Another thing I discovered while vising Hazel Tyndall’s blog was a “wooly board blocking frame”. I had never seen one but what a great idea! I sent Vince an email and said “I need one of these!” Vince being Vince, he immediately began looking for one for me.
When knitting a sweater, it needs to be blocked, which involves soaking and then shaping (but not necessarily stretching) and pinning in the shape we want it to have, and leaving it there til it’s dry. Then, because the sweater is usually spread out flat on a rubber mat, once the top side is dry, it has to be flipped over for the bottom side to dry. Of course, “top” and “bottom” is almost always the back or front, depending on how it’s placed on the mat to dry. This has to be done again every time it’s washed, though most sweaters don’t get a lot of washings.
Here, we have very low humidity and sweaters will usually dry fairly quickly but for places that have high humidity, on days the heat or air isn’t running continuously, it can take forever for something to dry.
Once I saw that wooly board sweater blocking tool, I knew I had to have one. I can put the sweater on there, stand it up in an extra bedroom with the fan going and it will probably be dry in less than a day.
from Indigo Fiber Cottage
Vince found the instructions for this one on Etsy. Vince corresponded with the seller, who is a knitter and a quilter and he bought the plans, ordered a few pieces we can’t buy locally and very soon, I’ll have myself a PVC wooly board. He may even have the PVC and most of the connections here and other than a few unusual connections, may not have to buy anything to make it.
He’s a good husband! 🙂
Cheryl says
OMG, this is a Great idea, much better than drying flat w/pool noodes! I just happen to have PVC Pipe that I bought for a design wall (decided to go a different route). Thank you for sharing!
Judy Laquidara says
Isn’t it amazing that we never even knew about such things??
Cheryl says
I agree, it’s a good/bad thing about the internet. After thought, how do you get the sweater on to blocking frame?
Sandie says
I just got a adjustable wooly board from Lacis for myself for Christmas on Amazon. Absolutely love it for drop shoulder sweaters!
Judy Laquidara says
I looked at that one but the ratings caused me not to order it. Glad to hear that you like it if it doesn’t work out with my PVC set up.
Sandie says
It takes a little bit of patience to set it up the first time or two, but after you get the hang of it it’s no big deal. The range of sizes that can be done on it is great for people who knit for gifts and need the versatility.
Judy Laquidara says
Thanks!
Nelle Coursey says
WOW I bet he could sell them too!!
Susan Nixon says
That IS a good idea! How nice it is to have someone who can look at things and figure out how to make them for you.