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laparente@yahoo.com
Chatty Knitter
246 Posts |
 Posted - 07/04/2006 : 07:28:08 AM
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So, yeah, I spend that much on yarn, but for some reason I am choking on spending that much on a blocking board.
I understand I could build one myself -- except I have a tiny car that won't accomodate much homosote, no real tools on hand, and who says I'll get the gingham stretched perfectly square.
It just seems like a lot of money. Plus shipping! Plus blocking wires and pins!
I live in a smallish apartment, with a DH, who would not be thrilled with wet sweater pieces pinned to the furniture. Up 'til now, I've not done much that required precision blocking, but I have just finished the knitting on a lovely summer lace sweater. My next step is to block and seam. I'd like to wear it this summer.
Should I just hand over my credit card? |
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RoseByAny
Permanent Resident
USA
12598 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2006 : 07:34:31 AM
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Buy foam insulation sheets (you can buy it in smaller pieces) and tape them together on the bottom. You can draw a grid on in whatever size you like.
Make sure you get the kind of foam that can get wet.
"Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable."
http://RoseByAny.BlogSpot.Com |
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mokey
Permanent Resident
15302 Posts |
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yarnspeaktome
Chatty Knitter
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2006 : 08:33:39 AM
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Go to www.guardian-tablepad.com. They have small and large blocking boards currently on sale for $36 for small and $45 for large. If you miss the sale; it's only $5 more.
Elsie W |
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laparente@yahoo.com
Chatty Knitter
246 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2006 : 08:38:16 AM
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| EXCELLENT! Thank you. |
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yarnspeaktome
Chatty Knitter
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2006 : 5:07:26 PM
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Oh and forgot to mention: just use oversized tailor pins (minimum 2-2.5 inches) with the big yellow bead at the ends; really cheap. You can get them at any JoAnn Fabrics, A.C. Moore, and the like; found in the sewing department. Regular tailor pins are too short and thin for pushing thru the blocking board.
I use a heavy metal yard (actually half) stick instead of wire for leveling. Again not much money to invest in, and always comes in handy.
Elsie W
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achrisvet
Permanent Resident
USA
5973 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2006 : 2:27:40 PM
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You can also get a 50% off coupon from Joann's and order one from joann.com
Anita
My completed projects
and here
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pcox_2010
New Pal
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 06:23:51 AM
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| Try a piece of styrofoam - I do freeform knit and crochet, and a board is almost essential to place all the little bits - like you $70!!! who are they kidding - so my other group recommended styrofoam - cheap, works great ! |
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Kimaroo
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
416 Posts |
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styledbykristin
Gabber Extraordinaire
391 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2006 : 06:53:08 AM
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To save space, once you have everything pinned down, you can lean the blocking board against the wall. That is what I do, and then it takes up no space at all.
Honestly, the blocking board is one of my favorite tool purchases.
Best of luck,
Kristin
www.styledbykristin.com
Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have. |
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yarnspeaktome
Chatty Knitter
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2006 : 8:35:04 PM
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Kimaroo, when I originally order their Sew Eze blocking boards; I ordered a small and a large. Thought I could use the little one for sleeve or small panels, and the large board for main body panels. You know, leave the sections pinned to the board after blocking overnight and work on them the next day.
On my initial order I wasn't sure if the order went thru or not. Kinda funny because I didn't get a confirmation via email either. I did place another order for another large board; thinking that the first order didn't go thru. Again no confirmation so I recommend calling the company directly; the phone number is on the site.
Anyhoo, 2 large and 1 small board showed up at my door with an email shipping notification a week prior. In the end I am glad that I got two large boards. The small was too tiny for me to use; I'm much better off with the two larger boards. I store the boards behind my china cabinet and bedroom long stand; hides very nicely. I gave the little board for my kids to use for their knitting projects so all ended well.
Elsie |
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laparente@yahoo.com
Chatty Knitter
246 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2006 : 08:30:53 AM
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Kim -
I also never got a confirmation. I ordered over the 4th of July holiday weekend, and thought, oh well, maybe I'll try again later. But, low and behold, the board arrived, and I am thrilled.
I haven't blocked any of my knitting yet, but I have a lace mohair sweater from Beneton, and I blocked that after washing it -- woo-HOO!!!
Fun with laundry.
I'm glad I spent the money, and I'm really glad that my friends on from the forum told me the best place to buy it. I spent less, including shipping, than most knitting stores charge without shipping and tax - I saved over $20. |
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Inkmama
Seriously Hooked
891 Posts |
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Kimaroo
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
416 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2006 : 4:53:18 PM
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Thanks for letting me know.. It's been a week today since I ordered.. so I hope it gets here soon.
I'm really interested to see what it's like.. Veery curious.
I ended up ordering it because when my dad and I went to see about buying some homosote we found out that it really wasn't something we could handle. The store here that sells it only sells whole sheets.. which is the size of a wall. The full sheet was over 20 dollars.. and we had no way to haul something that big.
I think making my own would have been worth it if I had someone to share the huge piece of homosote with.. but when we thought about the price of the homosote, plus all the other stuff to add on to it.. well.. it just made sense to order one.
So I hope it gets here soon!
-Kim-
The Kimmish Knitting Blog
Travelling Cables Cardigan KAL |
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yarnspeaktome
Chatty Knitter
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2006 : 5:32:13 PM
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It's basically a tabletop protector, but thicker, with a 1 inch grid cover. I've seen a self-healing blocking or tailor's board (a type of dense foam that's heat resistant, and will close pin holes); but is waaaaaaay too expensive for my humble needs. The boards folds in two and has a nice carrying strap.
I love my new tool and am kicking myself for not getting one sooner. Blocking knits really even things out, and make the garment look so professionally made.
Elsie W |
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Kimaroo
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
416 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2006 : 10:42:55 PM
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It got here yesterday.. and HOLY MOLY it's HUGE!!
You know.. you read the dementions and I even got out a tape measure so I could "see" how big it was... and I am still obsessing over how huge the thing is.. Maybe it's because I'm only 4'6" tall.. but still.. it's HUGE.
And it's aaaallll mine >: )
-Kim-
The Kimmish Knitting Blog
Travelling Cables Cardigan KAL |
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yarnspeaktome
Chatty Knitter
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2006 : 07:08:23 AM
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Kim, I said the same thing when I first received the boxes  . But believe me, you will need the space of the larger blocking board especially making adult and big/small kid sweaters.
The small board that I originally ordered now belongs to my son. The size is perfect for his small projects and knit crafts. I use his board whenever I make "newborn" and infant (if not a very big baby ) outfits.
I'm usually very good about envisioning dimensional sizes and diameters; but the minds goes after you hit 40[whatever]. DH has been commenting that I'm slipping of late. "No no deary! You've just haven't been listening to me of late!" .
Elsie[meow] |
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suek137
Chatty Knitter
340 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2006 : 07:39:20 AM
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| Mine just got here yesterday, but I haven't seen it yet. It is a b'day present from DH and he immediately took it away. Guess I'll have to wait another 2 weeks -:) |
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Kimaroo
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
416 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2006 : 10:56:39 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by suek137
Mine just got here yesterday, but I haven't seen it yet. It is a b'day present from DH and he immediately took it away.
PSst.. if you saw the box.. it's that size.. times two, cause it's folded in there.
Elsie- My husband doesn't listen to me properly either... Maybe we should buy them some Q-tips. lol.
-Kim-
The Kimmish Knitting Blog
Travelling Cables Cardigan KAL |
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trekcelt
Seriously Hooked
USA
849 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2006 : 06:46:43 AM
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Mine's insulation board bought at the home center and covered with an old sheet (from a Freecycler no less). Works like a charm and cost me less than $15.
trek's blog FO: 31, WIP: 6
"As for me and my house..."
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yarnspeaktome
Chatty Knitter
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2006 : 07:09:15 AM
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BTW: My daughter is also named Kim (Kimberly after her great grandmother whom taught me how to knit).
I just finished a junior's sweater for my daughter off the blocking board. I should really learn how to use a digital camera and post my finished works. But at last, I am still stubbornly sticking to my film cameras . Took way too many years in investing, training, and mastering the art of film photgraphy (even had my very own darkroom at one point for many years); almost went pro years ago but...."it's expensive"! Couldn't pay for college and couldn't handle the lag time in between shoots.
We had some last minute company last night and needed a snack table wide enough for all the kids. Behold ! I opened the BB, placed it over an end table, draped a cut open trash bag and table cloth over, and instant kiddie table. (After all, it is a table top protector). I think it's even big enough to be a card table too.
Elsie[meow] |
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Topic |
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Seventy Bucks? Blocking Board?
