How to Block a Crochet Doily

[insanehaberdasher]

Question! I'm having difficulty finding stainless steel pins. Everything I look at says "steel" or "nickel plated steel". I know that regular steel will rust, like you've warned, but is nickel plated steel also dangerous? Or should I do some digging online and try to find true stainless steel pins?

[tjw1963]

@insanehaberdasher You can also shape your doily with your hands. The shape will not be as exaggerated as with pins but it works just as well.

[insanehaberdasher]

@tjw1963 That wasn't really an answer to my question, but thank you for taking the time to respond.

[tjw1963]

@insanehaberdasher I am not an expert on pins so I was providing an alternative to something that I know will work versus sending you on a wild goose chase.

[miracle308]

Can the blocking method that u used with the iron be done on other crochet items?

[tjw1963]

@miracle308 Yes, you can do that with other crochet items. If it is cotton, it should be alright but acrylic or blended yarn may melt.

[purplesmurrrf]

I am crocheting a doily and following the directions exactly and I've noticed it starting to get wavy in the last few rounds. The center lays flat and it's matching the picture they have except the outer rounds aren't flat. I'm still working on it but once I block it will it straighten out? The yarn is a size 10 with a size 7 hook (don't know if that's relevant).

[tjw1963]

@purplesmurrrf It should straighten out when you block it.

[MattOberdier]

will the starch discolor a colored doily? I have one I made with rainbow cotton and want to block it now ...

[tjw1963]

@MattOberdier I have never had the starch discolor anything.

[Wendello5]

Love the doily you are blocking in this video, can you please show us how to do this? Btw, I'm a lefty, really, really appreciate the left handed videos!! <3

[tjw1963]

@Wendello5 Have you found my left hand playlist on my channel page? There are a lot more lefty tutorials in the playlist. If you can't find it, I will send it to you.

[ilovstodance]

i just happen to come across yr video on starching dollies,i have a large frillie dollie have you ever blocked one of them where you can get the frills to stand up, if so or any info for me oh how to do thid beautiful dollie i made about 4 yrs ago, thks diane

[tjw1963]

@ilovstodance Get a big towel or sheet to protect the surface you are working on! My suggestion would be to slightly wet the doily in the center and hand shape it flat. Arrange your ruffles how you want them. Then spray starch the whole doily.

[nannymac47]

Make a pinning board of thick smooth sided Styrofoam and place a piece of flannel over the board, pinning on the back to secure. This is much easier to pin into when blocking the crocheted item.

[etabetapi]

i'm crocheting a lacy shawl with cotton yarn and i have no idea how to block cotton projects, don't even know if i really should - the pattern instructions require blocking - . we don't have sta-flo in my country, and i'd like my shawl to be soft. any hints?

[tjw1963]

@etabetapi I suggest that you dampen your work, lay it out and then shape until it lays flat. You could lightly press your work with an iron and pressing cloth or let it air dry. It is not always necessary to use starch as often as it is recommended.

[livin2sing]

I would love instructions for the doily you showed in the second way of blocking. Your work is so beautiful, and your instructions are so easy to follow! My daughter and I have had so much fun making baby and adult beanie hats!

[tjw1963]

@agnusdei420 If I were to block a blanket it would be laying the wet blanket out on a bed, shaping it and then letting it air dry. When it is something that you are going to be using, there is no purpose in blocking an afghan. If the afghan is laying around as something to look pretty, then you may want to block it.

[tjw1963]

@agnusdei420 This blocking is only for thread. It would be to stiff for a blanket. I have never seen a purpose for blocking a blanket.

[outragedpalmer]

I am doing a scarf that calls for blocking it at the end. Is this what they mean? Never blocked anything before.

[galletita123]

thanks a lot.

[Michelle6998832]

Thank you for taking your precious time to answer my question.

GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS.

[Michelle6998832]

Thank you very much!

I have a really important question,

Is that waterproof? If not, how can I make my crochet water proof, I've seen for baskets,

outside decorations like windchimes and other things but I don't know what to do, do I have to use a permanent stiffener to make it water proof? Thank you so much, your answer

will be very appreciated.

I love, love, love your videos, I love my crochet pumpkin that you taught us last year.

God bless you!!!

[tjw1963]

This will not be water proof.  I will send you the link for the video I did recently where I used a product called smooth on and turned a doily into a plastic bowl. I called the company and they said it will be waterproof to a degree as long as you are not keeping it in 100% water.

[xgaetanox95]

wtf?

[tjw1963]

Did you have a question?

[Kakerville]

Teresa,

I dont think so. I think he doesn't even know what crochet is. Thank you so much for your videos! :)

[AquaSnowCrochet]

Thats really nice! I hope you come up with some doily tutorials! I would love to make some in the future!

[star01101]

could you pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee put a tutorial on how to crochet a doily. thanks

[tjw1963]

I have a small motif made in thread, that covers the basics of a doily. What are you looking for?

[tjw1963]

You are welcome. :)

[geminigirl0527]

I was wondering if you can do a tutorial on how to crochet doilies? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[tjw1963]

I will see what I can come up with for a future tutorial.

[hydamyster]

Is there cardboard under that towel or no?

[tjw1963]

Just a towel on the bed, no cardboard.

[hydamyster]

I like your mixing method. lol :-) I have been waiting for this video from you forever!! Thanks Teresa!

[tjw1963]

I know you have been waiting a long time and I thought about it each time I knew I should be doing a blocking tut. I am sorry it took me so long.

[hydamyster]

Don't say sorry. You have a life just like everyone else :-)

[geminigirl0527]

I like that you used a lot of scrap with different colors. It makes it look like a vintage doily.

[tjw1963]

At one time I used to get a little upset if I spilled on a pure white doily. Now I like coffee stains and water marks from plants on my crochet. Just like what you said, the vintage look. It adds character.

[Jenny1954]

Thats really nice Theresa. Whenever I have washed my doilies, I've let them line dry, them put a damp cotton dish cloth over it and ironed it. It always comes out real nice. I have a request, could you please show how to make a six sided star in the center of a round? Thanks so much! I LOVE you videos!