The results are beautiful! I have requested a steamer for Christmas. Hopefully January will be filled with hours of steam blocking fun for me.

Oh, and definitely funky-good! ;)

I will definitely be adding the Scunci Steamer to my wish list.
Thabnks for the blocking tips - the scarf turned out great.

Wow! The scarf is so beautiful. I'm speechless.

I love the scarf! And your detailed instructions. You should write a book (I'm sure you've never heard that before!)

Now the steamer is also on my wish list. :)

I've always been ascared of the blocking. You make it seem so harmless.

that is AMAZING!

they should have you demonstrate on the infomercial.

one of my first scarf gifts to a co-worker friend was not blocked. i was a new knitter and i thought it was fine as is. but when he opened his new scarf i was shocked to see how wrinkled and short it was. oops! he was none the wiser, but i cringe every time i think about it. seeing your before and after shots makes me want to get it back just to block it properly.

I've never steam blocked: I get the thing WET, so it takes DAYS to dry, but by then it is totally molded to my will. As you are all too well aware, when you live with cats being able to mold things just by getting them wet (or by any other method, for that matter) seems like a pretty good deal.

On the other hand, that steamer is awful cute.

I was really scared of blocking, too, as if it were this mysterious thing. But you know that one pair of pants you have that you are just one sandwich away from being too big for them? And how you wash saidjeans and stretch them out and hang them to dry? That's blocking. Seriously, it's that easy.

I had no idea either! The steamer just makes it fun instead of a chore, plus it really does dry faster than wetting a piece.

AWESOME! i'M A CONVERT TO BLOCKING NOW.

I'm amazed at the difference before and after blocking! I'm a lifelong knitter but have my first ever blocked item (a sweater) drying right now where it has been drying for days (with my fingers crossed). And I have a steamer! Who'd of thunk it? I'll be steaming my next blocking project.

I like the jeans analogy, I never thought of it that way. And I have to say, the scarf looks EVEN COOLER after you blocked it. You've officially converted me.

Dang but you are one good knitter! Excellent blocking tutorial - but you wouldn't end this series with a dud. I'm quite impressed - so impressed in fact that the moebius I'm making for a holiday present will have a row of drop stitch in it prior to the i-cord edging. I didn't realize how easy drop stitch can be - Thanks!

Loved the Blockin' Bob and Franklin D Rosencat photos too :)

Dudette! I had NO idea that blocking could make that SIGNIFICANT a difference! I was just thinking of frogging a scarf I made because it's a tad too short and I'm don't love it enough to go spend the money on another skein. But with some blocking .... hmmmmm .... that puppy could be great (or at least much longer!!!)! I may just try that! Thanks!

I disguised my Scunci steamer request as a tool to clean our bathrooms with. Little did my hubby know I have other (blocking) plans for that wonderful tool. Enjoy yours!

Purl, LOVE LOVE LOVE the scarf. I want it!!!!!! Just cuz it's something that I could never make myself. Damn no creativity gene.

The scarf looks absolutely beautiful after blocking. I am sure that Bob will be glad to help you another time. (I mean, how do you accomplish anything without feline assistance?)

Frankie is gorgeous.

Wow! That's some serious blooming on that scarf! It looks fabulous! Hmm...I think I got a travel steamer years ago lurking in my bedroom back in NY. I'll have to go spelunking for it next week. The cats do NOT like to be locked out of the office away from their sofa for days on end whilst mommy waits for the knitted garments to dry.

Oh - and I forgot to mention, You've inspired me. The next time I make Bobblicious (from the recent knitty) it's gonna be loopylicious instead. And I might even do drop stitches instead of boring stockinette! Watch out world, I'm tweaking a pattern with the help of my Crazy Aunt Purl!

Ooooh, magic! I loves me some magic. And that steamer thing? Way cool! You so crazy Purl.

Woww!! that scarf would really keep me from getting shot by a deer hunter!!! WOO WHOO!!!

"...knitting is kinky like that" I loved that line.... love it love it love it

Frankie looks so adorable and so does Bob...

Laurie,

your photos and directions are so clear and precise (and the humour is always welcome). I hope you are saving all this to put in a book one day. Cheeto Scarf looks great!

Umm... can you get the flu from Evian water?

I am officially in love with this scarf. Blocking! Magic! Who knew?

Christine... for a while on the news out here they kept pronouncing it "the Evian flu" like "eh-vee-ahn" and it was funny. It stuck on me! And also infected me, I think.

Your scarf is beeyooteeful! I'm totally going to block my knits now (I haven't before because I'm both afraid to and lazy).

And I love the cat hideout under the twin bed.

Rock on, Purlie!

Miss Laurie, I thought of you yesterday when I sat for 9 hours in a meeting at RIGHT NEXT to a wet sneezer. I sat down first and she sat next to me, and by the time I realized she was going to sneeze forty times I couldn't move- the meeting room was full. Trapped.

Even worse, she had a watery eye. I thought she was crying at first, but she told me she had no idea why her eye was tear-y.

Don't get me wrong, she and I are buds. Love her. But I hate her symptoms.

My husband had a steamer before we got married. Can you believe my luck? He uses it to clean up around the house- it is fabulous for that too!

Can you block things to make them smaller? Or do I have to knit everything on the small side and then stretch it out? I've never managed to block anything successfully, but then I never tried it with a steamer!

BTW, I discovered your blog a couple months ago and you've become the highlight of my day!

Oh, FINE. I'll add the steamer to my wishlist. Sheesh. But Soba is still first on the list...

And here I am knitting a scarf out of baby alpaca that is so going to need to be blocked and was wondering how to do it the best way...and I do a little clicky clicky, and here you are with my answer.

And, FYI, I always come down with the flu after the shot. Don't buy it when they tell you it's not possible. I stopped getting the shot, haven't gotten the flu since, and I work in an elementary school.

Your scarf is de-lovely!
I have been blocking with a squirt bottle, yours is much more fun.
Note to Santa- puhleeese! Will be very good if only I may have a scunci steamer this Christmas!

Oh and feel better!! ((chicken soup hugs))

I honestly don't know if you can block stuff smaller... aside from felting, of course. Felting shrinks wool like no tomorrow. Cotton could probably be tossed in the dryer to shrink it. I've only blocked to shape stuff or make it longer/bigger. I do have one or two sad Big Head hats that could double as duffel bags LOL ... if you find this magic "block smaller" technique I hope you will share!!

Oh and feel better!! ((chicken soup hugs))

I block just about everything I knit, but the effects on that scarf are really dramatic. It came out swimmingly! I'm generally not a big fan of orange, but that scarf is to die for.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

"men" - that's so funny.

That looks so much better than my ghetto-ass verion of blocking. Which includes: my sink, shampoo (and condtioner, I am a total baby, and it makes the wool less itchy), the bed, and no pinning. I guess I forgot the pinning part. I am incapable of reading directions (I was raised by my dad).

Looks great! I am amazed at how long that puppy is now!

thanks ... I can't believe I got sick from the flu shot. Seriously. Bleh.

Cold? Oh yeah, take mucinex. I was doubtful of it working, but I got the worst chest cold ever (thanks to smoking!) this year, and it helped sooooo much.

I made your magic scarf pattern and I blocked it. I wish I had a functoinal digial camera to show you, it came out nice.

Sweetie! I had my flu shot last week and felt ache-y for 2 whole days! The only thing that helped me was a heat pad on my back and lots of green tea. You do know that I bought the Scunci after seeing the Amazing Annie's demo. Now, Larry and I lurve our Scunci. We lurve it so much that we call each other 'Scunci' in an endearing manner! It's our favorite new word, Scunci!

"knitting is maybe a little kinky that way" LOL! nearly snorted my drink over my keyboard on that one! Your scarf blocked BEAUTIFULLY! Definitely Funky GOOD!

Finally, a use for the $80 steamer that does f-all on all the things it's supposed to clean. And speed-blocking will definitely come in handy with the Christmas gifts that need to be shipped, stat. Thanks for publishing the pictures.

I can't believe I read a whole post on blocking! you can make anything interesting :-)

How do you make little captions on your photos?
thanks,
Laura

Very Nice. I like it alot. Will you post the "recipie" later???I hope.

Can you put other things in the steamer or does it have to be water?

Holy crap! I am totally bringing Katie's scarf over on Sunday and we are steaming. Happy Friday!

Nice blocking! I didn't realize you could stretch out a scarf that much. Hmm....I'm currently blocking-averse but I'll have to try it.

I'm dying to know what "the Dude" is planning to put in the steamer??

I'm afraid to ask because I'm worried about him, but how's Roy?

Most definitely Good Funk there.
Now I have steamer envy.

I. Want. That. Scarf. Please and thankyou.

I'm with Kellie. Love Frankie. Love kitty dark side ("come to me, Luke - I am your father") and kitty light side faces like that.

Came across a new (to me) term last night as I was reading: yarn-whipped. As in "That Noro Transitions has you so yarn-whipped you can't even leave the house without it!"

LOL @ Chris... I am yarnwhipped!!

Anne, Roy is doing OK. He's been eating a lot more so that is good.

kyahgirl - photoshop!
drew... har har.

Laurie,

Great scarf! If only your post had come a week sooner - it might have saved me the agony of COMPLETELY frogging my hubris-driven attempt to do the Craftster circular vest with not nearly enough yarn. I knew about blocking, but, having read your wonderful-as-always post, it seems I did not KNOW about blocking. It's good to know that next time I blow off Yarn Math, there is a fabulous enabling process that will keep me from regretting it.

Carla

Awesome scarf, Purl. Very cool. Very cheesy-orange-good. Can't believe it blocked out so long! There's hope for my daughter's holiday scarf yet.

Sobakowa's face is fascinating! He looks like he has two completely different faces melded together. Really striking.

Thank you for the photo!! Frankie is a sweetie, and seems to have escaped the whole "tortoiseshell madness" thing.

Kitchener stitch is easy. Think of it like a dance.

Being a new (and slightly) remedial crocheter, I have never blocked anything...so I have a question...When you wash it do you have to reblock it each time? Or just never wash it? Or does it magically keep the blocked shape/size?

Honey, you've done it again. What a great post. And I learned how to do the loop stitch from you! In fact, I may just do this entire scarf as a last-minute Christmas gift (probably not in orange, though). In return, I'd be happy to teach you Kitchener stitch, at your convenience. I've successfully taught it before. And yes, I'm working on updating my blog right now.

CAP stalkers, listen up:

Soba is a GIRL.
Frankie is a GIRL.

Carry on.

Funky-good!!

Chandler is a girl.

YAY. That's what I have to say. Because I am thinking now perhaps The Scarf I am working on - the one that refuses to grow beyond 1/3 finished no matter how I knit and knit and cable and knit some more - might possibly one day, very soon be finished. And then blocked!

Hey Laurie, I came straight home after your dinner party with Annie and told Tristan "I want a scunci handheld steamer for either my birthday or Christmas" I got a camera for my birthday and I've left various "steamer reminders" around the house so hopefully it will be under the tree in 9 days!

P.S.--I got flu shots twice and each time I got the flu a few days later and really, really bad. So I just take my chances now and chew vitamin C reinforced Vitaballs--the gumball that's chock full of vitamins!

Ever since I learned to knit, there are things that I have considered "Knitting Magic". Things like: drop stitches, blocking, felting, knitting in the round....I've said to non-knitters on occasion: Such and such (i.e. blocking) is like knitting magic! And they just look at me like I am crazy. That is one of the many reasons I'm so glad to have found you so very long ago: You embrace the knitting magic . . . and the gnomes! :)

Is the Scunci steamer the best one for this kind of job? Because it gets totally lousy reviews on Amazon, but maybe that's because people are trying to clean bathrooms with it?

I simply love that pattern. Must try it after the holidays. Perhaps a bday scarf or something for someone I love...

Go here:

http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/videos/bas-tech-more/kitchener-stitch-rds.mpg

for a nice video on kitchener stitch.

Written instructions are also here:

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_3613664,00.html

You're making me covet one of those steamers. I think I'm gonna hafta add it to my Amazon wish list!

Bee-u-ti-ful job blocking! I actually have a steamer and have never tried using it for blocking--but next thing I knit, definately.

I just learned how to do the kitchner stitch, though--knitty.com has a great tutorial on it (http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer04/FEATtheresasum04.html).

Drew, please please tell me you aren't thinking "wine". Cause I would have to hurt you.

Purl, you should be making commission on Scunci steamers. Cause, dang I'm buying one.

Wow, I'm so sad that Scunci is getting bad reviews on Amazon! I have NO AFFILIATION with the Scunci folks, but I love my steamer for cleaning, too. (Well, what do you expect from someone named Scunci Hater - they must have just been waiting for this product to come along...)

Actually, I do more windows & oven cleaning with it than bathroom cleaning.

Purl - love the post - you are a gem, gem, gem.

So are you going to TNNA?

for someone who only knits hats and scarves (and someday some fuzzyfeet), you are a pro at posting tutorials! great job ms. purl!

Pretty! Pretty pretty!! I am covetous of the steamer. And the scarf is pretty!

Y'all, I hate to brag and all, but I'm sitting here stuck on a plane to Chicago that's delayed two hours and I was just able to read your post from my Blackberry!! Don't know how it works (gnomes?) but I'm thrilled!!

Ok, so I wonder - HOW in the world are people cleaning with their steamers?? Why?? Someone PLEASE share?? Clearly, I'm domestically challenged...

Laurie, hope you feel better soon!!!

OK, I finally need to just get on with thanking you for making me laugh every day. Between you and Howard Stern (sad day today, thank-you Sirius for tomorrow) I have a daily quota of what's right with the world. Also, today I helped deliver my synagogue's KnitsVah Project stuff to the homeless shelter. Knit On Woman!!!

Wow, I had no idea blocking a scarf could make that much of a difference. I've blocked project before, but never stretched them while doing so. Very cool!

~ Christina

How come you didn't love the scarf the way it was? Why did feel it had to be bigger? What kind if issues are you working through? Size isn't everything you know. Small can be nice too.

a fan

As always, you have taken a seemingly boring knitting task and turned it into something fun and wonderful!! You should be a teacher!!

The Kicthener stitch is super easy!! Don't be afraid!! I learned how to do it from the Stitch N Bitch book but there are great videos online too.

Laurie: I wet block everything, not because it is a superior blocking method, but because I'm neurotic that there are chemicals in the yarn that could get on my skin. Yes, I am one of those people who washes new clothes as soon as they come home. Am I a hypocondriac? Maybe.

Yea!!!! Thankyouthankyouthankyou for showing us how to use the scunci! Ever since you wrote about how much you loved it and it even cleaned the oven-its been on my wish list.

Love the cheeto scarf! Yummy Goodness!~

Laurie, maybe you could go on that infomercial they have for the scunci steamer and show them how to block with it! You could be their spokesperson for the knitting community. This could open up a whole new market for the scunci steamer.
Also I was thinking Frankie(?)'s face kind of looks like a yin/yang symbol.
Also you are my interweb girl crush.
just sayin'.

Great scarf, fabulous instructions!

Yippee, another person who feel about blocking like I do. I Love Blocking. It can be very zen, in fact, I did a workshop once called Zen and The Art of Blocking. Now I just need to ask Hanukah Harry to bring me one of those awesome steamers.

I love the scarf (and your blog).

Laurie - Great job on the scarf. It's definitely "funky-good"!

i've been lurking and loving your blog for a few months and am finally compelled to post a comment. i've steamed blocked with my iron and spritz blocked and really haven't seen a huge difference. i've avoided wet blocking because i have no surfaces to let the darn things dry (plus there's the cats to contend with). but a power steamer might just be the way to go. with a sweater almost done i might have to run to target and buy a scunci.

Wow! What a difference. Now I MUST have a steamer.
I hve no good surfaces either, and I hate blocking the wet way as a result.

Thanks for the Frankie shot! I'm always happy to see her :)

I have totally heard of people getting the flu from their flu shots.

Hey I know you are a patons up country fan check out the sale at elann.com-- less than $4 a ball

http://secure.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=Patons+Up+Country&Season=&Company=&Cat=NEW&ProductType=&OrderBy=&Count=4

I love orange, and I love the scarf. It is definitly funky-good and I would wear it everywhere.

WOW That scarf is beautiful and would look so great with the sweater that I am wearing right now! (I'd even give up my way to expensive Burberry scarf for a cheeto scarf.....)

Damn, that's an awesome scarf! So! Cool!

What kind of steamer is that? I think I may just need one.

The scarf looks great! BTW, the SnB book has fool-proof instructions for the kitchener stitch. I know they're fool-proof because even I can follow them and following-the-leader is not something I am terribly proficient at. Happy holidays and hugs to knitters and kitties!

You are a super awesome tutorialist writer person!!! It's funny that this very weekend the mom-in-law took me xmas shopping and what did I pick but a hand held steamer, for this very reason! the man thought it was funny, he was hoping I'd pick the coffee pot but nope, this is for me only-woo hoo!!!

Really though, you are an awesome teacher... and you can't even tell the awkwardness of the one-handed photography, brilliant!

I did a little amazon research on my Sears bought Conair steamer and here is part of an actual review:

"If you're looking for a steamer to seal your synthetic hair dread extentions, this one will work like a dream."

Doesn't say anything about blocking the knitting but if it works this well for hair extensions, I ask you, how could you possibly go wrong?!

Weaveage and blocking-what more could a girl ask for??!!

Ooo. It's magic. Wow.

Confession: I've never blocked anything. Ever. I've been knitting for almost 5 years. I am a bad knitter...

As of this morning, I am no longer a blocking virgin thanks to your post! Two scarves blocked!

Whoa! I come by often to read your site as I did while deployed until they blocked your site. :( Anyway I was knitting a wool blend scarf yesterday about to run out of yarn and I happened to come by your site and read this. I decided instead of buying more yarn I'd give the steam blocking a try! I did it last night and it worked and was so easy! I have one cat and two puppies. So yea...I blocked behind a closed door. Thanks so much for the instructions! And I love that scarf! Really pretty.

ooo - funky GOOD!

Hi Laurie,
You have convinced me to try blocking! I have a Clapotis that I started in a thinner yarn, so I knitted it on smaller needles. Now that it looks like it will be short, I am dreading the task of frogging it and starting all over. I am going to try that steaming trick and keep you posted. Thanks for such an awesome demo!
=:8

Mike 18 http://43133.rapidforum.com/