Many people often say this controversial statement, “acrylic yarn cannot be blocked as it will melt and destroy your work.”There is a need to discard that statement, as acrylic yarn can be blocked and blocked perfectly, either temporarily or permanently, based on your desire.
However, it is wrong to block your acrylic yarn as it cannot be used again due to the fibers being destroyed. Blocking your acrylic yarn will do you and your project much more good than harm, but you must use the right method to get a perfect job of blocking it well.
Does Acrylic Yarn Block Well?
Yes. It does. Besides, the only way to give your finished acrylic project a unique and professional look is to block it. However, acrylic yarn can not be blocked the way another yarn material is being blocked.
What Is The Best Method For Blocking Acrylic Yarn?
Amazingly, Blocking with a Hair dryer has proved to be the best method of blocking available. Besides, the method is easy to practice, blocks your work very fast, and does not kill your yarn.
Below are the steps required to block your acrylic yarn with the best method; Hair dryer.
- Lay your finished project flat, and pin all the edges to your desired shape.
- Spray water on your finished project to give it a bit of moisture.
- Plug in your hair dryer and adjust the settings based on your desire: low or high.
- Move your hair dryer back and forth over the finished project for a few minutes.
- Make sure the heat is being applied to the edges properly.
- Using your hand, press out the curls on the finished projects.
- Allow it to dry and cool off before removing the pin.
After the pin removal, your acrylic yarn is set for use without the fear of being killed. However, ensure the heat is not too close to the yarn and always move the hair dryer around on the finished project, as positioning it in a particular spot for too long will destroy or kill the fabric.
What Other Methods Can Be Used To Block Acrylic Yarn?
Several other methods can be used to block your acrylic yarn if a hair dryer is not available or you are scared of your yarn being killed.
There are other 4 methods of blocking available for blocking your acrylic yarn. However, this works perfectly based on the type of needlework used for the project. For example, wet blocking works well for a crochet acrylic yarn finished work, though not as perfect as using a hair dryer, but it does not work well for a knitting project.
1. Wet Blocking
This is one of the blocking methods which is also best for blocking acrylic yarn finish projects. However, it only works for crocheted acrylic yarn but fails to block knitted acrylic yarn perfectly.
This can be done by simply following the steps below;
- Fill your bathtub or plastic tub halfway with clean water.
- Fold your finished project vertically and horizontally.
- Soak the folded finished project in the water for 20 to 25 minutes, ensuring that the project is fully submerged.
- Prepare your blocking mat or towel, noting where to pin when you place your finished project using the measurement.
- Remove your finished project from the water and gently squeeze out the excess water to prevent the project from stretching.
- Place on a towel and fold the project in the towel.
- Roll the towel over the project and press gently to allow the water to come out.
- Place the project on the blocking mat, pinning it down at the edges or where you have placed the pin.
- Allow it to dry overnight; once a side is dry, turn to the other side to permit even drying.
2. Spray Blocking
It is also easy to practice, as you only need a spray bottle, pin, and blocking mat. However, it might not give your desired shape, but it can be used for your acrylic yarn by people who do not like blocking their finished project but still love to have a shaped project.
This method will not give you a perfect edge but will only adjust the edge for you when using acrylic yarn. It can be used for your acrylic yarn project using the following steps;
- Lay your project on a flat surface or a blocking mat.
- Pin down the edges roundabout.
- Fill the spray bottle with water.
- Spray the projects, pressing them with your free hand.
- Allow it to dry before removing the pins.
3. Steam Blocking
Steam blocking is not a permanent method for blocking acrylic yarn as it does not work perfectly compared to using a hair dryer or wet blocking.
However, there is a need to be careful due to the high possibility of getting your yarn destroyed in the blocking process, as you will be using a steam iron to get that done.
This can be done by following the steps below;
- Lay your project on the blocking mat and pin it at the edges.
- Fill the steam iron water tank with water.
- Plug in your steam iron and hover it across your project by maintaining a 4 to 5-cm distance from your project.
- Check your acrylic project while steaming for any signs of melting; once you notice that, stop blocking and allow it to cool; it simply means the iron is too hot.
- Make sure your project conforms to your desired shape by applying heat above the pinned area.
- Allow it to cool off before removing the pins.
One very important thing to note is not to place a cloth on the acrylic yarn to press, as the yarn is delicate and can get melted easily through direct heat contact.
4. Use The Washing Machine And Dryer
This method is called the automatic method, as the major thing used is a washing machine and a dryer. Place your finished project in the washing machine before moving it to the dryer (it is best to do that with other clothes).
Remove the damp project from the dryer and place it on a flat surface, pressing it down with your hand and allowing it to dry completely. You will be surprised by the almost perfect result when your project dries up.
What Is The Worst Method To Block Acrylic Yarn?
The worst method depends on what you are blocking and the type of needlework (crochet or knit) you used for your project.
Look at the table,
| Type Of Needle Work | Best Blocking Method | Good Blocking Method | Better Blocking Method | Fair Blocking Method | Worst BlockingMethod |
| Crochet | Hair Dryer | Wet Blocking | Washing Machine and Dryer | Steam Blocking | Spray Blocking |
| Knit | Hair Dryer | Washing Machine and Dryer. | Spray Blocking | Steam Blocking | Wet Blocking |
From the table; you can easily identify the best blocking method down to the worst blocking method to use for your acrylic yarn, depending on the needlework type.
What Benefit Do I Derive From Blocking Acrylic Yarn Finished Project?
The benefits of blocking acrylic yarn can not be overemphasized, as it is the same as blocking other yarns. The benefits include;
- It helps to shape your finished project.
- It gives your work a unique and beautiful look.
- Your works look neater when blocked, as it helps to even out irregular stitches.
- It helps soften the acrylic yarn
- Your work looks professional.
Do I Need To Block Acrylic Yarn Project Each Time I Wash?
No, except the project has lost its shape, as the main purpose of blocking acrylic yarn projects is to shape the project’s edges.
Can 100% Acrylic Yarn Be Blocked?
Yes. It can be blocked as the edges are perfectly shaped when blocked right using the best technique.
How Do I Avoid Killing My Acrylic Yarn When Steam Blocking?
The best thing to do is to test your steam iron on a swatch before using it on your finished project, as a very hot steam iron will melt the yarn fibers, killing it and permanently blocking it, which is not needed for any project work.
Is Blocking Acrylic Yarn Permanent?
No. Blocking acrylic yarn is not a permanent process, as it is used to give your work a perfect shape. However, you can make it permanent by killing your yarn which is very bad for the lifespan of your finished project.
Conclusion
Are you ready to block your acrylic yarn, having gone through the five methods of blocking your finished project?
You need to be focused, patient and careful when blocking your yarn, as all of these methods have their demerits, and a little mistake might ruin your project.