stitch count to fit it the texture part thanks

[@rachelisknitting]

For this one I actually used the large neck! I found that the difference between necks wasn’t too substantial for me. Perhaps try casting on with a larger needle size?

[@madiantin]

This was fabulous, thank you! I have a question. I'm knitting my first sweater, and there are multiple colours: white, black, gold, and dark blue. Although the lady at the store kind of offhandedly said the colours wouldn't run, I'm still kind of worried about it. How do people normally wash/block items with multiple colours in order to make sure the colours don't run?

[@rachelisknitting]

That’s a good question! You could try steam blocking first to see how that goes. And of course the more time consuming option (but maybe less risky) is to knit a swatch and block it!

[@madiantin]

@@rachelisknitting That is a great idea to knit and block a swatch! We're just going to quietly ignore the fact that I didn't do that before knitting up the sweater....shhhhhhh you didn't see anything.

[@rachelisknitting]

@@madiantin LOL! I won't tell!

[@sandra_brt]

Hello Rachel, I am confused, is not necessary to rinse the garment from the soap in it? 🤗

[@rachelisknitting]

This uses a special soap that does not require rinsing! 🩷

[@PoodleCream]

You can just soak and spin in the washer in one cycle 🎉

[@rachelisknitting]

Someone told me the same thing on Instagram! I will give that a try!