How to: Block A Hat
As with socks, some people choose not to block their finished knitted hats. There are a few exceptions, however. For instance, you may need to block your hat after laundering it. If you’d like to block your hat, try one of the following suggestions:
Important tools:
- A basin or sink
- Towels
- T-pins
- A measuring tape
- Pattern schematic or finished measurements
Optional (but nice to have!) tools:
- Soak wash
- Blocking mats or a blocking board
Block your hat as you would a sweater by soaking it, rolling it in a towel to squeeze out excess water, then choose one of the following methods to block your hat.
- Pin it out flat to schematic measurements on a towel until dry. See our step-by-step guide to wet blocking here.
- Pull your damp hat over an upturned, appropriately sized bowl to create the proper shape. Allow to dry on your makeshift hat form. (Works well for felted hats.)
- Inflate a large balloon to roughly the size of your head. Pull the damp hat carefully over the balloon and allow to dry.
- Lay a thin towel over your head and pull on your damp hat so that it conforms to your head. Let it set for a few minutes and then carefully remove. Set on a dry towel to finish drying.
- You can always purchase a hat form or a styrofoam mannequin head (used to display wigs) for blocking purposes.
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