Cashmere is synonymous with luxury. Its soft, warm texture makes it one of the most sought-after fibers in the world. Whether you’ve just knitted a beautiful scarf, sweater, or are caring for a cashmere piece you bought, one essential step often overlooked is blocking. Blocking helps your cashmere retain its shape, smoothens uneven stitches, and gives your item a polished, professional finish.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best way to block cashmere, ensuring your garments look their best for years to come.
Table of Contents
What is Blocking and Why Does it Matter for Cashmere?
Blocking is the process of shaping your knitted or crocheted item into its final form. After hours spent knitting or purchasing that perfect cashmere piece, blocking helps set its shape and size. This technique is vital for cashmere, as its delicate fibers require gentle handling to maintain the luxurious feel and longevity of the fabric.
Why Cashmere Needs Special Care
Cashmere, sourced from the soft undercoat of goats, has unique properties that set it apart from other fibers. It’s softer, warmer, and more delicate, so it can stretch or deform if not cared for properly. Without blocking, your carefully crafted stitches may look uneven, and the garment could lose its intended shape after washing. Blocking helps cashmere maintain its form, ensuring that it looks pristine and feels soft to the touch.
Tools You’ll Need for Blocking Cashmere
Before starting the blocking process, gather these essential tools:
- A basin or sink for soaking
- Clean towels
- Blocking mats (optional, but useful for delicate fabrics)
- Rust-proof pins or T-pins
- A soft measuring tape
- Wool wash or a gentle detergent specifically for delicate fibers like cashmere (optional)
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The Best Way to Block Cashmere: Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Wet Blocking: The Most Effective Method
For cashmere, wet blocking is generally considered the most effective way to achieve the best results. Here’s how to wet block your cashmere garment:
- Step 1: Soak the Garment
Start by filling a basin or sink with lukewarm water. Add a few drops of wool wash or a gentle detergent if your garment is due for a wash. Gently submerge your cashmere item, ensuring it is fully immersed. Allow it to soak for around 15-20 minutes. This process helps relax the fibers, making it easier to shape. - Step 2: Remove Excess Water
After soaking, lift the garment out of the water. Do not wring or twist the fabric, as this can stretch or damage the fibers. Instead, press it lightly to remove excess water. Lay the garment flat on a clean towel and roll it up, gently pressing to absorb the remaining moisture. - Step 3: Shape the Garment
Lay your cashmere item flat on a blocking mat or another flat surface. Use your hands to gently stretch the garment to the desired shape and dimensions. Pin the edges with rust-proof pins to secure it in place, ensuring that key areas like the sleeves and neckline are properly shaped. Make sure not to overstretch the fabric, especially around delicate areas. - Step 4: Let it Dry
Leave the garment to air dry completely. This can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours, depending on the humidity and thickness of the item. Once it’s fully dry, carefully remove the pins and admire the results.
2. Steam Blocking: An Alternative for Stubborn Fibers
If wet blocking isn’t your preferred method, you can try steam blocking. This technique is particularly useful if you’re working with a cashmere item that’s already dry or if you need to adjust the shape without a full wash.
- Step 1: Prepare Your Steam Iron
Set your steam iron to a low heat setting suitable for wool or delicate fabrics. Ensure the steam function is turned on but avoid direct contact between the iron and the cashmere fabric. - Step 2: Shape and Pin
Lay the cashmere piece flat on a towel or blocking mat. Using rust-proof pins, shape the item as needed, pinning the edges to hold the shape. - Step 3: Apply Steam
Hold the steam iron about 2 inches above the fabric and gently apply steam, moving the iron across the surface without touching the cashmere. The steam will help relax the fibers, allowing you to shape the garment more easily. After steaming, leave the item to dry fully before removing the pins.
3. Spray Blocking: A Quick Fix for Smaller Items
For small cashmere accessories like scarves, gloves, or hats, spray blocking can be an excellent option. It’s faster and requires minimal effort.
- Step 1: Lightly Mist the Garment
Place the item flat on a towel or blocking mat. Fill a spray bottle with clean water and lightly mist the entire surface of the garment. Be careful not to soak the item fully. - Step 2: Shape and Pin
As with wet and steam blocking, use your hands to smooth and shape the item into the desired form. Pin down the edges to hold the shape while it dries. - Step 3: Let it Dry
Allow the item to dry naturally in a cool, dry area. Once completely dry, remove the pins and your cashmere accessory should have a polished, well-defined look.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Blocking Cashmere
While blocking is a relatively simple process, there are a few common mistakes to avoid, particularly with delicate fabrics like cashmere:
- Over-stretching: Cashmere is incredibly soft, so it’s easy to stretch the fibers too much during blocking. Avoid pulling the fabric too hard, especially around the edges.
- Using hot water: Always use lukewarm water when blocking cashmere. Hot water can cause the fibers to shrink or felt, permanently damaging the garment.
- Skipping the blocking process: Don’t be tempted to skip blocking. Even if the garment looks good off the needles, blocking smooths uneven stitches and helps set the proper shape.
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The Importance of Reblocking Cashmere
Unlike some other fibers, cashmere benefits from periodic reblocking. Over time, natural wear and washing may cause your cashmere garments to lose their shape. A good rule of thumb is to reblock your cashmere items once or twice a year or whenever you feel they need reshaping.
Reblocking follows the same steps as outlined above and helps to maintain the overall appearance and structure of the garment. For heavily used items like sweaters, reblocking can extend their lifespan and keep them looking their best.
Long-Term Care for Blocked Cashmere
After investing time in blocking your cashmere, it’s important to care for the garment properly:
- Hand wash only: Cashmere is best washed by hand. Avoid machine washing, which can be too harsh for the delicate fibers.
- Dry flat: Always lay cashmere garments flat to dry. Hanging them can cause stretching, especially in areas like the shoulders or sleeves.
- Store carefully: When not in use, fold cashmere items and store them in a cool, dry place. Consider using moth-repellent sachets or cedar blocks to protect against pests.
FAQs on Best Way to Block Cashmere
What is blocking?
Blocking is the process of shaping a knitted or crocheted item into its final dimensions. It helps smooth stitches and ensures the garment maintains its intended size and shape.
Can I block any cashmere item?
Yes, you can block most cashmere items, whether they are hand-knit or store-bought. It’s especially useful for knitted garments like scarves, sweaters, and shawls.
Should I always use wet blocking for cashmere?
Wet blocking is generally the best method for cashmere, but steam or spray blocking can also work for specific items or quick fixes.
How often should I block my cashmere items?
Block your cashmere garments once or twice a year, or whenever they lose their shape.
Conclusion on Best Way to Block Cashmere
Blocking cashmere is a simple yet crucial step in maintaining the beauty and longevity of your garments. By following the best practices outlined in this guide, you’ll ensure that your cashmere remains soft, well-shaped, and luxurious for years to come. Whether you prefer wet, steam, or spray blocking, the result will be worth the effort, transforming your cashmere into a flawless, professional-looking masterpiece.
